NJHealth Hospice and Palliative Care Named CVAC Supportive Business of the Year

NJHealth Team Members Jim Bartleson and Margie Barham accept the CVAC Award for Supportive Business of the Year. along with Greg Speed, CVAC Volunteer of the Year and Lou Ginsburg, Veteran of the Year. CVAC chairman Johnnie Walker looks on.

NJHealth Hospice and Palliative Care is honored to be named the Supportive Business of the Year by the Citizens/Veterans Advisory Committee of Cape May County (CVAC). The recognition reflects a shared commitment to making sure veterans and their families have access to services and programs that improve their quality of life. Other honorees included CVAC Volunteer of the Year Greg Speed; Citizen of the Year Kate Walker; Supportive Organization of the Year Quilts of Valor; and Veteran of the Year Lou Ginsburg.

Greg Speed, CVAC Volunteer of the Year, Kate Walker, CVAC Citizen of the Year with Johnnie Walker, CVAC Chair

Walker with CVAC co-founders Carol Cohen and Bob D"Augustine

"Each honoree represents the spirit of service at the heart of CVAC’s work," said CVAC Chair Johnnie Walker as he also recognized Attorney Bob D'Augustine and Carol Cohen of the Red Cross who helped get CVAC started nearly 14 years ago. 

Suzanne Martinelli, CEO of NJHealth with Team Members Jim Bartleson and Margie Barham

“Being named CVAC’s Supportive Business of the Year is both a privilege and a responsibility,” said Suzanne Martinelli,

CEO. “NJHealth extends its sincere thanks to CVAC, its volunteers and its community partners for their tireless work on behalf of local veterans. This honor reinforces our promise to keep showing up—with compassion, respect and gratitude—for those who served our country and for the families who care for them.”

Greg Speed, Lou Ginsburg, and Johnnie Walker of CVAC present award to Kathy Tweek of Quits of Valor

Johnnie Walker noted that those recognized have demonstrated their dedication to veteran services. “NJHealth was selected because its commitment to veterans goes far beyond words," he said. “Through compassionate care and meaningful recognition of military service the NJHealth team consistently supports our mission to help veterans. We can always count on them step up for our veteran community,”

Founded as a grassroots effort in 2013, CVAC promotes awareness of veterans’ needs and connects veterans and their families with appropriate resources. Its work focuses on concerns including homelessness, transportation and veterans’ benefits. Public information from CVAC reports that the organization has assisted more than 300 veterans and families and distributed $275,000 in aid—a record of direct, local impact that the  NJHealth Team is proud to support.

Care That Honors Every Veteran’s Story

NJHealth’s Team commitment to veterans extends from community partnerships to the bedside. Veterans may carry service experiences, health concerns and family needs that call for an especially thoughtful approach to hospice care. The NJHealth Team listens first, learning about each veteran’s service history, values, goals and wishes so care can be tailored to the individual—not simply the diagnosis.

The Five-Star Veteran Care Program

Inspired by NJHealth’s involvement with veterans, the Five-Star Veteran Care Program is designed to meet the unique end-of-life needs of veterans and their families. The program brings together comfort-focused symptom management, trauma-informed care, respectful communication, emotional and spiritual support, caregiver guidance, bereavement care and recognition of military service. Meaningful touches, including veteran pinning ceremonies, help ensure that a person’s service and legacy are seen, valued and remembered.