Berkshire Medical Center in Massachusetts and St. Joseph Hospital and Health Center in Indiana joins Planetree

The Planetree Model of Patient-Centered Care is making a mark on America’s health care system. The recent addition of Berkshire Medical Center in Massachusetts, and St. Joseph Hospital and Health Center in Indiana, brings the Planetree Alliance up to 65 members throughout the United 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 11 affiliates to the Alliance over the past year, including Alliance Community Hospital in Ohio, Aurora Medical Center in Wisconsin, Avery Health Care System in North Carolina, Forum Health in Ohio, Northern Westchester Hospital Center in New York, St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Missouri, Wesley Village in Connecticut, and Williamsburg Community Hospital in Virginia.
Planetree is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its’ founding 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.

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For more information about the Planetree organization or to obtain a copy of a video, contact Lisa Donnarumma, 130 Division Street, Derby, CT 06418, telephone: 203-732-1377. Or visit the Planetree website at www.planetree.org.