Literature Review

United Way helps Hospice in the Pines bring care to all The Lufkin Daily News, Lufkin, TX; by Ruben Ibarra, Jr.; 11/15/25 For nearly four decades, Hospice in the Pines has offered end-of-life care with compassion to hundreds of families each year. Now approaching its 40th anniversary, the nonprofit continues to provide care to patients across 12 counties, with crucial support from the United Way of Angelina County helping fill the gaps for those who cannot afford care. ... Through the United Way, Hospice in the Pines receives funding that directly supports charity care for uninsured patients. Each year, the nonprofit provides more than $250,000 worth of medical services and equipment to individuals who have no Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance coverage, making sure patients receive the same level of care as any other.

[UK] Groom diagnosed with cancer marries bride in ‘dream wedding’ organized by hospice staff in just 2 days People; by Kimberlee Speakman; 11/14/25 Karl Marsh, who was diagnosed with cancer in May 2024, wed his fiancée, Sarah Wooley, on Sunday, Nov. 9. Their "dream wedding" was put together in 48 hours by the staff at Katharine House Hospice in the U.K., where Marsh was transferred to in October. ... The couple — who first met in 2010 and rekindled their relationship during Christmas 2022 — had initially planned to tie the knot on Nov. 22, but decided to bring their wedding date up after Marsh’s “condition worsened.” 

Finding their "why": Women in healthcare share their journeys at Alys Smith Symposium The Parthenon; by Abby Ayes; 11/13/25 ...  This year, the [seventh Alys Smith Symposisum on Women Professionals] celebration centered on Melanie Hall, Hospice of Huntington CEO and Marshall University alumna, whose keynote address offered a glimpse into resilience, loss and purpose. ... Hall’s story began with a spark of curiosity. “In early high school, you’re trying to figure out what you’re going to do,” she said. “So, I signed up to be a candy striper.” ... In 2013, Hall’s husband encouraged her to apply for the CEO position at Hospice of Huntington. A few months later, tragedy struck when a house fire destroyed everything her family owned. “Thankfully, all my family made it out,” Hall said. “But life changed in just a few hours.” ... As she wrapped up her keynote, Hall left the audience with a reminder about finding purpose in the unexpected turns of life. [Continue reading.]Editor's Note: Thank you Melanie for your leadership both through Hospice of Huntington and throughout your community. This article ends with, "Students, faculty, and community members were given the chance to ask questions, connect, and learn about nontraditional pathways in healthcare, a fitting close to an evening dedicated to women whose care, courage and conviction define what it means to serve."

When health care teams run short, physician burnout rises American Medical Association (AMA); by Sara Berg, MS; 11/4/25 ... Drawing on data from the AMA Organizational Biopsy®, the study reveals that inadequate team staffing was also linked to physicians’ intentions to cut clinical hours or leave their organizations. The findings underscore how sustained workforce shortages and daily understaffing continue to affect morale and retention in medicine long after the acute phase of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Participants included 970 physicians from 15 organizations.

How robotic surgery’s past is informing its futureHealthcare Brew; by Caroline Catherman; 11/6/25From transcontinental telesurgery to AI-powered procedures, tech is reshaping how and where surgery happens. Robot-assisted surgery, which allows physicians to control a mechanical arm equipped with surgical instruments and a high-definition camera, has been a big part of this transformation. The first robot platform was used on a human patient in 1985, though the field didn’t really take off until Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci system for minimally invasive surgery launched in 2000. By 2018, 15.1% of US general surgery procedures involved robotic surgery, a 2020 JAMA Network Open study found.Publisher's note: We continue to explore how ai and robotics impact serious illness and end-of-life care.

ID# 1904730 Peripheral nerve stimulation, a minimally invasive option for end of life pain managementNeuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface; by Jeffrey Cao; 10/25Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) works by delivering targeted electrical pulses to peripheral nerves, which transmit sensory and motor signals between the central nervous system and the body. Integrating peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) into hospice care for cancer patients marks a significant advancement in pain management, focusing on personalized and comprehensive approaches to enhance the quality of life. The reported cases highlight the effectiveness of PNS in targeting specific nerves for pain relief, complementing pharmacological therapies and improving overall patient outcomes. As research continues, PNS holds promise as a key intervention in palliative care ...

10 common sibling clashes while caring for parents—and how to resolve them AOL.com; 11/10/25 Sibling conflicts over the care of elderly parents are quite common, along with disputes over estates and inheritance. ... 

Developing medical cannabis competencies-A consensus statementJAMA Network Open; by Yuval Zolotov, Leslie Mendoza Temple, Richard Isralowitz, David A. Gorelick, Rebecca Abraham, Donald I. Abrams, Kyle Barich, Kevin F. Boehnke, Stephen Dahmer, Joseph Friedman, Patricia Frye, Aviad Haramati, Jade Isaac, Mary Lynn Mathre, Marion E. McNabb, Melinda Ring, Ethan B. Russo, Deepika E. Slawek, Brigham R. Temple, Genester S. Wilson-King, Julia H. Arnsten, Mikhail Kogan; 10/25An initial list of 9 competencies was refined and consolidated into 6 core competencies [for the use of medical cannabis]: (1) understand the basics of the endocannabinoid system; (2) describe the main components of the cannabis plant and their biological effects; (3) review the legal and regulatory landscape of cannabis in the US; (4) describe the evidence base for health conditions that are commonly managed with cannabis; (5) understand the potential risks of medical cannabis use; and (6) understand basic clinical management with medical cannabis. Each competency is supported by 2 to 7 subcompetencies, resulting in 26 subcompetencies reflecting granular topics, such as patient safety, vulnerable populations, structural inequities, and interdisciplinary care. These consensus-derived competencies provide a structured, evidence-informed foundation to guide the integration of medical cannabis into undergraduate medical education.

Home-based care providers reap benefits of palliative care – but broader adoption hinges on reformHome Health Care News; by Joyce Famakinwa; 11/10/25 Home-based providers are seeing tangible benefits from incorporating palliative care services as part of their offerings, but adoption of palliative service lines has remained limited. However, reimbursement and regulatory reform, as well as electronic medical record (EMR) enhancements, can accelerate broader adoption of palliative services. In the process, at-home care providers that diversify into palliative care services can differentiate themselves from their peers and improve the quality of care. For Dr. Kurt Merkelz, chief medical officer at Compassus, the combination of home health and palliative care is a net positive for providers.

Inside Compassus’ 2-pronged plan to expand Providence joint venture Home Health Care News; by Morgan Gonzales; 11/11/25 The joint venture between Compassus and not-for-profit health system Providence is set to expand through two key growth tactics. ... For the first pillar, the joint venture aims to expand through multiple sources within Providence, including case management, discharge planning, hospital-based clinicians and Providence’s ambulatory environment. ... Its second growth strategy looks outside of the Providence ecosystem for referrals, whether from long-term care facilities, skilled nursing facilities or physicians working directly with patients. 

A new treasure arrives to downtown Menomonie Volume One, Wisconsin; 11/11/25 ... Adoray’s Treasures from the Heart (521 2nd St. E, Menomonie) — the newest addition to Adoray Home Health & Hospice’s fundraising thrift stores — opened its doors earlier this summer. In just a few short months, this second-hand boutique has captured the hearts of community members, Amber Bettinger-Lytle, Adoray’s director of marketing and development said. “Every item that comes through our doors tells a story,” Bettinger-Lytle shared. “When someone donates a household item or buys a sweater, that act of kindness ripples outward, helping us bring care, compassion and hope to someone in need.”Editor's Note: This article's tone and wording moves it from a typical sales promotion to meaning and purpose, linking past, present and future. 

LifeCare Home Health acquires Infinity Hospice Care Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 11/7/25 LifeCare Home Health in Nevada has acquired Infinity Hospice Care for an undisclosed amount. Infinity serves patients across Nevada and Arizona. Through the deal, LifeCare also obtains a Las Vegas-based inpatient facility. The transaction marks the company’s first entry into the Arizona marketplace. Editor's Note: LifeCare Home Health recently acquired St. Gabriel's Hospice & Palliative Care in Texas.