John Whyte, MD, MPH, selected as the AMA’s new CEO 
American Medical Association (AMA), Chicago, IL; by Staff News Writer; 5/9/25 
The AMA Board of Trustees has chosen John Whyte, MD, MPH, a nationally renowned public health advocate, physician executive, corporate strategist and communication expert, as its next executive vice president and CEO. Dr. Whyte ushers in a new era of leadership for the 178-year-old institution amid strong membership growth and a renewed focus on solving challenges that affect physicians and patients. Dr. Whyte’s tenure will begin July 1. Dr. Whyte brings extensive corporate, governmental and clinical experience to his role leading the day-to-day operations of the AMA. A board-certified internal medicine physician for nearly 30 years, Dr. Whyte joins the AMA from WebMD, where he has served as chief medical officer (CMO) since 2018 and helped grow the media company’s strategic partnerships, influence and vision.

DOJ reportedly rejects Amedisys’ divestiture plan as part of UnitedHealth Group deal 
McKnights Home Care; by Adam Healy; 5/12/25 
The Department of Justice reportedly has rejected Amedisys’ plan to divest more than 100 locations in its plan to be acquired by UnitedHealth Group subsidiary Optum, according to CTFN, which tracks mergers and acquisitions. The DOJ decision could spell trouble for the future of Amedisys’ deal with Optum. The Department of Justice reportedly has rejected Amedisys’ plan to divest more than 100 locations in its plan to be acquired by UnitedHealth Group subsidiary Optum, according to CTFN, which tracks mergers and acquisitions. The DOJ decision could spell trouble for the future of Amedisys’ deal with Optum.

Celebrating National Nurses Month with 62 years of nursing excellence: Meet Alma Flowers, hospice nurse 
Jacksonville News - JAXChamber, Jacksonville, FL; 4/30/25
This month, we are proud to spotlight Ms. Alma Flowers, a dedicated Registered Nurse at Community Hospice & Palliative Care, whose remarkable career spans an impressive 62 years. Alma's journey began at the Brewster Duval School of Nursing in Jacksonville in 1959, marking the start of a lifelong commitment to compassionate care and professional excellence. Alma's career has been a testament to the evolution of nursing, encompassing diverse roles from acute psychiatric units to the compassionate realm of hospice care. Throughout her journey, Alma has adapted to and contributed to advancements in healthcare practices and policies. ... As we celebrate National Nurses Month, we are reminded of nurses' profound impact on patient care, healthcare innovation, and community well-being. Alma Flowers' journey is a testament to the enduring spirit of nursing excellence at Community Hospice & Palliative Care.
Editor's note: What a beautiful tribute to Alma, especially when describing her journey as a "testament to the evolution of nursing." Imagine changes ahead for today's student nurses: 62 years from now will be the year 2087. While we struggle to keep up with the current barrage of nursing workforce challenges, we can draw inspiration from Alma's life-long commitments, flexibility, and immeasurable contributions.

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. ... Near the pitcher’s mound, Hospice of the Panhandle's representatives in attendance included CEO Nikki Bigiarelli, Fundraising/Marketing Manager Niki Wilson and Administrative Assistant Victoria Pierson, who was a 2010 Martinsburg graduate, played softball for Martinsburg and threw out the first pitch.

[United Kingdom] Wife to walk across island for late husband 
BBC News; 5/11/25 
The wife of a gardener who died of cancer is preparing to walk across the Isle of Wight in his memory. Debs Goodenough will be taking part in the Walk the Wight challenge in aid of the Mountbatten Hospice. She said it was an opportunity to honour her husband Simon, while also supporting the hospice which cared for her and her family. ... Mr. Goodenough was a gardener known for his work on Ventnor Botanical Gardens, but he also created a garden for the hospice. ... Mrs. Goodenough will be walking 26.5miles (42.6km) across the island with her sons Rory and Jake. ... The annual Walk the Wight challenge has been running for 35 years and supports the hospice by raising money for patients and the families it cares for. More than 6,500 people are expected to take part, and Mrs. Goodenough has spent the past three months training for the event. ... "The day Simon died, we had a little walk and it was two miles, and I promised Simon I would support the hospice, and my sons said 'If you want to Walk the Wight we'll do it with you'."

End-of-life care behind bars: A periodic literature search - May 2025
Personal communication; 5/8/25
Regular reviews of articles and reports on key issues in prison hospice and palliative care.

