Wishard’s Palliative Care Program Receives National Recognition

Contact: Todd Harper 
Phone: (317) 630-7808 
Pager: (317) 310-5972 

Indianapolis, July 27, 2009 – The Palliative Care Program at Wishard Health Services was recognized this past week with a Circle of Life Award from the American Hospital Association (AHA) for its efforts to address the needs of those who are most vulnerable.
The palliative care team at Wishard assists poor and underserved patients who have been diagnosed with terminal illnesses and lack the resources to die with the dignity and compassion that all persons deserve.  The specially trained staff at Wishard helps coordinate complex medical care for patients as they face the physical and psychological challenges associated with their illness.
“We are deeply touched to receive this prestigious award in recognition of the work that we do each day.  Of course, for each member of the palliative care team, this is more than just work.  This work has been, and continues to be, a labor of love,” said Dr. Gregory P. Gramelspacher, MD, director, Palliative Care Program at Wishard.
The Circle of Life Award celebrates programs across the nation that have made great strides in palliative and end-of-life care.  The awards are supported in part by the California Healthcare Foundation, based in Oakland, Calif., and Archstone Foundation.  Major sponsors include the AHA, the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, the Catholic Health Association, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the National Hospice Foundation.  The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association are 2009 Circle of Life co-sponsors.
The award was presented to the Wishard palliative care team during a ceremony on July 24 in San Francisco.  This is the tenth year for the Circle of Life Award.  For more information on the Circle of Life Award, visit www.aha.org/circleoflife.