News Release

Care New England Executive selected for prestigious program

Nancy Roberts to participate in The Practice Change Leaders program

Grant and Award Announcement

Care New England

Nancy Roberts, MSN, RN, of Narragansett, Rhode Island, president and chief executive officer of the VNA of Care New England and executive vice president of Care Management at Care New England was recently selected to participate in the first cohort of The Practice Change Leaders program.

The individuals chosen in the inaugural group of Practice Change Leaders for Aging and Health, announced last month, were selected from professionals who had received support from the Innovation Advisors Program within the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). Ten individuals were selected to participate in the prestigious program, aimed at building leadership capacity among professionals who have a leadership role in a health care delivery organization, health-related institution, or community-based organization with direct responsibility for care that impacts older adults.

Through participation in the one-year Practice Change Leaders program, awardees receive $45,000 and the support of local and national mentors to further develop their leadership skills and to complete a project aimed at implementing a new geriatric service line or aging program. Complementing their development as individual leaders, participants will be joining a collegial network of dedicated professionals who share a commitment to improving health and health care outcomes in older adults.

Roberts has chosen to implement a program entitled, "A Transitional Care Model (from hospital to home to the community) for Patients with Heart Failure." The program will be implemented in collaboration with Kent Hospital for older adults hospitalized with cardiac disease. The goal of the program is to create a match between the individual's care needs and his or her care setting. This will be achieved by providing and closely monitoring the most appropriate care from hospitalization through home health discharge and then to ongoing medical care in the community.

Roberts said, "I am honored to have the opportunity to receive support for this innovative model of care that was developed at VNA of Care New England. Focusing on safe and effective care transitions is an essential component of the health care continuum. Testing this model with older adults who are suffering from cardiac disease has the potential to impact real change in care delivery that may be replicated for other diagnoses. This project seeks to prevent avoidable hospitalizations and positively impact overall health status by implementing a team approach and innovative care services along the continuum of care."

"This is a tremendous program and a very significant honor for Nancy Roberts—and for Care New England—to be acknowledged as an innovation leader," said Dennis D. Keefe, president and chief executive officer of Care New England. "This further demonstrates our commitment to transforming the future of health care for our community."

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The Practice Change Leaders Program is supported by the Atlantic Philanthropies and the John A. Hartford Foundation, and is under the direction of Eric A. Coleman, MD, from the University of Colorado Denver, and the co-direction of Nancy Whitelaw, PhD, from the National Council on Aging (NCOA). The Practice Change Leaders program intends to create a network of specialists dedicated to influencing health care delivery and improving the health of older adults. To learn more about the program, please visit www.changeleaders.org.

About the VNA of Care New England

The VNA of Care New England is a not-for-profit Medicare and Medicaid certified home care and hospice agency and has served the home health care needs of Rhode Islanders since 1908. VNA of Care New England cares for adults and the elderly and offers a comprehensive line of cardiac, pulmonary, rehabilitation and end-of-life home health care services, allowing for ease of transition throughout the continuum of home health care. VNA of Care New England is a member of the Care New England Health System and is accredited by the Joint Commission.

To learn more or inquire about receiving home health care services, please contact VNA of Care New England's Intake Department, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 8 pm and weekends and holidays, 8 am to 4 pm at 401-737-6050 or toll-free at 1-800-348-6417.


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