In December 2014, Cambia Health Foundation announced the largest grant in its seven-year history: $10 million to UW Medicine in Washington for its Palliative Care Center of Excellence, an investment intended to secure the future of the Center and advance innovation in palliative care both regionally and nationally. Renamed the Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, the Center, through the leadership of Drs. Randy Curtis and Tony Back, is blazing a bold and innovative path to improve quality of life for patients who need palliative care at any stage: the end of life, serious illness, a chronic condition or traumatic injury.
Earlier this year, thanks to the work of the Center, UW Medicine became the first full system in the country to receive Advanced Certification in Palliative Care by the Joint Commission, a national accreditation organization that sets standards of care and certifies programs.
This month the tremendous impact of the Center’s work was honored and amplified with the receipt of one of the industry’s most prestigious palliative care achievements: The American Hospital Association Circle of Life Award.
The Circle of Life Award honors innovative palliative care in hospices, hospitals, health care systems, long-term care facilities, and other direct care providers. The Awards shine a light on programs and organizations that can serve as models or inspiration for other providers. Major sponsors of the 2016 awards are the American Hospital Association, the Catholic Health Association, and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Association.
The application process is robust and includes in-person interviews and presentations. The fact that the Center was formed just over three years ago and earned this distinction on its first try speaks volumes about the vision and leadership of Drs. Curtis and Back, and the dedication and expertise of their team. It also speaks to the kinds of impactful investments the Cambia Health Foundation strives to make through its grant making, the power of partnerships and the importance of relationships.
We have been proud to know Drs. Curtis and Back for several years; both have received Sojourns Awards from the Foundation for their leadership in the field of palliative care, in addition to grants. And, while funding plays a vital role in advancing innovation, relationships are an equally important catalyst. The trust that has been established over several years and multiple projects, in addition to a shared vision for patient-centered palliative care, created the environment for this investment to take shape. The people part of the equation was just as important as the overall effort.
As funders, establishing the return on investment is top of mind when evaluating projects and proposals. For Cambia Health Foundation, we measure our work through the return on humanity. We’re so very proud that the Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence is delivering that return to the patients and families it serves each day. And, it’s an investment that continues to pay dividends to the community and to the field of palliative care. Needless to say, we are excited about the future.
To learn more about the important work of the Center, please take a look at its 2015 annual report.
Earlier this year, thanks to the work of the Center, UW Medicine became the first full system in the country to receive Advanced Certification in Palliative Care by the Joint Commission, a national accreditation organization that sets standards of care and certifies programs.
This month the tremendous impact of the Center’s work was honored and amplified with the receipt of one of the industry’s most prestigious palliative care achievements: The American Hospital Association Circle of Life Award.
The Circle of Life Award honors innovative palliative care in hospices, hospitals, health care systems, long-term care facilities, and other direct care providers. The Awards shine a light on programs and organizations that can serve as models or inspiration for other providers. Major sponsors of the 2016 awards are the American Hospital Association, the Catholic Health Association, and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Association.
The application process is robust and includes in-person interviews and presentations. The fact that the Center was formed just over three years ago and earned this distinction on its first try speaks volumes about the vision and leadership of Drs. Curtis and Back, and the dedication and expertise of their team. It also speaks to the kinds of impactful investments the Cambia Health Foundation strives to make through its grant making, the power of partnerships and the importance of relationships.
We have been proud to know Drs. Curtis and Back for several years; both have received Sojourns Awards from the Foundation for their leadership in the field of palliative care, in addition to grants. And, while funding plays a vital role in advancing innovation, relationships are an equally important catalyst. The trust that has been established over several years and multiple projects, in addition to a shared vision for patient-centered palliative care, created the environment for this investment to take shape. The people part of the equation was just as important as the overall effort.
As funders, establishing the return on investment is top of mind when evaluating projects and proposals. For Cambia Health Foundation, we measure our work through the return on humanity. We’re so very proud that the Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence is delivering that return to the patients and families it serves each day. And, it’s an investment that continues to pay dividends to the community and to the field of palliative care. Needless to say, we are excited about the future.
To learn more about the important work of the Center, please take a look at its 2015 annual report.