Brookings Health System's Hospice Joins We Honor Veterans Program

Brookings Health System's hospice program recently achieved level one status in the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization's (NHPCO) We Honor Veterans program.

"America's veterans have done everything asked of them in their mission to serve our country," said interim CEO Kevin Coffey. "By participating in the We Honor Veterans program, Brookings Health System endeavors to recognize and respect our veterans for their military service."

Brookings Health System was recruited by NHPCO to participate in the campaign last fall and started the orientation process in January. To achieve level one recognition within the campaign, Brookings Health System's hospice program provided veteran-centric education for staff and volunteers and identified patients with military experience.

NHPCO, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), launched We Honor Veterans in October 2010. The pioneering campaign aims to improve the care veterans receive from hospice providers and empowers hospice professionals to meet the unique needs of dying veterans.

The program teaches respectful inquiry, compassionate listening and grateful acknowledgement to comfort patients with a history of military service and possible physical or psychological trauma. It also provides practical resources, including downloadable forms and descriptions of veteran benefits.

Brookings Health System's hospice program is one component of organization's home services. For more information on home health and hospice, or to request services, call 605-696-7700 or visit brookingshealth.org.

About Brookings Health System
Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed Brookview Manor nursing home, and Brookhaven Estates apartments. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, and extended care services. The emergency room is staffed 24 hours a day and provides around the clock medical-nursing care for patient needs ranging from minor injuries to life threatening crises. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.