Missed opportunities to promote flourishing in cancer care
Supportive Care in Cancer; by Natalie Tuckey, Hannah R. Wardill, Xavier Symons, Melissa Cantley, Kathina Ali, Hayley Beer, Gregory B. Crawford, Angelina Yong & Matthew Iasiello; 7/8/26
... We propose that certain elements of flourishing, such as meaning and purpose, deep personal relationships, and cultivating virtue, can be uniquely realized if targeted appropriately toward the end of life. ...  Participants reported personal growth following their diagnosis through acceptance, meaning-making, and connection, yet reported the loneliness of dying with cancer with a desire to have discussions about death with their clinicians in addition to them maintaining treatment. On the contrary, health professionals were hesitant to discuss death with their patients, balancing hope in treatments with preparation for dying. We argue that the hesitation to discuss death thwarts the opportunity to flourish and that existing solutions such as dignity therapy, meaning-centered psychotherapy, early palliative care, and multidisciplinary support can close this gap without diminishing hope in treatments.
Editor's Note: For a recent, similar research article about "flourishing," examine "Flourishing within vulnerability: on human fragility and the conditions for a habitable environment."

Big Bend Health announced as parent company of Big Bend Hospice, reflecting expanded continuum of care across North Florida 
Big Bend Health; Press Release; 7/9/26 
Big Bend Hospice, North Florida’s trusted nonprofit leader in end-of-life care for more than 40 years, today announced the formal introduction of Big Bend Health as its parent company; a strategic brand evolution that reflects the organization’s growing continuum of care while reinforcing Big Bend Hospice as its primary and most recognized service. Big Bend Health, formerly known as Seven Oaks Health, unifies Big Bend Hospice and its related healthcare services under one cohesive continuum of care. While the parent name will be used primarily for formal and legal purposes, the community will continue to see Big Bend Hospice as the forward-facing brand and the cornerstone of compassionate end-of-life care.

• A Natural Brand Progession
• Beyond Hospice
• Big Bend Hospice
• Big Bend Palliative Care
• Big Bend Home Health (coming soon)

'Labor of love:' Longtime Hospice of Dubuque leader retires 
Telegraph Herald, Dubuque, IA; by Elizabeth Kelsey; 7/8/26 
When Lavonne Noel was hired as financial coordinator for Hospice of Dubuque in 1990, she was simply looking for a part-time job while she raised her young children. Little did the Dubuque resident know that she would spend the next 36 years working for the local nonprofit, including 15 as its executive director. Noel retired recently from Hospice of Dubuque after a career she described as “the greatest privilege of my professional life.” ... Hospice of Dubuque Financial Director Jackie Brehm is currently serving as interim executive director while officials conduct a search for Noel’s permanent replacement. Noel has every confidence Hospice of Dubuque will continue to thrive under new leadership.

Silverado announces leadership transition as Wayne Sanner assumes role of Chief Executive Officer and President 
FDL Reporter, Irvine, CA; Press Release; 7/9/26 
Silverado enters a new chapter as Wayne Sanner assumes leadership, building on founder Loren Shook’s legacy of innovation and compassionate care. ... Effective July 1, 2026, Wayne Sanner assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer and President of Silverado. At the same time, founder Loren Shook transitioned to the role of Chairman of the Board, Executive Chairman, and Founder, where he will continue full time to support the culture and development of Silverado while providing strategic guidance and helping shape Silverado’s future.

Harpist brings hospice patients harmonic comfort with music 
WVIR, Charlottesville, VA; by Jackson Shock; 7/8/26 
Thomas Jefferson believed music was the favorite passion of his soul. Hospice of the Piedmont is echoing that sentiment through a series of supportive music programs and workshops. Kate Tamarkin is a certified music practitioner who uses her harp to help hospice patients. “Music is a bridge to extend love, and it’s a way to reach people, it’s a way to connect,” Hospice of the Piedmont Music by the Bedside certified music practitioner Kate Tamarkin said. ... The music is tailored to each patient’s needs and is played during all stages of their journey.

