Encino, California, June 18, 2007—Seven nurses at VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® of Los Angeles and Ventura County have passed the National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses, demonstrating their knowledge, skill, experienceCertification tests are demanding, and nurses must be recertified every four years. “This isn’t easy,” notes Susie Fishenfeld, Senior general manager. “We had structured weekly study groups, intense preparation and outstandi Adding CHPN (Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse) to their professional credentials are:

Jamie Belden, Team Manager RN, CHPN, of WinnetkaN, of Winnetkamie Belden, Team Manager RN, CHPN, of WinnetkaN, of Winnetka
Sara Carrasco, RN, CHPN, of Winnetka
Marilyn Gains, RN, CHPN, of Granada Hills
Alison Collins, RN, CHPN, of Woodland Hills
Doris Lasater, LVN, CHPN, of Panorama City

Brenda Sisson, LVN, CHPN, of Gardena ome health aides also passed their hospice certification tests: Susan Hovhannisyan, CHHA, CHPNA, of Glendale and Ray Diokno, CHHA, CHPNA, of Los Angeles. , of Glendale and Ray Diokno, CHHA, CHPNA, of Los Angeles. , of Glendale and Ray Diokno, CHHA, CHPNA, of Los Angeles.

Hospice certification requires nurses to pass a recertification exam every four years. Recently recertified VITAS nurses are Lisa St. Clair, RN, CHPN, of Chatsworth and two team managers, Sharon Wells, RN, CHPN, of North Hollywood and Donna O’Brien, RN, CHPN, of Sylmar.

“Certification is an assurance to VITAS patients and their families that their hospice team offers the highest quality patient care,” says Fishenfeld. “But it also reveals the commitment these clinicians have to hospice.”

VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® is the nation’s largest provider of end-of-life care. A pioneer and leader in the hospice movement since 1978, VITAS has been caring for the terminally ill and their families in California since 1995.