For Immediate Release:
October 5, 2011
(San Diego, CA) – It surprises many people to learn that 680,000 Veterans die every year in the US – that’s 25 percent of all deaths. Hospice providers have been working to help these heroes at life’s end.
Since launching the innovative program We Honor Veterans last year, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and hospice organizations throughout the country have been working to improve care available to dying Veterans and their family caregivers.
Today in San Diego, We Honor Veterans is hosting a summit where 125 hospice and palliative care professionals have gathered to explore best practices, look at successful programmatic outcomes, share resources, and reinforce the shared commitment to honor Veterans at the end of life.
In addition, the inaugural National Partner Awards are being presented to hospice organizations that are a part of the We Honor Veterans initiative and have demonstrated outstanding dedication to serving Veterans.
The three awards recognize outstanding partnership development, innovation, and sustainability and the honored recipients are:
- Sutter VNA Hospice, Santa Rosa, California – for Partnership Development.
- Ambercare Hospice, Albuquerque, New Mexico – for Programmatic Innovation.
- Hope Healthcare Services, Ft. Myers, Florida – for Sustainability Efforts.
“As of today, 973 hospices have joined the We Honor Veterans program and have made a commitment to ensure that Veterans in their communities are aware of and have access to the highest quality end-of-life care,” said J. Donald Schumacher, NHPCO president and CEO. “Today, we have an opportunity to shine a light on three of those providers who have not only excelled in serving Veterans but offer valuable lessons for all other providers.”
We Honor Veterans is a pioneering program focused on respectful inquiry, compassionate listening and grateful acknowledgment. By recognizing the unique needs of America’s Veterans and their families, community hospice and palliative care providers, in partnership with VA staff, learn how to accompany and guide them through their life stories toward a more peaceful ending.
More information is available at www.wehonorveterans.org.
Contact:
Jon Radulovic
NHPCO, Vice President of Communications
Ph: 703-837-3139
Cell: 571-259-5026
jradulovic@nhpco.org
