Cornerstone Hospice Named as 2013 Hospice Honors Recipient

Central Florida hospice agency recognized for providing best patient care.

May 6, 2013 (Tavares, Fla.) – Cornerstone Hospice and Palliative Care’s mission to provide excellent care has been recognized. Cornerstone has been named a 2013 Hospice Honors recipient, a prestigious award recognizing hospice agencies providing the best patient care as rated by the patient’s caregiver.

Cornerstone serves seven Central Florida counties with at-home, inpatient and in-facility care. Three of the organization’s hospice houses were specifically named as providing exceptional care to patients and their families:

• Frank and Helen Discipio Hospice House in Tavares
• Mike Conley Hospice House in Clermont
• The Villages Hospice House in The Villages

Established by Deyta, this esteemed annual honor recognizes the top 100 agencies that continuously provide the highest level of satisfaction through their care as measured from the caregiver’s point of view. Deyta used the Family Evaluation of Hospice Care (FEHC) survey results from over 1,200 partnering hospice agencies contained in its national, FEHC database with an evaluation period of January through December 2012. Deyta used the five key drivers of caregiver satisfaction as the basis of the Hospice Honors calculations.

“Hospice Honors defines a new standard of excellence in the patient/family experience for hospice agencies,” says Liz Silva, Deyta’s Director of Hospice, “Identifying these top-performing hospices is our way of recognizing organizations that have demonstrated high quality of care to both patients and caregivers. That positive family experience is a key driver of ongoing patient-focused care and overall agency success.”

“The medical team, support staff and volunteers who make up Cornerstone are incredibly dedicated to ensuring quality hospice care is available to anyone who needs it,” said Chuck Lee, CEO of Cornerstone Hospice. “It is an honor to be recognized for their hard work but I suspect the greatest reward is the daily interaction with patients and their families and the knowledge that we are providing compassionate care with dignity to those who are at end-of-life.”

Cornerstone has been caring for people facing life-limiting illnesses and their families since 1984. In 2011, the agency served 4,281patients, plus thousands more friends and loved ones, and Cornerstone currently serves more than 800 patients each day. 

About Deyta, LLC

Partnering with thousands of hospice, home health, human services, and other healthcare organizations, Deyta simplifies data driven management, enabling our clients to overcome the avalanche of information that clouds good judgment. With Deyta, healthcare leaders make proactive decisions that strengthen financial performance, improve operational efficiency, assure CMS compliance, and provide better patient care.

Posted on Wed, 19 Jun 2013

Cornerstone Hospice Earns Level 3 Designation for Veterans Program

Cornerstone SALUTES! program enhances veteran-to-veteran outreach; increases capacity to provide specialized needs for veterans. 

February, 28, 2013 (Tavares, Fla.) – Continuing its commitment to provide specialized care for Central Florida veterans, Cornerstone Hospice and Palliative Care  has achieved Level 3status with the We Honor Veterans program, a national initiative in collaboration with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 

“With one out of every four dying Americans being a U.S. veteran, Cornerstone Hospice has made a concerted effort to ensure these heroes receive the honor, dignity and medical care they deserve,” said Chuck Lee, Cornerstone Hospice CEO. “Achieving the ‘third star’ in this important effort allows our team to reach more veterans with our array of comprehensive care programs.”

Established in 2010, the Cornerstone SALUTES! program, continues to honor our local veterans with a ceremony, led by a specially-trained U.S. veteran volunteer, tailor-made for the veteran patient and family. During the ceremony, the veteran patient is presented with a special pin and Certificate of Appreciation. Approximately 10 ceremonial pinnings are held each month throughout Cornerstone Hospice’s seven-county region and that number is expected to increase. 

 As an accredited partner with the national We Honor Veterans initiative, Cornerstone Hospice has completed specific activities using practical resources designed to increase ability the organization’s service to veterans and their families. 

• Cornerstone Hospice conducted veteran- specific training for staff and volunteers. The training specifically addresses the differing medical conditions associated with specific war theatres. 
• Cornerstone Hospice social workers are educated on veteran benefits to inform veteran patients concerning benefit resources.
• Developed a Veteran-to-Veteran initiative aimed at pairing recruited Veteran Volunteers with hospice patients who are veterans. These Veteran Volunteers have the unique ability to relate and connect with each patient thereby creating an environment where life review and healing may occur. 
• Cornerstone Hospice has conducted veteran-specific outreach presentations for community organizations to raise awareness of the need to serve veterans with life-limiting illnesses.
• Integrated a military history checklist and other procedures during patient intake to best determine care strategy while monitoring veteran demographics.

“On behalf of We Honor Veterans Program, we are grateful for the commitment and service that Cornerstone Hospice is providing Veterans and their families. We congratulate the staff at Cornerstone Hospice for achieving the We Honor Veterans Level 3 Partner recognition,” said J. Donald Schumacher, president and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

Posted on Wed, 19 Jun 2013

Orange, Lake and Sumter Community Leaders Join Cornerstone Hospice Operations Board

TAVARES – Cornerstone Hospice & Palliative Care (http://www.cornerstonehospice.org) has three new community representatives who lead the organization’s mission to help families facing life-limiting illnesses receive the special assistance only Hospice can provide.

The following Central Florida community leaders were recently elected to the Cornerstone Hospice Operations board:

Wendy Terry, CPA is Partner-in-Charge of the Orlando office of WithumSmith+Brown Certified Public Accountants and Consultants. Terry brings a wealth of accounting, auditing and healthcare management experience to the organization. Additionally, she is a member of the Lake Sumter Community College Foundation Board, an executive board member of the South Lake Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Special Olympics of Florida Audit Committee.

Robert Adrid is an executive vice president with United Southern Bank and is based in Eustis. He is a member of the Lake Eustis Area Chamber of Commerce and is affiliated with the Boys & Girls Club of Lake and Sumter Counties.

Randy Mask, of Bushnell, is a Key Account Consultant for Sumter Electric Cooperative and will leave that position in January when he takes office as Sumter County Tax Collector. Mask served two terms as a Sumter County Commissioner and is on the Executive Board for the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Mask owns Mask Properties, LLC – Rentals. He is a member of the Sumter County Republican Executive Committee.

“Cornerstone Hospice will benefit greatly from the vast experience of our new operations board members who are dedicated to ensure our organization provides exceptional care to our patients and families while operating transparently and responsibly,” said Mary Manrique, interim CEO of Cornerstone Hospice and Palliative Care.

Posted on Sun, 16 Dec 2012

Women for Hospice donates $100,000 to Cornerstone Hospice Foundation

Tavares, Fla. – The Women for Hospice of Lake and Sumter County continue their generous support of hospice services in the region with a recent donation of $100,000. The check was presented to the Cornerstone Hospice Foundation (http://www.CornerstoneHospice.org) at the December 7th Women for Hospice luncheon. This is the third year in a row that Women for Hospice has provided this gift to Cornerstone Hospice.

“We are so grateful for the continued dedication of this organization made up of creative and determined women who support the patients, families and staff members of Cornerstone Hospice,” said Nick Buchholz, executive director of The Cornerstone Hospice Foundation. “Their commitment to hospice care doesn’t stop with fundraising. Many of the Women for Hospice members volunteer in the Cornerstone Hospice offices and hospice houses.”

Cornerstone Hospice has been providing compassionate care for people facing life-limiting illnesses and their families since 1984. In 2012, the agency served 4,913 people throughout its seven county territory in Central Florida. Of those, more than half or 2,947 were in Lake and Sumter counties.

Hospice focuses on caring, not curing and care may be provided in a patient’s home or in one of four freestanding hospice facilities in Lake and Sumter counties, in hospitals, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.  The money from Women for Hospice will be used in Lake County for patient services such as Cornerstone SALUTES!, children’s grief programs, Pet Peace of Mind and Charity Care. 

Women for Hospice has raised more than $2 million dollars in over 20 years for Cornerstone Hospice. They conduct fundraising activities throughout the year including monthly luncheons and the popular “Season of Trees” event in downtown Mount Dora. Additionally, the group manages The Hope Chest upscale antique and resale shop in Mount Dora with proceeds benefiting Cornerstone Hospice

Posted on Sun, 16 Dec 2012

Cornerstone Hospice Announces Leadership Changes

New CEO and CFO to lead Central Florida organization’s strategy for a growing, competitive market

Tavares, Fla. – Cornerstone Hospice and Palliative Care (http://www.CornerstoneHospice.org) has named Charles “Chuck” Lee, MA, MBA, as President and Chief Executive Officer. Lee is a veteran in the hospice industry who has led patient care operations, strategic planning, fund raising, business development, and volunteer recruitment at several hospice organizations.

“We are fortunate to welcome Chuck to our leadership team,” commented John Moore, Cornerstone Hospice Board Chairman. “His proven ability to work collaboratively to provide exceptional care while sustaining and expanding programs will benefit the organization as we move into a challenging time for health care providers.”

"I am honored and humbled to be asked to serve the team at Cornerstone Hospice,” Lee said. “Cornerstone has a long tradition of excellence in serving dying persons and their loved ones in Central Florida, and I'm excited to play a part in keeping that tradition strong in the years ahead."

Lee, who most recently has served as Chief Operations Officer at Hospice of Chattanooga in Tennessee, will assume his role at Cornerstone Hospice, which serves seven Central Florida counties, on January 2, 2013. Prior to Chattanooga, Lee served as Sr. Vice President of Operations at Covenant Hospice in Pensacola, Fla., and worked with hospices across the country as a leader with the Studer Covenant Alliance.

“In the coming years, hospice programs – including Cornerstone – will face daunting challenges,” Lee said. “Tighter regulations, changes in reimbursement, and increased competition will demand that Cornerstone enhance the quality of its service delivery, keep costs under control, and find creative new ways to ensure that our caring mission remains intact.”

Cornerstone Hospice has been providing compassionate care for people facing life-limiting illnesses and their families since 1984. In 2011, the agency served 4,281patients, plus thousands more friends and loved ones, and Cornerstone currently serves more than 800 patients each day. Cornerstone’s annual revenue approaches $60 million.

Lee intends to build on that strong foundation.  “While challenges certainly exist, great opportunities lie ahead for Cornerstone,” he said. “More people request hospice care each year, and Cornerstone’s reputation for excellence positions us as the provider of choice for hospice and palliative care across Central Florida. That’s a powerful combination for growth in the years ahead.”

Lee replaces interim CEO Mary Manrique, who has led the organization since February 2012 and who did not pursue the permanent position. Manrique will resume her role as Chief Operations Officer for Cornerstone Hospice.

Additionally, David L. Jones, CPA, MBA has been named Cornerstone Hospice’s Chief Financial Office after serving as interim since January 2012. Jones has more than 23 years experience as a controller or chief financial officer for health care facilities and organizations.

He has led an initiative to re-engineer the organization’s financial reporting, which improved governance and allowed management to better focus on key issues.

Posted on Sun, 9 Dec 2012