Holy Name Press Releases

Villa Marie Claire Receives Jewish Hospice Re-Accreditation

oly Name Medical Center Hospice recognized by National Institute for Jewish Hospice

December 8, 2014

Villa Marie Claire, Holy Name Medical Center's residential hospice in Saddle River, New Jersey, recently received re-accreditation by the National Institute for Jewish Hospice (NIJH), the national accrediting organization for hospice programs that care for the Jewish terminally ill.

Villa Marie Claire staff members who joined representatives from hospice programs across the country at the NIJH Annual Accreditation and Training Conference in November included Villa Clinical Supervisor Julie McGaffin, Villa Liaison Tracey Arnauer, Villa Social Worker Michelle Gardiner and Community Social Worker Sandra Guzman. Attendees participated in sessions focusing on "Jewish Medical Ethics - End-of-Life Care"; Understanding the Jewish Home"; "Getting the Most Out of Jewish Hospice - Caregivers, Families, Patients"; "Giving Dignity Until the Soul Reaches Heaven" as well as workshops related to observances of Jewish life, customs and laws.

Accreditation provides Villa Marie Claire with materials, support and assistance from the NIJH, which was founded by Rabbi Maurice Lamm, noted authority on Jewish observances related to dying and bereavement, in 1985 to help alleviate suffering in serious and terminal illness. A 24-hour NIJH toll-free number 1-800-446-4448 offers counseling to families, patients and caregivers, and provides locations of hospices, hospitals, health professionals and clergy of all faiths.

Holy Name Hospice serves terminally ill patients of all faiths as well as their families through home hospice care, in-hospital consultative support, and in-nursing home consultative support as well as at Villa Marie Claire, Holy Name's family-centered residential hospice facility located on 26 acres in Saddle River. For information about Villa Marie Claire, call 201-783-8870 or fax 201-327-1325.