Photo: Dr. Megan deMariano of Transitions LifeCare utilizing telehealth to provide care. Transitions LifeCare (based in Raleigh, North Carolina) has received a $400,000 grant from The Duke Endowment to establish telehealth capacity supporting palliative care services for adults in rural North Carolina. Transitions LifeCare is a nonprofit organization serving Wake and seven surrounding counties with palliative care, hospice, home health, caregiver support, and bereavement services. Founded in 1979 as Hospice of Wake County, Transitions LifeCare has been a leader and innovator in the delivery of hospital- and community-based palliative care since 2005. Using video visits, secure texting, and technology to notify staff of patients at the risk of hospitalization, the Endowment grant will allow Transitions LifeCare to expand access and service area to best meet the needs of patients and families in rural counties, while maximizing scarce palliative care staff resources. Transitions LifeCare’s CEO John Thoma knows firsthand how telehealth can improve access to needed healthcare. Transitions Kids, their pediatric palliative care and hospice program, increased the number of patients served by 138% and extended the service area allowing for an increase in rural patient admissions. “Telehealth enabled better utilization of staff resources to patients who needed it most, allowing video triage to replace less critical visits. The telehealth program also increased care coordination and communication between the Transitions Kids palliative care team and children’s hospitals’ physicians and specialists. “We are grateful to The Duke Endowment for this grant that we know, from past experience, will enable us to meet the medical and social support needs of persons with serious illness and their caregivers residing in the rural counties of our service area.” About Transitions LifeCare Transitions LifeCare was founded as Hospice of Wake County in 1979.  Providing physical, emotional, and spiritual care to those living with an advanced illness, their caregivers, and those who have lost a loved one regardless of age, race, religion, or financial circumstances, we are guided by community-based boards of directors and supported by a dedicated professional staff that provides compassionate care that allows patients to enjoy every moment of their lives to the fullest.  For more information on Transitions LifeCare, contact Darcy Dye Bowers at 919-749-3088 or dbowers@transitionslifecare.org. About The Duke Endowment Based in Charlotte and established in 1924 by industrialist and philanthropist James B. Duke, The Duke Endowment is a private foundation that strengthens communities in North Carolina and South Carolina by nurturing children, promoting health, educating minds and enriching spirits. Since its founding, it has distributed more than $4 billion in grants. The Endowment shares a name with Duke University and Duke Energy, but all are separate organizations.