THE CENTER FOR HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE

JOINS GREAT LAKES HEALTH SYSTEM

AS AN AFFILIATE PARTNER

Buffalo, N.Y.  -- One of the nation's largest hospice and palliative care organizations, The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care (CHPC), is becoming an affiliate member of the Great Lakes Health System of Western New York.

Great Lakes Health System of Western New York is the entity overseeing the clinical integration between Kaleida Health and ECMC. 

The two organizations, Hospice and Great Lakes, have signed an affiliation agreement which will increase access and utilization of palliative (comfort-oriented) care for patients receiving treatment at home, hospital, or in a long term care facility. Palliative care is focused on providing patients with serious illnesses relief of symptoms, pain and stress - whatever the diagnosis.

"Our partnership was born around a shared vision of delivering high quality health care in a seamless and efficient manner to help more people," stated Flint Besecker, CEO of The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care. "Great Lakes Health System has traditionally been known for expert care in treating individuals with disease or illness. CHPC is known for its expert care in treating the symptoms of a person's disease or illness. This new partnership enables Great Lakes to leverage CHPC's clinical expertise across their entire system. As a result, people who need palliative care will be more comfortable because their symptoms will be more effectively managed. Patients will not have to leave their current health care provider to receive help in managing their symptoms while they pursue curative treatment."

 "We are proud to have an enhanced partnership with The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care," said James R. Kaskie, the President and CEO of Great Lakes Health and Kaleida Health.  "As the largest healthcare network in Western New York, we are committed to providing our community with highly skilled physicians and nurses, state-of-the-art equipment, cutting-edge research, superior facilities and the highest quality of care. To deliver the very best care for all our patients, we focus on a collaborative and efficient approach.  Adding an entity like the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care will help us meet that mission."

While Besecker noted that CHPC's and Great Lakes service lines complement each other, he emphasized that the new affiliation agreement was not exclusive. "Our services remain available to everyone," said Besecker.  "CHPC remains an independent community-based, not-for -profit organization. We have had multiple conversations with major health systems, large long term care providers and large community physician groups and continue to have these conversations. We are enthusiastic about working intently with all of our fellow healthcare providers to help more people with serious and life-limiting illness achieve improved quality of life while avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency room visits."

Under the agreement, CHPC is named as the Palliative Care Center of Excellence for Great Lakes Health and CHPC's chief medical officer, Christopher Kerr, M.D., Ph.D., will become the Palliative Care Medical Director for Great Lakes Health. Dr. Kerr will continue serving as CHPC's chief medical officer, overseeing clinical care for more than 700 patients a day in homes, hospitals, long term care facilities and hospice residences in Erie County.

Great Lakes Health System of Western New York is the entity comprised of Kaleida Health, ECMC, the University at Buffalo plus private practice and community physicians. By bringing together the various hospitals, healthcare service providers and specialty service providers, Great Lakes Health is poised to bethe destination for exemplary healthcare delivery and innovation.  Combined, the entity accounts for over 13,000 employees and over 40% of the local health care market.  Great Lakes Health System of Western New York is a not-for-profit, community-based corporation that oversees unified partners who provide the highest quality of healthcare. Patients will now benefit from the combined resources of five Kaleida Health hospitals, the University at Buffalo's world-renowned research capabilities, ECMC's superb trauma expertise, as well as the at-home care and compassion of VNA nurses. Moreover, thousands more will be treated in the combined organization's long-term care facilities, ambulatory and community clinics.

 The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care recently received national recognition by being honored with the prestigious Circle of Life Award® by the American Hospital Association for its innovation and expertise in palliative care.

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