Awards and Recognitions: April 2026

• 2026 Hastings Center Cunniff-Dixon Physician Awards Announced:  recognizing physicians who provide exceptional care for patients nearing the end of life with outstanding technical competence, personal integrity, empathic communication, active family engagement, thoughtful discussions about advance directives, and compassionate relief of suffering.
• Dr. Richard Payne Senior Leadership Award: Noelle Marie Javier, MD, AGSF, FAAHPM, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• ​​Early-Career Physician Awards:
• Amar D Bansal, MD, FASN, Associate Professor of Medicine, UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
• Gina Piscitello, MD, MS, FAAHPM, Assistant Professor in the Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
• Ramy Sedhom, MD, FASCO, Director, Program in Geriatric Oncology & Supportive Care Innovation, Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation; Section Chief, Medical Oncology and Palliative Care, Penn Medicine Princeton Health, Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Division of Hematology & Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania
• ASAE Announces 2026 Gold Circle Award Recipients 
• Advocacy Campaign: American Nurses Association, "Nursing is a Professional Degree"
• Convention/Meetings Marketing Campaign: Center to Advance Palliative Care, "Build and Connect: Reintroducing the CAPC National Seminar After a Five-Year Hiatus"
• Membership Recruitment Campaign: Center to Advance Palliative Care, "CAPC 2025 Membership Recruitment: Expanding Access to Improve Care"
• Unity Hospice and Palliative Care earns national top workplaces honor and multiple culture excellence awards
• USA TODAY Top Workplaces Award
• Multiple Top Workplaces Culturre Excellence Awards
• Family-owned and operated, Unity delivers hospice and palliative care services across Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Texas and Wisconsin

Man in hospice had final wish of attending his 80th Kentucky Derby, and it's coming true 
WLKY-32, Louisville, KY; by Addie Meiners; 4/30/26 
An 89-year-old Louisville native in hospice care wants to get in one final Kentucky Derby before he dies. Bob Weihe has been to 79 Derbies in a row. But in a wheelchair, unable to walk and unable to afford it, he feared his dying wish would not come true. But after a public appeal, it looks like he'll get that wish. Journalist David Begnaud shared a video online asking for help to grant it. Weihe’s passion for the Derby began in 1946 when he attended his first race at the age of 8 with his mother. ... Weihe’s wife, Barbara, has been his date to 62 Derbies, starting in 1957. ... Churchill Downs responded to Begnaud’s video, providing tickets to make Weihe’s wish come true.
Editor's Note: The home stretch isn’t just about the finish—it’s about who’s beside you, and the memories you carry forward as you go. Here in Louisville, the Derby is more than a race; it’s a rhythm of belonging, passed hand to hand through generations. To witness one man’s wish to be part of it again is to see what matters most come into focus: not just reliving the past, but creating one more moment of joy, together—right on time.
—Joy Berger, Editor in Chief, Louisville

U.S. hospice market size to reach $45.3 billion by 2033 
Grand View Research; April 2026 
The U.S. hospice market size is estimated to reach USD 45.3 billion by 2033, registering a CAGR of 4.8% from 2026 to 2033, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. 

• U.S. Hospice Market Report Highlights ...
• U.S. Hospice Market Segmentation ...
• U.S. Hospice Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033) ...
• U.S. Hospice Location Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033) ...
• U.S. Hospice Diagnosis Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033) ...
• List of Key Players in U.S. Hospice Market ...

Neto Foundation supports Southcoast hospice patients with $100K gift 
The Herald News, Fall River, MA; by Lurdes C. da Silva; 4/20/26 
Southcoast Health at Home, a member of the Southcoast Health system, has received an endowment of $100,000 from the Neto Foundation. The endowment will benefit the not-for-profit home care provider through the Southcoast Health Compassion Fund, which provides additional care hours for hospice patients and their families.  ... “The value of hospice care in our region can’t be overstated, particularly when it is delivered with sensitivity, compassion and cultural understanding,” Southcoast Health President and CEO David O.McCready said.

Hospice of Davidson County Golf Tournament raises $21,000 
The Dispatch, Lexington, NC; by Jill Doss-Raines; 4/29/26 
More than 100 golfers filled the fairways at Sapona Golf, Swim and Tennis Club on April 16 as Hospice of Davidson County held its 17th annual Benefit Golf Tournament, raising more than $21,000 to support patient care and community programs.

2026 Fashion Fling [and speech about fraud] raises funds for Hospice Brazos Valley
The Fayette County Record, La Grange, TX; by News Staff; 4/20/26 
Hospice Brazos Valley presented “Fashion Fling 2026” at a new location this year – the KC Hall in La Grange – on Saturday, April 18. About 275 ladies (along with a few gentlemen) attended the event. ... During the event, Hospice Brazos Valley CEO Lisa Mc-Nair delivered a speech: ... "“I had the opportunity last week to testify in front of the Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee, charged with protecting taxpayer funds by preventing fraud and abuse. ... There are 1,366 hospices currently operating in Texas, which is a 98.5% increase since Jan 1, 2020. These new hospices are not rolling into to town to provide excellent hospice care; they are opening up to find ways to fraudulently bill Medicare for services. ... I am proud to tell you that ... we are one of only 24 hospices in the entire state of Texas out of the 1,366 licensed hospices, with a 5-star rating. We are in the top 1.7% of all Texas Hospices and in the top 2% in the entire nation."

CareFor expands continuum of care with hospice services in greater Austin 
Media Industry Observer, Austin, TX; by EINPresswire.com; 4/29/26 
CareFor, a leading provider of post-acute and long-term care services, today announced the launch of CareFor Hospice in the greater Austin area. For more than 25 years, CareFor has delivered exceptional care across Central Texas, supporting families navigating the complexities of aging, illness, and injury. ... “Expanding our services to include hospice is a natural next step as we further extend the continuum of care CareFor provides, building on our commitment to go beyond traditional care and deliver peace of mind in every season,” said Catherine Vergara, CEO of CareFor.

Why health plans are partnering with palliative care providers 
McKnights Home Care; by Liza Berger; 4/20/26 
In recent months, several major health plans have disclosed deals with palliative care providers. The move mirrors a growing awareness of and appreciation for palliative care — which provides symptom relief, can be used alongside curative care and often takes place in the home — according to experts. In the latest agreement, which is slated to begin June 1, Humana inked a deal with Tuesday Health to deliver palliative care to Humana members with serious illness in Texas. ... The partnership reflects a shift in how palliative care is understood and delivered, Mihir Kamdar, head of clinical delivery for Tuesday Health, told McKnight’s Home Care Daily Pulse in an email.

The importance of communication in pediatric and perinatal palliative care 
Catholic Exchange; by serenella Verduchi; 4/20/26 
The word “communicate” comes from the Latin communicare, which means “to share,” “to make known,” or “to bring together.” ... The etymology of this word prompts us to reflect on how communication is more than just a space for interaction or a duty; it is a gift. Just as we strive to pay attention to the details when offering a gift, so too must we show care for others when choosing our words, because the power of words is great—they can give hope and transform a person’s life for the better, or they can linger and affect the person for the worse.

Hospice scammer receives 2-year prison sentence 
Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 4/20/26 
Alex Alexsanian, 48, received a federal prison sentence for defrauding Medicare of more than $14 million for hospice services and diagnostic imaging that was never provided. Alexsanian also pleaded guilty in January to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. He was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison and ordered to forfeit $3 million in proceeds from the scheme, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He allegedly conspired to commit fraud with California hospice owner Sophia Shaklian, 38, who in March was sentenced to 35 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $14 million in restitution. 

Spokane police arrest hospice caretaker accused of stealing from dying patients
KXLY.com, Spokane, WA; by Kirstin O'Connor; 4/29/26 
Spokane police arrested a hospice facility caregiver Wednesday on charges she stole debit cards from dying patients and their visiting family members to buy lottery tickets. Leena Anderson faces charges of second-degree identity theft, possession of stolen property and money laundering in connection with thefts at an unnamed Spokane hospice facility. The Spokane Police Special Investigations Unit launched the investigation several weeks ago after learning of several related thefts from victims at the hospice facility. Investigators determined Anderson was the only employee working during the time frame when all three thefts happened.

Derby "Call to Post" soundtrack and ringtone, from May 3, 2020 

Have fun with this official bugler's Call to Post! This soundtrack/ringtone was originally made available for May 3, 2020 when COVID cancelled crowds and postponed races until the Fall. [Reposted on this site 2021]