Planetree Model is Making a Mark on Health Care with Growth to Over 50 Affiliate Hospitals in the U.S.

DERBY, CT - The Planetree Model of Patient-Centered Care is making a mark on America's health care system. The recent addition of Porter and Littleton Adventist Hospitals in the Denver area, and Sharp Coronado Hospital in San Diego, brings the Planetree Alliance up to 52 members in 23 states.

"We are pleased to be a part of the transformation of patient care. Many of the organizations in the Planetree Alliance have enhanced patient care and increased satisfaction levels, as well as employee recruitment and retention, and in the process have differentiated themselves from surrounding hospitals", said Susan B. Frampton, Ph.D., executive director of Planetree. "By listening to what patients want in the health care environment and networking with Alliance members, Planetree affiliates have created some of the most healing hospitals in the country. They recognize that patients have a choice about where they will go for care, and that they are looking for more than just advanced technology and a good clinical outcome."

Planetree's international reputation continues to grow and generate inquiries in the United States, as well as Europe, Asia and India.

Strong interest has resulted in the addition of 15 affiliates to the Alliance over the past year, including Greenville Hospital in South Carolina; Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey; and University of North Carolina Health Care System.

The recent growth in the Planetree Alliance has prompted the addition of a director of organizational development and training to the national office. Randy Carter will be joining the national office beginning in February 2002. Mr. Carter currently serves as administrative director of education and facilities and member of the executive management team at the Planetree Affiliate, Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles, Oregon. He has been with the Medical Center since 1990.

Mid-Columbia Medical Center was the first model site to implement the Planetree philosophy of care system-wide in the United States. Carter, with his roles in education and facilities, was a significant contributor to the successful integration of philosophy and practice in the organization. Since early 1991, Mr. Carter has lead MCMC University, Mid-Columbia's employee development program in sharing with employees the vision, information and skills necessary to achieve an organizational culture supportive of patient-centered care in a healing environment. He has delivered programs on attitude, service, quality, teamwork and patient centered care to hundreds of audiences including hospitals, physician groups and diverse audiences outside of healthcare including retail, software, education, broadcasting, public utilities and government. Carter also brings with him a wealth of experience consulting with hospitals and health systems on the development of new employee orientation programs and on-going staff development.

In his new position with Planetree, Carter will support customer service needs of the growing alliance of Planetree hospitals across the country by providing training, organizational assessment and consultation to hospital executive teams and employee groups. He will also assess the need for additional affiliate training and development offerings, and create curriculums for programs focusing on areas including medical staff relations, customer service, and maintaining momentum.

Planetree was founded over 23 years ago by Angelica Thieriot, an Argentinean appalled by what she felt was cold, impersonal, dehumanizing medical care she received when she was hospitalized in the United States for a rare virus. Thieriot began a crusade that resulted in the founding of Planetree, dedicated to improving the hospital experience for patients and their families.

The Planetree philosophy embodies the holistic, patient-centered care model, which is increasingly evident at health organizations across the country. It changes the way patients and their families traditionally experience health care and is committed to improving medical care from the patient's perspective. Patients and families are empowered and have access to information so they can become more active participants in decisions affecting their health and well being. Many Affiliates have Planetree Health Resource Centers open to the community. These Resource Centers offer electronic, print and audio/video health and medical information on a wide range of topics, including complementary therapies and support groups. (The planetree is the sycamore tree Hippocrates taught medicine under in ancient Greece.)

Planetree Affiliates have hosted tour groups from around the world - countries as far away as Israel, China, the United Kingdom, and Canada, as well as hundreds of facilities from around the United States - all of whom come to learn about innovative Planetree patient-centered programs, services, and award-winning healing environments. For more information about Planetree and the Affiliates in the Planetree Alliance, visit our website at www.planetree.org.

For more information about the Planetree organization or to obtain a copy of the video, contact Planetree at (866) 732-1364, or email your address to Planetree.