Literature Review

NPHI welcomes Robin Shultz as Vice President for Member Programs and Engagement National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), Washington, DC; Press Release; 1/8/25 The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) is proud to welcome Robin Shultz, LCSW, ACC, ACHP-SW, to the team as Vice President for Member Programs and Engagement. With her proven track record of leadership and a passion for innovation, Robin’s expertise is set to deepen connections among our members and drive meaningful engagement at all levels. Robin brings significant experience in hospice and palliative care to NPHI. ... In her new role with NPHI, Robin will focus on strengthening member engagement, ensuring active participation across forums, and fostering deeper inclusion for member staff at all levels. Her efforts will build on NPHI’s mission to advance the work of nonprofit hospice providers, empowering them to deliver exceptional care and services to their communities.

Climb aboard that jungle gym: Career path need not be linear to be successful The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, IN; by Theresa Laxton; 1/10/25 In today’s ever-evolving professional landscape, more women are realizing that their careers don’t have to follow a linear path. Instead, they’re embracing the concept of a career jungle gym, a metaphor introduced by Sheryl Sandberg in her book “Lean In.” Unlike a ladder with one direct route, a jungle gym allows for lateral moves, creative pivots and even deliberate pauses, all of which can lead to success. For women, and nurses in particular, this mindset is transformative. ...

Health systems: It's time to break up with short-termism Becker's Hospital Review; by Molly Gamble; 1/10/25Health systems begin 2025 emerging from a half-decade of crisis management. Now is the time for executive teams to lift their heads from quarterly survival and make bets on their long-term future. ... In recent years, a number of leaders, including those within health systems, openly declared their departure from 10-year strategic plans. Even five-year outlooks are considered ambitious, some argued. Agility and short-term performance is sometimes hailed as the hallmark of savvy leaders, while long-term vision risks being dismissed as impractical or naive. This mindset may have served its purpose during the stop-and-go nature of the pandemic, but risks leaving organizations flat-footed and without a defined strategy for what could come next. Teams may feel the shift. The return of competitive, distinct and long-term plans will require systems' executive teams and boards to revive organizational muscles that may have lain dormant through years of crisis response. 

Catholic Hospice executive director retires after 40 years in healthcare management Archdiocese of Miami; by Priscilla Greear; 1/8/25 Dian Backoff retired in December 2024 as executive director of Catholic Hospice, having more than doubled the daily patient census in six years and extended its mission of compassionate end-of-life medical care across the boundaries of the Archdiocese of Miami. Her career spanned 40 years, from nurse to vice president and hospice pioneer—never forgetting the impact of daily nursing care to a woman with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS disease. ... Backoff, 65, likes to remind staff to remember their “why” to help patients experience a peaceful death. Additionally, “their families can experience what we call a good death and not have complicated grief afterwards and not be so distraught that they’re not healthy mentally,” she said.

Hospice Insights Podcast [The Law and Beyond] - A year in review: Reflections and hopes for the future JD Supra; by Husch Blackwell LLP; 1/8/25 It’s our first podcast of 2025 and we wanted to start the year out with some reflections. Join Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske and Bryan Nowicki as they each share their biggest surprises and victories of 2024 and what is on their wish list for 2025. 

HPNA and HPNF announce 2025 Board of Directors HPNA and HPNF; Press release; 1/2/25 The HPNA 2025 Board of Directors consists of:

Middle manager burnout, layoffs, and the search for solutions HR Query; 1/6/25Middle managers are facing unprecedented pressure. As organizations streamline communication, this critical layer is often caught in the crossfire, with layoffs impacting one-third of this group in 2023.A recent study revealed that 75% of middle managers report experiencing burnout, and 40% are actively seeking new opportunities. This alarming trend poses a significant risk to organizations, as middle managers play a vital role in driving revenue, fostering employee growth, and ensuring operational success. ... Dana Rogers, VP of People at O.C. Tanner, shares valuable insights on the critical role of middle managers in organizational success, strategies for HR teams to rebuild trust and support with middle managers, and leveraging employee appreciation tactics to reduce burnout and boost confidence. Her first tip? HR leaders should be loud with appreciation.

The Jimmy Carter White House Connection to Hospice & Palliative Care TodayCohen-Fyfe Communications; by Mark Cohen; 1/3/25Jimmy Carter’s impact on the hospice movement goes further than his very public decision to be admitted to hospice in February 2023 ... and even further than his administration’s decision in 1980 to launch the Hospice Demonstration Project that directly led to congressional passage of the Medicare Hospice Benefit, with strong bipartisan support, in 1981 during the first year of the Reagan Administration. How much further? You might not be reading this daily newsletter if were not for the Carter White House. If you were a fan of Hospice News Today, which I published from 2012 to 2023, and/or if you’re a fan of Hospice & Palliative Care Today, then you should know that Jimmy Carter(and his long-time senior aides Jody Powell and Hamilton Jordan) deserve some of the credit for these two unique daily environmental scans that have served the hospice movement now for more than a dozen years. ... [Fascinating story and with this spoiler alert:] So, Inauguration Day in 1977 found me walking into the Old Executive Ofice Building as the youngest person on the 369-person staf of The Office of the President. My job? One of six stafers who produced the daily News Summary for the President and nearly 200 senior oficials throughout the White House and the Cabinet and executive agencies. [Click on the title's link to read more.]Editor's note: As President Carter's body is taken to the Capitol today, we celebrate the simple moments that can change the course of another's life. Did you read Jimmy Carter's questions to the young Mark Cohen? At Hospice & Palliative Care Today, we are grateful for Mark's journey and long-lasting impact. What interest are you taking in the lives of those who serve in your organization? May we pause. Learn. And live.

Johns Hopkins Medicine CEO: 'Bring the joy back to medicine'Becker's Hospital Review; by Kristin Kuchno; 12/19/24 One year after Theodore DeWeese, MD, assumed permanent leadership of Johns Hopkins Medicine, he remains focused on enhancing patient care and bringing care closer to home. ... Dr. DeWeese shared his strategies for 2025 with Becker's, in areas such as employee retention, capital investments and community partnerships. ... Dr. Theodore DeWeese: Health systems across the country are facing a workforce shortage that will likely get worse over the next decade. ... Given the shortage, part of our approach to retention is focusing on the culture of our organization and investing in the well-being of our employees and career development of the provider workforce. We are working to bring the joy back to medicine by creating a culture where everyone can thrive, whether it's by easing the administrative burden that clinicians face or offering greater flexibility for front-line workers. ...

What’s the most impactful thing you learned this year? Harvard Business Review (HBR); by Kelsey Hansen; 12/31/24 What’s one thing you learned this year that changed the way you lead? We asked HBR’s global social media community this question to get a sense of the lessons our readers are taking into the new year. We’ve collected some highlights here so that we can all reflect and learn from one another. Our readers shared lessons learned around the importance of (truly) listening; leading with vulnerability and humility; and why we should all prioritize reflection and lifelong education. In the spirit of continuous learning, we’ve also included some resources to dig deeper in HBR articles and podcasts. ...

To build a strong leadership team, invest in the middle Forbes; by Marissa Morrison; 12/26/24 An organization’s success is determined by the strength of its people—most notably, its mid-level talent. These leaders are mediators, connectors, drivers and collaborators. They communicate feedback, motivate junior staff, hold teams accountable and execute company goals. They also play a crucial role in shaping culture. With all these responsibilities, it’s clear why organizations need trusted mid-level talent. However, these employees often lack the developmental support they need. ... 5 Ways Organizations Can Support Middle Managers: ...

Where 74 health system leaders are focused to prepare for 2025 Becker's Hospital Review; Mariah Muhammad; 12/23/24 Becker's asked C-suite executives from hospitals and health systems across the U.S. to share the areas they're focusing on for 2025. The 74 executives featured in this article are all speaking at the Becker's Healthcare 15th Annual Meeting on April 28 - May 1, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago. ...  Question: What are the top headwinds you're preparing for in 2025? Editor's note: Click on the title's link for this lengthy list. Key themes include (but are not limited to):

10 headwinds for health systems in 2025Becker's Hospital Review; by Laura Dyrda; 12/23/24Healthcare executives are preparing for 2025, a year likely filled with profound challenges and big opportunities. From workforce shortages to financial pressures, technological advances, and policy uncertainties, 74 health system executives and leaders shared their biggest headwinds heading into next year. The big themes include: