The L. Paul Berman Memorial Fund for Patient Care Excellence was established in 2006 by a generous challenge grant by Fred and Karen Reams to recognize the contributions and vision of former CRH Trustee and CRH Foundation Board member, L. Paul Berman.  An intelligent and civic-minded individual, Paul led the hospital’s growth into a regional facility. 

Projects are submitted and chosen annually to receive support for innovative work that focuses on clinical excellence, improving patient care, and cost-efficient patient care delivery.  Berman funds were awarded in 2020 and 2021 to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, who, in collaboration with CRH physicians, hospitalists and medical practices in the CRH system, brings palliative care services to our community.  Palliative Care is a specialized type of care offering relief from symptoms for individuals with a serious illness while receiving treatment from their physician.  Unlike hospice care, palliative care is appropriate for those who are expected to recover, as well as for those who have chronic, progressive, and/or terminal illness.    

The Palliative Support Team, along with CRH medical practices, can identify specific symptoms that can be managed in the home, while monitoring additional patient concerns between visits, resulting in physicians being able to see more patients and a reduction in unnecessary office phone calls and visits.

Palliative Care is provided in a patient’s home (in Bartholomew County only), in the Palliative Care Outpatient Clinic located on the main level of Columbus Regional Hospital, and during inpatient stays at CRH.  Palliative care is largely un-reimbursed, making philanthropy critically important to sustaining these services.