Literature Review

Social determinants of health play 'an important role' in end-of-life pain strategiesHealio, by Jennifer Byrne and Timothy M. Pawlik; 1/16/24Patients with gastrointestinal cancers face ongoing racial/ethnicity-based disparities in end-of-life pain management, specifically in terms of access to and utilization of opioids, study results showed.

Mount Carmel Health System and Anthem announce multi-year contract with enhanced value-based health care and improved data connectivityPress release; 1/11/24COLUMBUS, OHIO — January 11, 2024 — Mount Carmel Health System and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield announced today a new, multi-year provider network agreement. The agreement secures long-term access to affordable health care for Mount Carmel patients covered by Anthem Medicare, Medicaid, and employer-sponsored health plans. As part of the agreement, the two organizations will accelerate their collaboration on several innovative initiatives, including advance data connectivity and value-based care (VBC) models designed to improve health outcomes and better control costs for care for Mount Carmel patients covered by Anthem health plans.Notable mentions: Lorraine Lutton, Mount Carmel President & CEO.

Chattahoochee Hospice celebrates 40 yearsValley Times, by Charlotte Reames; 1/13/24Chattahoochee Hospice was founded in 1984 when hospice care became more prominent in the country. The hospice is a community-based nonprofit that strives to provide the highest quality care possible to patients in the community.

Optum a rising star at UnitedHealth Group, has more room to growHospice News, by Jim Parker; 1/12/24The UnitedHealth Group subsidiary Optum Health has emerged as one of the largest players in home-based care, primary care and other health care services. Nevertheless, the company sees vast market opportunities on the road ahead.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility ProgramU.S. Department of Health and Human Services website; ongoing key referenceThe Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Diversity & Inclusion (EEODI) is within the Assistant Secretary for Administration’s (ASA) office and its mission is to promote, encourage, develop, and maintain a culture of equality, fairness, and objectivity throughout HHS.

Hospice of the Western Reserve targeting $75,000 grant to address racial disparitiesCleveland.com Community News, by John Benson; 12/14/23Hospice of the Western Reserve applied for and recently received a Three Arches Foundation grant, with the intent to address healthcare inequity. Providing end-of-life care, caregiver support and bereavement services throughout Northern Ohio, the nonprofit was recently awarded $75,000 to expand outreach and address racial disparity in utilization of in-home, pre-hospice palliative care for patients with advanced serious and progressive illness.Quotes Heidi L. Barham, Hospice of the Western Reserve Manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Sara McKay named Chief Executive OfficerHospice of Washington County press release; 1/11/24Hagerstown, Md., and Chambersburg, Penn.  – Sara McKay has been named Chief Executive Officer of Hospice of Washington County, Hagerstown, Md., and Franklin Hospice, Chambersburg, Penn., effective January 4, 2024. She succeeds Ernesto Lopez, who was named President of The Denver Hospice in Colorado in August 2023. McKay had been serving as Acting CEO of Hospice of Washington County and Franklin Hospice since last August.

Unity Hospice and Palliative Care awarded five-year General In-Patient Care contract with UTMB HealthPress release, 1/11/24Unity Hospice and Palliative Care, a leader in providing end-of-life care, announced today that it has entered a five-year agreement with the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Health. Unity will provide general in-patient (GIP) care for all four hospitals within the Health System: Angleton, Clear Lake, League City, and Galveston Campus Hospitals.

Hospice of Cincinnati launches new inpatient unit at Christ HospitalThe Business Journals - Cincinnati Business Courier, by Liz Engel; 1/11/24Christ Hospital is set to debut a new unit at its flagship campus this week, and it serves as a significant expansion for one of the region’s oldest nonprofits.Full access requires a subscription

Haven Hospice dementia program gets $25K grantLake City Reporter; 1/9/24Used to providing support, Haven Hospice’s Dementia Care Program was on the receiving end recently. Haven received a $25,000 grant in support of its dementia program from the Thomas A. Plein Foundation.

Lincoln County’s man and woman of the year namedLake Norman Media Group, by Michelle T. Bernard; 1/10/24... At one time, there were no hospice services in Lincoln County. [Normand] Lavasseur and a few other individuals got together and in 1987 got a license to operate Hospice and Palliative Care of Lincoln County. “I was on the board of directors and they said they needed a male nurse,” he said. “I told them I could do that and went to community college and got my CNA 1 and CNA 2. This was back when I was still working at Mohican Mill in Maiden. On my lunch hour I used to take off and go and give a bath or some other service to someone who needed it. I worked as a volunteer for hospice for 37 years.”

Second-hand sales turn into second-chance grantsThe Daily Yonder - Keep It Rural, by Bill Bishop; 1/9/24A non-profit store in La Grange, Texas, called Second Chance Emporium created a "virtuous circle" of community-donated items that turn into grants that support that and other communities. ... The year Second Chance has made $583,000 in grants. ... The community has a stake in the store. For example, the local hospice organization even hosts an annual fashion show fundraiser with people decked out in things they picked up at Second Chance.