Avera@Home Hospice of Spencer Earns Level Four Veteran Honor

Avera@Home Hospice of Spencer Hospital was awarded a Level 4 Star designation in the We Honor Veterans initiative on December 29, 2025, marking national recognition of its efforts to improve hospice care for military veterans. The initiative, a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, sets standards for veteran-centered training, outreach, and care coordination. The designation reflects sustained investment by hospice staff and community partners to better meet the needs of veterans in Buena Vista County and neighboring communities.

Program leaders including Chelsea Reed helped lead the local effort to reach the Level 4 designation. Alana Clark, director of hospice and home health at Spencer Hospital, said the designation recognizes staff dedication, stronger partnerships with the VA, and enhanced supports for veterans and their families at the end of life. Those internal developments have translated into more systematic outreach to veterans, trauma-informed approaches to care, and closer coordination with VA resources to address benefits, counseling, and clinical needs.

For families in Buena Vista County, the designation matters in concrete ways. Hospice providers with We Honor Veterans recognition are better equipped to identify veteran status, screen for service-related needs, and connect patients with VA programs such as caregiver support, burial benefits, and community-based mental health services. In a rural region where travel and provider shortages can create barriers, strengthened ties between a local hospice and the VA can shorten referral times and reduce gaps in care during sensitive end-of-life moments.

Public health implications extend beyond individual patients. Improving access to culturally competent, veteran-focused hospice care supports community resilience by ensuring that older adults and veterans receive consistent, dignified care that accounts for military experiences and family needs. Policy-wise, the designation highlights the importance of sustained funding for rural hospice services and incentives that foster VA partnerships with local providers.

Spencer Hospital’s recognition follows years of work to expand access and improve quality across northwest Iowa. Families seeking more information about Avera@Home Hospice of Spencer Hospital and veteran-specific hospice services are encouraged to contact the hospital’s hospice and home health department directly to learn about eligibility, available supports, and how the program coordinates with VA resources. The Level 4 Star designation stands as a local milestone in a broader effort to make end-of-life care equitable and responsive for those who served.