Obituary: Dr. John A. Mulder
Norton Shores, MI; 5/5/25
Dr. John Adrian Mulder, a devoted husband, loving father, revered physician, and cherished friend, died peacefully at Vanderbilt Hospital after a short bout of pneumonia on May 1, 2025. John was born in Pontiac, MI to Rev. Dr. John and Lydia Mulder on September 12, 1952. ...  John first became involved in Hospice by working with Harbor Hospice in Muskegon. John was then led to Nashville, TN to become the medical director for Alive Hospice and work at Vanderbilt University Hospital. ... A pioneer in the field of palliative care, Dr. Mulder was known not only for his clinical excellence, but also for his uncommon grace and empathy. He was a guiding light for thousands of patients and families as they navigated the most vulnerable moments of life. Dr. Mulder’s impact extended far beyond the exam room. As a teacher, international speaker, and thought leader, he helped shape national conversations around end-of-life care. Instilled with a deep sense of purpose and compassion, John dedicated his life to the service of others through medicine, ministry, music, and mentorship. 

Trailor for "The Chaplain & The Doctor" 
Reel Medicine Media; retrieved from the internet 5/5/25
This video premiered at the San Francisco International Film Festival April 21st and 23rd. Two unlikely allies work to bring curiosity, connection, and compassion to a broken healthcare system, one patient at a time. Betty Clark is an 80-year-old, African American chaplain on staff at The Wilma Chan Highland Hospital Campus, the level-one trauma center in Oakland, California. Jessica Zitter is a white, Jewish physician who has been Betty’s colleague on the Palliative Care service for over a decade. The two women are an unlikely team: chaplains and doctors do not usually pair up within the hierarchical and siloed halls of the hospital. ... But with time, the two women’s shared values and history overcome the forces that keep them apart, and they go on to do their best work together. Under Betty’s guidance, Jessica begins a journey to understand the barriers and biases that doctors like herself often bring to the bedside. As Betty starts to face her own health challenges, Jessica takes over her care through a deeply personal lens, witnessing more intimately the experience of patients of color in America’s hospitals – this time, with someone she’s grown to love.

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.

National Nurses Week: Why did you choose to become a nurse?
Yuma Sun, Yuma, AZ; by James Gilbert; 5/5/25 
In honor of National Nurses Week, the Yuma Sun is proud to celebrate the dedicated nurses who serve our community with compassion, strength and resilience. ... To mark this special week, we asked nurses from across Yuma a simple but powerful question: Why did you choose to become a nurse? Their answers reflect the heart of the profession—stories of inspiration, personal sacrifice and a deep commitment to caring for others.

• My grandmother was a nurse ...
• My story starts when I was 5 years old in kindergarten ...

Editor's note: What a great question! How can you use this question to get to know your nurses better? To more fully appreciate their daily, ongoing--and evolving--passion and purpose for nursing? Curiousity can be a great connector, a bridge. Take it to the next question: Why did you choose to become a hospice nurse? Life-stories abound. Try it. Even just a few minutes can generate profound insight for you and support for the nurse.

Re-imagined Hospice Ball raises record funds for health care in the Northern Hills 
Black Hills Pioneer, Spearfish, SD; 5/6/25 
More than $136,000 was raised during the first ever Monument Health Foundation event: A Night at the Derby. This event evolved from the success of the Northern Hills Hospice Ball which successfully supported health care in the Northern Hills for 27 years. A Night at the Derby, held on April 26 included themed games, raffles and bidding opportunities to help raise awareness, funds and support for hospice patients and their families. 

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.

New York State Department of Health announces revision of Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) form 
New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY; 5/2/25 
The New York State Department of Health announced the revision of the Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) Form, a form that records a patient's preferences for life-sustaining treatments, such as CPR, ventilation, and other interventions, to ensure all patients are considered. The comprehensive revision was a collaboration of the Department, New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), and the MOLST Statewide Implementation Committee. ... All information regarding the MOLST, including the form, supporting checklists, glossary, and instructions are available on the NYSDOH Center for Hospice & Palliative Care's webpage.

2 views of the New York bill that would legalize medically assisted suicide 
Spectrum News 1, Northern NY; by Susan Arbetter; 5/5/25 
Last week, after over a decade of trying, advocates rejoiced when the New York state Assembly passed a bill allowing for medically assisted suicide. After an emotional debate, the so-called Medical Aid in Dying Act passed by an 81-67 vote. The legislation faces an uphill battle in the state Senate, but if passed into law, it would allow mentally competent, terminally ill patients over the age of 18 to self-administer physician-prescribed life-ending medication. ... Capital Tonight heard from both those opposed to and those in support of the bill, A136 Paulin/S138 Hoylman-Sigal. ... Last week, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins told Capital Tonight that there were 25 “yes” votes in that chamber – 32 are needed to pass. Carey pointed out that while the Senate bill has 25 sponsors, there are additional members who support the bill. 

