Hospice Care
Latest Hospice Care News
New York City Patch Features Joseph Vitti and VNSNY Veteran Liaisons
November 18, 2021–
Medium Features Rosemary Baughn on “Connecting ‘Human Soul to Human Soul’ at End of Life”
November 16, 2021–
Meet Our 2021 ESPRIT Winners!
November 16, 2021–
Spectrum/NY1 Features Joseph Vitti and VNSNY Hospice “We Honor Veterans Program”
November 15, 2021–
Watch this video of our VNSNY Impact Challenge final round, where everyone is a winner!
October 15, 2021–34 proposals, 10 weeks, 8 teams, 5 final presentations…here it is – the final round! Now you can relive the experience the five finalist VNSNY Impact Challenge teams had when they went before a panel of esteemed experts to present their proposals addressing health disparities. Watch your colleagues present with flair and then take tough questions from the expert panel that included President and CEO Dan Savitt and special “mystery guest” panelist, Marki Flannery. Watch the drama and excitement of the day by clicking here below.
Nine Things You May Be Surprised to Know About VNSNY’s HOPE Program
September 25, 2021–Since 2015, VNSNY Hospice’s HOPE (Hospice Outreach, Patient and Provider Education) Program has encouraged better access to hospice care among African Americans and Latinx in Harlem. Recently, thanks to a $500,000 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, HOPE has expanded to the Bronx as well. Here are nine things you may not know about the HOPE Program: 1. The HOPE Program is a key part of VNSNY’s effort to address health disparities. Nationwide, 48% of white Medicare beneficiaries enroll in hospice, compared with 8% of Black and 6% of Latinx Medicare beneficiaries. This stark disparity means that millions of Americans are missing out on the many benefits of hospice care at the end of life, which includes getting skilled symptom management while living with their loved ones at home, rather than languishing in the hospital. 2. There are many reasons for the disparities in hospice use. They include lack
Good Samaritan Story: VNSNY Hospice Nurse Saves the Day
September 17, 2021–On a stifling Tuesday earlier this summer, Lisa* was looking forward to a late breakfast with her friend Alice* on the Upper East Side. They had only walked a block when Alice started feeling very woozy and in danger of passing out. “Alice couldn’t take the heat and couldn’t make it another step. We were right near an Italian restaurant with outdoor seating, so I sat her down and got her some juice, but she wasn’t getting any better,” says Lisa. “We were only a block away from her home but she wouldn’t have been able to walk back, and we couldn’t get a taxi. She absolutely refused to let me call for an ambulance or to go to the ER—and when Alice is adamant about something, she’s adamant!” Lisa was feeling increasingly desperate. Just then, as if on cue, help materialized—in the form of VNSNY Hospice nurse Vidya Hosein-Anderson,
“30 Minutes with Dan” Salutes the Exceptional Consumer Experience!
August 25, 2021–“Amazing!” “Outstanding!” “Above and beyond!” These are just some of the words our patients, members, and clients use when we exceed their expectations. In the August episode of “30 Minutes,” Dan interviews staff from across the organization about what it takes to create an exceptional consumer experience, including Elaine Gillard (Hospice), Mike Guglielmelli (CHHA), Jennifer Kaya (CMHS), Claudia Morrison (Partners in Care), Laura Mattos (Partners in Care), Christine Odom (CCSS), and Vidya Hosein-Anderson (Hospice). Click here below to watch this latest episode and hear what they say! And here’s the “On the Go!” version of “30 Minutes with Dan.” We’ve broken out the August episode into short segments so you can watch it on the go! That’s a Fact! Around with Dan in Astoria, Queens and Mosholu Parkway in the Bronx! Roundtable Discussion at Cloves Lake Park on Staten Island! High-5!
The Results Are In — Here Are the Eight VNSNY Impact Challenge Finalists!
August 16, 2021–The first round of the inaugural VNSNY Impact Challenge is now concluded, and the results have been tremendous! In all, 34 proposals from VNSNY staff were received by the July 16th deadline, including submissions by teams and by individuals. They covered a wide range of potential program launches or enhancements, all aimed at reducing health disparities in the various communities served by VNSNY. “Along with the rest of VNSNY’s leadership, I want to thank all the staff members who contributed their ideas and efforts to this competition,” says VNSNY President and CEO Dan Savitt, who was part of the review committee. “Every proposal was extremely impressive and well thought out. I can tell you that selecting finalists from this outstanding group was not easy!” The proposals that did not advance to the finals will continue to be closely evaluated for their potential impact on VNSNY’s operations, adds Catherine Callaway, Senior