Literature Review

[United Kingdom] Hospice cuts staff and beds to secure its future BBC News, Yorkshire, UK; by Alex Moss; 5/23/25A hospice in Huddersfield has announced it has made 19 staff redundant and reduced the number of inpatient beds in order to save its future. The Kirkwood provides end-of-life care to about 2,000 patients each year but its chief executive Michael Crowther said it had faced a "perfect storm" of rising operational costs over the past few years. ... He said: "This has been the single hardest decision we have ever had to make." Another nine staff members have agreed to cut their hours and several others have decided to retire to help reduce the annual costs by £1.7m, the hospice added. ..."As you can imagine, this has been one of the most difficult periods in The Kirkwood's history. ..."Editor's note: Read more--directly from The Kirkwood--at "Securing Our Future Together: A New Way Forward." 

Inaugural walk raises awareness for pancreatic cancer Columbus Jewish News, Beachwood, OH; by Becky Raspe; 5/21/25 On April 30, Wexner Heritage Village held its inaugural Zusman Hospice & Pancreatic Cancer Walkathon fundraiser. Held at Bexley’s Schneider Park, the event was held in memory of Rob Cohen, brother of Wexner Heritage Village and Zusman Hospice’s volunteer coordinator Judi Koval. Cohen died three years ago from pancreatic cancer ... under the care of Wexner Heritage Village’s Zusman Hospice “at the end of his days.” Organizing the walk to honor her brother, the event date also would’ve been her brother’s birthday, she said. 

What is at-home hospice care and how it works near NYC Medical Device News Magazine; 5/19/25 

New palliative care unit at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield WWLP Springfield, MA; by Kayleigh Thomas; 5/15/25 Mercy Medical Center in Springfield has just opened its new Palliative Care Unit, the first in western Massachusetts. This unit is named after the late Andy Yee, a well-known local restaurant owner. It serves as a tribute to his legacy and dedication to the community. ... To honor his memory, Mercy Medical Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new palliative care unit named after him. “My dad is extraordinary. He always took care of others. He always showed up when it mattered most. And this space here, this unit embodies that spirit,” said Andy Yee’s daughter, Bella Yee. 

[Pre-Memorial Day Outreach] Hospice of Texarkana to host Veterans Appreciation Picnic on Friday Texarkana Gazette, Texarkana, TX; by Gazette Staff; 5/14/25 Hospice of Texarkana will have its third annual Veterans Appreciation Picnic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at the Hospice of Texarkana Care Center grounds, ... The picnic is open to all current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces ... The picnic not only celebrates veterans but also fosters community, allowing attendees to connect, share stories, and relax in a supportive and respectful environment, according to a news release. Guests will enjoy complimentary lunch and beverages and are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for outdoor seating. "As part of our 'We Honor Veterans' program, this event reflects our deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by our nation's heroes," said Cynthia Marsh, executive director of Hospice of Texarkana. "With Memorial Day around the corner, it's a meaningful time to come together in honor and reflection."Editor's note: What great community outreach!

Thrift shop to benefit hospice patients opens on Charleston's West Side Charleston Gazette-Mail, Charleston, WV; by Staff report; 5/10/25, updated 5/12/25 A new thrift store has opened on Charleston's West Side to benefit West Virginia's largest hospice care agency. Heart to Home Charity Shop is run by more than 100 volunteers of HospiceCare, which is headquartered beside the thrift shop. ... [In] addition to providing revenue to be used for services for HospiceCare's patients and families, the store enables those wanting to give their time to HospiceCare, but are not ready for--or are uncomfortable with--direct patient care opportunities.

Martinsburg baseball team hosts Hospice Night at the Ballpark The Journal, Martinsburg, WV; by Staff; 5/12/25 The Martinsburg High School baseball team welcomed everyone to the annual Hospice Night at the Ballpark on May 7, when the Bulldogs took on the Spring Mills Cardinals. Each team and those in attendance were given cards provided by Panhandle Printing and Design displaying, “Hospice Can Be Your Shining Light.” Hospice Night originated back in 2017, when coach Larry and Anita Cooper wanted to honor their parents (Rev. Mason and Alma Cooper and Walter and Vivian Ridenour) in a way that brought awareness to others about Hospice. In 2018, they purchased the teal jerseys and hats in the Hospice teal color to compliment Martinsburg’s orange and black school colors.

