Category: HCMC Press Releases

Hennepin Healthcare announces transfer of hospice services to Ecumen Hospice

Ecumen

Hennepin Healthcare and Ecumen are pleased to announce the transfer of Hennepin Healthcare’s at home hospice services to Ecumen Hospice in a collaboration that supports access to comprehensive hospice services for Hennepin Healthcare patients.

“As we focus on our acute care hospital and clinic system, our priority was to find a hospice organization with a shared mission to the patients we serve,” said Jennifer DeCubellis, Hennepin Healthcare CEO.  “This collaboration maintains access for our patients to the full array of end-of-life services and support, so they get the care and comfort they deserve at this critical phase in their journey.”

Ecumen Hospice is part of Ecumen—one of the nation’s leading nonprofit providers of housing and services for older adults. Ecumen’s life-honoring hospice care dates back three decades and continues with innovative ways to care for those it serves.

“This collaboration between our two organizations expands access to our outstanding and comprehensive hospice care for Hennepin Healthcare patients,” said Shelley Kendrick, Ecumen president and CEO. “Additionally, it furthers our mission with a goal of making this compassionate, patient-centered end-of-life care available to everyone who needs it, in their home or wherever they’re living – regardless of their ability to pay.”

Maintaining options for long-term care and hospice are important parts of the healthcare ecosystem. Hennepin Healthcare and Ecumen are committed to realizing solutions to the current compression and congestion in hospitals that is resulting in longer lengths of stay and limited access for patients who need higher levels of care.

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Contacts:

Tom Hayes, Hennepin Healthcare
612-873-3337
thomas.hayes@hcmed.org

Angie Andreson, Ecumen
612-483-8064
angieandresen@ecumen.org

Hennepin Healthcare releases its first annual Health Equity Report

Hennepin Healthcare’s first annual Health Equity Report has been released for the year 2022. The 22-page report by its Health Equity Department outlines the organization’s achievements in the areas specific to diversity, equity, inclusion/belonging, and health equity.

“This report summarizes the first chapter in our journey to become what does not yet exist,” explains Dr. Nneka O. Sederstrom, Hennepin Healthcare’s Chief Health Equity Officer. “We’re envisioning a new path to serve our communities in the way they deserve – reaching outcomes that are not influenced by race.”

From nine “Collective” affinity groups to help support a deeper sense of belonging for diverse employees – to Hennepin Healthcare’s Compass Program, where team members explore and reflect racial inequities in healthcare systems, the comprehensive report contains many innovative projects developed by the Health Equity team, including its Talent Garden. A diverse workforce of healthcare providers is being grown by this program. According to the report, 296 youths of color attended five Talent Garden Youth Summits between December 2021 and December 2022 to introduce them to a variety of healthcare careers.

In 2022, Hennepin Healthcare was one of the first healthcare organizations to meet or exceed rigorous requirement for national health equity accreditation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). The system earned its Health Equity Accreditation Plus accreditation, which recognizes organizations that lead the market in providing culturally and linguistically sensitive services, and work to reduce health care disparities. Hennepin Healthcare was one of two healthcare organizations in the country to receive this recognition – the first time NCQA has accredited healthcare systems.

“To use medical terms, we’re implementing an essential ‘plan of care’ that’s both intentional and transformational for our patients, communities, and team members. We couldn’t feel more dedicated to this important work,” said Sederstrom.

About Hennepin Healthcare
Hennepin Healthcare is an integrated system of care that includes HCMC, a nationally recognized Level I Adult Trauma Center and Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and acute care hospital, as well as a clinic system with primary care clinics located in Minneapolis and across Hennepin County. It is operated by Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc., a subsidiary corporation of Hennepin County. Learn more about Hennepin Healthcare’s commitment to health equity at hennepinhealthcare.org/health-equity