Press Releases

Dr. VanOosterhout Receives Anthony V. DeVito Award 

March 25, 2015- St. Joseph, Mich. – Dr. Keith VanOosterhout has received the Anthony V. DeVito II Memorial Award through the University of Michigan Geriatrics Center and Institute of Gerontology.

The Anthony V. DeVito Award was established to recognize outstanding service, dedication, and commitment to excellence in enhancing community-based geriatrics education in the State of Michigan.  This annual award was established in 1991 in memory of Anthony V. DeVito II who exemplified these attributes during his tenure with the U of M Geriatrics Center.

A Board Certified Geriatrician, Dr. VanOosterhout has contributed 33 years of care in aging services; over 20 years of which have been in leadership roles. He is known for his quiet yet visionary leadership and ability to identify and fill gaps in the aging services field.

While managing Lakeland Specialty Hospital and two long-term care facilities he worked with the facilities to implemented Southwest Michigan’s first Eden alternative initiative.  The Eden alternative asserts that care is not a one-way street, but a collaborative effort structured around each patient.  In practice Dr. VanOosterhout deemphasized the medication and procedures aspect of care and designed a more adaptive form of treatment taking into account individual patient preferences, needs, and what is appropriate for their stage in life.

Dr. VanOosterhout was also part of a team that successfully developed the Long Term Acute Care Hospital (LTACH), which was first in our area. He was instrumental in the establishment and promotion of the area’s first Hospice program which expanded quickly; a commitment he retains today.

When the Healthy Berrien Consortium discussed the feasibility of developing a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), he quickly joined the group and became a champion for the cause.  In 2012, after years of planning,  Dr. VanOosterhout became the medical director of PACE.  PACE fills a gap in services for the chronically ill, nursing home eligible residents in our community who chose to remain in their home yet have difficulty staying on top of their care and medications.

Fittingly, one goal of PACE is to decrease medical interventions while maintaining good patient outcomes.  Dr. VanOosterhout has been successful in leading the PACE team that coordinates individualized care and services for elderly participants.  As a result PACE has decreased overall medical and medication costs, nursing home placements and hospital/emergency room utilization.

“PACE of Southwest Michigan is widely accepted as a long term care option for older adults in our community.  We are very fortunate to have Dr. VanOosterhout as our Medical Director.  He is a respected leader in the field of geriatrics and has brought his years of experience to our organization.  Under his leadership the PACE team has developed classes and activities to address the specific needs of our PACE participants.  For example, we offer sensory stimulation therapy for our dementia and Alzheimer’s participants,” says Therese Saggau, Executive Director of PACE of Southwest Michigan.

In addition to PACE, Dr. VanOosterhout continues to educate medical students through a preceptorship with Western Michigan University and is a clinical assistant professor at Michigan State University's School of Osteopathic Medicine.  Lastly, Dr. VanOosterhout initiated a geriatric component to the Medical Residency program at Lakeland Hospital and implemented the first geriatric fellowship in this area in conjunction with MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.  

Dr. VanOosterhout's humanitarian spirit has prompted several trips abroad to educate international communities on Geriatric care.  His presentation Principals on Geriatric Care, End of Life Care has benefitted Medical students, Residents, Interns, and practicing Physicians alike amid hospital systems in Quito, Ecuador; Tenwek, Kenya; and Pristine, Kosovo.  In 2010, Dr. VanOosterhout also provided clinical care to earthquake victims in Haiti. 

Dr. VanOosterhout is certified by the American Board of Family Practice in Geriatrics, Hospice and Palliative Care, and as a Medical Director.  He is a member of the American Geriatrics Society, and the American Medical Directors Association.

Dr. VanOosterhout was nominated by Lynn Kellogg, CEO of Region IV Area Agency on Aging.  “While he is committed to assuring quality care for the patients he sees, he is also a steadfast  advocate for how systems can improve to better serve the needs of older people. When new ideas are fostered on ways to improve options for the older population, he is at the table time and time again to listen, advise and share his expertise – regardless of his workload it seems.” announce that Candace Graham, MSN, RN has joined PACE as Chief Clinical Officer. Candace brings more than 25 years of experience in healthcare to the position. “I have always valued the PACE model of care which is centered on the belief that it is better for the well-being of seniors with chronic care needs to be served in their home and community whenever possible,” said Candace. “Now, I get to take an active part in serving seniors and their families in our community.”