A daughter’s cautionary elder care tale 
The Progressive Magazine - Book Review; by Bill Lueders; 5/12/25 
The call that woke Judy Karofsky in the middle of the night on May 18, 2015, was from a hospice nurse, who got right to the point: “I’m calling to tell you that your mother has died.” Karofsky, deeply shaken by the unexpected news, managed to ask, “Did she struggle?” Karofsky’s important new book, DisElderly Conduct: The Flawed Business of Assisted Living and Hospice, does not mention the hospice nurse’s response to this question. But it does note that she called back a moment later to say: “I’m so sorry . . . . I called the wrong number. I’m at a different facility and I had the wrong file.” Karofsky’s mother, Lillian Deutsch, had not died at all. It was someone else’s mother. Apologies were made. This is just one of many stories Karofsky shares throughout the book about the final years of her mother’s life in Wisconsin. This particular anecdote strikes me as noteworthy not just as an example of the sort of awful things that can happen when facilities are understaffed and staff members are overworked, but also because Karofsky’s first reaction was to wonder whether she struggled.
Editor's note: Though printed news typically lifts up the good, compassionate moments of hospice care, most all of us have experienced negative accounts--professionally and/or personally. While this book is sure to give significant insights, perhaps the most important lessons are waiting to be validated from your own family caregivers, employees, and volunteers. What stories are behind your lower-than-you-want CAHPS Hospice scores? Dig deeper. May we all listen, learn, and improve care.

Be ready for updated Special Focus Program, hospice experts say
McKnight's Home Care; by Adam Healy; 5/9/25
A revised hospice Special Focus Program is coming, and providers should make sure they have plans and procedures in place to be successful under this strict oversight program, Linda Woodle, director of accreditation at Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP), and Patricia D’Arena, vice president of clinical excellence at Enhabit Home Health and Hospice, said ... When that program will be reinstated is anyone’s guess. ... The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has indicated that assessments will place a high emphasis on four specific Conditions of Participation: patient’s rights; initial and comprehensive assessment of the patient; interdisciplinary group, care planning and coordination of care; and quality assessment and performance improvement. So providers should ensure they meet all of these conditions’ requirements.

National Alliance: Medicaid cuts would adversely impact home-, community-based services 
Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 5/12/25 
A tax bill currently before Congress could lead to Medicaid cuts that would inhibit access to home- and community-based services (HCBS). The bill, which promises sweeping tax and spending cuts, currently is undergoing a reconciliation process. The amount of tax cuts could reach $4.5 trillion, with spending cuts in the area of $4.5 billion, with a significant portion coming from Medicaid. However, the bill remains a work in progress for now with some resistance to the proposed cuts from both Democrats and a contingent of Republicans. The National Alliance for Care at Home released a statement Monday opposing the Medicaid reductions.

How DispatchHealth’s CEO plans to change the face of in-home care
Modern Healthcare; by Diane Eastabrook; 5/7/25
DispatchHealth CEO Jennifer Webster said the company is eyeing new markets and care models after its acquisition of hospital-at-home provider Medically Home is complete. Denver-based DispatchHealth announced a definitive agreement in mid-March to acquire Boston-based Medically Home. Webster said the deal is still on track to close in a couple of months, but there is a lot of work to be done first. That includes integrating operations and technology, as well as senior leadership.

Building an ethical culture: Leadership’s role in corporate integrity 
The Wall Street Journal; by Lori Pressler, Michael Rossen and Miira Velia; 5/7/25 
Built from the top down, a strong ethical culture can help mitigate risk by weaving ethics into decision-making at every level. Much of the time, a single moment or lapse in judgment does not precipitate a crisis. Instead, corporate scandals tend to spring from systemic failures in corporate culture, specifically around ethics. However, within many organizations, ethics are often discussed in theoretical terms—lofty yet nebulous aspirations or nice-to-haves. ... Given its potential for harm, organizations may not be giving ethical risk the attention it deserves, particularly from the top down. 

Decoding the 2026 Proposed Hospice Rule
CHAPcast podcast;by Jennifer Kennedy, Kim Skehan; 5/6/25
Join CHAP’s Jennifer Kennedy and Kim Skehan as they break down the fiscal year 2026 proposed hospice rule.

Psilocybin in serious illness: James Downar, Ali John Zarrabi and Margaret Ross
GeriPal podcast; by Eric Widera, Alex Smith, James Downar, Ali John Zarrabi, Margaret Ross; 5/8/25
We’ve covered psychedelics on the podcast before — first in 2019 with Ira Byock, where we explored their potential role in medicine, and then again in 2023 with Stacy Fischer, Brian Anderson, and Theora Cimino, focusing on the reasons to approach psychedelic use in patients with caution. In today’s episode, we’re taking a closer look at the current state of the science around one specific psychedelic: psilocybin. We’ll discuss three recent clinical trials involving patients with serious illness, joined by our guests James Downar, Ali John Zarrabi, and Margaret Ross.

Time’s 100 most influential people in health
Becker's Hospital Review; Kellly Gooch; 5/8/25 Time released its second annual Time100 Health list May 8, highlighting the 100 most influential individuals in health.

1. For the list, Time reporters and editors, with guidance of David Agus, MD, and Arianna Huffington, consulted sources and experts worldwide to select the honorees, according to the newsmagazine and digital media brand.
2. The Time100 Health list includes leaders from across industries — including scientists, physicians, advocates, educators, and policymakers — grouped into categories: Titans, Innovators, Pioneers, Leaders and Catalysts.
3. Some of the notable names on the list (not exhaustive):

• Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health
• FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD
• Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese
• [Click on the title's link to continue reading

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. ~ Winston Churchill