Kindra Wilcox has been named Nurse of the Month for March as part of a program sponsored by The Shawnee News-Star and the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.

Wilcox, RN, BSN, MBA, has been a nurse for 18 years, and is currently the 色色视频 Hospice director. A series of life events were a factor leading to her career.

鈥淚 never imagined that one day I would become a nurse. For a long time, I simply thought of myself as someone who loved and cared deeply for the people around me. But life has a way of placing you exactly where you鈥檙e meant to be, sometimes through moments that are both heartbreaking and profound,鈥� she said.

Wilcox shared a tragic family experience that impacted her life and her decision to become a nurse.

鈥淪everal years ago, my nieces were involved in a terrible car accident. It鈥檚 still difficult to talk about because that day changed our family forever,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he accident left several of the girls with significant injuries, and tragically, we lost one sweet girl. I think of her every single day. Her memory stays with me in quiet moments, reminding me how precious and fragile life truly is.鈥�

While the other girls were in the hospital, Wilcox traveled to be with them as often as she could.

鈥淚 spent several days by their sides, watching over them, comforting them, and helping however I could. During that time, I also watched the nurses caring for them. I remember being amazed at the compassion and patience they showed. They weren鈥檛 just giving medications or checking vital signs鈥攖hey were offering reassurance, kindness, and strength to scared children and a hurting family,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ne day stands out clearly in my mind. I was helping one of the girls to the restroom when a nurse walked in and asked me, 鈥楢re you a nurse?鈥� I told her I wasn鈥檛. But in that exact moment, something inside me clicked. Standing there, helping someone I loved and witnessing the care surrounding us, I realized that was exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted to be that person for someone else in their hardest moments.鈥�

Looking back, Wilcox said she thinks the path toward nursing had been quietly forming in her heart long before that day.

鈥淚n my later teen years, I helped care for my grandmother while she was on hospice. Those were tender and emotional days, but they were also deeply meaningful. I remember watching her hospice nurse closely. The way she spoke to my grandmother, the gentleness in her hands, and the respect and dignity she showed her during such a vulnerable time left a lasting impression on me,鈥� Wilcox said. 鈥淪he didn鈥檛 just care for my grandmother鈥檚 medical needs鈥攕he cared for her as a person. She cared for our whole family. There was something so powerful about the peace and comfort she brought into that room.鈥�

All of those experiences had a profound impact on her and a true calling to the nursing profession.

鈥淲hen I look back now, I realize those experiences shaped my heart for this calling. Losing my niece taught me how precious every moment is. Watching nurses care for my injured nieces showed me the impact compassion can have during crisis. And witnessing the tender care my grandmother received on hospice showed me the beauty of helping someone through the final chapter of life,鈥� Wilcox said. 鈥淭hose moments didn鈥檛 just inspire me鈥攖hey guided me. They led me to hospice nursing, where I feel I can offer the same compassion, dignity, and comfort that meant so much to my family.鈥�

Wilcox said she became a nurse not just to treat patients, but to be present with people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.

鈥淭o hold a hand, to listen, to comfort, and to care the way others once cared for the people I love. And every day I do this work, I carry their memories with me,鈥� she said.

Wilcox attended Dale High School and then State State College for her RN, and SWOSU for her BSN and Capella for her MBA in healthcare administration.

Wilcox find many rewards in her position, she said, including, 鈥渓eading my team and away they鈥檙e able to fill the impact of what hospice really means and what they鈥檙e doing for each patient.鈥�

In her free time, Wilcox loves coaching softball and basketball. She and her husband have been married for 25 years, and she has three children, two extra nieces and a nephew, along with four grandchildren.

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Now in its fifth year, the Phenom HR Awards recognize organizations that are transforming hiring, development and retention through applied AI. Winners span industries including healthcare, retail, manufacturing, financial services and technology, highlighting organizations that have turned HR technology investments into measurable business impact.

色色视频 was recognized for its strategic use of AI and automation to support the organization鈥檚 large-scale hiring needs. The company hires approximately 17,000 caregivers each year, managing more than 80,000 interviews across a team of 100 recruiters.

