Document:

<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 10.22

                              VISTACARE LETTERHEAD

                                          May 24, 2001

Mr. Richard R. Slager
2480 W. Lane Avenue
Columbus, OH 43221

Dear Rick:

      Let me start off by saying that I have really enjoyed getting to know you
over the last few months. Although the process has been a bit more drawn out
than probably both of us would have preferred, it has allowed me the opportunity
to get to know you better and understand and appreciate your qualities and
ability to lead VistaCare.

      VistaCare and the work we do is very important to me, and I do not take
the selection process lightly. The CEO of the company must not only he capable
of providing financial, operational and strategic leadership, but must also be
able to reflect those values so necessary in caring for the dying. Our
caregivers will look to you and need to know that you sincerely care about what
we do.

      I believe you will be a great partner in building shareholder value. As
you know, we have many opportunities to significantly grow this business and
expand upon our success. Our investors have entrusted us with their money, and
we must work hard to deliver upon our promises of future returns. As we grow the
business and expand upon our success, you should also reap the significant
benefits that derive from increasing share value.

      As we discussed over the weekend, I am offering you the position of
President and Chief Executive Officer of VistaCare. In this position, you will
have full profit and loss responsibility for the company. Reporting to you will
be the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Medical Officer,
National Medical Director, VP Human Resources, Chief Information Officer and the
VP of Business Development.

      Beyond full P&L responsibility, you will also oversee the due diligence
and integration of identified acquisitions. We will work closely together to set
the strategic direction for the company, build the proper culture and work with
our existing and new investors.

      Short-term compensation includes a base salary of $282,500 per year, a
target bonus of 50% of base salary (based on meeting specific company and
personal objectives that we will jointly establish). Your performance and salary
will be reviewed annually, with any salary increases beginning on the first
anniversary of your employment.

      As a significant senior manager, you will also receive 1,200,000 incentive
stock options, priced at $1.50 that will vest twenty percent (20%) per year over
a five-year period. I will
<PAGE>
forward you a copy of the VistaCare Incentive Stock Option Plan along with this
employment letter. These options are being granted in recognition of the key
role and impact you will have in shaping the company's future. As you are aware,
a significant equity position will allow you to realize substantial wealth
accumulation as we build a successful business.

      In addition to the described compensation, you will be eligible for all
VistaCare benefits including medical and dental care, life insurance,
disability, 401(k), four weeks of paid vacation, other VistaCare employee
benefits and be subject to VistaCare's personnel policies.

      Per our conversation, VistaCare will also pay for travel to and from
Columbus as you work to relocate your family from Columbus, Ohio to the Phoenix,
Arizona area. While I would expect you to be diligent in making this transition
as quickly as possible, we will cover expenses related to air travel to and from
Columbus and temporary housing expenses in Scottsdale (apartment rent) for up to
six months after VistaCare employs you. As for relocation expenses, VistaCare
will pay for normal real estate costs associated with selling your home in Ohio
and normal expenses incurred in moving your household belongings to Arizona.

      In the event that your employment is terminated without cause, you will be
paid your base pay as severance pay for twenty-six pay periods and such pro rata
option shares shall be deemed as having been vested as of the date of
termination. Should the Company be sold through other than public offering or if
the majority of the Board changes and there is an adverse impact on your
position as CEO, you will also be entitled to request and receive severance pay
as set forth above. Your right to receive severance pay must be made within
twelve months of the sale of the Company or Change of Control. Any payment of
severance pay will cease upon your accepting any other employment, if the
payment results from other than a sale of the Company.

      If you are terminated without cause or after you exercise your rights on a
Change of Control as set forth above, you will have the right to immediately
exercise those numbers of options that have vested, or would have vested had you
worked for a period of five years, for a period of ninety (90) days after such
termination. If you are terminated without cause after the sale of the Company
through other than a public offering, or you exercise your rights to severance
after the sale of the Company through other than a public offering, you will
also have the right to immediately exercise those numbers of options that have
vested, or would have vested had you worked for a period of five years, for a
period of one (1) year after such termination.

      Rick, I look forward to working with you and feel certain that you will be
a great leader for VistaCare. We have a great opportunity before us, and I look
forward to the insight and capability you will bring to our future. Not many
people get the opportunity to help create a company, and importantly, make such
a difference in so many lives.
<PAGE>
      This Agreement is personal and confidential. Please indicate your
acceptance of this offer by signing and returning a copy of this letter. Should
you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call.

