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Care Dimensions Director of Research Susan Lysaght Hurley Selected for Cambia Health Foundation Sojourns® Scholar Leadership Program

Susan Lysaght Hurley, PhD, RN

National leadership program honors and develops next generation of palliative care leaders

Danvers, MA – Care Dimensions, the largest hospice and palliative care provider in Massachusetts, is honored to announce that Susan Lysaght Hurley, PhD, RN, Care Dimensions Director of Research, has been named as one of 10 palliative care leaders in the country accepted into Cambia Health Foundation’s Sojourns® Scholar Leadership Program.  

The Sojourns Scholar Leadership Program is designed to identify, cultivate and advance the next generation of palliative care leaders. As part of the leadership program, each Sojourns Scholar receives $180,000 in funding ($90,000/year over a two-year period) to conduct an innovative and impactful clinical, policy, educational, or systems change project in the field of palliative care. Scholars also receive individual mentorship to design and implement a development plan that supports their growth as national palliative care leaders.  In addition, the newest cohort will participate with other scholars in a collaborative learning community.

Dr. Hurley’s Sojourns Scholar project, “Addressing the Palliative Nursing Workforce Gap: A Hospice Nurse Residency Program” builds on her experience developing and leading the innovative hospice residency program Care Dimensions launched in 2015 to provide intensive training to nurses who are new to hospice and palliative care. Through the residency program, nurses develop their hospice expertise through a combination of classroom education, field visits and patient care with the mentorship of a preceptor. Since its inception, 21 nurses have completed the residency program and have been employed by Care Dimensions. To learn more, visit CareDimensions.org/Residency.

Expanding the framework of Care Dimensions’ hospice nurse residency program, Dr. Hurley aims to create a national model for improving the quality and sustainability of the hospice and palliative care nursing workforce.  “This project addresses the gap between nursing education and practice for new graduate and experienced registered nurses wanting to begin a career in this specialty field,” said Hurley. “As the population with serious illness grows, expertise and leadership in these two areas will be critical for ensuring the provision of high-quality care for persons with serious illness."

“We are delighted that Susan has been recognized by this national organization for her leadership in hospice and palliative care and her determination to share best practices and knowledge gained in the development of the Care Dimensions hospice nurse residency program,” said Care Dimensions CEO Patricia Ahern, MBA, RN. “As a national leader in hospice and palliative care, Care Dimensions is committed to advancing the profession of nursing so more patients across the country can experience the compassion and skill of hospice and palliative care.”

Launched in 2014, Cambia Health Foundation Sojourns Scholar Leadership Program seeks to support innovative projects and emerging leaders by investing in their professional development. The Foundation’s purposeful investment in palliative care supports a larger vision to advance patient-focused and family-oriented care for all.  Since the program’s inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $11 million to 62 scholars around the country, each focused on different areas of palliative care, but all committed to improving the experience of people facing serious illness and their caregivers.  To learn more about the individual Scholars, please visit the Sojourns Scholar page on the Cambia Health Foundation website.

About Care Dimensions

Care Dimensions is the largest hospice and palliative care provider to adults and children in Massachusetts. As a non-profit, community-based leader in advanced illness care, Care Dimensions provides comprehensive hospice, palliative care, grief support in more than 95 communities in Eastern Massachusetts. Care Dimensions was founded in 1978 as Hospice of the North Shore, and cares for patients wherever they live – in their homes, in skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities, in hospitals, or at our two inpatient hospice facilities (the Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln, and the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers). Additionally, Care Dimensions HomeMD program provides in-home primary care to patients over age 65 in select communities on the North Shore and Greater Boston who have difficulty leaving home. The Care Dimensions Learning Institute educates more than 7000 healthcare professionals and community members each year on advanced illness and end-of-life topics. To learn more about Care Dimensions, please visit www.CareDimensions.org.

About Cambia Health Foundation 
Cambia Health Foundation is the corporate foundation of Cambia Health Solutions, a total health solutions company dedicated to making health care more person-focused and economically sustainable. Founded in 2007, the foundation has funded almost $70 million in grants to advance patient- and family-centered care for all. Cambia Health Foundation strategically invests in philanthropy to change the way people experience health care from birth to natural completion of life.  Learn more at www.cambiahealthfoundation.org, and follow us on Twitter: @CambiaHealthFdn or email: [email protected]