VITAS' Miami-Dade Program Earns Reaccreditation From the National Institute for Jewish Hospice

12/19/2013

MIAMI, FL – VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care, today announced that its Miami Dade County program has been reaccredited with the National Institute for Jewish Hospice (NIJH). VITAS of Miami Dade is the only hospice provider in South Florida that has earned this accreditation.

NIJH accreditation, which VITAS first received in 2003, enables the company to receive on-site training designed to deepen its caregivers’ knowledge and understanding of Jewish religious rituals and the unique concerns of Jews at the end of life and during mourning.

“We are proud to continue our affiliation with the National Institute for Jewish Hospice, which further evidences our long-standing commitment to provide the highest quality end-of-life care for Jewish patients and their families,” said Senior General Manager Maureen Knips, with VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of Miami Dade.

VITAS of Miami Dade was accredited during the NIJH Accreditation Conference in November. The event brought together professionals from hospices across the country along with others in related fields, including rabbis, administrators, chaplains of all faiths, psychologists, nurses, bereavement counselors and social workers. Sessions featured industry thought leaders such as Dr. Barry Kinzbrunner, VITAS Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, sharing the latest insights and information related to all aspects of hospice and the Jewish terminally ill.

"We congratulate VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of Miami Dade for earning this important accreditation, which enables it to be included in the database of Florida hospices where the National Institute for Jewish Hospice refers patients, families and rabbis seeking the best end-of-life care for the Jewish terminally ill,” said NIHJ Founder and President Rabbi Maurice Lamm.