Care New England Executive selected for prestigious program
Nancy Roberts, MSN, RN, of Narragansett, Rhode Island, president and chief executive officer of the VNA of Care New England and executive vice president of Care Management at Care New England was recently selected to participate in the first cohort of The Practice Change Leaders program.
The individuals chosen in the inaugural group of Practice Change Leaders for Aging and Health, announced last month, were selected from professionals who had received support from the Innovation Advisors Program within the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). Ten individuals were selected to participate in the prestigious program, aimed at building leadership capacity among professionals who have a leadership role in a health care delivery organization, health-related institution, or community-based organization with direct responsibility for care that impacts older adults.
Through participation in the one-year Practice Change Leaders program, awardees receive $45,000 and the support of local and national mentors to further develop their leadership skills and to complete a project aimed at implementing a new geriatric service line or aging program. Complementing their development as individual leaders, participants will be joining a collegial network of dedicated professionals who share a commitment to improving health and health care outcomes in older adults.
Roberts has chosen to implement a program entitled, "A Transitional Care Model (from hospital to home to the community) for Patients with Heart Failure." The program will be implemented in collaboration with Kent Hospital for older adults hospitalized with cardiac disease. The goal of the program is to create a match between the individual's care needs and his or her care setting. This will be achieved by providing and closely monitoring the most appropriate care from hospitalization through home health discharge and then to ongoing medical care in the community.
Roberts said, "I am honored to have the opportunity to receive support for this innovative model of care that was developed at VNA of Care New England. Focusing on safe and effective care transitions is an essential component of the health care continuum. Testing this model with older adults who are suffering from cardiac disease has the potential to impact real change in care delivery that may be replicated for other diagnoses. This project seeks to prevent avoidable hospitalizations and positively impact overall health status by implementing a team approach and innovative care services along the continuum of care."
"This is a tremendous program and a very significant honor for Nancy Roberts—and for Care New England—to be acknowledged as an innovation leader," said Dennis D. Keefe, president and chief executive officer of Care New England. "This further demonstrates our commitment to transforming the future of health care for our community."
Provided by Women & Infants Hospital
