Fourth Quarter 2012 C-o-n-n-e-c-t-i-o-n-s Y.C.C.O.M.

Anthony Leatherwood, Our Home for the Holidays Champion

I’d like to take a moment What exactly is Anthony remembered for? I The truth is Anthony inspired his team, his to tell you about a great think his team would tell you that he had an family his church and his entire community. champion. He’s not a endless drive for supporting end-of-life care. He And he certainly inspired me. My hope is that boxer with a big physical had a caring spirit that burned brightly for his Anthony’s story will inspire you as well. As we presence or a powerful employees. He had a phenomenal outreach in embark on our 2012 Home for the Holidays punch. He’s not a record- Newnan and the Atlanta area. He had a focus and campaign, please keep Anthony in your setting home run hitter commitment to people and families who needed thoughts and prayers. And even though most for the Yankees. He’s and deserved end-of-life care. He supported everyone who reads this will have never met certainly not the fastest hospice as a President and Board Member of the Anthony, remember that Anthony showed all man in the world like Georgia Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. of us that you don’t have to be seven feet tall Usain Bolt. And while a fan of basketball, he’s not And he had an active role with the National or the fastest man on earth to be a champion. a five-time NBA champion like Michael Jordan. Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Each and every one of us can make a difference in the lives of our patients, families and our This champion is unlike any you’ve probably Anthony had a commitment to supporting our fellow employees. considered. Still, Anthony Leatherwood is the mission more than five days a week and eight true embodiment of all that a champion can hours a day. He was there 24/7. He treated For this season, I ask that everyone rally around be. He’s a champion for dedicating his his work as a mission our mission with a greater determination than life to hospice and to the people around in life. He never ever before, because this year, we’ll be out him who make a difference in so many stopped. His job there supporting hospice – not just for those in lives every day. He’s our champion, and didn’t start or end. need but for Anthony as well. For all the years I’d like to tell you more about him. It was a role he was that Anthony has been our champion, it’s our lucky to have, and turn to be his. - Jeff Shaner, Hospice President Anthony started his career in hospice he spread the word about a decade ago, when he was about the importance the Executive Director for VistaCare of hospice whether Hospice in Newnan, Georgia. In 2004, he was at work, at Inside this Issue he moved to Gentiva and first became church or at the Executive Director of our Marietta, grocery store. Georgia program and then moved to Success with Team Gentiva...... 2 our Cartersville program. During those If you read Anthony’s seven years in Marietta and Cartersville, obituary, you would Anthony commuted 60 miles to work Anthony Leatherwood find these facts. He New to Hospice Leadership...... 3 each way. He spent two hours a day just was born Friday, getting to and from work, never complaining November 13, 1970. He passed away on and even turning down jobs closer to home, August 30th of 2012. He was 41 years old. He Importance of Documentation....4 because he wanted to stay with his team. is survived by his wife Stephanie and his two boys, Gavin and Harrison. His church was the In December of 2011, Anthony moved back Northside Baptist Church in Newnan. And he August Blitz Results...... 5 to his hometown of Newnan where he was served Gentiva’s hospice mission. Executive Director until he passed away on August 30th of this year. You see, something But I’ll tell you what that obituary didn’t say. Recruitment Supports Growth.....6 else you may not know about Anthony is that he That he was a man of great principle. He had fought cancer for the entire time he was with us. great passion for what he did and maintained He fought it not just for himself but as a father, a great loyalty for his team. He fought tirelessly Stories from the Field...... 7 as a community leader and as a hospice leader for over a decade to support and expand end- for our company. He made a strong impact, and of-life care. And he had a focus and clarity in he is remembered every day in places that go his life. Supporting our Foundations...... 8 far beyond Newnan, Georgia. Going for Gold with Team Gentiva

