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Gift from Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation Secures NICHE for Older Adults
 
December 2, 2020 – Jupiter Medical Center is adding the Nurses Improving Care of Healthsystem Elders (NICHE), an international nursing education program, to its in-depth training for healthcare staff. Thanks to a generous gift from the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, the Glenn W. and Cornelia T. Baily Geriatric Nursing Program will provide resources and education for interdisciplinary teams.
 
“NICHE is centered on improving the healthcare of elderly patients by creating, translating and disseminating knowledge through education and research,” said Dr. Amit Rastogi, President and CEO of Jupiter Medical Center. “This certified program results in improved clinical outcomes, enhanced nursing competencies, and greater patient and family satisfaction.”
 
To implement the program, Jupiter Medical Center has hired geriatric nurse practitioner Jill M. Shutes, DNP, APRN, GNP-BC. As the geriatric clinical coordinator, Jill’s work includes overseeing the care of acute and chronically ill patients while educating clinical teams on best practices, including head-to-toe evaluations of patients suffering from cognitive decline, telehealth, rapid response, advance directive procedures and fall prevention.
 
“Adding a geriatric clinical coordinator to our team could not have come at a better time,” said Rastogi. “The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for our healthcare workers, and Dr. Shutes has been an integral part of improving the ways we care for our elderly patients and communicate with their families who are unable to be with them due to current visitation policies.”
 
Dr. Shutes has more than 20 years of experience working in long-term care, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. She has served as a research associate at Florida Atlantic University, and as an assistant professor of nursing at Palm Beach Atlantic University’s graduate nursing program.
 
“The Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation is devoted to providing philanthropic support to the Jupiter community,” said a Bailey Foundation representative. “We seek initiatives that teach, inspire, engage and help to make our world better. Jupiter Medical Center’s dedication to geriatric care inspired us to support this program in eldercare education.”
 
Dr. Shutes’ work is also made possible by the Zidek Family Foundation – the late Milo Zidek, wife Mary, and children Laura and Brian – through the Zidek Family Geriatric Education Fund.
 
“The Zidek Family Foundation is pleased to support Jupiter Medical Center’s excellent NICHE program,” said a Zidek Family Foundation representative. 
 
 
 
About Jupiter Medical Center Foundation
Since its founding in 1989, Jupiter Medical Center Foundation has empowered Jupiter Medical Center with the financial resources to reimagine the delivery of health and wellness to the region. Jupiter Medical Center Foundation, together with Jupiter Medical Center, is committed to transforming regional healthcare through leading-edge technology, patient-centered care and enhanced facilities. The Foundation has funded a number of major projects at Jupiter Medical Center, including the De George Pediatric Unit in partnership with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, the Mastroianni Family Pediatric Emergency Department, the Margaret W. Niedland Breast Center, the Anderson Family Cancer Institute, the Frank E. and Mary D. Walsh Robotic Surgery Program, and the Timothy and Jayne Donahue Cardiac Surgery Program.
 
As a leading, not-for-profit medical provider in the region, Jupiter Medical Center relies on philanthropic gifts to maintain patients’ well-being and quality of care, and Jupiter Medical Center Foundation is dedicated to securing this financial support in order to fulfill the mission of the organization. For more information, please visit jmcfoundation.org.