New Jersey Hospice Care Consultant Janet Dougherty, a Mt. Laurel resident, was recognized along with fellow consultants Jeanne Harkins, Alicia Podlaski and Elise Lawrence for their outstanding performance and inducted into the 2019 Compassus Presidents’ Circle.
Dougherty, Harkins, Podlaski and Lawrence were honored at the 2019 Compassus National Medical Directors, Leadership and Presidents’ Circle Meeting last month.
The Compassus Presidents’ Circle is reserved for hospice and home health care consultants who consistently expand access to home health, palliative and hospice care in their communities. Dougherty, Harkins, Podlaski and Lawrence are four of 67 inductees in this year’s Presidents’ Circle.
According to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s March 2016 report to Congress – Medicare Payment Policy – less than half of Medicare beneficiary decedents enrolled in hospice care, and the median length of stay in hospice was only 17 days.
The role of the Compassus hospice care consultant is to educate patients and families in their communities about the hospice benefit, which officials say has been shown to improve quality of life, reduce symptom stress, and minimize hospitalizations.
“Janet, Jeanne, Alicia and Elise faithfully demonstrate their dedication to helping patients gain access to the care they need, improving quality of life at a very vulnerable time for both patients and their loved ones,” said Lori Thompson, executive director of the Compassus – New Jersey program. “Their commitment is truly impactful, allowing us to demonstrate quality care in its best form, and an inspiration to their colleagues.”
Compassus – New Jersey has locations in Willingboro, Paramus and Toms River.
Dougherty serves the Willingboro location, Harkins and Podlaski serve the Paramus location, and Lawrence serves the Toms River office.
For more information about Compassus – New Jersey, visit compassus.com/willingboro or call (609) 531-0100.