Through a phased approach to AI-powered recruiting, 色色视频 significantly improved hiring speed and efficiency. The organization launched a personalized career site with high-volume hiring workflows, reducing its average hiring timeline while delivering a return on investment in just 2.5 months.

Additional technology enhancements included candidate assessments to improve role fit and AI-powered voice agents that conduct initial phone screenings. These innovations helped reduce the average time from application to accepted offer to just 2.3 days.

The AI-driven interview process also improved candidate engagement and outcomes, achieving a 50% conversion rate compared to 35% with recruiter scheduling. Additionally, 92% of interviews are completed within one day, with 41% completed within one hour.

Candidates hired through the AI-assisted process are also starting work sooner and logging 40% more hours worked compared to those hired through traditional scheduling methods.

This recognition highlights 色色视频鈥檚 continued commitment to innovation and its focus on using technology to efficiently connect compassionate caregivers with the patients and families who depend on them.

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Out of more than 12,000 Medicare-certified home health agencies evaluated nationwide, only a small percentage earned the 鈥淗igh Performing鈥� designation. The recognition is based on publicly reported data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 色色视频 and patient experience surveys. Agencies are evaluated on clinical quality measures such as timely start of care, improvement in mobility and daily function, safe medication management and avoidance of preventable hospitalizations, along with feedback from patients and families about their care experience.

This distinction reflects 色色视频鈥檚 continued focus on delivering coordinated, high-quality home health services designed to support recovery, promote independence and improve outcomes across the communities it serves.

What This Means for Patients and Families

For patients and caregivers, this recognition provides added confidence during an important decision. Home health often begins after a hospital stay or a change in health, when families are navigating new information and next steps. Knowing a local agency has been recognized for strong outcomes and positive patient experiences can offer reassurance that care will begin promptly, goals will be clearly communicated and progress toward recovery will be closely supported.

Recognized 色色视频 Locations

Home health services play a critical role in helping individuals recover safely at home following illness, surgery or hospitalization, as well as in managing chronic conditions. 色色视频鈥檚 interdisciplinary teams 鈥� including nurses, therapists and home health aides 鈥� collaborate with physicians and family caregivers to create personalized care plans centered on safety, clinical excellence and quality of life.

This national recognition underscores 色色视频鈥檚 commitment to providing trusted, patient-centered care wherever patients call home.

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色色视频听(Elara),听a leading national provider of skilled home health, hospice, behavioral health, and personal care services,听today announced that it has entered into an agreement for a strategic investment from听听(Ares) and听.听The investment is intended听to听expand access to personalized, clinically advanced care at home for patients with complex and acute needs.听Elara will continue to听operate听as听a wholly independent听company听led by CEO Ananth Mohan and the current management team.听Following the closing,听the parties will collaborate to help Elara expand access to care through new care models and clinical programs.听

The investment from Ares and DaVita听will support Elara鈥檚 next phase of growth by helping to expand its capacity to deliver specialized, in-home care and launch innovative care models. With Ares鈥� experience growing high-performing healthcare businesses and DaVita鈥檚 clinical and operational听expertise听in value-based care, Elara is well positioned to scale programs designed to improve outcomes and address gaps in post-acute care鈥攂ringing more consistent support to patients at home.听听

鈥淭oo often, home-based care is introduced late in the care journey, significantly impacting outcomes and quality of life, especially with our vulnerable populations,鈥� said Ananth Mohan, 色色视频 CEO. 鈥淭his collaboration reflects a shared belief that care should be timelier, more personalized, and meet patients where they are most comfortable鈥攁t home.听Together with Ares and DaVita, we have an extraordinary opportunity to improve the management of chronic conditions听and听deliver better results for patients and their loved ones as well as our healthcare system overall.听We are thrilled to welcome them as partners.鈥澨�听

鈥溕悠� is a leading home care platform defined by a commitment to quality and a patient-first culture,鈥� said Kevin Cox, Partner in Ares鈥� Private Equity Group. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to partner with the Elara team and support their next phase of growth and innovation鈥攅xpanding access, improving outcomes, and delivering an outstanding experience for patients and team members.鈥�听