1-on-1 coaching, leadership academies: 5 systems developing the next generation of leaders 
Becker's Hospital Review; by Kristin Kuchno; 4/30/25 
With an aging U.S. population and healthcare workforce, many hospital and health system leaders are focused on building the next generation of leaders to tackle the work ahead. Healthcare executives from across the country recently shared with Becker’s how their systems are developing leadership pipelines.

• ... feedback is very important to Gen Z employees ...
• ... one-on-one coaching program that tailors development to individual needs ...
• ... the system has committed $10 million to career pathways, tuition benefits and other career-building program ...
• ... bringing career architecture to front-line roles ... Gen Z is actively seeking development, and if you do not provide them that opportunity, they are going to look for someone who is ...
• ... building skills and confidence in new graduates, and providing upskilling opportunities for nurses and staff looking to grow into new roles ...
• [Go to Becker's article for the leaders and their systems who are implementing these leadership development programs.]
  

Research disrupted at the NIH Clinical Center 
STAT - Morning Rounds; by Theresa Gaffney; 5/6/25 
The NIH Clinical Center — the nation’s largest hospital devoted solely to medical research — is in crisis. In 2023, the hospital ran around 1,500 studies with a permanent staff of more than 1,800 federal workers. But amid continued disruptions from the Trump administration, researchers are leaving, technicians have been let go, studies are facing major delays, and some patients are deciding to drop out of the hospital’s research.

Dombi: At-home care providers must overcome ‘self-inflicted challenge’ to flourish 
Home Health Care News; by Morgan Gonzales; 5/2/25 
Despite operating on razor-thin margins and facing persistent reimbursement challenges, some home-based care providers are setting themselves apart by leaning into innovation. By embracing alternative payment models, virtual health and opportunities like hospital-at-home programs, providers can save themselves from home-based care’s “self-inflicted challenge” of not capitalizing on the industry’s evolving opportunities, according to Bill Dombi, senior counsel for Arnall Golden Gregory law firm. He also formerly led the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), which following a merger is now the National Alliance for Care at Home. While workforce shortages, potential Medicaid cuts and unsustainable payment rates threaten the industry, opportunity awaits those willing to evolve, Dombi said.

Hidden at Home: Alarming questions, few state investigations of NJ group home deaths 
app., North Jersey.com, part of the USA Today Network; by Ashley Balcerzak and Jean Rimbach; 5/3/25 
Fourteen. That’s how many times Michael Lombardi tried to dial 911 in the hours before he was found dead at age 39 in a state-licensed group home for adults with disabilities. ... Key Points:

• Since 2019, the average number of deaths among NJ group home residents per year is about 170.
• Of those 170, an average of 120 NJ group home residents die unexpectedly, meaning they were not in hospice or palliative care.
• The state agency that oversees the system does not investigate all unexpected deaths under NJ group home care.

[Belize, Central America] Understanding grief: A journey with Belize Hospice and Palliative Care Association
Channel 5 Belize; by Sabreena Daly; 5/2/25
Grief is often seen as something that begins after a loss, but for many, it starts much earlier. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a role, a routine, or even a sense of identity, grief can take many forms and often arrives long before death itself. At the heart of this journey is the Belize Hospice and Palliative Care Association, which offers compassionate care not only for those nearing the end of life but also for their loved ones who walk that path with them. The organization provides support for anticipatory grief and healing, embracing the whole person—physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. This week, and for the rest of the month, Sabreena takes a deep dive into understanding grief. She brings us this week’s story and a look on the Bright Side, exploring how the association helps individuals navigate their grief journey with care and compassion.

The Carilion office driving 139 projects 
Becker's Hospital Review; by Kelly Gooch; 5/5/25 
Roughly five years ago, Roanoke, Va.-based Carilion Clinic recognized the need for an organizational pivot to better align system strategic plans with major operational initiatives. That led to the creation of its Enterprise Project Management Office, which leaders say has already yielded results. At the outset, senior leaders sought to build an internal group that could consistently implement and support the organization’s strategic plan.  Carilion — an integrated health system with seven hospitals, home health services, imaging, pharmacies, urgent care centers, a ground and air transportation network and a more than 800-member multispecialty physician group — had previously housed pockets of project management within various departments, ... However, the health system’s goal was more standardization, as many project managers were splitting their time between project management and day-to-day operations.

Kindness is the language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see. ~ Mark Twain