American Hospital Association chair recognizes VCU Medical Center as breakthrough provider

During the American Hospital Association's (AHA) recent annual meeting in Washington, D.C., David L. Bernd, chairman of the AHA and president of Sentara Healthcare in Norfolk, recently praised the VCU Medical Center for its efforts in palliative care.

"The palliative care unit at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, provides a more comfortable end to life for terminally ill patients," said Bernd. "The cost for this care averages 50 percent less than for those being treated in the regular hospital units. This palliative care unit, which has been open at VCU for two years, is similar to units that have been in place for many years in England, where the hospice program started."

Bernd also told the story of what he felt was a great example of the unit's exemplary care.

"A 72 year-old grandmother wanted to give Christmas presents to her grandchildren before she passed away. Although it was August, one of the doctors dressed as Santa Claus. An artificial Christmas tree was placed in her room, and the grandmother and grandchildren were able to have their last Christmas together."

Bernd described the example as a glimpse of what the health care system could look like with bold leadership. He also stressed issues such as the importance of innovation and leadership to find answers to the cyclical nature of health care as well as quality care and care for the indigent and elderly.