As a key focus of the investment, DaVita and Elara intend to co鈥�develop a kidney鈥�specific home鈥�based care model. This new model will build upon Elara鈥檚 existing clinical capabilities and apply DaVita鈥檚 advanced clinical insights to meet the unique needs of patients with kidney disease,听seeking听to reduce preventable hospitalizations, and helping to lower the total cost of care. The program will听seek听to offer patients a new pathway to receive high鈥�quality, tailored support in the comfort of their own homes, and empower providers with a vital resource to ensure high-touch, continuity of care.听听

鈥淭hrough our integrated care programs, we saw meaningful differences in patient outcomes that were closely tied to the quality of听 homebased support they received,鈥� said Steve Philips,听Chief听Strategy听Officer of听DaVita. 鈥淪trengthening access to 色色视频鈥檚 exceptional services will help more patients maintain stability at home, avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, and ultimately experience a better quality of life.鈥�听

The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals, and is expected to occur听later in听2026. The terms of the transaction were not听disclosed.听

Harris Williams and Evercore are serving as financial advisors, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom听LLP听is serving as legal counsel and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is serving as financing counsel for 色色视频. Guggenheim听Securities,听LLC听is serving听as financial听advisor听and Ropes & Gray LLP and McDermott Will & Schulte are serving as legal advisors to Ares and DaVita.听

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鈥淭his partnership reflects our dedication to supporting seniors where they live鈥攚ith dignity, respect, and compassion,鈥� said Victoria Hollister, Senior Vice President, Personal Care 色色视频. 鈥淥ur Illinois team has worked diligently through every step of this process, and we鈥檙e honored to now begin serving Illinois residents under this program.鈥�

Tom Firmani, President Personal Care 色色视频, added, 鈥淭his marks another important step in Elara鈥檚 commitment to expanding local, high-quality care across state lines.”

Physicians and other community referral sources can refer their clients for care by searching under the name 鈥淪hemanske, Inc, dba 色色视频鈥�.

Personal Care 色色视频 can help people age in place safely at home. These services include home safety, bathing or dressing, bathroom tasks, grocery shopping, meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry and more.

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色色视频, a leading national home health provider offering high-quality clinical and personal care services, and , a leading provider of durable medical equipment (DME) solutions and services, today announced that they have entered into an exclusive agreement under which National HME will deliver its best-in-class DME services to 色色视频鈥檚 49 hospice locations across the United States. This partnership will enhance hospice care delivery nationwide, ensuring patients and their families receive services tailored to their individual needs.

As one of the nation鈥檚 largest providers of home-based care, 色色视频 serves more than 60,000 patients daily, with approximately 26,000 caregivers operating in more than 200 locations across 18 states in the Northeast, Midwest, and Southwest. The company has an extensive team of highly skilled caregivers who work closely with physicians, patients, and families to coordinate care, ensure smooth transitions, and enhance quality of life through compassionate, personalized services.

Founded in 2006, National HME is a leader in hospice DME. With a robust infrastructure of more than 60 service locations across the United States and proprietary software technology, Hospice Cloud Pro, National HME has transformed and streamlined patient care processes. The Hospice Cloud Pro platform, combined with a team of highly skilled medical service technicians with deep operational expertise, allows National HME to provide cost-effective solutions while upholding critical hospice benefits and patient care.

鈥淲e are honored to partner with the 色色视频 team in delivering high-quality, compassionate care and support for patients and their families during a critical time in their care process,鈥� said Jeffrey Waldman, Chairman and CEO of National HME. 鈥淣ational HME is looking forward to expanding the reach and impact of our exceptional services through our national platform and leading Hospice Cloud Pro technology and working with 色色视频 in delivering DME services to a greater number of patients across the country.鈥�

鈥淣ational HME鈥檚 values of excellence and superior patient support align perfectly with our mission to deliver exceptional healthcare services,鈥� said Joseph Cramer, President of 色色视频. 鈥淎s the need for compassionate hospice care continues to grow, this partnership ensures our patients have reliable access to high-quality DME, allowing us to better support our patients wherever they call home.鈥�

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Please help us congratulate:

• Jenna Berkeypile, Branch Director, Skilled Home Health
• Daniela Cappetta, Regional Branch Director
• Kristin Fenton, Administrator, Skilled Home Health
• Austin Mitchell-Seabaugh, Transitional Care Team Manager, Hospice

about the awards from WTWH Healthcare.

