New site located in East-Central Texas in the heart of the Brazos Valley opened by Heart to Heart Hospice

Plano, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2020 -- Heart to Heart Hospice, one of the country's largest private providers of hospice care, has added a new location in Texas, expanding its service to those living in the North Houston area.

The new site in the Bryan-College Station area of Texas recently opened to help meet the needs of more people in the North Houston service area. That area, with one office already located in Conroe, covers the counties of Brazos, Northern Grimes, Central Harris, Liberty, Madison, Eastern Montgomery, San Jacinto, Walker and Washington.

The new site is at the following location: 3201 University East, Suite 350, Bryan, Texas, 77802.

"The Bryan office will help us serve more patients and families in this growing area of Texas," said Kelly Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Heart to Heart Hospice. "We are excited to be able to provide the compassionate care and support they deserve."

Since 2003, Heart to Heart Hospice has been serving patients with life-limiting illnesses, as well as their loved ones, across Texas, and in Michigan and Indiana. "When medicine cannot provide a cure, hospice redefines hope in terms of a patient's quality of life," noted Mitchell.

Through a team-oriented approach, Heart to Heart cares for the whole person, meeting each patient's unique needs, while also supporting their caregivers with guidance and encouragement to help make the time together as peaceful as possible.

"Helping our patients remain in the place they call home and keeping them comfortable is what the Heart to Heart care team is trained to do," said Heather Lumsdon, BSN, RN and Chief Clinical Officer of Heart to Heart Hospice. "We develop a personalized care plan that will honor their wishes and values and truly make a difference for them and their families."

About Heart to Heart Hospice
Heart to Heart Hospice, founded in 2003, is one of the largest private providers of hospice care in the United States. Headquartered in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Heart to Heart provides a broad range of hospice services to patients with life-limiting illnesses across 37 locations in Texas, Michigan and Indiana. At Heart to Heart, we understand both the physical and emotional challenges for our patients and their loved ones and our care team is committed to providing them with what they need most: comfort, support and dignity. Learn more about Heart to Heart Hospice.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

To continue to serve the great state of Texas, Heart to Heart Hospice has added the Midland-Odessa region to its service area

Plano, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/19/2019 -- Plano, Texas –Heart to Heart Hospice, one of the country's largest private providers of hospice care, has expanded its reach and begun providing service to those living in the West Texas area.

Heart to Heart Hospice of Permian Basin is now servicing the counties of Andrews, Crane, Dawson, Ector, Howard, Martin, Midland and Ward. Its office is located in the city of Midland.

"We are excited to be able to serve more patients and families in the great state of Texas and to provide the compassionate care and support they deserve," said Kelly Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Heart to Heart Hospice.

Since 2003, Heart to Heart Hospice has been serving patients with life-limiting illnesses, as well as their loved ones, across Texas, and in Michigan and Indiana. "When medicine cannot provide a cure, hospice redefines hope in terms of a patient's quality of life," noted Mitchell.

Through a team-oriented approach, Heart to Heart cares for the whole person, meeting each patient's unique needs, while also supporting their caregivers with guidance and encouragement to help make the time together as peaceful as possible.

"Helping our patients remain in the place they call home and keeping them comfortable is what the Heart to Heart care team is trained to do," said Heather Lumsdon, BSN, RN and Chief Clinical Officer of Heart to Heart Hospice. "We develop a personalized care plan that will honor their wishes and values and truly make a difference for them and their families."

About Heart to Heart Hospice
Heart to Heart Hospice, founded in 2003, is one of the largest private providers of hospice care in the United States. Headquartered in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Heart to Heart provides a broad range of hospice services to patients with life-limiting illnesses across 37 locations in Texas, Michigan and Indiana. At Heart to Heart, we understand both the physical and emotional challenges for our patients and their loved ones and our care team is committed to providing them with what they need most: comfort, support and dignity. Learn more about Heart to Heart Hospice.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Partnering with Grayson College, Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation helps impact the future of nursing and community health

Plano, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/11/2019 -- As part of its commitment to educating healthcare professionals and serving communities, the Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation has made a $25,000 endowment to the nursing program at Grayson College in Denison, Texas.

The "Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation Endowed Nursing Scholarship" will be awarded to Grayson College nursing students based upon character, academic ability and financial need.

