VITAS Healthcare Programs Earn Reaccreditation from the National Institute for Jewish Hospice

01/06/2015

Jan. 6, 2015 - VITAS Healthcare, the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care, announced that several of its programs were reaccredited with the National Institute for Jewish Hospice (NIJH). Select VITAS programs in Alabama, California, Florida, Kansas, Missouri and Texas earned this reaccreditation. View a list of all VITAS programs accredited by the NIJH here >

NIJH accreditation, which VITAS first received in 2003, enables the company to receive on-site training designed to deepen its caregivers’ knowledge and understanding of Jewish religious rituals and the unique concerns of Jews at the end of life and during mourning.

“We are proud to continue our affiliation with the National Institute for Jewish Hospice, which further evidences our long-standing commitment to provide the highest quality end-of-life care for Jewish patients and their families,” said VITAS Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Barry Kinzbrunner.

Learn more about how VITAS serves the Jewish community.

VITAS programs were accredited during the NIJH Accreditation Conference in November 2014. The event brought together professionals from hospices across the country along with others in related fields, including rabbis, administrators, chaplains of all faiths, psychologists, nurses, bereavement counselors and social workers. Sessions featured industry thought leaders such as Dr. Barry Kinzbrunner, sharing the latest insights and information related to all aspects of hospice and the Jewish terminally ill.

"We congratulate VITAS Healthcare for earning this important accreditation, which enables it to be included in the database of hospices where the National Institute for Jewish Hospice refers patients, families and rabbis seeking the best end-of-life care for the Jewish terminally ill,” said NIJH Executive Director Shirley Lamm.

NIJH was established in 1985 to help alleviate suffering in serious and terminal illness. Its 52,000 members are comprised of business and professional leaders and a consortium of endowing foundations. It serves as a resource and educational center for hospices, hospitals, family service, medical organizations and all health-care agencies, providing education about the issues and challenges of serving terminally ill Jewish patients.