As I write this, I am providing a positive and consistent experience for determine how much they want to be a part enjoying watching the every employee that joins the Hospice Division. of Team Gentiva. We can provide the tools and London Olympics and opportunities, but the drive to excel must come cheering for Team USA. Another key initiative is to revise our clinical from within. An emotional commitment is a vital The Olympic Games are orientation materials. Hospice HR staff member element to working at Gentiva. We need the always so motivating and Christine Taegar is working alongside our clinical courage to accept only the best from ourselves the personal stories of leaders to update this program, which will ensure and those around us so we have a chance to the athletes so inspiring. that only knowledgeable and well-prepared clinical achieve the GOLD standard for our employees, The level of excellence teams care for our patients. Chris led the taskforce patients and referral sources. and commitment of those that developed Gentiva’s Academy of Management - Kathleen Shanahan, VP of Human Resources, athletes reminds me of many of our own Gentiva Excellence (G.A.M.E.), which is our leadership Hospice Division employees. We have so many dedicated and program open to all Executive Director and above compassionate people who serve our patients positions. A key to G.A.M.E. is the Mentor program. and their families every single day. Every employee benefits from having a mentor guide them through their first few months at As evidenced by the Olympians, there is more Gentiva. In many ways, we all serve as mentors by to winning than just talent. There is also heart; sharing our knowledge and experiences. Just like the heart of champions, of those who go above the Olympics, the most successful teams have great and beyond to excel in what they do, and those coaches, which is what who sacrifice for others. The heart of our Hospice mentorship is all about. Division is our employees. A final, important piece Have you visited Our goal in Human Resources is to bring out of our 2012 HR initiatives the heart in each person by building a culture is ongoing employee MyWorld recently? of employee engagement that allows our engagement. To that end, employees to achieve their goals. This happens we want to give employees Gentiva’s MyWorld Self Service provides a quick and when we create an atmosphere where our multiple opportunities to easy way to view and update important information. We employees can make meaningful connections voice their opinion and encourage you to enter your home address and email with Gentiva’s Mission, Vision and Values. experiences. Please be so that we have your complete information if needed for assured that although any reason. You can get to the site from any device with The first step to doing so is recruiting the best many changes take time internet access. people into our organization. Gentiva endeavors to implement, we are to hire candidates who not only have the listening to what you say. Here’s how: knowledge, skills and ability to do the job, but We are conducting surveys • Visit https://Myworld.gentiva.com and log in. who also demonstrate our core values and for all new hires to ensure • Select the Self Service option under the search bar. represent our company in a positive way. Hiring they were provided with • Click the links you want under Personal Information. for Excellence is a program designed to enhance everything they needed to • View, enter or update your information and you’re done! the interview and selection process to find those be successful. We are also candidates. This program is being implemented conducting exit surveys to Questions? Call (877) 657-8362 or email in both operations and sales. We believe better understand why people [email protected] hiring tools will allow us to select the very best leave our organization. applicant for our positions. Our patients and their We address all areas of families deserve the highest caliber clinicians and concern that arise from support personnel to assist them during their this feedback. Employee difficult time. retention is crucial to our Division as it directly relates The Human Resources department is also working to the delivery of excellent on enhancing the on-boarding experience for all patient care, which in turn, new employees. We want to offer a welcoming results in growth. and exceptional experience from the moment the candidate agrees to join our company. We have a Like the spirit of an athlete, team of HR professionals, led by Regina Evans, employee engagement reviewing all our current new hire processes is not something that and procedures. We can be taught or forced. are committed to Each employee must Page 2 Getting to Know Gentiva Hospice Division’s CFO: Jason Owen

When we hear the staff forecasting, which we hope will make We are a team; a team charged with taking words Chief Financial this task easier to accomplish. care of families’ loved ones in the last days Officer, we may think of life. Everything we do for our patients of an accountant-type Second, it’s very important that we streamline each day matters. I, and the rest of the who is laser-focused our processes and procedures so we are Division team, are committed to doing our on the bottom-line. submitting admissions data to our Financial best, and will do whatever it takes to help With Jason Owen, we Services Units (FSUs) in a timely and accurate you do your best.” get much more. He has manner. This is how Gentiva gets paid, and an MBA from Georgia in return, how we are able to pay you, our Here’s a look at the rest of our Finance team: Southern University valued employees. The more vigilant we are in finance and brings as much background at entering complete and correct information, Pete Cavanaugh, VP of Finance in operations as he does in finance to his the more we benefit from aiding in a smooth Nick Jordan, Senior Financial Analyst role as CFO of the Hospice Division. This billing and collections process. breadth of experience allows him to see Regional Finance Directors: the big picture of running a large company Finally, to tag on to my first point, we Deb Maiwald, North Central and insight to see how finance fits in with ultimately control our census. It is our job to Aimee McCorkle, Southeast operations and sales. work with our peers in sales to identify and Andrew Rauch, South admit qualified patients. We must provide Bart Loewen, Texas “I have three main goals that are achievable top-notch services that establish our clinical Warren Coates, West by the end of 2012. First, we have to adhere product as the best in the industry further to our staffing model. This means each driving referrals based on our reputation. It branch’s census drives the hours worked by may not be spelled out in our job descriptions, the clinical team. We are in the process of but every single employee is involved in the developing some automated tools to aide in growth of our business.