Navian Hawaii receives $400K grant Pacific Business News - Health Care, O'ahu, HI; by Christina O'Connor; 5/8/25Hospice and palliative care services nonprofit Navian Hawaii, formerly known as Hospice Hawaii, recently received a $400,000 grant from the Zilber Family Foundation to expand its palliative care program. The Honolulu-based nonprofit said on Wednesday the program features personalized care plans focused on improving quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses. It addresses physical symptoms, as well as emotional distress and planning for next steps, and includes access to nurses, physicians and social workers. This donation follows a $4.3 million gift from the Weinman Foundation earlier this year. That funding is going toward growing residential care. [The full article is behind a payall.]

Blue Ridge Hospice rebrands as Blue Ridge Care The Northern Virginia Daily; by rian Brehm; 5/6/25 After more than 40 years of service, Blue Ridge Hospice is no more. Not to worry, though. The end-of-life care provider that was founded in 1981 to serve terminal patients in the Shenandoah Valley is still in business and stronger than ever, but it has become part of a new nonprofit umbrella organization called Blue Ridge Care. Jason Parsons, president and CEO of Blue Ridge Care, said the rebranding on May 1 was brought about as the organization developed its strategic plan to determine the best way to serve the growing number of residents in the Winchester area. 

Addressing workforce challenges: Hospice in the news, April 2025 Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast by Chris Comeaux with Cordt Kassner; 5/7/25 What defines quality in end-of-life care?  How are Hospice organizations navigating workforce challenges?  And why has medical aid in dying become such a critical conversation?  These questions take center stage in this data-driven exploration of April's most impactful Hospice and Palliative Care news stories. In this episode of TCNtalks, Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner discuss the top news stories from April, focusing on Hospice and Palliative Care.  They explore personal aspirations, data insights, the impact of spiritual care, emerging categories in news reporting, and key themes such as reimbursement and workforce challenges.  The conversation also touches on mission moments, regulatory changes, technology innovations, and the evolving nature of leadership in healthcare, particularly in the context of AI and human skills. ... Cordt closes the show with a Master's Class reviewing the National Hospice Locator, a valuable tool for finding high-quality Hospice Care anywhere in the country.

Hospice and Palliative Care Buffalo hosted its 29th annual hospice memorial walk NBC 2 WGRZ, Buffalo, NY; by Sara Russo; 5/4/25 Hospice and Palliative Care Buffalo held its 29th annual hospice memorial walk at the Buffalo Outer Harbor on Sunday. The 5K walk began at Terminal B at the Outer Harbor and was the first year the event took place at that location. The route continued through Buffalo's Waterfront District and also included a shorter, one mile "Fun Walk." The Hospice Memorial Walk is one of the largest fundraisers for the center, raising over $5 million in the past 28 years. Walkers were able to participate in teams or individuals as well as virtually.

Empath Health’s new One Hospice Model a ‘blueprint’ for scalable growth Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 5/5/25 Empath Health on Monday integrated its seven hospice brands under one umbrella. ... The Florida-based nonprofit’s seven brands collectively care for one-in-five hospice patients statewide and include Empath Hospice, Hospice of Marion County, Suncoast Hospice, Suncoast Hospice of Hillsborough, Tidewell Hospice and Trustbridge (also Hospice by the Sea and Hospice of Palm Beach County). ...The new One Hospice Model is structured to provide more direct referral and community access to Empath Health’s overall network of services/ entire continuum of care. ... The new model is designed to strengthen the outlook of hospice care delivery as providers face myriad sustainability challenges, according to Empath Health. Rising demand, workforce shortages, program integrity and regulatory challenges, economic pressures and a shifting hospice marketplace are just some of the leading issues among today’s leaders.

Hillsdale woman celebrates 100th birthday [hospice pioneer, 1970's] HudsonValley360, Hudson, NY; by Tiffany Greenwaldt-Simon; 5/2/25 A Hillsdale resident is celebrating a big milestone - turning 100. Dr. Irma Waldo was born on May 1, 2025, and recently celebrated joining the centenarian club with an openhouse celebration at the Copake Community Center Friday afternoon. ... [Dr. Waldo] opened her own pediatric practice in Hillsdale in 1952 - often making house calls and getting to know the families she was caring for. ... For Waldo, the most rewarding part of her medical career was the hospice service she helped create, Roe Jan Hospice. She received a call in the 1970s from a doctor in New York City who had a 9-year-old patient with a brain tumor. ... The hospice was expanded to cover the all of Columbia County over the course of 18 years, eventually becoming Columbia County Hospice, and then being absorbed into Hudson Valley Hospice. "That was the best thing, most important part of my practice, forming that hospice," Waldo said.Editor's note: Click here for more history.