Great Lakes Geographic Area Representative – SueAnn Reynolds
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SueAnn M. Reynolds SueAnn Reynolds' Biographical Profile |
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Campaign Statement
I have had the privilege to serve you as the Great Lakes Geographic Area Director on the NHPCO Board for the past six months. Even though my exposure has been short, it has fortified my desire to represent the Great Lakes Geographic Area hospice and palliative care provider members as a partner in leading and mobilizing social change for improved care at the end of life.
After 12 years of leading Family Hospice & Palliative Care and possessing numerous years in leadership roles on a state and national level, I believe that I have the experience and fortitude to effectively work on your behalf in ensuring that the expertise of quality end-of-life care is acknowledged and supported further upstream within the healthcare continuum. As a smaller hospice provider in northeast Indiana, I led the development of: an in-home blood transfusion program; a palliative radiation/chemotherapy program; 2 NF Partnership Programs; a physician/nurse practitioner palliative care consultation program; and a 10-bed palliative care wing in a NF for step down hospitalization care or as an alternative for hospitalization for pain and symptom management. Family Hospice & Palliative Care has also been selected to participate in a state-funded pilot program entitled, “Enhanced Care,” which is a chronic care management program for people in their last 2 years of life.
Hospice providers while encouraged to be creative visionaries in program development are challenged with balancing these new programs or initiatives within the reality of hospice regulations and reimbursement. Never before has our provider community been in such flux and deal with unpredictability due to regulatory changes and enhanced scrutiny; therefore it is important to have future leaders with heightened regulatory knowledge and relationships. I would bring this attribute to the NHPCO Board through my years of working as a member with the following: CMS Region V, Medicaid Workgroup, Palmetto GBA Hospice Coalition and the Palmetto GBA Provider Outreach and Advisory Group.
In addition, I offer numerous years of experience as an active advocate for the hospice community through being a member with the Indiana Hospice & Palliative Care Organization Governing Board, serving as the Education Chair, and being a member of the Public Awareness Committee, Hospice Advisory Committee, Indiana Pain Initiative and IHPCO’s Best Practices Task Force.
Furthermore, I already have a beneficial working relationship with the Great Lakes Area hospice and palliative care state organization executives through my involvement with the NHPCO Council of States. In 2006, I was elected to the Council of States Steering Committee, of which I still participate and now serve as Chair Elect. I also facilitate the COS hospice in nursing facility task force. In 2008, I was selected to be a member of the Steering Committee for the NCHPP CEO/Executive Director/President section and participated as a mentor in the 2009 Mentor/Mentee Program. Personally, I was elated when I was selected as a Mentor because I believe so strongly in giving back to the hospice community that has blessed me so much over the years.
If elected, I will work attentively to represent the interests of all hospice and palliative care providers. It would be a great privilege to continue to serve you as the Great Lakes Area Director . . . for we are in this together. . . and I want to be there for you!
