PACE of Guilford and Rockingham Counties, a newly-established organization, hired Ursula Robinson, MSW ’91, LCSW, as its first executive director. Robinson joined PACE on March 1.
PACE stands for “Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly,” and is a health care model centered on the belief that it is better for the well-being of seniors with chronic care needs to be served in the community whenever possible.
Robinson comes to PACE from Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro (HPCG) where she served for 18 years, most recently as vice president of clinical services. Over her career at HPCG, Robinson served in progressive leadership roles including social worker, lead social worker, director of support services and director of clinical services.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to use my gifts, talents and experiences in health and aging to lead this unique model of care which provides the resources and services for the frail elderly and disabled adults to remain at home as long as possible,” said Robinson.
The collaborative joint venture involving Moses Cone, Advanced Home Care and Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro is one of only two collaborations in the nation that includes health care providers such as a health system, home health and hospice. PACE of Guilford and Rockingham Counties is in the process of seeking approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and, when approved, will begin providing comprehensive services for area seniors and disabled adults in early 2011.
PACE serves individuals who are age 55 or older, certified by their state to need skilled nursing home care, are able to live safely in the community at the time of enrollment, and live in a PACE service area. Although all PACE participants must be certified to need skilled nursing home care to enroll in PACE, only about seven percent of PACE participants nationally reside in a skilled nursing facility. PACE started in the early 1970’s in the San Francisco area. There are more than 70 programs nationwide, including two established programs in North Carolina.