"Grayson College is well-regarded for turning out highly trained, competent and compassionate nurses," said Robert Watson, Executive Director of Heart to Heart Hospice of North Texas. He noted that the Sherman location currently employs 18 nurses, many of whom are graduates of Grayson College, and that it participates with the school in clinical rotations for nurses interested in careers in hospice and end-of-life care.

"Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system," said Watson. "Even with all the new technology, bedside nursing is still essential. When you're sick, you want a well-educated, caring person by your side taking care of you," he added.

In accepting the endowment, Grayson College President Dr. Jeremy McMillen called the scholarship "an investment in students and their future."

The Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation is "helping make dreams come true for those who want to work in all phases of nursing," added Randall W. Truxal, Executive Director of the Grayson College Foundation.

Dava Washburn, Ph.D. and Vice President of Instruction at Grayson College, expressed gratitude for the scholarship specifically designed to help nursing students, which she said will greatly assist in the school's efforts to continue strengthening the quality of health care in the region.

The Education and Scholarship program is one of four unique programs through which the Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation reaches those in need to provide greater care, greater education and a commitment to celebrate life.

"We believe that the greatest impact we have is through the ripple effect of education," said Kelly Mitchell, CEO and Founder of Heart to Heart Hospice and President of Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation. "By training compassionate caregivers today, we are creating a brighter tomorrow," he said. "We are pleased to be a part of the growing and highly respected nursing program at Grayson College."

About Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation
Funded primarily through generous donations from families and friends of Heart to Heart Hospice patients, the Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit public charity that provides financial support for patients nearing end-of-life, their families, and the greater community through various charitable programs. Each program includes financial support for critical unmet needs, as well as much-needed education for the under-utilized and often misinterpreted field of hospice and palliative care. Learn more about the Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation.

About Heart to Heart Hospice
Heart to Heart Hospice, founded in 2003, is one of the largest private providers of hospice care in the United States. Headquartered in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Heart to Heart provides a broad range of hospice services to patients with life-limiting illnesses across 37 locations in Texas, Michigan and Indiana. At Heart to Heart, we understand both the physical and emotional challenges for our patients and their loved ones and our care team is committed to providing them with what they need most: comfort, support and dignity. Learn more about Heart to Heart Hospice.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Heart to Heart Hospice helps patients be home for the holidays; providing comfort, support and dignity for families

Plano, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/05/2019 -- As American families gather to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, many will do so knowing it may be the last such holiday for one of their loved ones. For those with a life-limiting illness, hospice care can provide comfort on many levels, while allowing them to be home for the holiday season.

Spending their final months at home takes on special meaning this time of year. During National Hospice and Palliative Care Month in November, Heart to Heart Hospice joins the nationwide effort to increase awareness and understanding of end-of-life care, and the many benefits hospice offers.

Hospice is a philosophy of compassionate care. When medicine cannot provide a cure, hospice redefines hope in terms of a patient's quality of life. It is designed to help patients remain in the place they call home, while keeping them comfortable and as free from pain as possible.

The experienced professionals at Heart to Heart Hospice understand the physical and emotional challenges that come with end-of-life care and are specially trained to address them. Through a team-oriented approach, they care for the whole person, meeting each patient's individual needs.

Because every family situation is unique, Heart to Heart tailors their care plan to support the caregivers, providing guidance and encouragement to help make the time together as peaceful as possible.

Thanksgiving is a time for families to relive positive memories and create new ones. Being able to do that together at home is truly a reason for giving thanks.

In that spirit, Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation was formed to honor those nearing their journey's end through greater care and education, with a commitment to celebrating life. The Foundation is unique in that it serves not only hospice patients and their families, but the community at large through end-of-life support and education.

A dedicated group of employees, volunteers and generous donors help change lives through four unique programs: Patient and Family Need, Veteran's Care, Education and Scholarship, and Alzheimer's Support.

About Heart to Heart Hospice
Heart to Heart Hospice, founded in 2003, is one of the largest private providers of hospice care in the United States. Headquartered in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Heart to Heart provides a broad range of hospice services to patients with life-limiting illnesses across 37 locations in Texas, Michigan and Indiana. At Heart to Heart, we understand both the physical and emotional challenges for our patients and their loved ones and our care team is committed to providing them with what they need most: comfort, support and dignity. Learn more about Heart to Heart Hospice.

About Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation
Funded primarily through generous donations from families and friends of Heart to Heart Hospice patients, the Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit public charity that provides financial support for patients nearing end-of-life, their families, and the greater community through various charitable programs. Each program includes financial support for critical unmet needs, as well as much-needed education for the under-utilized and often misinterpreted field of hospice and palliative care. Learn more about Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Four Texas locations of Heart to Heart Hospice earn recognition for care and commitment to patients

Plano, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/25/2019 -- As National Hospice and Palliative Care Month is recognized during November, Heart to Heart Hospice celebrates being named among those providing the highest quality of hospice care.

Four Heart to Heart Hospice Texas locations have been named by HEALTHCAREfirst as 2019 Hospice Honors recipients: East Texas (Longview), San Antonio, and San Marcos.

The Tyler, Texas, location earned the special recognition of Hospice Honors Elite.

HEALTHCAREfirst is a leading provider of billing and coding services, CAHPS (Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) surveys, and advanced analytics. Their Hospice Honors is a prestigious program that recognizes hospices providing the highest level of quality as measured from the caregivers' point of view.

"Based on feedback from caregivers themselves, Hospice Honors recognizes agencies that truly stand out, based on the level of hospice care and ongoing commitment displayed to their patients and their caregivers," said Misty Skinner, Executive Vice President of Services at HEALTHCAREfirst. "I congratulate Heart to Heart Hospice on this achievement."

Award criteria were based on Hospice CAHPS survey wresults for a one-year evaluation period and recipients were determined by performance on a set of 24 quality indicator measures. Scores were aggregated from all completed surveys and were compared on a question-by-question basis to a National Performance Score calculated from all hospices contained in the HEALTHCAREfirst's Hospice CAHPS database.

Hospice Honors are awarded to hospice companies that scored above this national average on 20 of the evaluated questions, while Hospice Honors Elite recognizes those that scored above the national average on all 24 (100 percent).

Heart to Heart Hospice Founder and Chief Executive Officer Kelly Mitchell credits the staff and volunteers in Longview, San Antonio, San Marcos and Tyler. "Our dedicated team members

believe in our mission of providing compassionate care. They work hard to make a difference in people's lives, and they deserve this recognition," said Mr. Mitchell.

About Heart to Heart Hospice
Heart to Heart Hospice, founded in 2003, is one of the largest private providers of hospice care in the United States. Headquartered in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Heart to Heart provides a broad range of hospice services to patients with life-limiting illnesses across 35 locations in Texas, Michigan and Indiana. At Heart to Heart, we understand both the physical and emotional challenges for our patients and their loved ones and our care team is committed to providing them with what they need most: comfort, support and dignity. Learn more about Heart to Heart Hospice.

About HEALTHCAREfirst
HEALTHCAREfirst enables home health and hospice providers to streamline and optimize their business through cloud-based software solutions and services. Thousands of agencies use HEALTHCAREfirst's CAHPS surveys, billing, coding and OASIS review, and advanced analytics services to create business efficiencies, simplify CMS compliance, expedite reimbursement and improve patient care. www.healthcarefirst.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Caring for the whole person and helping them remain at home, while also supporting their loved ones, are among the many benefits Heart to Heart offers

Plano, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/20/2019 -- Throughout November, Heart to Heart Hospice is joining organizations across the nation in recognizing National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and encouraging people to increase their understanding and awareness of end-of-life care.

For more than 40 years, hospice has provided comfort and dignity to millions of people, allowing them to spend their final months at home – where 80 percent of Americans prefer to be – surrounded by their loved ones.

Nearly 1.5 million Medicare beneficiaries receive care from hospices in this country every year, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). And it's important to note that the cost of hospice care is covered through the Medicare Hospice Benefit, the Medicaid Hospice Benefit, and by most private insurers.

Hospice ensures that pain management, therapies, and treatments all support a plan of care that is centered on the person's goals. This specialized care also provides emotional and practical support to help family members become confident caregivers and adjust to the future, with grief support for up to 13 months.

