Literature Review

When drugstores disappear: Why nearly 15,000 Bostonians live in ‘pharmacy deserts’Boston Globe; by Diti Kohli, Tiana Woodard, Daigo Fujiwara-Smith, Thomas Lee; 7/25/24Many of these dead zones overlap with vulnerable communities — already poorer, sicker, and less well-resourced than the rest of the state. Where do patients go? ... Since 2017, at least 26 pharmacies have closed in Boston, and about 200 shuttered statewide, according to data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. State estimates show that a comparable number have since opened, though they rarely serve the same communities. Often left behind are so-called pharmacy deserts, pockets of the city where the majority of residents live at least a half-mile from the nearest drugstore, and lack cars to make the trip. A Globe analysis found that almost 15,000 people in Boston live in such deserts, without a reliable place to go for prescriptions, over-the-counter treatments, and medical advice. Many of these dead zones overlap with vulnerable communities — already poorer, sicker, and less well resourced than the rest of the state.Publisher's note: While a little dated, this article recently came across my desk and reinforced "new year's discussions" of pharmacy deserts - and hospice deserts. More to follow on this in 2025...

Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center announces 2025 Board of Directors Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center; Press release; 1/2/25The Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC) is proud to introduce its 2025 Board of Directors: Kristin Akers, Grady Barnhill, Susan Cox, Joseph Ebberwein, Lawrence Fabrey, Jacklyn Griffin, Nicole Martin, Alicia Murray, Arden O’Donnell, and LaDonna Wright.

St. Petersburg doctor coerced minors into producing child sex abuse material, feds sayTampa Bay Times; by Emily Wunderlich; 1/7/25 A St. Petersburg doctor who is the husband of the chief administrative officer of the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County is facing charges that he coerced minors into producing child sexual abuse material and even directed a girl to hang herself, federal prosecutors announced this week. ... Court records show Leedy was indicted on Oct. 24 and arrested Dec. 20. He is being held in federal custody in Atlanta. He is facing three counts of production of child sexual abuse material and two counts of coercing or enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity. If convicted on all counts, he faces up to life in federal prison.

Seven trends in senior living that will define 2025 and beyond McKnights Senior Living; by Michele Hollerand, PhD, MBA; 1/6/25 Senior living is in the midst of a major transformation, and seven major trends have emerged as key drivers of the strategic plans adopted by boards across the country. Those trends will shape the way organizations position themselves for the future to capture a new customer base in 2025 and beyond.

Top hospice trends to watch in 2025 Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 1/3/25 Hospice leaders will need to keep their eyes on five key trends in the new year when it comes to compliance, business operations and finance. Coupled with these trends is rising utilization. Hospice utilization reached 51.7% among Medicare decedents in 2023, up more than two percentage points from the prior year, according to recent data from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). This is the highest rate since 2019. ... The number of hospice care days also saw increases, as did average length of stay and average number of patient visits per week. Total Medicare hospice payments in 2023 reached $25.7 billion. ...

Johns Hopkins Medicine CEO: 'Bring the joy back to medicine'Becker's Hospital Review; by Kristin Kuchno; 12/19/24 One year after Theodore DeWeese, MD, assumed permanent leadership of Johns Hopkins Medicine, he remains focused on enhancing patient care and bringing care closer to home. ... Dr. DeWeese shared his strategies for 2025 with Becker's, in areas such as employee retention, capital investments and community partnerships. ... Dr. Theodore DeWeese: Health systems across the country are facing a workforce shortage that will likely get worse over the next decade. ... Given the shortage, part of our approach to retention is focusing on the culture of our organization and investing in the well-being of our employees and career development of the provider workforce. We are working to bring the joy back to medicine by creating a culture where everyone can thrive, whether it's by easing the administrative burden that clinicians face or offering greater flexibility for front-line workers. ...