Meet Our New Division VP of Sales: Do You Know Your Hospice Lisa Ramstack Division Leadership Team?

Lisa Ramstack has been promoted to Division Vice President of Sales for Hospice. Over the last 90 days, President - Jeff Shaner Lisa led the South Home Health and Southeast Hospice sales teams. Among her critical duties was to lead the Chief Financial Officer - Jason Owen search for her replacement in Home Health and lead the search for two new RVPs of Sales for the South and Chief Compliance Officer - Paddy Cunningham Southeast Hospice Regions. She accomplished all three of these objectives and helped increase the growth rate VP, Human Resources - Kathleen Shanahan of the South Home Health region to 8.6% over these same 13 weeks. Lisa joined Gentiva as Regional Vice VP, Clinical Affairs - Sally Parnell President of Sales for the South Home Health region in 2011. She has since led the South sales team turnaround from delivering negative admissions VP, Sales - Lisa Ramstack growth and finishing last in the national rankings to 7.6% year over year admissions growth in 2012 and competing for the #1 spot in the nation in VP, Information Technology - Perry Pruett percent to budget. VP, Associate General Counsel - Shannon Drake In addition to Lisa’s significant hospice sales leadership experience prior to joining Gentiva, she has a personal hospice story. Lisa’s mother was cared for by Gentiva’s Fairhope, AL program. Lisa credits the great care given by Gentiva employees for her mother’s quality of life during her last nine months far exceeding the family’s expectations. From the combination of her work experience and her hospice story, Lisa believes it is an honor to help people at a time when they need it the most. Page 3 Compliance Corner: Importance of Accurate Documentation

It’s a fact of the healthcare world today that despite best intentions, a company that does not know how to correctly bill for the services it provides can run into problems. To be paid, we must reduce the complex art and science of hospice care into a form that conforms to a variety of state and federal statutes, regulations and administrative codes.

It is also generally suspected that claims for hospice services have high error rates. Therefore as Medicare and Medicaid hospice services consume an increasing amount of federal and state spending it’s no surprise that many would look to billing for ways to reduce fraud, waste and incorrect payments.

Sound documentation starts with providing the service, whether that employee is a hospice aide, nurse, physician, social worker or chaplain. Documentation of the services provided on behalf of Gentiva should leave an outside reviewer in no doubt that all standards are clearly met. It is up to us all to ensure bills are not submitted to Medicare or any other payor unless these standards are evident in the documentation contained in each patient’s medical record.

Excellent documentation is seminal to our future growth and development. It supports the professional and programmatic integrity of the services we provide and the professions we represent; it demonstrates and enhances patient safety; and it protects the individual and company from outside agencies (See Fig 1).

It is everyone’s responsibility, from the clinician providing the service to the program administrative staff that enters data to the hospice program leaders for ensuring that all bills submitted to our various payor sources meet all qualitative, statutory, regulatory and administrative codes. - Paddy Cunningham, Chief Compliance Officer

If you see or hear anything you think may be a violation of our compliance standards, immediately call our hotline: 1-888-9-NOTIFY.

August Sales Blitz Results

Way to go! All five of our regions had 100% participation in the August Blitz Event. As for individual programs, San Antonio brought home another win for the most in total participants per location.

A special thanks goes out to that team as well as Denver and Kerrville for leading the pack. Many congratulations go out to everyone who took part in this event and made it a success. You make a difference!

Total participants per location: San Antonio – 336 Total number of calls made: Denver – 3,577 Average calls/participant: Kerrville – 76.7

** Next Blitz Event: November 12-16**

The Odyssey Ft. Worth Social Workers entertained the office with their rendition of “Heard it Through the Grapevine” and prepared creative goodie bags for the Blitz in June. Page 4 Hospice Happenings

Celebrating the Home Health/Hospice Bridge Program in Dothan/Enterprise, Ala.

Lisa Ramstack, Hospice DVP of Sales; Alease Shane Brinkerhoff, Home Health AVPO; Kay Keith Trawick, Hospice ED; Cheryl Planz, Home Merrell, Hospice AVPS; Mike Gregory, Home Clemmons, Home Health ADS; Lee Jones, Hospice Health BD; Tanya Champion, Hospice AVPO; (back Health AVPS ADS row) Shea Parker, Home Health Recruitment Manager

A Special Shout Out WOW! The Greenville, Texas location was voted the #1 hospice provider in Hunt County by the Herald Banner’s

Annual Readers Choice Awards for 2012. Congratulations, team!

