“A lot of the folks that work at the VNA, and I would say most if not all, the folks at VNAHG, really view their work as not a job but a calling.”

In this episode of the "Moving Healthcare Forward" podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Christopher Rinn, CEO of the VNA Health Group, to reflect on his first year in this important role. Christopher opens up about his leadership philosophy, which is deeply rooted in service to others and cultivating a workplace culture where every team member feels valued and empowered to achieve their full potential. We delve into the core mission of VNAHG, which is dedicated to empowering individuals and families to live their best lives through comprehensive, compassionate care.

Our conversation takes a closer look at the wide range of services that VNAHG offers, spanning from prenatal care to end-of-life support, showcasing the organization's commitment to supporting patients at every stage of life. Christopher also sheds light on the unique challenges and exciting opportunities that come with leading a healthcare organization that has been a cornerstone of the community for 112 years. He shares his forward-thinking vision for the future of VNAHG, emphasizing the importance of innovation in meeting the evolving needs of patients while simultaneously upholding the values that have defined the organization for over a century.

With a focus on people, both within and beyond the organization, VNAHG  is not just moving healthcare forward—it’s transforming lives, one patient at a time.

Key Points from this episode: 

• Plans to enhance partnerships and leverage community resources to continue providing innovative, high-quality care.     
• How VNAHG is leveraging technology to improve patient care and communication.
• The importance of a patient-centered approach in healthcare.

“Talk to the Dr. Sharma's of the world, the palliative care doctors that see the holistic picture and rely on those professionals to help answer some of your questions, or at least perhaps guide you in the right direction.” 

In this episode, we feature a deeply moving conversation with Evan Steinberg and Dr. Vandana Sharma. Dr. Sharma is a board-certified palliative care physician and has been working in palliative care for the last 20 years. Evan recently lost his dad, Herb,  and shares his emotional journey navigating his father's end-of-life care, highlighting the compassionate support provided by VNAHG.

Evan candidly discusses his father's battle with a terminal illness and the invaluable role Dr. Sharma and the VNAHG team played to ensure his father’s final days were filled with dignity, love, and peace.

 Dr. Sharma walks us through the process that Evan’s dad (and so many others go through) and explains the critical differences between palliative care and hospice, emphasizing the importance of understanding and accessing these services.

Join us as we explore the nuances of palliative care, the profound impact of dedicated healthcare professionals, and the power of asking the right questions to advocate for your loved ones. Tune in to hear a compelling story of love, loss, and the unwavering support that can make all the difference during life's most challenging times.

Tune in to discover how VNAHG is moving healthcare forward by providing compassionate care and ensuring that every patient receives the dignity and support they deserve.

Here’s what you won’t want to miss:

• Insights from Dr. Sharma on the differences between palliative care and hospice care, and why these services matter 
• The importance of asking the right questions and being an advocate for your loved ones during critical times 
• How Dr. Sharma helped Evan and his dad toward at the end of his life 
• The ways in which VNAHG provides support during end-of-life 

“...The need, especially within the LGBTQ community, for culturally sensitive health care and for public health practices that meet the individual where they are is immense.”

In this episode of the Moving Healthcare Forward podcast, we explore some of the invaluable services provided by VNAHG that you might not be aware of. Listen in for an inspiring conversation with Erich Wuethrich and Michael Zito Govert as they discuss the organization’s dedication to the LGBTQ community through initiatives like the Prevention Resource Network, Project Real, and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.

VNAHG has been supporting the LGBTQ  community for a long time and is on a mission to break down barriers and be a comprehensive resource for both physical and mental health for the LGBTQ community. Their services are comprehensive, from rapid testing for HIV and syphilis to a syringe program, to sexual education, and support for AIDS prevention and treatment. And one of the most important things to note is that your ability to pay does not affect your access to care.

Key services highlighted in this episode include:

• PrEP (a preventative treatment against HIV)
• Referrals to comprehensive health screenings and care
• Syringe access center providing sterile syringes to the community
• Programs helping individuals wean off opioids
• Testing for HIV and syphilis

You’ll also learn about Project Real’s mission to create a safe,  judgment-free space for the LGBTQ community to come together. This unique social space for 18-29 year olds offers a place to share stories, offer support, and participate in fun activities. Project Real is open Monday-Thursday from 5-10 pm, with special events on Fridays and weekends. Staff are available daily from 2-5 pm at 805 4th Ave in Asbury Park. You can also connect with them on Facebook and Instagram. 

