Literature Review

Duke University Health System CEO: 7 lessons learned from a complex transformation Becker's Hospital Review; by Craig T. Albanese, MD, CEO of Duke University Health System; 4/3/25 Change management is both the art and science of preparing, supporting and equipping individuals, teams and an organization to adopt and adapt to new beginnings. ... Unifying our organization over the past 21 months, as with most mergers, has been challenging and we are far from finished. ... Lessons Learned:

1 red flag that reveals bad leadership fast: One clear sign can tell you a lot about whether someone is leading well or failing miserably. Inc., by Marcel Schwantes; 3/28/25 Bad leadership isn’t always obnoxious, toxic, or obvious. Sometimes it shows up in small, everyday moments—how someone talks to their team, how they handle mistakes, or how they treat people when no one’s watching. You don’t need a long list to spot it, either. A few clear signs can tell you a lot about whether someone is leading well … or just holding the title. ... Here is one quick way to recognize bad leadership before it does real damage: a lack of patience ... [Continue reading ...]

Transforming healthcare:  Hospice in the news, March 2025  Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); pod/videocast by Chris Comeaux with Cordt Kassner; 4/2/25 In this episode of TCNtalks, Chris Comeaux and Dr. Cordt Kassner, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today and CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics, leverage their data and extensive experience to identify key Hospice headlines, articles, research, and social media posts that are driving change and transforming end-of-life care and healthcare in America. They share personal experiences with hospice care, emphasizing the importance of social work and discussing the challenges of healthcare reimbursement.  The conversation also touches on MedPAC recommendations, new social media trends, and highlights from recent research articles. 

Health system CFOs fight for Medicaid on Capitol Hill Becker's Hospital Reivew; by Alan Condon; 3/31/25 Multiple health system CFOs recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, advocating against proposed Medicaid cuts that could threaten access to care and lead to the closure of essential hospital services. Health system executives participating in these discussions included:

The blind side of leadership: Toxic positivity in workplace culture Forbes; by Tracy Lawrence; 3/26/25 A surprising number of leaders are unaware of toxic positivity, even as they unwittingly cultivate it. It’s understandable, but toxic positivity isn't just a cultural nuisance – it's a serious strategic liability. When organizations prioritize "feeling good" over honest communication, they lose the ability to address emerging problems, identify market shifts, and leverage their teams' full capabilities. In my experience coaching executives across industries, I've observed that the most successful organizations aren't those with the fewest problems – they're the ones where issues can be safely identified and addressed before they become crises. [Continue reading ...]

Hosparus celebrates social workers' impact on healingCorydon Democrat; 3/26/25 Hosparus Health Southern Indiana offers comprehensive grief support services to help individuals heal from loss in a caring and understanding environment. While recognizing National Social Work Month, Hosparus celebrates the compassionate guidance of its social workers and grief counselors who support individuals and families during their most difficult moments. Editor's note: Today's the last day of March as Social Worker month. You still have time to thank your all-important social workers. For more, see our post Social Media Toolkit for Social Work Month 2025. And, appreciation and recognition is not limited to the month of March. It needs to be alive and well all year long. 

Five key CDC leaders abruptly retire amid agency shakeup: What to know Newsweek; by Gabe Whisnant; 3/25/25 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is facing a major leadership shakeup, with five high-level officials stepping down in what marks the latest wave of internal turmoil for the nation's premier public health agency. According to the Associated Press, which confirmed the resignations through two CDC officials who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, the resignations were revealed during a senior leadership meeting on Tuesday. The announcement follows three other recent departures, and together, these changes amount to nearly a third of the CDC's top management either having already left or planning to do so. ... Why It Matters: The CDC, headquartered in Atlanta, operates more than two dozen centers and offices. The five latest officials to exit lead critical divisions, and while their departures have been described internally as retirements, they were not publicly announced.

Executive Personnel Changes - 3/28/25

The Healing of America with T.R. Reid TCNtalks Podcast; podcast by Chris Comeaux with T.R. Reid; 3/26/25 In this episode of TCN Talks, host Chris Comeaux interviews NY Times bestselling author T. R. Reid.  They discuss T. R. Reid’s experiences and insights from researching healthcare systems around the world, particularly focusing on the need for universal coverage and the various models of healthcare delivery. ... This is a great listen as the U.S. spends more on healthcare, yet we are not even in the top 10 in the world.  It’s hard to make one aspect of healthcare successful, like Hospice and Palliative Care, if the broader ecosystem it resides in is flawed and unsustainable.  Join us; this is very timely.

5 must-watch TED Talks that will make you a better leader right now Inc; by Peter Economy; 3/21/25Back in 1978, historian and leadership guru James MacGregor Burns said, “Leadership is one of the most observed and least understood phenomena on earth.” While that assessment of leadership may have once been true, I think it’s no longer the case. Today, leadership is a well-understood phenomenon. There are a variety of ways to take your leadership to the next level. Here are five extremely popular—and powerful—TED Talks that will help you do just that. [TED Talk videos are embedded in this article.]

Lancaster woman convicted in hospice fraud schemeNBC-4 News, Los Angeles, CA; by City News Service; 3/21/25 A Lancaster [California] woman was found guilty Friday of receiving more than $330,000 in illegal kickbacks for patient referrals to two hospice companies in a fraud scheme that bilked Medicare out of more than $3.2 million through claims for medically unnecessary services. Callie Jean Black, 66, was convicted at the conclusion of a four-day bench trial in Los Angeles federal court of four counts of soliciting and receiving remunerations for patient referrals, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. U.S. District Judge André Birotte Jr. scheduled sentencing for July 25. [Continue reading ...] 

The power of data in enhancing hospice care at United Hospice Mid-Hudson News, Hudson Valley, NY; by Mid-Hudson News Staff; 3/23/25 ... United Hospice CEO Cara Pace said data plays a crucial role in tracking patient health status, symptom management, and overall comfort. ... Hospice care must evolve to meet the changing needs of patients and families. By leveraging data, United Hospice can make informed decisions about service expansions, patient care enhancements, and operational improvements. Data-driven insights guide leadership in planning for the future, ensuring that the organization remains responsive to community needs while continuing to provide exemplary care. ... [Hospices] must be attentive to the experiences of both patients and their families. “By systematically collecting feedback through surveys and other data collection methods, United Hospice can assess satisfaction levels, identify areas for improvement, and address concerns proactively,” Pace said. “This continuous engagement fosters trust and strengthens relationships with families and the broader community.” ... [Continue reading ...]

National Alliance’s Scott Levy: Hospices need ‘regulatory relief’ to protect ‘sacred benefit’ Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 3/21/25 The hospice industry is undergoing a transformative period of rising demand and regulatory changes. Providers of all sizes and types are facing mounting operational challenges and financial strains with limited recourse to voice their collective concerns to legislators. This is according to Scott Levy, chief government affairs officer at National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance). Levy stepped into the role earlier this year after holding a similar position at Amedisys. He has been involved in government relations, public policy, advocacy and law for more than 20 years. Levy recently sat down with Hospice News to discuss the array of regulatory and legislative evolutions on the horizon in hospice care delivery.  .[Continue reading ...]