Literature Review

Mandated time off for bereavement gaining ground Altoona, PA; by Sarah Boden; 2/10/25 When his father died from COVID-19 in 2020, James Gerraughty didn’t have to choose between working and grieving. That’s because his employer provides three days of paid bereavement for the death of a parent. This gave Gerraughty enough time to drive from the Altoona area to Buffalo, New York, to collect his dad’s remains. ... Not everyone is so lucky. Pennsylvania doesn’t have a universal bereavement leave policy. Employers offer it at their discretion, meaning many workers can experience the death of a loved one but not get time off. Other states have filled this gap in labor law, to varying degrees. California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington all mandate some form of bereavement leave. ... It takes time to process a death. So not being able to take off work can threaten a person’s mental health and livelihood, said Nisha Bowman, a social worker in Pittsburgh for Monarch Hospice.[Click on the title's link to continue reading.] Editor's note: For national advocacy for bereavement care, examine Evermore.org.

A CEO’s strategic guide to leading people facing cancer CEO World Magazine; by Joelle Kaufman; 2/10/25 Cancer doesn’t just affect individuals – it impacts entire organizations. As leaders, we must anticipate and prepare for the moment when cancer touches our teams. With over 18 million cancer survivors currently in the U.S. workforce and over 2 million new diagnoses annually, the question isn’t if cancer will affect your organization but when and how you’ll respond. ... The first step will be how you respond when an employee shares that cancer is impacting their life. The second step is how you will manage while cancer is having its impact. ... When we get this right, we build more than just protocols – we build resilient organizations that demonstrate our values through action. In doing so, we create the kind of workplace where people can bring their whole selves, face life’s challenges with dignity, and continue contributing meaningfully to our shared mission. Editor's note: Getting this "right" matters especially for hospice and palliative care organizations. Read this article for both strategic professional guidelines and a personal story from a CMO/business owner.

It’s inoperable cancer. Should AI make call about what happens next? The Harvard Gazette - Harvard University; by Alvin Powell; 2/10/25AI is already being used in clinics to help analyze imaging data, such as X-rays and scans. But the recent arrival of sophisticated large-language AI models on the scene is forcing consideration of broadening the use of the technology into other areas of patient care. In this edited conversation with the Gazette, Rebecca Weintraub Brendel, director of Harvard Medical School’s Center for Bioethics, looks at end-of-life options and the importance of remembering that just because we can, doesn’t always mean we should. When we talk about artificial intelligence and end-of-life decision-making, what are the important questions at play? ...

AdventHealth's AI chief aims to cut through the 'uncertainty' of AI in healthcare Becker's Hospital Review; by Naomi Diaz; 2/5/25 AdventHealth, based in Altamonte Springs, Fla., has appointed Rob Purinton as its first chief artificial intelligence officer, a newly created role aimed at reducing uncertainty around AI while guiding the health system's overall strategy for using the technology. "We think there's some uncertainty in the future with AI and healthcare, and so my job is to take some of that uncertainty out," Mr. Purinton told Becker's. "The future could be bright and productive and rosy and a really great experience for consumers and clinicians, or it could be the opposite of that. ..."

I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him. ~ Booker T. Washington 

Men to share stories of grief on charity walk BBC News, West of England; by Dawn Limbu; 2/8/25 Hundreds of men from Somerset and Wiltshire are being encouraged to share their experiences of grief and bereavement on an eight-mile (12km) charity walk. Dorothy House Hospice Care is hosting its annual 'Men's Walk to Support' to raise funds to help the charity continue to provide free end-of-life care. The walk on 8 March will take participants from the charity's hospice in Winsley, Wiltshire, to Bath Pavillion in Somerset. Dan Varley, community and events fundraiser, said the walk can be really "powerful" for men who have experienced bereavement. 

Seasons Hospice executive director appointed to lead statewide agency Owatonna People's Press; 2/10/25 Seasons Hospice is proud to announce that Kristina Wright-Peterson, current Executive Director, has been selected as the next Executive Director of the Minnesota Network of Hospice and Palliative Care (MNHPC), effective June 1, 2025. MNHPC serves as the leading voice for hospice and palliative care providers across Minnesota, advocating for high-quality, compassionate end-of-life care. Notably, Ms. Wright-Peterson will be the first MNHPC Executive Director with direct experience as a hospice provider—a milestone that underscores the importance of practitioner-led leadership in shaping the future of hospice care. “Seasons Hospice will always hold a special place in my heart,” said Ms. Wright-Peterson. “Even more importantly, it will serve as the benchmark for the high-quality end-of-life care that should be accessible to everyone in our great state.”

