Literature Review

List of 2026 deaths in popular music Wikipedia; 8/24/26 This is a list of notable performers of rock music and other forms of popular music, and others directly associated with the music as producers, songwriters, or in other closely related roles, who died in 2026.

[Israel] Hadassah Hospice: bringing meaning it life Hadassay.org | Medicine & Research, Jerusalem, Israel; Press Release; 8/26/26 "Outside, there may be conflicts and wars, but inside these walls is a small microcosm, disconnected from the outer world, that concentrates on humanity." This is how Dr. Daniel Azoulay described the Inna and Jack Kay Hospice at Hadassah Hospital Mount Scopus. ... This October, the hospice is marking 40 years since its founding by Dr. Reuven Fink and nurse Ruth Shahal-Gassner. In the quiet place Dr. Azoulay describes, the staff provides end-of-life palliative care to some 220 patients every year. "There's a closeness here among Jews and Muslims, religious and secular people. At the end of life, everyone is the same — everybody asks that their suffering be alleviated and battles the same anxieties and fears," said Dr. Azoulay, who is head of palliative service and responsible for the Hospice Department.Editor's Note: May we listen and learn. In the midst of our deluge of political wars each way we turn, may we find ways to "concentrate on humanity." Read again: "There's a closeness here among Jews and Muslims, religious and secular people. At the end of life, everyone is the same — everybody asks that their suffering be alleviated and battles the same anxieties and fears."

Spirituality and religiosity in end-of-life decision-making in intensive care units: a systematic review of preferences, ethical framing, and meaning-making Cureus; by Dimitrios G. Apostolakis, Nikiforos V. Angelopoulos, Spiros Georgakis, Fotios Tatsis, Foteini Veroniki, Konstantinos Stamatis, Georgios Papathanakos, Mary Gouva, Vasilios Koulouras; 8/25/26 End-of-life decision-making in intensive care units (ICUs) is a complex and ethically challenging process shaped not only by clinical factors but also by patients' values, cultural contexts, and spiritual or religious beliefs. ...  [Spirituality] demonstrated a multidimensional role, facilitating acceptance of death, promoting support for palliative care in some contexts, and contributing to meaning-making during the end-of-life process. Cultural and contextual factors moderated these relationships, and the provision of spiritual care by healthcare professionals was associated with less aggressive end-of-life care. ... Integrating spiritual assessment and culturally sensitive spiritual care into routine clinical practice may enhance shared decision-making and improve alignment between treatment decisions and patients' values, preferences, and goals of care.

Housing instability complicates end‑of‑life care for aging unhoused populationsThe Miami Times; Pilar Ingle; 8/25/26 ... Nationally, 771,480 people — the highest number ever recorded — experienced homelessness in 2024. As the number of people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. grows, so too does the need for palliative and end-of-life care for these individuals. ... Research has found that specialized health care in general is more effective and affirming for unhoused individuals than traditional health services. Examples of such specialized palliative programs in the U.S. and internationally include the Rocky Mountain Refuge, the INN Between and the Harborview Homeless Palliative Care Team in the U.S., and Palliative Education and Care for the Homeless in Canada.

Miles for Mercy raises more than $4,000 before riders hit the road PR Newswire, Frederick, MD; by American Iron Speed-n-Cycle; 7/25/26 American Iron Speed-n-Cycle has raised more than $4,000 for Frederick Health Hospice through community sponsorships for the 2nd Annual Miles for Mercy Poker Run, nearly doubling the total raised during last year's event before a single rider takes to the road this year [on Oct. 17]. ... "The response from the business community has been incredible," said Tracy O'Clair, marketing manager for American Iron Speed-n-Cycle and organizer of Miles for Mercy. "These businesses aren't simply putting their names on an event. They're choosing to give back to an organization that supports people and families throughout our community during some of the most difficult times in their lives."

Cartera Health lands three companies on 2026 Inc. 5000 Journal of Business News; by AI; 8/26/26 Cartera Health announced that White Orchid Hospice, Sterling Physical Therapy & Wellness and Sterling Staffing Solutions were all named to the 2026 Inc. 5000 list. The announcement was made Aug. 26, 2026, from Houston. - The Inc. 5000 ranks the fastest-growing private companies in America. ... White Orchid Hospice ranked No. 1,407 with 251% three-year revenue growth. - White Orchid Hospice also appeared on the 2025 list at No. 1,815, moving up more than 400 spots year over year. ... Dr. Sterling Carter said the three-company sweep reflects operating discipline across the portfolio, not just strength in one business. The result suggests Cartera Health’s business mix is resilient enough to produce growth in three different service lines at once.