Gentiva Hospice Mission CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information in this publication is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is To provide compassionate care to those addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, and/or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you we serve during the end of life’s journey are not the intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, through our commitment to clinical dissemination or copying of this publication and its attachments, if any, or the information contained herein is prohibited. If you have excellence and uncompromising service. received this publication in error, please immediately notify the sender by returning the publication and delete this publication from your system. Thank you. Page 5 Recruitment Team Supports Division’s Growth Mission

So far, 2012 has been a year focused around growth and excellent patient care. The Hospice Recruitment Team has been instrumental in the growth of the Hospice division. We have hired 600+ clinicians, more than 50 sales associates and 40+ leadership positions. Twenty-six percent of these hires were employee referrals, which is extraordinary. It is proven that employee referrals tend to stay with the company and are some of our best hires.

The foundation of Gentiva’s success is our employees. It’s your talent, dedication and compassion that make Gentiva America’s home health and hospice leader. As Gentiva continues to guide the industry in clinical excellence and customer satisfaction, we need more people like you! We will continue to hire several sales positions over the next year for growth opportunities so be sure to spread the word to people you know who fit the profile of a great Gentiva employee.

Recruitment has also been involved in compliance of the Corporate Integrity Agreement (CIA). You will notice there is now a CIA aspect of the online application all applicants must complete prior to their interview. This question asks,“Are you currently excluded, debarred, suspended or otherwise ineligible to participate in the Federal health care programs?” Your Recruiter or Regional HR Director can walk you through the process for this new question if you have any concerns.

Thanks to all that go out of their way to make recruitment a priority. It takes the whole hospice team to fill the 500+ positions we have open at any given time. It is imperative that hiring managers, AVPs and RVPs are proactively recruiting for their “bench” (pipeline of candidates.) The Hospice Recruitment Team strongly believes in the Hospice Division’s mission and is committed to helping achieve the top priorities and goals of our company in order to be number one in patient care and the industry’s growth leader! We plan to continue to support this mission by creating and implementing recruitment strategies that allow us to attract top talent. - Lisa Johns, Director of Recruitment, Hospice Division

Here is a quick look at your Hospice Division Recruitment Team:

• Director of Recruitment: Lisa Johns • Executive Recruiter:Robin Lacourciere How does an extra $2000 Floater: Lisa Gabriel • Sales Recruiter: in your pocket sound? Southeast, South and Texas Regions: Sheri Finley North Central and West Regions: Amy Wallace Floater: Demetria “Dee” Phillips • North Central Region: Great Lakes and Great Plains Areas: Betsy Garrett Hoosier Buckeye and Northeast Areas: Cory Rutgers • South Region: Danyell Howell • Southeast Region: Kristine Williams • Texas Region: Central and North Texas Areas: Rebecca Vraa Gulf Coast and South Texas Areas: Trish Rutigliano • West Region: Arizona/Nevada and Southwestern Areas: Tricia Morlan California and Pacific Northwest Areas: Wendy Araiza • Floater Recruiter: Shannon Wright AREAS (Oct. 2012) Due to recent growth in sales and operations we have increased the employee referral bonus to $2000 for hospice leadership and sales position candidates who are hired before November 30.

Be sure to reach out to your network of friends, acquaintances and coworkers from past jobs for those who may be a great match.

Regions: 5 Areas: 18 Programs: 139/21 IPUs For a list of all open positions visit: www.gentiva.com/jobs. Page 6 Reflections on Camp Gentiva Submitted by Linda Mock, Bereavement Coordinator

WOW! An amazing experience was had by all the weekend of July 13-15 in Huntsville, Texas. Though intermittent rain and thunder steered us inside for activities consisting of sand art, making memory boxes and writing our names on each other’s t-shirts, each day was a symphony of joy, laughter, tears and hugs. Here are some of the highlights:

The “blob”, a large, inflated tube, brought forth screams of pure delight as the children were propelled up into the air and then splashed into the lake.

The older children teamed up to challenge the low ropes course, and even in the rain, became winners as they pushed forward.