Tune in to discover how VNAHG is moving healthcare forward by fostering inclusivity and support for the LGBTQ community.

To access these important services please call 855-619-4445 or visit the Prevention Resource Network (PRN) website https://prnvnacj.org.

Other Important Links: 

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program: https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/
Prevention Resource Network: https://prnvnacj.org/   
Project R.E.A.L:  https://prnvnacj.org/project-real/  

“Through the nurses, the occupational and physical therapist, we’ve learned a lot about how to handle this illness.”

In this episode of the Moving Healthcare Forward podcast, we dive into a candid conversation with Dave Curran and his wife Judy about their invaluable experience with VNAHG’s home care services. Dave is a 93-year-old patient who after three hospital visits, continued ongoing care at home with VNAHG rather than staying in a hospital or rehabilitation center.  

From coping with a middle-of-the-night fall to managing COPD, Dave and his wife Judy received comprehensive support from VNAHG nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. Dave and Judy share the seamless transition VNAHG helped him make from hospital to home care, emphasizing the personalized attention, regular monitoring, and invaluable guidance they provided to help Judy care for Dave at home. They also talk about how home care services allowed Dave to heal quickly so they could continue to live a full life, including traveling and spending quality time together.

For individuals like Dave, who may be facing health challenges or limitations, knowing that there are alternatives to extended hospital or rehab stays can make a profound difference in their quality of life and overall journey to recovery. 

You’ll also hear:

• The incredible personalized care Dave received 
• The convenience of home care vs hospital care
• The psychological benefits of healing at home
• How Dave was able to keep his travel plans with the support of VNAHG
• The importance of educating others about home care services 

 “I'll recommend them to anyone, because it's the best thing that happened to us, the VNA coming in here and taking care of him” 

On September 17th of last year, Carlos Pernett was in a horrific motorcycle accident. While fortunate to be alive, Carlos found himself grappling with a myriad of severe injuries including broken ribs, a broken shoulder, a fractured knee, fractured lower back flaps, dislocated fingers, and severe road rash. It was a daunting journey ahead, one that would test his strength and resilience in unimaginable ways. 

After enduring multiple surgeries and days of hospitalization, Carlos was sent home to embark on his difficult path to recovery. It was here that the transformative role of VNA Health Group came into play. Dedicated professionals like Eileen and Diana, a nurse and physical therapist, became integral pillars of support for Carlos and his family. Through their unwavering dedication and expertise, they provided not only physical rehabilitation but also a profound sense of hope and encouragement during the family’s darkest moments.

You’ll also hear:

• The indispensable role of VNAHG's homecare services in facilitating Carlos's remarkable journey to recovery 
• Insight into Carlos's utilization of VNAHG's Community Health Centers throughout his life's journey
• How VNAHG team members like Eileen and Diana served as nurses, physical therapists and emotional support for Carlos's perseverance and determination
• The personalized and compassionate at-home care provided by VNAHG
• How VNAHG can serve as beacons of hope for individuals facing major challenges

On today's episode of Moving Healthcare Forward podcast, Dr. Holler talks about her experience with patients and their families who are dealing with chronic and terminal illnesses. Yes, this may sound like a scary and depressing topic, but Dr. Holler sheds light on this very taboo subject and explains the beauty of palliative and hospice care when approached in a thoughtful and timely manner.

This episode is full of inspiring and informative information about the meaning and beauty (yes, beauty) of treating serious illness and end-of-life care. Dr. Holler shares uplifting stories about her patient’s experiences of having comfort, joy, and peace with the inevitable. Dr. Holler also shares her powerful story about what called  her to med school at age 40 (you read that right, 40!)  

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How we can destigmatize discussions surrounding the topic of death 
• The real difference between palliative care and hospice care 
• How to create a peaceful end-of-life experience for a loved one 
• How to know when it is time to make the transition from palliative care to hospice care
• Why Dr. Holler views her work as inspiring, not depressing
• Why completing the POLST form is so important to end-of-life -care. Visit VNAHG.org to download this form. 
• The importance of bereavement counseling 

This is an important conversation around one of the many ways we at VNA Health Group are Moving Healthcare Forward. If you are in need of palliative or hospice services please call 1-800-200-2345. Please have a listen. 

