The Future Leaders Awards program is brought to you in partnership with Homecare Homebase. The program is designed to recognize up-and-coming industry members who are shaping the next decade of home health, hospice care, senior housing, skilled nursing, and behavioral health. To see this year’s Future Leaders, visit https://futureleaders.agingmedia.com/.
Drake Jarman, senior vice president of growth of hospice at Amedisys Inc. (NASDAQ: AMED) has been named a 2023 Future Leader by Hospice News.
To become a Future Leader, an individual is nominated by their peers. The candidate must be a high-performing employee who is 40-years-old or younger, a passionate worker who knows how to put vision into action, and an advocate for seniors and the committed professionals who ensure their well-being.
Jarman recently connected with Hospice News to talk about his career trajectory and the ways the industry is evolving.
What drew you to this industry?
My journey into health care began nearly 20 years ago, initially supporting health systems. However, a pivotal moment arrived when I had to place my own mother on our hospice service.
Witnessing the profound impact of hospice care firsthand ignited a calling within me. The beauty and significance of hospice became personal, forever changing my perspective and guiding me towards this meaningful path.
What’s your biggest lesson learned since starting to work in this industry?
If you only listen to one person, listen to the nurse in the room. Their frontline experience provides invaluable insights into patient care, workflow efficiency and the overall functioning of our healthcare system.
By genuinely listening to their feedback and integrating their perspectives into decision-making processes, we not only enhance the quality of care, but [we] also foster a collaborative and empowered health care environment.
If you could change one thing with an eye toward the future of hospice, what would it be?
Advocating for a comprehensive approach to hospice care.
Beyond the final days or weeks, our mission should encompass ensuring that every eligible patient receives the complete benefit. This entails closer integration with palliative care and innovative payment models that allow for holistic, end-of-life care.
What do you foresee as being different about the hospice industry looking ahead to 2023?
A positive outlook rests on the stabilization of volumes and the enhancement of nurse capacity.
A notable challenge, however, pertains to the adoption of the value-based insurance design (VBID) [demonstration] by [Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs)]. Despite the margin pressures witnessed in home health, this shift opens doors to value-based arrangements for end-of-life care. This, in turn, can elevate care coordination, resulting in a superior patient experience.
Exceptional hospices are poised to thrive, ultimately benefiting patients, families and loved ones through highly coordinated care.
In a word, how would you describe the future of hospice?
Transformative.
If you could give advice to yourself looking back to your first day in the industry, what would it be and why?
Health care is local. Each patient’s needs are distinct, and personalized care plans are essential.
Investing ample time in field experiences and learning from diverse perspectives can be invaluable in shaping a well-rounded approach to care.
To learn more about the Future Leaders program, visit https://futureleaders.agingmedia.com/.
