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Catholic Health Association Honors Hospice Program, Four Women
Source: Catholic News Service
Published: Saturday, June 19, 2010 DENVER (CNS)—A program that provided hospice care, palliative care or caregiver support for more than 3,500 patients in fiscal 2009 is the winner of the Catholic Health Association's 2010 Achievement Citation.

The award, which recognizes innovative programs that embody the Catholic health mission, was presented June 14 to Franciscan Hospice and Palliative Care in Tacoma, Wash., during CHA's annual convention in Denver.

Started in 1990 by Franciscan Health System, the program includes in-home hospice services; inpatient hospice care at Hospice House, a 20-bed Tacoma facility; palliative care consultation and services; and caregiver support.

"The program is designed to meet the needs of patients and families before pain and physical illness clouds their decision-making," said Mark Rake-Marona, regional director of hospice and palliative care for Franciscan Health System, in a video shown before presentation of the award.

Services include comfort care; aromatherapy, music and art therapy, and hypnotherapy; chaplain services; and respite for caregivers.

CHA also honored three women religious and a Chicago physician with major awards. Those honored, and their awards, were:

• Sister Mary Frances Loftin, a Daughter of Charity who chairs St. Thomas Health Services of Nashville, Tenn., lifetime achievement award.
• Bon Secours Sister Rita Thomas, who was instrumental in the founding of what is now Bon Secours Health System, lifetime achievement award.
• Sister Suzanne Sassus, a Sister of St. Joseph of Orange, who helped create and shape St. Joseph Health System of Orange, Calif., Sister Concilia Moran award, presented annually to a trailblazer in Catholic health care.
• Dr. Roberta Luskin-Hawk, who has served as executive vice president and chief executive and held many other posts during her 25-year career at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago, midcareer award.

At the Denver convention, Anthony R. Tersigni, president and chief executive of Ascension Health in St. Louis, was installed as chairman of the CHA board of trustees for fiscal year 2010-11. He succeeded Colleen Scanlon, senior vice president for advocacy at Catholic Health Initiatives in Denver.

Robert V. Stanek, retired president and chief executive of Catholic Health East in Newton Square, Pa., was elected vice chairman and chairman-elect and will lead the board for fiscal year 2011-12.

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