In today’s episode, I was honored to speak with two incredible leaders in the New Jersey healthcare space,  Senators Declan O’Scanlon and Vin Gopal. Senator O’Scanlon and Senator Gopal speak openly about the challenges in finding the right care for elders as they age. In a given year VNA Health Group makes over a million home visits to elders in our communities who are aging in their own homes. Affordability continues to be a challenge as the 85 and over demographic develops the most health issues, and we all know, as people age, so do the medical bills. There needs to be more emphasis on home care so is a more cost-effective way to care for the elderly in the comfort of their home.  Senator Gopal believes one way to fix situations is additional funding through the state and federal governments and more focus on individual needs. We also talk about the nursing shortage and how finding affordable housing, unattainable education opportunities, and the impact COVID has had on the “work from home culture” are all contributors to the workforce shortage. 

Key Points from this episode: 

• How we can make healthcare more affordable for the increasing 85+ community
• The difference between home care and healthcare affordability  
• How to gain and retain a new nursing staff while combating the current shortage 
• Affordable New Jersey housing for both working nurses and seniors

Dr. Lina Shihabuddin is the Chief Population Health Officer with RWJ Barnabas Health, and she has an extensive and wide-ranging background in healthcare: she has trained in internal medicine, psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry, hospice and palliative medicine, and more. On today’s episode, we dove into elderly mental health, holistic healthcare and the incredible role that geriatric psychiatrists play in taking care of our aging population. Dr. Shihabuddin explains the need for more access to geriatric psychiatry for our aging population, and the types of care we can offer for elderly patients with cognitive diseases. Finally, we discuss the future of psychiatric care and what still needs to be established as the norm in order to keep our communities healthy and cared for. 

Key points from this episode: 

• The importance of mental health in holistic care
• The challenges of an aging population in psychiatry
• The difficulty of patient access to geriatric psychiatry, and how we can improve this
• Care beyond psychiatry that can help mitigate the effects of cognitive diseases

In-home care is an essential service. Without it, many patients would not have access to the medical care they desperately need. Emily Keller is an advanced registered nurse practitioner within the Parker Advanced Care Institute, Visiting Physician Services at VNA Health Group. She is a true expert, having offered in-home primary care since 2013, with a background in trauma ICU and master's credentials from Rutgers University. Tuning in today, you’ll hear about her day-to-day experience of offering in-home primary care, how she came to work in this space, and the surprising scope of services that can be covered by in-home care. Emily also shares her thoughts on the role of technology and the necessity of balancing it with practitioner support and reminds us how important it is for patients to plan ahead, plus much more. For all this and more, be sure to join us for this fascinating conversation!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An overview of the community that Emily predominantly works in.
• What a typical workday looks like in home-based medical care.
• Why Emily prefers being able to care for patients in person.
• The factors that the length of an average visit depends on. 
• Why patients are usually surprised by how much can be done during in-home care.
• What would ordinarily happen to these patients without access to in-home care.
• Emily’s journey to becoming an in-home primary care practitioner.
• Her concerns about going into in-home care and how her experience has disproved them.
• Advice for providers considering a similar path.
• Why it is so important for patients to plan ahead.
• The problem of loneliness and isolation.
• What Emily predicts for the future of this kind of work and how technology.
• How she responds to people who believe that technology can replace human care.
• The importance of balancing technological and practitioner-based care.
• How to find home care practitioners in your area.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Emily Keller on LinkedIn

Parker Advanced Care Institute

VNA Health Group Job Opportunities

Email Talent Acquisition at VNA Health Group

Natasha Davis is the Director of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey. She is one of the key leaders within VNAHG’s Children and Family Health Institute and a member of the Employee Council on diversity, inclusion and health equity. Today, we discuss how we can ensure vulnerable populations get the healthcare they need, and how we can empower more people to live healthy lives. Davis shares some of her experiences navigating the healthcare system both as a patient and as a healthcare provider, and how she establishes trust with her patients who have more trouble accessing care, encouraging them to get the screenings and healthcare they need. Finally, we reflect on the importance of building trust with communities of color, the Black infant and maternal mortality rate, the importance of holistic care and much more! 

Key points from this episode: 

• How accessing high-quality care can be difficult
• The importance of crossing the language barrier in healthcare
• Ensuring access to screenings, education, and healthcare information
• Establishing patient-provider trust and a look at Davis’s own experience with self-advocacy in healthcare
• How innovative, holistic care can make a difference for our most vulnerable community members