                                          Warm regards,

                                          /s/ Barry M. Smith
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Barry M. Smith
                                          Chairman

AGREED AND ACCEPTED:

/s/ Richard R. Slager                5/25/01
---------------------------------------------------
Richard R. Slager                    Date<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 10.23

                          VISTA HOSPICE CARE LETTERHEAD

August l, 1996

Perry Fine, M.D.
Pain Management Center
University of Utah
646 Chipeta Way, Suite 2000
Salt Lake City, UT 84105

Dear Perry:

I hope all is well in Center Ossipee and that you are enjoying family and
outdoor summer beauty on the lake. The cool weather you are experiencing is
something we can only dream about here in the "hot zone"!

We are very enthusiastic about your participation in the future of Vista. We
have already made much progress in a very short time, laying down the foundation
for a very strong future. Your leadership will help us to stay focused on
clinical excellence and become an important part of the hospice community. I
would like to memorialize our agreement for you to serve as Medical Director for
Vista Hospice Care of Utah and Medical Director for Vista Hospice Care, Inc.
starting September 1, 1996. In this capacity, you will be a direct report to me
and have a strong working relationship with the entire Vista senior management
team.

I believe we agreed to the following:

1.       The position of Medical Director for Vista Hospice Care, Inc. will be a
         part time position until June, 1998 when the position will migrate
         slowly to full time to allow continued association with the University
         of Utah. As we discussed, although I envision the position being full
         time in June of 1998, we will continuously evaluate the need and
         mutually agree upon that which makes sense for you and the company.

2.       The part time position can be based in Salt Lake City until it becomes
         full time. At that time, the full time position is preferred to be
         based in Phoenix. Although there is the strong preference for you to
         reside in Phoenix, we will accommodate you remaining in Salt Lake City
         should your personal situation not allow you to relocate. If your
         residence is to remain in Salt Lake City, we would like you to commit
         to being at the Vista corporate offices 1-2 days per week to facilitate
         senior management coordination and project leadership. It is possible
         that an office can be established in Salt Lake City at Vista Hospice
         Care of Utah where you could locate your local office. However, we will
         avoid any corporate infrastructure being built in Utah.

3.       Your initial compensation would be based on 40% of your time (roughly 2
         days per week). The flat salary is $40,000 annually, until such time as
         you transition to full time employment. At that time, your annual cash
         compensation would start at $175,000, along with all associated
         benefits of a full time Vista employee. Your performance and
<PAGE>
         salary will be reviewed annually, with salary increases beginning on
         your first anniversary of employment.

         We are granting you a total of 60,000 stock options at a price of $.67,
         vesting over a five year schedule during your employment by Vista. You
         will vest at a rate of 10% in years one and two of our agreement,
         26.67% in year three, and 26.66% years four and five. The vesting
         period would begin upon your employment by Vista. We are finalizing the
         stock option plan and should have the agreements ready for signing by
         September 15, 1996. You will need to sign and return the agreement to
         the attention of Steve Wylie, Chief Financial Officer, at our
         Scottsdale offices.

4.       Your Vista professional expenses, including professional insurance
         (addressing risk associated with Vista related activities) and other
         professional association fees, will be paid by Vista. This would also
         include fees required for you to maintain your medical credentials.

5.       You will receive four weeks of paid vacation. We will be pleased to
         accommodate your annual New Hampshire family trip. We would ask that
         you attempt to schedule Vista activity so that this trip will be
         minimally disruptive to work flow and that if true emergencies arise,
         you will make yourself available to handle them. One issue that might
         possibly arise would be the demand of the IPO process on the senior
         management team. We are planning this to occur during the summer of
         1998.

Again Perry, welcome to the team. We have an exciting future, and I am certain
you will make a very substantial contribution to our collective success. If you
agree with the terms outlined in this letter, please sign and return a copy for
our files.

Warm regards,

/s/ Barry M. Smith
---------------------------
Barry M. Smith
President

AGREED AND ACCEPTED:

/s/ Perry Fine, M.D.              8/8/96
-------------------------------------------------
Perry Fine, M.D.                   Date

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00042-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00042-of-00352.parquet"}]]