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4/4/2013	VITAS INNOVATIVE HOSPICE CARE HOSTS FREE WORKSHOP ABOUT ADVANCE DIRECTIVES ON NATIONAL HEALTHCARE DECISIONS DAY As part of the “National Healthcare Decisions Day” annual observance, VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care, will host a free community workshop on April 16 about advance directives. A VITAS social worker will conduct a presentation about advanced directives and will assist attendees in completing their own “living wills,” at no cost, using the template provided by Aging with Dignity’s “Five Wishes,” which meets Missouri’s legal requirements and may be used in all 50 states. Read More
4/3/2013	VITAS INNOVATIVE HOSPICE CARE MAKES DONATION TO SUPPORT DENVER HEALTH CHAPLAINCY SERVICES AS PART OF MISSION TO PROMOTE ACCESS TO QUALITY END-OF-LIFE CARE VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care, announced its partnership with Denver Health through a $2,500 endowment made by its charitable foundation, VITAS Community Connections (VCC). Read More
2/21/2013	VITAS Healthcare Corporation and Hospice Pharmacia Enter into Agreement to Provide Patients with High-Quality Medication Management VITAS Healthcare Corporation, the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care, and Hospice Pharmacia, a premier provider of medication management services for end-of-life patients that is part of Omnicare’s Specialty Care Group, today announced they have entered into a three-year agreement to provide services to patients under VITAS’ care, in their places of residence. As part of the agreement, VITAS physicians and nurses will have access to pharmacists from Hospice Pharmacia 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to effectively manage patient symptoms and ensure that clinicians have timely access to information about pharmaceutical best practices. Read More
1/25/2013	VITAS’ RONALD FRIED NAMED CHAIR OF NATIONAL HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE ORGANIZATION BOARD VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care, today announced that Ronald Fried, executive vice president of development and public affairs, has been named chair of the board of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) for 2013. The NHPCO is the largest nonprofit membership organization representing hospice and palliative care programs and professionals in the United States. Read More
1/15/2013	ALEN VOSKANIAN, M.D., REGIONAL MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF VITAS INNOVATIVE HOSPICE CARE, RECEIVES HASTINGS CENTER CUNNIFF-DIXON PHYSICIANS AWARD VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care, today announced that Regional Medical Director Alen Voskanian, M.D., has received the Hastings Center Cunniff-Dixon Physicians Award in recognition of his clinical contributions, commitment and passion for the cause of end-of-life care. Read More
7/28/2011	Cincinnati Event to Keep the "Spirit of '45" Alive VITAS will celebrate the anniversary of the end of WWII with a luncheon and USO-style dance at Jim and Jack's Restaurant, 4567 River Road, Cincinnati, that will honor the men and women of America’s “Greatest Generation” and raise awareness of veterans’ issues. Read More
7/28/2011	Waterbury CT Events to Keep the "Spirit of '45" Alive VITAS will celebrate the anniversary of the end of WWII with an event at the Oakville VFW Post 7330, 85 Davis Street, on Sunday August 14, 2011 from 1 - 3 p.m. that will honor the men and women of America’s “Greatest Generation” and raise awareness of veterans’ issues. Read More
7/1/2011	VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® Recognized as a We Honor Veterans Partner VITAS is now proud to announce that it has become a national partner of “We Honor Veterans,” a pioneering campaign developed by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Read More
7/1/2011	VITAS Opens New Inpatient Hospice Unit in Philadelphia VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Philadelphia will host the dedication of its new inpatient hospice unit at Jefferson's Methodist Hospital on Wednesday, July 6, 2011, with a community open house, refreshments, music and tours from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read More
7/1/2011	Local Companies Partner to Help Terminally Ill Children VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of East Bay and the Women of AT&T, Bay Area Chapter, have partnered to assist the Mutambara Hospice of Mutambara, Zimbabwe, by collecting toothpaste, toothbrushes, vitamins, bedding, toiletries, diapers, disposable gloves and small toys for terminally ill children and their families. In one month alone, more than 20 boxes of donated supplies were collected and shipped to Mutambara Hospice. Read More
5/5/2011	VITAS Honors Veterans at Memorial Service In a spirit of gratitude and recognition, VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® will host “To Honor and Remember,” a memorial to and celebration of the nation’s veterans on Thursday, May 26, at the Historic Ship Nautilus Submarine Force Museum. Read More
5/2/2011	VITAS Acquires Alabama-based Family Comfort Hospice Chemed Corporation (“Chemed”) (NYSE: CHE) today announced that its VITAS Healthcare Corporation (“VITAS”) subsidiary has acquired the operating assets of Family Comfort Hospice based in Alabama, effective April 29, 2011. Read More
4/21/2011	VITAS Appoints Joseph B.Straton, MD, Medical Director VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Philadelphia announces the appointment of Joseph B. Straton, MD, MSCE as Medical Director. Read More
3/17/2011	VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® Honored for Service to Senior Citizens VITAS Innovative Hospice Care®, the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care, has been recognized for providing exceptional service to people over age 55. Read More
3/8/2011	VITAS Launches Website Serving Florida VITAS has launched a local website—www.vitas.com/florida—that lets the community know about VITAS services, including local bereavement support programs, volunteer opportunities, outreach activities, inpatient hospice units, hospice teams, coverage areas and contact information. Read More
3/3/2011	VITAS Dedicates Inpatient Hospice Unit at St. Mary's Hospital VITAS Innovative Hospice Care®’s new inpatient hospice unit (IPU) at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury offers state-of-the-art care and expands the continuum of care available at Saint Mary’s from birth to the end of life. Read More
2/7/2011	John Whitt Promoted to Corporate Accounts Director VITAS Innovative Hospice Care®, the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care, announces the promotion of John Whitt to Director of Corporate Accounts for the Eastern United States. Read More
1/21/2011	VITAS of Dayton Appoints Greggory Volk, DO, as Team Physician Greggory Volk, DO, of Beavercreek, has been named Team Physician for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Dayton. Read More
8/3/2010	State Rep. Mark Pafford to Attend August 17 ceremony in Greenacres Boynton Beach, FL – Recognizing that military veterans have unique needs as they near the end of life, VITAS Innovative Hospice Care®, the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care, provides quality clinical, spiritual and psychosocial care for veteran patients and their families. As a national sponsor of “Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive,” VITAS will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the end of WWII with numerous events in Palm Beach County that will honor the men and women of America’s “Greatest Generation” and raise awareness of veterans’ issues. Read More
8/3/2010	Gensure Named Director of National Accounts Miami, Florida, August 3, 2010—VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® announces the appointment of David Gensure of Weston to the position of Director of National Accounts. Gensure brings nearly 25 years of healthcare sales and training experience to his new role. Read More
7/23/2010	VITAS Announces Sponsorship of WWII Veteran's Remembrance Day VITAS proudly announces its national sponsorship of “Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive!”—a grassroots campaign which seeks to commemorate the end of World War II by establishing a permanent annual day of remembrance to honor the legacy of the men and women of America's “greatest generation.” Read More
7/13/2010	McCullough Promoted to Director of Market Development Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2010 — Erika McCullough has been promoted to Director of Market Development for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Pittsburgh. Read More
6/28/2010	David Gensure Appointed Director of National Accounts Miami, Florida, June 28, 2010—VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® announces the appointment of David Gensure to the position of Director of National Accounts. Read More
6/28/2010	Bessoni-Lutz Appointed Patient Care Administrator Fairfield, Connecticut, June 28, 2010—VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Fairfield announces the appointment of Holly Bessoni-Lutz, BSN, MSN, as Patient Care Administrator. Read More
6/28/2010	Mary Zientek Appointed Patient Care Administrator San Diego, California, June 28, 2010—VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of San Diego announces the appointment of Mary Zientek RN, BS, MA, CPM, of San Diego as Patient Care Administrator. Read More
6/15/2010	Dr. Cleanne Cass Earns Fellowship Status in American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Dayton, Ohio, June 15, 2010—Cleanne Cass, DO, FAAHPM, Regional Medical Director for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® in Southwest Ohio, has been named a Fellow by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM). This distinction places Cass among an elite group of physicians who have demonstrated significant commitment to scholarship in the field of hospice and palliative medicine. Read More
6/15/2010	Tara Friedman, MD, Earns Fellowship Status in American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 14, 2010—Tara Friedman, MD, FAAHPM, Senior Medical Director for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Philadelphia, has been named a Fellow by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM). This distinction places Friedman among an elite group of physicians who have demonstrated significant commitment to scholarship in the field of hospice and palliative medicine. Read More
6/15/2010	VITAS Physicians Earn Fellowship Status Fort Lauderdale, Florida, June 14, 2010—VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Broward County announces that two physicians have been named Fellows by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM). This distinction places Paul Rozynes, MD, FAAHPM, VITAS Medical Director, and Naresh Pathak, MD, FAAHPM, FACP, FACGS, FACEP, VITAS Team Physician, among an elite group of physicians who have demonstrated significant commitment to scholarship in the field of hospice and palliative medicine. Read More
6/15/2010	Jahorie Promoted To Patient Care Administrator Miami, Florida, June 14, 2010—Melissa Jahorie, RN, BSN, has been promoted to Patient Care Administrator for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Miami-Dade/Monroe. Read More
6/11/2010	Romero Named Regional Director of Market Development Miami, Florida, June 11, 2010—VITAS Innovative Hospice Care®, the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care, announces the appointment of Olimpia Romero to Regional Director of Market Development. Read More
