To meet surging demand, Overlook Hospital must expand its palliative care program. Since 2002 palliative care consultations have more than quadrupled, and a new initiative for early intervention in the intensive-care unit will soon assist another 500 patients each year through palliative care nurse assessments. The program also collaborates with Atlantic Home Care to support care annually for 125 frail, home-bound patients in the area. Income from this endowment will fund additional palliative care nurses trained to assess patients and pay for assistance that most insurance companies and government agencies do not reimburse at full cost or at all. With this support the program's team can serve more patients and families at a painful and vulnerable time in life.