American Sentinel University and Colorado Hospital Association Name Sky Ridge Medical Center Hospice Program Developer a Colorado Health Care Star

American Sentinel University and Colorado Hospital Association named Mark Speckman, Hospice NP, with Sky Ridge Medical Center, as a Colorado Health Care Star Award winner. This award recognizes Speckman as an exceptional health care professional.

Colorado Health Care Stars is a statewide health care professional award recognition program sponsored by American Sentinel University and Colorado Hospital Association. The program was launched in February 2015 to acknowledge industry professionals in Colorado who exceed expectations in the delivery of health care.

Speckman developed a hospice program at Sky Ridge Medical Center in order to improve end of life care at the hospital.  Sky Ridge now has a multi-disciplinary team of doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains and others to meet physical, intellectual, psycho-emotional, spiritual and other needs to patients with an expected prognosis of a few days. These patients are generally too unstable to move to a dedicated hospice facility.

“As a result of Mark’s efforts we are now able to provide hospice services to patients who would not have been able to receive them previously,” said Dr. Jason Kelly, Chief Medical Officer of Sky Ridge Medical Center. “The program even includes providing support services for family members, including bereavement counseling that may continue for months after the patient’s death. He is an excellent example of a ‘Health Care Star’.”

“Creating not only patient, but also family-centered care for the final stages of life is an example of a health care professional paving the way in today’s rapidly changing healthcare environment,” said Michael Rickart, Vice President of Partner Engagement for American Sentinel University. “We’re happy that our partnership with the Colorado Hospital Association allows us to honor his achievements and name him a Colorado Health Star.”

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Twelve winners are selected during the program year, awarded with $100 and entered into a drawing for a full-tuition scholarship for an accredited health care certificate or degree at American Sentinel University.

Learn more about American Sentinel University’s online degree programs at https://www.americansentinel.edu/ or call 866.922.5690.