Giving Thanks: Words from Futuro Health Scholars and Employers

This season, we share words of gratitude from Scholars and employers whose lives and work have been shaped by Futuro Health—reflecting the role we all play as a community to unlock opportunity, transform lives and deliver care.

Our Latest Blog: A Letter of Gratitude: Reflections on Futuro Health’s Mission

By: Van Ton-Quinlivan, CEO, Futuro Health

One of the greatest privileges of my work at Futuro Health is hearing directly from our Scholars—each with their own story of perseverance, hope, and transformation. Their journeys remind us why we exist: to expand opportunities for adults who want to serve in healthcare but need a bridge to get there.

Recently, I received a letter from Futuro Health Scholar Shiela M., whose journey captures the very heart of our mission. Her story is one of courage in the face of setbacks, and her words moved me deeply. With her permission, I’d like to share her letter here in full.

Meet Two of Our Enrollment Advisors

Futuro Health's Enrollment Advisors help Scholars choose a start date, answer questions, and provide guidance to ensure a confident and prepared beginning. Their support builds trust and sets the foundation for Scholar success.

Futuro Health in the News

Fran Smith, Co-author of Changing the Way We Die

Episode #117: How Hospice Care Has Changed and Why It Matters

Hospice care in the US has undergone major shifts in recent years, with a significant jump in usage and a 400% increase in private equity ownership as major factors driving it to become the most profitable subsector in healthcare, according to a 2023 RAND Corporation study. To understand these trends what they mean for healthcare workers, patients and families, we turn to Fran Smith, co-author of Changing the Way We Die: Compassionate End of Life Care and the Hospice Movement, an Amazon bestseller. As she explains to Futuro Health CEO Van Ton-Quinlivan, what started as a non-profit, mission-driven movement has evolved into an industry dominated by for-profit entities -- including a growing percentage backed by private equity -- with major implications for quality and consistency of care. “There is some data showing that staffing is poor at privately owned and private equity hospices compared to nonprofits, and that the for-profit hospice companies use more licensed practical nurses than registered nurses,” she explains. And while Smith believes it’s better for there to be a mix of business models in the sector, she does advise that people seeking hospice care evaluate their options using tools on the medicare.gov website, and by asking providers in their circle about the reputation of various organizations. This super informative episode of WorkforceRx also provides advice on when and how to talk to loved ones about end-of-life wishes, and a takes look at the future of this crucially important type of healthcare.