Jimmy Carter delivered a positive message about hospice care Atlanta Journal and Constitution; by Shelia Poole and Ariel Hart; 1/1/25Hospice advocates said the end-of-life journey of former President Jimmy Carter was a “powerful” message to terminally ill patients and their families about the benefits of hospice care. Carter, the nation’s 39th president, died Sunday at his home in Plains after being in home hospice care for 22 months. “It’s pretty remarkable that he got to celebrate his 100th birthday, he got to vote and, as I understand, it was important to him that he was able to do these things with the support of hospice,” said Dr. Vicki Jackson, president of the board of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. “It was powerful.”A day after Carter’s death was announced, Jackson said it was helpful to have someone as notable as a former president to be open about his hospice care during the later stages of his life. During his almost two years of home hospice care, Carter helped raise awareness about the service, which focuses on comfort of the patient and support for both the patient and the family.Notable mentions: Dr. Vicki Jackson, president of the board of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; Jacqueline Lopez-Devine, Gentiva’s chief clinical officer; Megan Friedman, Gentiva spokesperson; Rev. Tony Lowden, Carter’s personal pastor; Amy Tucci, president of the Hospice Foundation of America; Dr. Tammie E. Quest, director for Emory University’s Palliative Care Center and a professor at Emory University’s School of Medicine; Dr. Folashade Omole, the chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the Morehouse School of Medicine; Ben Marcantonio, the National Alliance for Care at Home.

To build a strong leadership team, invest in the middle Forbes; by Marissa Morrison; 12/26/24 An organization’s success is determined by the strength of its people—most notably, its mid-level talent. These leaders are mediators, connectors, drivers and collaborators. They communicate feedback, motivate junior staff, hold teams accountable and execute company goals. They also play a crucial role in shaping culture. With all these responsibilities, it’s clear why organizations need trusted mid-level talent. However, these employees often lack the developmental support they need. ... 5 Ways Organizations Can Support Middle Managers: ...

10 headwinds for health systems in 2025Becker's Hospital Review; by Laura Dyrda; 12/23/24Healthcare executives are preparing for 2025, a year likely filled with profound challenges and big opportunities. From workforce shortages to financial pressures, technological advances, and policy uncertainties, 74 health system executives and leaders shared their biggest headwinds heading into next year. The big themes include:

5 Leadership trends that will help to shape 2025Forbes; by Sally Percy; 12/19/24In our fast-moving world it’s impossible to know what next year will bring. But here are five important trends for leaders to look out for in 2025:

2024 Review: The best thought leadership of the past year PRovoke Media; by Paul Holmes; 12/27/24 There were some familiar themes, from the impact of artificial intelligence to the changing face of ESG, as well as a focus on geopolitical turmoil and the coming Generation Alpha. ... The content below identifies the most interesting themes of the thought leadership we saw in 2024, and includes 12 surveys conducted by researchers, consulting firms, professional organizations, and agencies.

Beyond the bedside: How an online Master's in Healthcare Administration impacts patient care University of the Cumberlands, Florence, KY; 12/26/24 Healthcare is about more than just bedside care. Behind every smooth-running hospital or clinic is a team of administrators ensuring that patients receive high-quality treatment efficiently. Healthcare administrators bridge the gap between clinical operations and organizational management, directly influencing the patient experience. By implementing policies, optimizing resources, and supporting healthcare teams, these professionals make it possible for caregivers to focus on what they do best: treating patients. With this in mind, earning an online master’s degree in healthcare administration can equip professionals with the leadership skills and strategic insight needed to improve patient outcomes on a broader scale. ...

Beyond the logo: The healthcare executive’s guide to creating genuine healthcare technology partnerships Healthcare IT News; by Notable; 12/23/24 Understanding both the perspective of the healthcare technology buyer and that of builders and sellers can give healthcare executives greater insight into vendor-customer dynamics and what goes into successful partnerships. Healthcare vendor-customer relationships can vary greatly: some are built on trust and some lack it; some succeed and some don’t; some meet expectations and some fall short. Following these best practices can help both parties to achieve their strategic goals, maximize success, minimize frustration and find true joy in their work.