NYUCN's Abraham A Brody, RN, Ph.D., GNP-BC, was chosen to receive the award for his work in palliative care.

cambia-health-foundation-honors-new-york-university-nurse-with-180k-sojourns-award
Abraham Brody, RN, Ph.D., GNP-BC Assistant Professor and Associate Director at the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing with the New York University College of Nursing

Cambria Contact: Beth Hegde | (909) 894-8564 | beth@weinsteinpr.com

The Cambia Health Foundation was pleased to announce that Abraham Brody, RN, Ph.D., GNP-BC Assistant Professor and Associate Director at the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing with the New York University College of Nursing, is one of 10 recipients of its Sojourns Scholar Leadership Program. The program recognizes leadership in palliative care, an increasingly important field of health care that relieves suffering and improves quality of life for people facing serious illness.

The inaugural Sojourns Scholar Leadership Program provides emerging palliative care leaders with a two-year, $180,000 grant to support research, clinical, educational or policy projects.

The focus of the grant program is to strengthen the palliative care work force by creating a learning community of emerging palliative care leaders.

The 2014 award recipients span the country and areas of focus, with projects that focus on individuals who are recovering from strokes, those with dementia, seriously ill veterans, infants and children and the aging population.  The Sojourns scholars are located in California, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Washington and Wisconsin. See profiles of each recipient here: Sojourns Awards Profiles.

Dr. Brody’s program is a pilot trial that focuses on helping patients and their families manage dementia symptoms while at home. Specifically, he will develop and test a Spanish-language version of the Dementia Symptom Management at Home Program to measure the effects of this palliative care program on pain, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia for the patient. As palliative care focuses on the patient and those most affected by the diseases, in this case, family members, Dr. Brody will assess the effects of the program on the quality of life, burden, depression and burnout for the family caregiver while they help the patient at home.

“There is so much room for improvement of palliative care of older adults living in the community and I intend to help bridge this gap between current care and evidence based, patient and family centered care,” said Dr. Brody. “Cambia Health Foundation’s support of this project means that we can better support patients and their tireless caregivers while they deal with the symptoms of dementia at home.”

There is a significant need to increase, enhance and support the palliative care workforce on a national level. Today, there is approximately one palliative care medical professional for every 1,200 people facing serious illness. And with the baby boomer population aging, the “Silver Tsunami” will present a greatly increased need for palliative care both for patients and their families. In addition to solidifying the future palliative care workforce, the Sojourns program also has the potential to increase general awareness for palliative care. As Americans are diagnosed with serious and chronic illnesses, many do not know what palliative care is or how to access it.

“We created the Sojourns Scholar Leadership Program to recognize and support future innovators and leaders in the field of palliative care, the outstanding doctors and nurses who are really making a difference for patients and families,” said Peggy Maguire, President and Board Chair of the Cambia Health Foundation. “These award recipients are already actively working to advance the field of palliative care, and we hope that our investment will allow them to become the next generation of leaders who will help to improve quality, access and understanding at a crucial time in our nation’s health care landscape.”

Sojourns Awards & Palliative Care Summit October 2, 2014

In addition to the Sojourns Scholar Leadership Award Luncheon, Cambia Health Foundation held a one-day Palliative Care summit, bringing together regional and national palliative care leaders to share insight and research about palliative care, held on October 2, 2014 at the Sentinel Hotel in Portland, Oregon. Agenda details are available at 2014 Sojourns Awards and Summit.

About Cambia Health Foundation

Based in Portland, Oregon, Cambia Health Foundation is the corporate foundation of Cambia Health Solutions, a total health solutions company dedicated to transforming the way people experience health care.

Founded in 2007, Cambia Health Foundation awards grants in three program areas: palliative and end-of-life care through the Foundation’s signature program, Sojourns; Transforming Health Care; and Children’s Health.

Since 2007, the Foundation has funded more than $10 million in grants to support these causes. Through Sojourns, Cambia Health Foundation strives to advance patient- and family-centered care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating, preventing and treating suffering.

The Foundation is committed to: improving access to and quality of palliative care beyond the hospital setting through increased use of technology and expansion in nontraditional settings and rural areas; facilitating an open dialogue about end-of-life issues; strengthening the workforce to meet increased consumer demand; and recognizing leadership, innovation and inspiration in palliative care. Learn more at www.cambiahealthfoundation.org.

About New York University College of Nursing
NYU College of Nursing is a global leader in nursing education, research, and practice. It offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science and Post-Master’s Certificate Programs, a Doctor of Philosophy in Research Theory and Development, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.  For more information, visit https://nursing.nyu.edu/

Press Contact

Christopher James
Christopher James
(212) 998-6876