6/7/2010	VITAS Honors Veterans at Community Celebration Hartford, Connecticut, June 7, 2010—In a spirit of gratitude and recognition, VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® is hosting “To Honor And Remember,” a celebration of the nation’s veterans on Thursday, July 1, from 2 to 3 p.m., at the Historic Ship Nautilus Submarine Force Museum, 1 Crystal Lake Road, Groton, CT 06340. Read More
6/7/2010	Local Physician Named Medical Director for Collier County Naples, Florida, June 7, 2010—Natalia Keyser, MD, of Naples, has been named Medical Director for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Collier County. Read More
6/7/2010	Kennedy Promoted to PCA in Dallas Dallas, Texas, June 7, 2010—Tana Kennedy, BSN, RN, has been promoted to Patient Care Administrator (PCA) for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Dallas. Read More
5/27/2010	VITAS Opens Inpatient Hospice Unit at Jefferson’s Methodist Hospital Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 26, 2010—VITAS Innovative Hospice Care®’s new inpatient hospice unit at Jefferson’s Methodist Hospital offers patients and their families a more complete range of options in hospice care. Read More
5/6/2010	Christine Martyniuk Promoted to Patient Care Adminstrator Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, May 6, 2010—VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Philadelphia announces the promotion of Christine Martyniuk, RN, to Patient Care Administrator (PCA). Read More
5/6/2010	Marc Kaprow, DO, FACOI Promoted to Associate Medical Director for Broward County Fort Lauderdale, Florida, May 6, 2010— Marc Kaprow, DO, FACOI, of Cooper City has been promoted to associate medical director for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Broward County. Read More
5/5/2010	Schmidt Appointed Director of Market Development in Columbus Columbus, Ohio, May 4, 2010 —Crystal Schmidt, of Lewis Center, has been appointed Director of Market Development for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Columbus, which provides care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families in those counties. In this role, Schmidt recruits, trains and mentors VITAS representatives in educating physicians and other healthcare professionals in hospitals, assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities about hospice and end-of-life care issues. She also represents VITAS in the community, at churches and civic organizations. Read More
4/15/2010	Janet Snapp Appointed General Manager of New Columbus, Ohio Program Columbus, Ohio, April 14, 2010—VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® announces the appointment of Janet Snapp, RN, MSN, OCN, CHPN, FPCN, to General Manager of its new Columbus, Ohio, program. The Dublin resident brings more than 30 years of healthcare and hospice clinical and leadership experience to her new role. Read More
4/6/2010	Irene Prather, MD, Appointed Medical Director in Dallas Dallas, Texas, April 6, 2010—VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Dallas announces the appointment of Irene Prather, MD, of Frisco, as Medical Director. In this role, Prather is responsible for overseeing the medical care and treatment of VITAS patients in their homes, nursing homes and assisted living communities in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, and Rockwall counties, and at the VITAS inpatient hospice unit in Irving. Read More
4/6/2010	Joan Uronis Appointed General Manager in Cleveland Cleveland, Ohio, April 6, 2010—Joan Uronis, of Hudson, has been appointed General Manager for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Cleveland. Uronis brings hospice and senior living administrative experience to her new role. Read More
4/1/2010	Wongsurawat Appointed Medical Director in St. Louis St. Louis, Missouri, April 1, 2010—VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of St. Louis announces the appointment of Vanee Wongsurawat, MD, CMD, FAAG, as Medical Director. In this role, the St. Louis resident is responsible for overseeing the medical care and treatment of VITAS patients in their homes, nursing homes and assisted living communities in Crawford, Jefferson, Franklin, Saint Charles, Saint Louis, Saint Francois, Saint Genevieve and Washington counties. Read More
4/1/2010	VITAS Opens in Columbus, Ohio Columbus, Ohio, April 1, 2010—VITAS, the nation’s leading hospice provider, is now serving patients with life-limiting diagnoses and their families in the greater Columbus area, including those in Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and Union counties. VITAS also provides quality, compassionate end-of-life care in Ohio to patients and families in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Dayton. Read More
3/31/2010	Abbruzzi Promoted to Associate Medical Director Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, March 31 2010— Sara Abbruzzi, DO, has been promoted to Associate Medical Director for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Philadelphia, responsible for overseeing the medical care and treatment of VITAS patients in their homes, nursing homes and assisted living communities in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Read More
3/25/2010	Lemar Beamon Appointed Director of Market Development in Volusia/Flagler Ormond Beach, March 25, 2010 —Lemar Beamon, of Windermere, has been appointed Director of Market Development for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Volusia/Flagler Read More
3/23/2010	Beverly Ross named Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Miami-Dade/Monroe Miami, Florida, March 23, 2010—Beverly Ross, MDiv, of Coral Gables, has been named Supervisor of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Miami-Dade/Monroe. She will oversee the VITAS CPE program, which teaches clergy, chaplains and lay people to provide spiritual and emotional support for terminally ill patients and their families. Read More
3/22/2010	Unger Appointed Medical Director in Houston Houston, Texas, March 22, 2010— Kenneth Unger, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, has been appointed Medical Director for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Houston. Read More
2/25/2010	Guastella Appointed PCA in Hartford East Hartford, Connecticut, February 25, 2010— Kathleen Guastella, BSN, MS, of Southington, Connecticut, has been appointed Patient Care Administrator for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Hartford. Guastella brings nearly 30 years of clinical and leadership experience in home health care, hospice and long-term care, to her new role. Read More
2/25/2010	VITAS Awarded Florida CON for Jacksonville CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Chemed Corporation (“Company”) (NYSE:CHE - News) today announced that its VITAS Healthcare Corporation subsidiary has been awarded a Certificate of Need by the State of Florida to establish a new hospice program in the greater Jacksonville area, which includes the counties of Duval, Nassau, St. Johns, Clay and Baker. Read More
2/23/2010	Dr. Cherney has been promoted Fairfield, Connecticut, February 23, 2010— Clare Cherney, MD, has been promoted to medical director for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Fairfield, responsible for overseeing the medical care and treatment of VITAS patients in their homes and in nursing homes, assisted living communities and personal care homes in Fairfield and New Haven counties. Read More
2/15/2010	Dr. Friedman has been promoted Blue Bell, PA, February 15, 2010—Tara Friedman, MD, has been promoted to Associate National Medical Director for VITAS Palliative Care Solutions (VPCS). In this role, she assists VITAS National Medical Director Joel Policzer, MD, and Dawn DaSilva, VPCS general manager, in developing palliative care services in VITAS’ 45 programs nationwide. She also will continue as senior medical director for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Philadelphia, a position she has held since 2001. Read More
1/28/2010	Campbell appointed Director of Market Development Lombard, IL, January 28, 2010 —Miriam Campbell, of Pingree Grove, has been appointed Director of Market Development for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Chicagoland Northwest. Part of the senior management team, Campbell oversees all local marketing activities for the program and recruits, trains and mentors VITAS representatives in educating physicians and other healthcare professionals in hospitals, assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities about hospice and end-of-life care issues. She also represents VITAS in the community, at churches and at civic organizations. Read More
1/25/2010	MBNA scholarships Dallas, TX, January 25, 2010 —As recipients of $1,500 scholarships from VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Dallas, two local nursing students are finding their college experience to be less financially stressful. Read More
1/20/2010	Henderson APpointed Director of Market Development Sacramento, January 20, 2010 — Jay Henderson, of El Dorado Hills, has been appointed Director of Market Development for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Sacramento, which provides care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families in the Sacramento Valley and the Foothills. In this role, Henderson recruits, trains and mentors VITAS representatives in educating physicians and other healthcare professionals in hospitals, assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities about hospice and end-of-life care issues. He also represents VITAS in the community, at churches and civic organizations. Read More
1/13/2010	VITAS Launches Website Serving Northern Illinois Chicago, IL, January 13, 2010—It’s midnight and you can’t sleep, worried about a chronically ill parent who is not responding to the latest treatment. Is hospice an option? Read More
1/12/2010	Drew Landmeier Promoted to Vice President of Marketing Miami, FL, January 12, 2010 – VITAS is pleased to announce that Drew Landmeier has been promoted to Vice President of Marketing, reporting to David Wester, President and CFO. Based in the corporate headquarters in Miami, Drew is responsible for managing the marketing department and providing support to all VITAS locations nationwide. Read More
1/5/2010	Marcos Rejtman Promoted to Medical DIrector Palm Beach, FL, January 5, 2010 — Marcos Rejtman, DO, has been promoted to Medical Director for the Palm Beach program. Read More
1/5/2010	Cleanne Cass, DO, Named Regional Medical Director Dayton, OH, January 5, 2010 – Cleanne Cass, DO, has been appointed Regional Medical Director for the Dayton and Cincinnati programs. Read More
1/5/2010	VITAS Dedicates Inpatient Hospice Unit Melbourne, Florida, January 5, 2010—VITAS Innovative Hospice Care®’s new inpatient hospice unit at Courtenay Springs Village in Merritt Island offers patients and their families a more complete range of options in hospice care. VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Brevard County will host the dedication of the unit on Wednesday, January 13, 2010, with a community open house, refreshments and tours from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. A formal ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 4:30 p.m. The unit is located at Courtenay Springs Village, 1100 South Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island, FL 32952. Read More

As the leader in the nationwide hospice movement, VITAS is routinely contacted by journalists for commentary about key hospice issues and trends.

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