The BB gun and archery stations helped inspire concentration as campers attempted to aim and hit the mark. A group shot of campers and staff At 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, 15 boys and girls awoke early to fish and each made a catch!

No one went hungry as we enjoyed hearty meals and lots of good snacks (especially the s’mores we ate around the bonfire!)

Great bonds were formed between the children and the adult group leaders.

Small group breakouts in the cabins allowed for courageous expressions of sorrow and the sharing of each child’s story of loss.

After the balloon release, the campers took their grief tool kits, certificates, and memories, heading home safe and sound with their parents.

As the volunteers picked up the pieces of confetti left by small, busy fingers, we shared how Balloon release on the last day full our hearts were with the honor of these children sharing their lives with us.

Celebrating an Unsung Hero: Dr. Vayden Stanley Submitted by Alan Prest, Manager of Volunteer Services

San Angelo’s Odyssey Hospice staff turned out for Singing the Praises of Unsung Heroes, a special community event held to recognize 12 people who made an impact on people’s lives and a difference in their community. Medical Director Dr. Vayden Stanley went thinking Chaplain Ellen King was being honored, but would later be surprised.

The speaker extolled one recipient’s lifelong service in helping patients manage pain, treating HIV patients when other doctors closed their door, and dedicated care for hospice patients looking to fully live their time on earth. At that point, Dr. Stanley gave the Odyssey staff a “What have you done?” look. When the speaker finally announced Dr. Stanley as the recipient, everyone cheered.

Event organizer Rev. Tim Davenport-Herbst said of the recipients, “It’s important for us as a community to Hospice Medical Director Dr. recognize these people and the difference they make. Their example is something every single person can follow. Vayden Stanley was honored by Their contributions have made the world a better place.” the San Angelo, Texas community for the difference he has made in The team at Odyssey Hospice in San Angelo is excited about Dr. Stanley’s Unsung Hero status. It comes on top people’s lives. of him being named a Senior Medical Director for the Hospice Division of Gentiva, and some treasures, like Dr. Stanley, should be shared with the world. Page 7 Payroll Deductions to the Ennis Foundation Rising

The percentage of Hospice Division employees who contribute to the John T. Ennis, Sr. Foundation through payroll deductions is up from the 3% reported in the last newsletter: we’re now at 9%! Thank you to everyone who began contributing and those who continue to do so. Let’s keep this upward trend going!

Need another reason to contribute? Read the following testimonial from one of your peers: I want to take time to say thank you to my Gentiva family. My family and I have been on a roller coaster ride for the past five years. My husband’s health went downhill and he is now legally blind. Without your generosity and support, my situation would be overwhelming. I have never worked with any company that has such caring and giving coworkers. You truly are family, because family members take care of each other and that is what this company does. ~ Sharon Power

Here’s the easiest way to contribute: 1. Visit https://Myworld.gentiva.com and log in. 2. Click the Self Service link. 3. Under Payroll and Compensation, select Voluntary Deductions. 4. Click Add Deduction. 5. For Type of Deduction, click the magnifying glass and select John T. Ennis Foundation. 6. Fill out the rest of the information and click Submit!

Gentiva Hospice Foundation Top 10 Donation Sites for Aug./Sept.

The fundraising efforts of all our programs are greatly appreciated. These donations are a direct result of the compassionate skilled-care you give our patients and families.

Thank you for all you do to support the Gentiva Hospice Foundation, our patients, and important end-of-life programs!

AUGUST SEPTEMBER

1. Charleston - Gentiva $4,235 1. Palm Springs $12,125

2. Charleston - Odyssey $2,660 2. Baldwin ADS $5,000 Gentiva Hospice Foundation Mission Statement 3. Pensacola ADS - Gentiva $2,635 3. Charleston - Gentiva $3,995 Gentiva Hospice Foundation’s mission 4. Panama City - Gentiva $1,795 4. Reno - VistaCare $3,652 is to support and educate persons and organizations dealing with life-limiting 5. Toledo $1,760 5. Detroit $3,225 illnesses. The Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization funded by 6. Detroit $1,570 6. Evansville - VistaCare $2,535 generous donations from grateful families and friends of our patients. 7. Pittsburgh $1,500 7. Pensacola ADS - Gentiva $2,405

8. Lubbock $1,330 8. Columbus (GA) - VistaCare $2,090

9. Boston - VistaCare $1,311 9. Bainbridge - Gentiva $1,885

10. Columbus $1,305 10. Daytona Beach ADS $1,625 Page 8