New VP/CNO at VITAS

[cougarnurse]

FYI: VITAS Innovative Hospice Care(R) Names Karen Peterson Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer - Yahoo! Finance

Karen Peterson has been named vice president and chief nursing officer for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care®, one of the nation's leading providers of end-of-life care. In her new position, Peterson will have oversight for the interdisciplinary clinical teams delivering patient care at all VITAS programs located throughout the country.


Peterson most recently was senior director of operations compliance for VITAS, in which she was responsible for clinical and operational audits throughout the company. Prior to that position, she served as a national patient care administrator for VITAS. She began her career with the company as a team manager and patient care administrator in its program serving Los Angeles and Ventura County.

Peterson joined VITAS after more than 10 years in the home health field. Her past experience includes assignments as a staff nurse in a variety of settings and she also has worked as a visiting nurse for a home health agency. In addition, she has served as director of nursing for a home health provider.

"One of Karen's greatest talents is her ability to approach complex situations and challenges and devise solutions that are as simple and direct as possible," said Bob Miller, senior vice president of clinical development and bioethics for VITAS. "Her past experience on the frontlines of patient care will be an invaluable asset to us in this new position, which is designed to further underscore our commitment to quality hospice care for our patients and their families."

Peterson holds a BS in health sciences with a focus in nursing services from California State University, Northridge.

VITAS Innovative Hospice Care®, a pioneer and leader in the hospice movement since 1978, is one of the nation's largest providers of end-of-life care. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, VITAS (pronounced VEE-tahs) operates 45 hospice programs in 16 states (California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin).

VITAS employs 9,079 professionals who care for terminally ill patients daily, primarily in the patients' homes, but also in the company's 25 inpatient hospice units as well as in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living communities/residential care facilities for the elderly. At the conclusion of the fourth quarter of 2008, VITAS reported an average daily census of 11,627.