AnMed Health offers Final Salute to veterans who pass away at the hospital

AnMed Health has begun a Final Salute program to honor veterans who spend their last days of life at the hospital. It is AnMed Health’s way of saying thank you to the men and women for their service.

With the family’s consent, the spiritual care teammates on duty will conduct a recognition ceremony. It involves an announcement over the PA system and an appropriately folded U.S. flag presented to the family as well as words of appreciation for their loved one’s service.

“As citizens of our nation, it is essential that we always recognize and honor the members of the U.S. Armed Forces, even at the time of death,” said Juana Slade, CDM, CCF, chief diversity officer and director of diversity and language services.”

One of AnMed Health’s nurse managers brought the idea to AnMed Health after her father received a Final Salute at a Texas hospital where he passed away. The honor given her father meant so much to her family. She believed the Final Salute would mean so much to the families whose loved ones live out their final days at AnMed Health.

AnMed Health is committed to excellence in the delivery of patient care from birth to end-of-life. The Final Salute is a ceremonial recognition of military personnel — active, reserve or veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States of America.