Hospice Provider Amorem Expands in North Carolina

Amorem is expanding in North Carolina’s Watauga County with a new inpatient care unit. Burke Hospice & Palliative Care and Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care formed Amorem when they merged in May. 

While the county is already within their service region, the organization discovered a need for more inpatient services. Amorem cares for patients in 12 counties throughout North Carolina.

“The intent behind the integration is to retain the integrity and vision of our community-owned hospice organizations,” Amorem CEO Cathy Swanson said. “The vision for the collaborative partnership is to integrate two like-minded providers in order to have a greater impact on serious illness and end-of-life care in the communities served.”

The organization’s executive team includes seven members who were formally with Caldwell and three who originated from Burke.

Swanson, who led Caldwell, is now the CEO at Amorem. She has served in that role for 31 years. Former members of the Burke and Caldwell boards have joined the 15-member board of Amorem. 

The two merged organizations operated in adjacent counties, with some overlap in their footprints. Even prior to the merger, their relationship was more collaborative than competitive, an Amorem spokesperson said. The two hospices coordinated with each other and referral partners to ensure that patients receive care from the provider that was closest to their homes to ensure the fastest possible response times.

Integration of the two hospices began in May. While the merger is technically complete, the systems integration process will likely take an additional 12 to 18 months, Swanson said. The goal is to make the transition seamless for patients and families, with referral and admissions processes remaining unchanged for the time being.

The company has no plans to reduce staffing post-merger. The turnover rate since May first reached no higher than 2.5%, according to Swanson.

In addition to the new impatient center, the company is upgrading is Valdese, N.C., campus, including the computer infrastructure and facility repairs, with other renovations planned.

“A master integration plan was developed to ensure collaboration and a smooth transition,” Swanson said. Action teams made up of both legacy Caldwell and legacy Burke staff were created to ensure best practices for the new organization are developed.”