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Blair has transformed hospice admissions, easing transitions for patients and families with initiatives like By Your Side and Death Bed Nesting, ensuring dignity and comfort in life鈥檚 most critical moments.

Nikki is driving innovation in home health, improving efficiency and patient outcomes through tools like nVoq and SWIFT while mentoring her fellow nurses and advocating for better clinical workflows.

From the Field to the Front Page: Our Frontline Honors Award Winners Featured in Industry News

Following their 2024 Frontline Honors Awards, Nikki Padilla, RN, and Blair Burton, RN, were recently featured in Home Health Care News and Hospice News 鈥� this time in Q&A articles that dive deeper into their work, values, and the impact they鈥檙e making in the field.

In her interview, Nikki spoke about how home health care challenges her to think on her feet and the importance of collaboration. 鈥淚鈥檝e learned how to be resourceful in the field and that teamwork goes beyond just nursing,鈥� she said. 鈥淲orking together makes all the difference.鈥�

Blair reflected on the emotional depth of hospice care, sharing that her favorite of the work is, 鈥淢eeting new people, hearing their stories, and providing peace and comfort 鈥� not just to patients, but to their families as well 鈥� during some of their hardest days.鈥�

Read more from Nikki and Blair below:
鈥�
鈥�

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Home Health SHPBest Awards

This year, 10 色色视频 Home Health branches were recognized for delivering outstanding patient experiences.

Two of our branches earned the prestigious Premier Performer Award, placing them in the Top 5% nationwide:

• Leesville, LA
• Opelousas, LA

Eight additional branches were named Superior Performers, ranking in the Top 20% nationwide: Paris, TX; Hammond, LA; Lawton, OK; Baton Rouge, LA; Jennings, LA; Brownwood, TX; Monroe, LA; and Teague, TX.

What Is the HHCAHPS Survey?

These honors are based on results from the HHCAHPS survey (Home Health Care Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems), a national, standardized survey that measures patients鈥� experiences with their home health care鈥攃overing areas such as communication, professionalism, timeliness of care and overall satisfaction.

With the largest HHCAHPS benchmark in the nation, SHP is uniquely positioned to recognize agencies that excel in these areas.

• Premier Performer (Top 5%): Honors agencies among the very best in the nation.
• Superior Performer (Top 20%): Recognizes agencies with consistently outstanding results across all categories.

Hospice SHPBest Awards

In addition to our Home Health recognitions, five 色色视频 Hospice branches were named Superior Performers in the 2024 SHPBest CAHPS Hospice Awards.

These honorees include:

• Ada, OK
• Ardmore, OK
• Shawnee, OK
• Monroe, LA
• New Braunfels, TX

What Is the CAHPS Hospice Survey?

The CAHPS Hospice survey (Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) measures the experiences of families and caregivers of patients receiving hospice care. It includes eight publicly reported domains, such as communication, emotional support, respect and overall satisfaction with the care provided.

With one of the largest CAHPS Hospice benchmarks in the nation, SHP identifies agencies that consistently prioritize family and caregiver experience while delivering compassionate, high-quality end-of-life care.

A Reflection of Our Mission

These recognitions are more than awards鈥攖hey are a reflection of 色色视频鈥檚 mission to deliver exceptional care where patients feel most comfortable: home. Our teams in Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to ensuring patients and families feel supported, respected and cared for at every step of their journey.

We celebrate every member of our Leesville, Opelousas, Paris, Hammond, Lawton, Baton Rouge, Jennings, Brownwood, Monroe, Teague, Ada, Ardmore, Shawnee, and New Braunfels branches for their dedication to excellence.

We鈥檙e committed to raising the standard of home care, while continuing to provide meaningful care that makes a difference in the lives of the patients and families we serve.

