NHPCO NewsLine Spring 2021 - 5

Message from Edo
As we mark the arrival of Spring, already underway in some
regions and just beginning in others, there has been another
difficult milestone that our nation must acknowledge. On February
21, we exceeded 500,000 COVID-related deaths in the United
States. For a disease that most of us were unaware of only one
year ago, this loss is staggering. COVID-19 is now our nation's
leading cause of death. Recognizing the significance of this upon
our country, NHPCO worked with members of our MyNHPCO
professional communities to craft a message of remembrance. If
you have not seen this video message, I share it with you now.
NHPCO and its interdisciplinary team of members
grieve alongside our nation and world and recommit
ourselves to our Vision - " A world where individuals
and families facing serious illness, death, and grief will
experience the best that humankind can offer. "
Also, in February the country celebrated National
Black History Month and as part of our efforts to
mark this time of education and understanding,
NHPCO released a new resource from our Diversity
Advisory Council (DAC), the Black and AfricanAmerican Outreach Guide. As many of you are aware,
diverse communities and ethnic populations have
been hit harder by COVID-19 than others. In fact,
another resource from the DAC shines a light on this
inequity. If you have not read NHPCO's Position Paper:
COVID-19 and Supporting Black Communities at the
End of Life, please do. This past year has shown us not
only that we have much to learn but there is much we
can teach one another.
In the second year of this pandemic, we find that that
through the pain and loss, we also have new
challenges and purpose:

* To make our nation, and our benefit, more equitable
and fair;
* To meet the needs of a grieving nation through
enhanced grief and bereavement support;
* To help a divided nation heal by focusing on what we
have in common;
* To show humanity and grace to others and to
ourselves.
Spring is about a renewal. And this Spring more than
others. So, as we welcome Spring, please take good
care of yourselves and your families. We can't lead
person-centered care if we are not
centered ourselves.
With admiration for all you do,

Edo Banach, JD,
President and CEO

https://www.nhpco.org/wp-content/uploads/African_American_Outreach_Guide.pdf https://www.nhpco.org/wp-content/uploads/African_American_Outreach_Guide.pdf https://www.nhpco.org/wp-content/uploads/DAC_Position_Paper.pdf https://www.nhpco.org/wp-content/uploads/DAC_Position_Paper.pdf https://www.nhpco.org/wp-content/uploads/DAC_Position_Paper.pdf

NHPCO NewsLine Spring 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NHPCO NewsLine Spring 2021