Wilton’sTurnover Shop surpasses historic milestone — $1 million in donations to Visiting Nurse & Hospice  Good Morning Wilton, Wilton, CN; by Reader Contributed to GMW; 2/7/25 A legacy of generosity has reached a historic milestone — the Turnover Shop of Wilton has surpassed $1 million in lifetime donations to Waveny LifeCare Network’s Visiting Nurse and Hospice. This extraordinary achievement, 80 years in the making, continues to fuel the Network’s Patient Care Fund, ensuring that home care and hospice services remain accessible to those in need, regardless of financial circumstances. “This milestone is a powerful testament to the impact of community-driven generosity,” Homecare at Waveny Vice President Carol Smith said. ... As two deeply rooted nonprofit organizations, Waveny’s Visiting Nurse & Hospice and the Turnover Shop share a mission of service, dedication and heartfelt support for their community. 

Discover the charitable spirit behind Giving Hearts Day in North Dakota Hot975FM.com; by Scott Haugen; 2/10/25 February is a special month. It's the month for Groundhog Day, Super Bowl, Lincoln's birthday, Valentine's Day, Washington's birthday, and Presidents Day. That is a lot to squeeze into a short month! Another day to keep in mind comes up on February 13th. That's Giving Hearts Day.  Giving Hearts Day is an extremely beneficial giving campaign for close to 550 charities in northwest Minnesota and North Dakota. Giving Hearts Day is meant to encourage people to support a cause they care about, and push the enthusiasm around this yearly celebration to help charities raise their profile and strengthen relationships with donors. Established in 2008, Giving Hearts Day is a 24-hour charitable celebration for North Dakota and northwest Minnesota.

How the DOJ-UnitedHealth Group lawsuit could change hospice M&A Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 2/11/25 A U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) victory in its lawsuit to block UnitedHealth Group’s (NYSE: UNH) acquisition of Amedisys is unlikely to have a cooling effect on hospice M&A, according to some experts. The UnitedHealth Group subsidiary Optum in June 2023 agreed to acquire Amedisys in a $3.3 billion deal. Optum in February 2023 also acquired the home health and hospice provider LHC Group for $5.4 billion. DOJ in December 2024 filed the lawsuit to kill the deal. The state attorneys general of Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York are also plaintiffs in the suit. ... DOJ’s chief concern is that the combination of the two companies would dampen competition in the hospice and home health space. Should the transaction proceed, Optum would control 30% or more of the home health or hospice services in eight states, according to the Justice Department’s complaint.

As I held my dying daughter’s hand, what did I feel? Immense pride in a young woman who – despite a lifetime of complex special needs – taught us that perfection comes in many different guises Express Digest - DailyMail.co.uk; 2/7/25 As I held my dying daughter's hand, what did I feel? Immense pride in a young woman who – despite a lifetime of complex special needs – taught us that perfection comes in many different guises. ... There is no doubt that without her, our own lives might have been easier and much less of an emotional roller-coaster – yet they would also have been so much poorer. For she introduced us to the richness of worlds and wonderful people that we might never have encountered without her.  ... Iona showed that life was for living, despite her disabilities and health struggles. She fuelled my compassion, smoothed my sharper edges and gave me courage ...

Kamloops Hospice's Messages of Love Campaign runs all month long Castanet - Kamloops.net, Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada; by Eagle Anderson, 2/9/25 Kamloops residents are being invited to stop by a cafe, grab a cup of coffee and share some positive words as part of Kamloops Hospice’s Messages of Love Campaign, which is running all month. Four local eateries — 5 Bean Brew Bar (Sahali), The Vic, Cafe Motivo, Yew Street — and the Kamloops Hospice will each provide sticky notes, pens and a board for posting. “It’s essentially an awareness campaign,” Kamloops Hospice’s Fund Development Lead Sarah Irvine said. ... Participants are encouraged to write a positive message on each note. They can then keep the note, stick it to a board or give it away. Messages can be written to friends, family, community groups, lost loved ones and even to themselves.