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Students will be competing at an important time as demand for home-based care is projected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by shifting patient preferences, advances in technology, and an aging population. On Saturday, February 22, 12 semifinalist teams will present their solutions to an esteemed panel of judges, including industry leaders, Yale faculty, and 色色视频 leaders. Student proposals will address critical challenges in patient access, sustainable care models, cost mitigation, and technology-driven solutions鈥攌ey factors in expanding high-quality, home-based care.

鈥淗ome-based care is one of the fastest-growing areas in healthcare, but scaling it effectively requires more than just good intentions. It takes sustainable solutions that work in the real world,鈥� said Scott Powers, Chairman and CEO of 色色视频. 鈥淭his competition challenges students to think critically about what it takes to expand access, improve patient outcomes, and navigate the complexities of delivering care where people need it most: at home. We are excited to see what the teams have come up with.鈥�

鈥淭he Yale School of Management is committed to educating leaders for business and society. Their long-standing commitment to advancing the healthcare sector, population health, and health equity is supported by the close working relationship with the other professional schools at Yale and by community partners,鈥� said Howard P. Forman, MD, MBA, YHSI Case Competitor Advisor. 鈥淲e could not be more pleased to see the collaboration of our YSPH Health Care Management (HCM) students and the other graduate students who have worked, tirelessly, to make this event a success. We are enormously grateful to 色色视频 for making this opportunity available and supporting this important co-curricular activity.鈥�

The competition will conclude with the selection of three winning teams who will receive top honors and prize funding.

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Best

The Leesville, LA skilled home health team and Enid, OK hospice team were honored as 鈥淧remier Performers鈥�, achieving an overall patient satisfaction score that ranked in the top 5% of all eligible SHP clients for the 2023 calendar year.

The following skilled home health and hospice branches were designated as 鈥淪uperior Performers鈥� for achieving an overall patient satisfaction score that ranked in the top 20% of all eligible SHP clients for the 2023 calendar year:

• Palestine, TX (now Teague, TX) skilled home health
• Brownwood, TX skilled home health
• Jennings, LA skilled home health
• Opelousas, LA skilled home health
• Baton Rouge, LA skilled home health
• Mansfield, LA skilled home health
• Big Rapids, MI hospice
• Dexter, MO hospice
• Monroe, LA hospice

Read more about the SHPBest awards program for and , including methodology and award recipient lists.

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色色视频, a leading multi-state home health provider, has completed its acquisition of Caregivers Home Health, expanding its reach into Kansas and Iowa. The deal advances Elara鈥檚 mission of improving patient access to innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective home care in a time when it is needed most.

鈥淲e are excited to welcome our new caregivers and patients in Kansas and Iowa,鈥� said Scott Powers, CEO and Chairman of 色色视频. 鈥淥ur relationship-based approach and value-based care mode 鈥� combined with our innovative care delivery 鈥� has improved patient outcomes in communities nationwide.鈥� Powers added, 鈥淗igh-cost, facility-based care is increasingly out of reach for most Americans. This is no different in Kansas and Iowa, and patients deserve better. Home based care is effective, low cost, and in high demand.鈥�

Caregivers Home Health is a privately owned, 150-person home health company founded in 2004 with base operations in Topeka, KS and additional Medicare certified agencies in Garden City, KS, Centerville, IA, and Chariton, IA. 鈥淲e have a great reputation for care in the communities we serve. Our patients love us and providers rely on us. We would only hand over the reins to a partner in whom we have absolute faith. Elara is that organization,鈥� said Ed Schulte, CEO and President of Caregivers Home Health. 鈥淥ur team members, patients, and referral partners are in good hands.鈥�

Elara鈥檚 innovative care leverages state-of-the-art technology and data to anticipate a patient鈥檚 home health needs. Its partnerships with industry-leading technology companies such as ServiceNow, nVoq, Apricot.AI, Swift, and CareXM 鈥� combined with its proprietary service platform ElaraConnect 鈥� provide patients the right service, at the right time, and in the right place. It also empowers seasoned clinicians with the tools, resources, and support necessary to provide tailored care to patients in urban and rural communities across the country.

听The acquisition of Caregivers Home Health marks Elara’s inaugural expansion in 2024 and its debut in Iowa. Last year, the company announced its expansion into the state of Rhode Island with the . It also acquired American Family Home Health, broadening its services in Illinois.

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