A growing number of healthcare facilities—from hospitals, to elderly care programs, to mental health institutions—are embracing "horticultural therapy" programs that use gardening as part of their treatments, the Wall Street Journal reports. The moves come at a time of increased public acceptance of alternative medicine, combined with interest in "green" practices of all kinds. A number of studies have already indicated that just looking at plants or nature can help alleviate stress, perceptions of pain, and improve mood among patients. More recently, studies have gone further to indicate that the act of gardening can also have dramatic and restorative effects on health, the Journal reports.
The number of serious disciplinary actions taken against Massachusetts doctors fell by almost half over four years, placing the state's medical licensing agency in the bottom 10 nationally, according to a report released by a consumer group. The Public Citizen Health Research Group said the numbers suggest that Massachusetts has relaxed its policing of problem physicians. But a spokesman for the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine said complaints to the board fell by more than a third from 2007 to 2009, and the number of malpractice payments made by Massachusetts doctors has gone down since 2001.
Kindred Healthcare, Inc. has announced the retirement of Frank J. Battafarano as COO. He will be succeeded by Benjamin A. Breier, executive vice president and president of Kindred's Hospital Division. The changes will take effect when Kindred has named a new president of the Hospital Division. Breier has served in his present position since March, 2008. Battafarano has served as COO since March 2008.
Tay Kopanos has been named director of Health Policy/State Government Affairs by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Kopanos will oversee the state legislative and regulatory affairs program for AANP and will be based in Washington, DC. Before joining AANP, Kopanos served two terms as the chair of the Government Affairs and Public Policy Committee at the Colorado Nurses Association.
Jeff D. Emerson was named head of Aetna's Health Care Management organization. He is responsible for patient care support and management, promoting quality, and improving access to affordable, effective healthcare for Aetna's customers and members. Before joining Aetna, Emerson was president of the NorthEnd Group, LLC, a privately held consulting company specializing in healthcare services and information technology. In addition, Susan M. Kosman, RN, has been named to the new position of CNO, where she will provide support to the more than 3,000 nurses who help Aetna members understand their clinical condition, access appropriate care and best use the benefits available to them to manage their overall health.
SCAN Health Plan, the fourth largest not-for-profit Medicare Advantage Plan in the United States, has hired Peter Begans to serve as senior vice president of public and government affairs, effective April 5. Begans will oversee state and federal affairs for the health plan as well as the opening of the organization's first Washington, DC, office. In addition, SCAN has promoted Eve Gelb to serve as vice president of healthcare services administration, effective April 1. Gelb previously served as director of the project management office for the health plan.