HIPAA Security Rule Amendments now projected For July 2027 - Healthcare - United States 
Mondaq | Holland & Knight Healthcare blog; by Dianne Bourgque; 7/7/26 
The U.S. Office of Management and Budget has pushed back the final publication date for updates to the HIPAA Security Rule to July 2027, extending the timeline for proposed changes that would significantly strengthen data breach protections. The delay comes amid criticism from healthcare providers and stakeholders regarding the scope of modifications to the original rule, leaving the healthcare industry in uncertainty about how the current administration will address these concerns.
Guest Editor's Note by Judi Lund Person: According to Reginfo.gov, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget's website for the federal regulatory process, the new Final Action Date – the projected publication date of the final Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security Rule – is July 2027. In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights (OCR) published a proposed rule to strengthen the HIPAA Security Rule. The proposal responded to substantial increases in large-scale data breaches – those affecting 500 or more individuals – reported to OCR between 2018 and 2023. Read more about the proposed rule.

The Joint Commission Home Health Accreditation 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | FederalRegister.gov; Announcemen; scheduled to be published on 7/10/26  
The Federal Register announced on July 9, 2026 that the application from The Joint Commission for continued CMS approval of its Home Health Agency (HHA) accreditation program has been approved by CMS. The approval is applicable from March 31, 2026 through March 31, 2032. 

Reynolds creates Iowa Medicaid fraud task force 
Insurance Newsnet; by Marissa Payne; 7/9/26 
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an executive order Wednesday [7/8] creating a new task force geared toward eliminating Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse, joining in the federal government's crackdown on potential misuse of public assistance programs. Reynolds signed the order establishing the Iowa Medicaid Fraud Elimination Task Force, which the Republican governor's office says will seek to ensure funds are used to support Iowans who qualify for benefits. "Safeguarding federal programs like Medicaid from bad actors requires accountability at every point in the process, from member eligibility verification to provider enrollment and billing," Reynolds said in a statement. 

Nonprofit-private equity joint ventures worth scrutiny, PESP report says 
Fierce Healthcare; by Anastassia Gliadkovskaya; 7/7/26 
At least 568 healthcare facilities operate through nonprofit-private equity joint ventures, according to a new report calling for scrutiny into those arrangements. The figure is likely an undercount, considering only public data were used. The report (PDF) was published by the Private Equity Stakeholder Project (PESP), a nonprofit that advocates for more disclosure about private equity deals. More than a fifth of private equity (PE)-owned hospitals operate under joint venture arrangements with nonprofit health systems. ... Such joint ventures extend beyond hospitals, spanning subsectors such as inpatient rehab, hospice, home health, behavioral health, ambulatory surgery centers and urgent care, per the report.

From Iowa City to the Rockies: How one social work graduate built a career on connection 
Iowa University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Social Work; 6/25/26 
Since earning her bachelor's degree in social work from Iowa in 2010, Amanda Hebel has spent 15 years helping people navigate life's challenges—from hospice care to rehabilitation services across Colorado. ... Her senior year also brought her practicum placement in hospice care, and it’s where her education became a career. Having lost both of her parents before starting college, Hebel entered the placement with a depth of understanding that shaped how she showed up for patients from day one. The hands-on work—grief counseling, difficult conversations, navigating complex family dynamics—translated directly into the skills she'd carry into the workforce.

Executive Personnel Changes - 7/10/26

• Hospice of South Texas named Dr. Jennifer Gonzales as Medical Director, succeeding longtime Medical Director Dr. Ty Meyer, ensuring a seamless transition in physician leadership while continuing Hospice of South Texas's commitment to exceptional patient care
  
  
• Hospice of the Chesapeake in Pasadena, MD appoints three new senior leaders:
• Shawn Essien joined the organization in June as Vice President of Human Resources
• Donna Grande was appointed Chief Transformation Officer in January after joining the organization last fall
• Melanie Gibson has been named Regional Director of Hospice Operations for the southern region, which includes Calvert, Charles and Prince George’s counties
• VNA Health Group in New Jersey announces planned retirement of COO and CFO Kevin Rogers

Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability. ~ Sam Keen