Hospice of Michigan’s Dottie Deremo Receives HPCAM Leadership and Innovation Award

Detroit, June 3, 2014 – Dottie Deremo, executive emeritus of Hospice of Michigan, was awarded the 2014 Leadership and Innovation Award from the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Michigan.

This honor, which is a new award HPCAM unveiled this year, recognizes individuals and organizations that raise the bar, setting a new standard for hospice, palliative care and advance care planning service delivery in Michigan. Award recipients must meet the following criteria:

  • Display high standards of clinical and business ethics
  • Provide outcomes-based, patient and family-centered palliative and end-of-life care services
  • Utilize innovative approaches to meet critical unmet community needs
  • Serve as a sustainable and replicable model for the industry
  • Address multi-faceted needs of persons living with serious illness throughout the disease trajectory
  • Actively work with other health care organizations, education and training programs, and the community to seek solutions in the continuum of care

“We are delighted that Dottie was selected to receive this inaugural award for her incredible contributions to hospice care,” said Robert Cahill, president and CEO of Hospice of Michigan. “Dottie has devoted her career to working on behalf of patients and families to ensure that quality care at end-of-life is available to anyone who needs it.”

During Deremo’s tenure as president and CEO of HOM, she successfully led the integration of 10 small and independent hospice organizations into one statewide hospice with national influence. Under her direction and leadership, HOM created its own innovation, research and education center, The Hospice of Michigan Institute, allowing the organization to develop innovative patient care models, conduct groundbreaking research in end-of-life care, provide continuing education and certification programs for its own staff and other hospice organizations, and enhance quality of life at the end of life.

After 15 successful years at the helm of the largest non-profit hospice in the state of Michigan, Deremo retired from her role as president and CEO in 2013. She currently serves as executive emeritus, focusing exclusively on public policy advocacy, fundraising and business development for At Home Support, the organization’s flagship advanced illness management program developed under her leadership.

Prior to joining HOM, Deremo served as vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Henry Ford Health System. She has held several executive positions at the Detroit Medical Center and has been an assistant professor at both Michigan State University and Wayne State University during her 45-year health care career.

Recognized nationally and internationally for her expertise on end-of-life matters, Deremo is an international consultant, invited speaker at conferences worldwide, author of numerous articles, and a contributing author to several health care books.

Deremo currently serves as vice chairman of the board of Oakwood Healthcare System and member of several other national and local boards, including: the National Hospice Work Group, Ascension Health, Detroit Economic Club, Greater Detroit Area Health Council, University Cultural Center Association and Wayne State University Physicians Group Practice Board member and Compensation Committee Chair.

Deremo resides in Farmington Hills with her husband, Robert.

About Hospice of Michigan
A nationally recognized leader in end-of-life care, Hospice of Michigan is the original – and largest – hospice in the state. The non-profit cares for more than 1,400 patients each day in 56 counties across Michigan, raising more than $4 million each year to cover the cost of care for the uninsured and underinsured. HOM offers a broad range of services to enhance the quality of life at the end of life, including At Home Support™, our advanced illness management program, community-based palliative care and pediatric care programs. HOM provides grief support and counseling, caregiver education and support, and education programs for physicians and healthcare professionals through its research, training and education arm, the Hospice of Michigan Institute. For more information, call 888.247.5701 or visit www.hom.org.

About The Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Michigan
The Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Michigan, founded in 1979, provides education, training, advocacy and networking opportunities for hospice, palliative care, end-of-life providers and those interested in advance care planning. For more information on the award winners or hospice programs/services offered throughout Michigan, contact the Association at 517.803.2500 or visit the website at www.mihospice.org.