Samaritan, the not-for-profit healthcare provider offering hospice care, grief support, palliative medicine, and primary care at home, has announced a “Day of Giving” slated for Wednesday, September 21, 2022.

The funds raised through Day of Giving will help expand access to Samaritan’s Palliative Care Programs offered throughout Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties, and include an emphasis on reaching individuals who are underserved and those who are most vulnerable. Support will also help fund the hiring of healthcare professionals needed to expand the reach as well as the education and training of healthcare providers, community and faith-based leaders, public agencies and consumers to fully understand and explain the benefits of palliative care.

Palliative care provides life-enhancing care options and an extra layer of support for patients living with any serious illness, at any stage, from the time of diagnosis, during treatment, on through to the end of life.

“The earlier we can become involved in helping patients living with serious illness, the better,” says Dr. Stephen Goldfine, chief medical officer, Samaritan. “We are eager to extend our reach into the community to address the pain, symptoms and stresses of serious illness, while working with patients to understand treatment options, express and document goals of care, make decisions and optimize quality of life.”

Samaritan is recognized as one of the state’s leading providers in developing and implementing palliative care services. The organization’s approach in delivering coordinated care plans based on the patient/family goals, wishes and preferences has been integrated into health care plans and replicated throughout healthcare systems across the state.

“Our highly sought-after and rapidly growing Palliative Medical Partners program includes physicians, advance practice nurses, registered nurses, social workers and care coordinators providing all levels of care in all settings,” says Chris Rollins, chief development officer, Samaritan. “The funds we can raise to support this effort will greatly help with increased staffing, education and outreach, all critical components of providing this level of palliative care services.”

Donations can be made online at SamaritanNJ.org/DayOfGiving.

About Samaritan:

Samaritan is a not-for-profit, independent organization locally founded in Moorestown, New Jersey in 1980 as one of the first hospices in the country. Samaritan is now one of the state’s leading providers of hospice care, palliative (comfort) medicine, at-home primary care, grief support and counseling, advanced illness care, education and advocacy. Samaritan serves people in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer counties who are coping with the stresses of aging, serious illness or grief wherever they call home. Samaritan also has two dedicated inpatient hospice centers in Voorhees and Mount Holly. Beyond the services covered by Medicare, Medicaid and commercial insurance plans, Samaritan annually provides nearly $1M in donor-funded non-reimbursed care for patients and families in the South Jersey region. A thrift shop in Westmont also supports Samaritan services and programs. Samaritan is accredited by The Joint Commission; a member of the National Partnership for Hospice Innovation; and is a four-star hospice in the national We Honor Veterans program. For more information, visit www.SamaritanNJ.org.