"It is essential that people understand that hospice and palliative care is not giving up, it is not the abandonment of care, and it is not reserved for the imminently dying," said Edo Banach, president and CEO of the NHPCO. "Hospice is a successful model of person-centered care that brings hope, dignity and compassion."

Hospice is unique in that it offers a team-oriented approach to treating individuals living with life-limiting illnesses. Caring for the whole person allows the team to address each patient's unique needs and challenges.

"Hospice provides the best level of care possible when people need it most," said Heather Lumsdon, BSN, RN and Chief Clinical Officer of Heart to Heart Hospice. "Our professional care team comes alongside patients and their families during very difficult times," she said. "We are

privileged to make a difference in the lives of our patients and families through compassionate care that provides comfort, support and dignity."

About Heart to Heart Hospice
Heart to Heart Hospice, founded in 2003, is one of the largest private providers of hospice care in the United States. Headquartered in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Heart to Heart provides a broad range of hospice services to patients with life-limiting illnesses across 35 locations in Texas, Michigan and Indiana. At Heart to Heart, we understand both the physical and emotional challenges for our patients and their loved ones and our care team is committed to providing them with what they need most: comfort, support and dignity. Learn more about Heart to Heart Hospice.

About the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization is the nation's first and largest membership organization for providers and professionals who care for people affected by serious and life-limiting illness. The organization is committed to improving and advancing the proven integrated, person-centered healthcare model that its members put into practice daily – one that provides patients and their loved ones with comfort, peace, and dignity during life's most intimate and vulnerable experiences, while also addressing holistic health and the well-being of communities. www.nhpco.org

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

With a lack of awareness among Americans on the benefits of hospice care, Heart to Heart is committed to providing Veteran-centered education and specialized care for Veterans and their loved ones facing life-limiting illnesses

Plano, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/13/2019 -- As Americans celebrate Veterans Day and honor the brave men and women who have served this country in the military, it's important to remember that they also deserve recognition and compassionate care when dealing with an advanced illness.

By partnering with We Honor Veterans (WHV), Heart to Heart Hospice is demonstrating its commitment to providing specialized care for Veterans who are facing a life-limiting illness.

We Honor Veterans is a nationwide program created by The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Its purpose is to empower hospice and other healthcare providers to meet the unique needs of seriously ill Veterans and their families.

All Heart to Heart Hospice locations are involved at some level with the WHV program, working to enhance the quality of care for Veterans at the end of life.

Six Heart to Heart locations have achieved the highest level of recognition as WHV hospice providers: Marion, Ind., Central Indiana (Fort Wayne), and Southwest Indiana (Jasper); Detroit, Mich. (Bingham Farms) and Flint, Mich. (Swartz Creek); and San Antonio, Texas.

As WHV Level 4 providers, these sites have increased their capacity to serve Veterans and care for their specific needs, implemented ongoing Veteran-centered education for staff and volunteers, and supported the development of strategic partnerships at both local and regional levels to increase access to quality end-of-life care for Veterans and their families.

"Delivering exceptional care and support to better serve our nation's Veterans and their loved ones is an extremely important company-wide initiative for us," said Michelle Newton, Heart to Heart Hospice Chief Operations Officer. "All of our locations are privileged to serve those who have selflessly served our country."

The National Hospice Foundation notes that more than 1,800 veterans die every day in the U.S., with many not knowing about or utilizing the Medicare Hospice Benefit. By recognizing the unique needs of Veterans, Heart to Heart Hospice can guide them toward a more peaceful ending. For Veterans who experienced combat service or other trauma, this can be particularly important since experiences from the past may resurface during a serious illness.

About Heart to Heart Hospice
Heart to Heart Hospice, founded in 2003, is one of the largest private providers of hospice care in the United States. Headquartered in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Heart to Heart provides a broad range of hospice services to patients with life-limiting illnesses across 35 locations in Texas, Michigan and Indiana. At Heart to Heart, we understand both the physical and emotional challenges for our patients and their loved ones and our care team is committed to providing them with what they need most: comfort, support and dignity. Learn more about Heart to Heart Hospice.

About We Honor Veterans
We Honor Veterans is a national hospice provider awareness campaign conducted by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs, to empower hospice and other healthcare providers to meet the unique needs of seriously ill Veterans and their families. Learn more about We Honor Veterans.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm