VITAS Healthcare Receives the 2024 DAISY Health Equity Award

A group poses on stage in front of a curtain

The DAISY Award was presented to VITAS Healthcare at the American Association for Men in Nursing’s annual conference in St. Louis. From left: Kris Halsey, Suzie Emiliozzi, Diane Deese, Ronnie Stumpf and Dr. B. David Blake from VITAS with AAMN President Dr. Jason Mott.

January 6, 2025

MIAMI, FL – The American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN) has selected VITAS Healthcare as the first hospice organization to receive the coveted DAISY Health Equity Award in the 25-year history of the DAISY Foundation. AAMN, in conjunction with the DAISY Foundation, bestows this award to an individual or team that goes above and beyond in caring for patients and families from underserved populations most impacted by health disparities.

DAISY Team Award plaque

AAMN presented the DAISY Health Equity Award to VITAS Vice President of Community Affairs Diane Deese and the St. Louis VITAS team at the 49th annual AAMN Conference and Awards Dinner held in St. Louis, Missouri, in October.

“It is truly an honor to be the first hospice organization to receive this evidence-based award from the respected DAISY Foundation and AAMN,” said Deese. “As the nation’s leading end-of-life care provider, we are proud to serve patients other providers don’t serve in areas where others won’t go. Access to care matters to VITAS, especially for underserved populations that bear the burden of health disparities. One of our core values is ‘patients and families come first’ as we deliver equitable, high-quality hospice care across all our communities.”

As VITAS continues to accelerate progress toward health equity and works to mitigate negative social determinants of health, its focus remains on exceptional patient care. The company’s other core values include: We take care of each other. I’ll do my best today and do even better tomorrow. I am proud to make a difference.

Nurses seeking to join the award-winning, mission-focused VITAS team caring for patients nearing the end of life can apply at careers.VITAS.com.

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