Oregon OSHA pursues workplace violence prevention rule for healthcare employers Mondaq; by Littler Mendelson; 8/26/26 Oregon OSHA has proposed a comprehensive workplace violence prevention rule for healthcare employers, implementing Senate Bill 537's statutory requirements. The proposal mandates periodic security assessments, development of prevention programs, and annual training for hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, home health agencies, and hospice programs. While the healthcare industry broadly supports violence prevention efforts, questions remain about whether the rule's training requirements exceed legislative.

Nonreporting of race and ethnicity in medical research harms us all JAMA Internal Medicine | Editorial | Health Equity; by Sharon K. Inouye, MD, MPH, Jerard Kneifati-Hayek, MD, MS, Annette Flanagin, RN, MA, Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS; Raegan W. Durant, MD, MPH; 8/24/26 At JAMA Internal Medicine, we have become increasingly aware that some US researchers are unable to report on race or ethnicity as demographic variables to describe their sample or to conduct stratified analyses by these variables. In some cases, we have been informed that based on 3 recent US federal executive orders, the stewards of federal databases, such as those responsible for distributing data from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS), are unable to release any race or ethnicity data for research purposes. The restrictions may be particularly prohibitive when study investigators are US federal employees. We have been informed of similar concerns occurring at other biomedical journals. Editor's Note: This theme recurs throughout our American history. Stark examples repeatedly emerged when I was researching and writing my recent e-book: A History of Care: 250 Years of Need, Service and Hope.

Area bereavement coordinator heads group supporting women chaplains Cranberry Eagle; by Marcia Jones-Washington; 8/24/26 It already takes a certain kind of person to perform the work of a chaplain, according to longtime police chaplain Millie Johnson, who said being a woman in the field lends its own challenges to the duties. ... Marcia Jones-Washington, a bereavement coordinator with Good Samaritan Hospice, organized an online networking ministry specifically for women chaplains which meets monthly to discuss topics relating to their work. Johnson has been a regular attendee since its founding in 2022. Jones-Washington said the group allows women to share their experiences in chaplaincy to encourage and support other women with the same calling. ...  After running the online support group for a few months, Jones-Washington took her planning to the real world and organized a conference for women chaplains that is now entering its fourth year.

Dying man’s final wish comes true as his beloved dogs find a forever home together Greater Good; by Guest Contributor; 8/25/26 A man in New York spent his final weeks with one hope on his mind: that his beloved German shepherds would find a new forever home. His story, and the story of his dogs Bowie and Nikki, has moved thousands of people who care deeply about pet adoption and the special bond between humans and animals. At its core, this is a story about love, planning for pets when life changes, and the quiet heroism of animal rescues that step in when families are in crisis. ... One of the most moving moments in this story came when Mr. Spencer asked for something that many pet guardians nearing the end of life quietly hope for. He wanted to say goodbye. 

Understanding the hospice journey: care, comfort, and connection in assisted living WriteUpCafe; Oakdale Heights Assisted Living; 8/25/26 Hospice care can feel like unfamiliar territory for families, especially when a loved one is already receiving support in assisted living. It is natural to have questions about what happens next, who provides care, and how everyday needs will be handled. ...

Before you sign that AI contract: 7 questions every healthcare CFO should ask MedCity News; by Purnendu Bala; 8/25/26 Every healthcare CFO’s inbox now has an AI-in-RCM pitch in it. The promises are consistent: lower denial rates, faster collections, leaner overhead. What’s inconsistent is the due diligence behind the decision to buy. Most of these deals are still evaluated like traditional software purchases: features, price, timeline. That framework misses what actually determines whether an AI investment pays off or becomes a costly write-off eighteen months later: data readiness, workforce redesign, and governance exposure that never show up on a vendor’s feature sheet. Before approving a budget for AI in revenue cycle management, CFOs should be asking seven specific questions, and most vendors are hoping they won’t.