Albers named hospice medical director of Four Seasons

Four Seasons Compassion for Life announces the promotion of Ashley Albers, D.O., to the position of hospice medical director.

Albers holds a 2009 doctorate in osteopathic medicine from the A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, and a 2004 bachelor of science in chemistry and mathematics. After a three year residency in internal medicine in the University of Medicine and Dentistry at the New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine from 2009-12, she received a Mountain Area Health Education Center, or MAHEC, Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship, Asheville, in 2012-13.

“During my residency in internal care, I observed a lot of interventions within the intensive care unit that made me wonder what people really wanted for their time at end of life,” she says.

Her interest in serving patient needs at end of life deepened, and led her to Four Seasons Compassion for Life, where she accepted a position as a palliative care physician in 2013, followed by a promotion to assistant medical director in 2014. She was certified as a hospice medical director in 2015 and completed a year-long mentorship with Chief Medical Officer Janet Bull, prior to promotion to hospice medical director.

“Dr. Albers has done a magnificent job,” says Bull. “She has demonstrated astute clinical skills and possesses a great understanding of the regulations of the Hospice Medicare Benefit.”

As hospice medical director, Albers oversees the certification of eligibility of hospice patients to receive Medicare benefits as part of day-to-day operations.

Though others may remark upon her rapid rise within the organization, she describes a combination of factors: a willingness to acquire relevant experience and training, timing, and the emergent need to facilitate changes on the palliative care team which required a greater commitment from its members.

“She is a great team player, and continues to aspire to improving care for the patients and families we serve,” says Bull.

As the region’s population ages, Albers remains inspired by the opportunity to reach increasing numbers of physicians and health care workers.

“A lot of people who could benefit from our services aren’t receiving those yet,” she says. “I’d like to be part of helping other medical practitioners do this work.”

Four Seasons is a non-profit hospice and palliative care organization led by a dedicated team of health care professionals, social workers, spiritual care professionals and volunteers. Four Seasons currently serves patients in Henderson, Buncombe, Macon, Jackson, Transylvania and surrounding counties. For information on Four Seasons, visit www.fourseasonscfl.org.