Literature Review

Skowhegan nonprofits say they have moved on after former director stole thousands Portland Press Herald, by Jake Freudberg; 1/30/24Jason Gayne, the former executive director of the Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County, began his prison sentence Monday for stealing thousands from the nonprofits, but leaders of the two organizations said they have already worked to move forward. For the last two years, the Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce has had a clear goal: returning the organization to its members. “From the ground up, we rebuilt everything,” said Luke York, the chair of the chamber’s board of directors.

Provider rebrands as Rainbow Community CareWatertown Daily Times; 1/25/24Rainbow Hospice Care, a trusted local provider of hospice care for over three decades, has rebranded to Rainbow Community Care. This transformation reflects its Board’s longstanding commitment to provide a broad spectrum of services that supports patients and families throughout the entire aging journey, not just at end-of-life. ... “It has been a tremendous honor to be viewed as the area’s cornerstone hospice provider for so many years,” said CEO Karen Carrig.

Marshfield Clinic closing Wisconsin hospice centerBecker's Hospital CFO Report, by Madeline Ashley; 1/24/24Phillips, Wis.-based Marshfield Medical Center Park Falls Home Health and Hospice facility, part of Marshfield (Wis.) Clinic, is closing at the end of February due to limited resources. Marshfield Clinic is working with other providers who offer home health and hospice services to provide continued care to patients. 

Netsmart, NorthStar and Hospice of Michigan unite to advance innovative technology and establish industry standards for post-acute careBusiness Wire; 1/23/24Netsmart, a leading healthcare technology provider, has announced a strategic collaboration with NorthStar Care Community (NorthStar) and its esteemed member, Hospice of Michigan (HOM), to support the mission of continually improving end-of-life care. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the standard of post-acute care, leveraging the powerful combination of innovative technology and best practices to advance value-based care delivery.

Hospice of the Valley launches living will campaignAhwatukee Foothills News, by Lin Sue Flood; 1/23/24National research shows that only about a third of Americans have created a living will or advance healthcare directive. ... Three nonprofit organizations — Mercy Care, Hospice of the Valley and Contexture — are launching a community education campaign to ensure that Arizonans’ wishes are honored. ... Choose Your Person is an awareness campaign urging all adults to choose someone to be their healthcare power of attorney. 

Cutting hair, growing care: Stylists volunteer for hospice patients Montrose Press, by Katharhynn Heidelberg; 1/22/24... [Kathy] King is among several stylists who volunteer to cut hospice patients’ hair — just a way, they said, of giving back by making others feel good. ... “Contributing is probably the highest gift you can give,” said King. “As far as HopeWest goes, I lose the word sometimes as to what they do, and what they do for the community. I’m just so proud to (volunteer) for them.”

Parsons named president and CEO of Blue Ridge HospiceThe Winchester Star, by Brian Brehm; 1/18/24Jason Parsons, who had been the nonprofit’s chief strategy officer since coming to Blue Ridge Hospice two years ago, has been named president and CEO. 

Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce to celebrate regional business excellenceSanta Barbara Independent; 1/11/24Community Business of the Year – VNA Health. As the only certified nonprofit home healthcare and hospice agency in the region, VNA Health has been caring for the Santa Barbara community with a deep sense of dedication and excellence. Their services, ranging from skilled nursing and rehabilitation therapies to hospice and palliative care, have been pivotal in enhancing the quality of life for countless individuals and families.

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.

Dr. Richard Besdine, a professor of medicine and health services, policy and practice, and Terrie “Fox” Wetle, a professor of health services, policy and practice, were honored in 2023 by HopeHealth with the Human Dignity Award. The nonprofit organization, a teaching affiliate of the Warren Alpert Medical School, recognized Besdine and Wetle for their dedication to the essence of hospice, which is to provide comfort, compassion and dignity to patients, and hope and healing to their families.

New Hosparus care center for elderly nearing final approvalThe News-Enterprise, by Gina Clear; 1/11/24Known for hospice care for 45 years, Hosparus Health is expanding its mission with a new level of care at its Care Guide Partners PACE center in Elizabethtown (KY). Not yet open — the agency still is seeking approval from Medicare — the program is meant to offer services to elderly family members who need extra assistance, but might not want or be ready for full-time nursing care, Hosparus Health President and CEO David W. Cook said.

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.”

Hudson Valley Hospice opens new inpatient centerHospice News, by Holly Vossel; 1/4/24New York-based Hudson Valley Hospice has opened a new inpatient facility that will serve two counties in its home state.