Literature Review

Alive Hospice founders mark 50 years by reflecting on how their first patient molded themThe Tennessean; by Brad Schmitt; 11/2/25 ... The third hospice program in the world launched in Nashville in 1974 with coffee and doughnuts. One of its cofounders, Vanderbilt psychiatrist David Barton, felt the hospitals could be institutionally apathetic toward terminally ill patients. "There was a bit of aversion to being constantly around people whose lives are ending," Barton said. So, after studying about dying and reading about hospice care facilities that had opened in London and Connecticut, he bought refreshments and invited eight people to his West Meade home. ... Barton pitched the idea to those eight, who included a few other doctors, a neighbor with cancer, his rabbi, and his wife, who by that point had become a clinical social worker. At meeting's end, he had pledges of support. Within a year, they had raised $57.

“We See the Whole You”: NPHI celebrates National Hospice and Palliative Care Month National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), Washington, DC; Press Release; 11/1/25 The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), the national voice for nonprofit hospice and advanced illness care, proudly celebrates National Hospice and Palliative Care Month this November by recognizing the impact of care delivered by nonprofit hospice and healthcare providers across the nation. This year’s national theme, “We See the Whole You,” honors the professionals and organizations who care for people as individuals — each with their own stories, values, and hopes — while supporting families through life’s most meaningful and challenging moments. The theme underscores NPHI’s commitment to care that puts people over profits, ensuring every person is treated with dignity, compassion, and respect.

How to prepare for your death [podcast] MedPage Today's KevinMD.com; podcast by KevinMD with Joseph Pepe; 10/31/25 Physician executive Joseph Pepe discusses his article, “A doctor’s guide to preparing for your death.” He shares practical and compassionate advice on planning for life’s inevitable end, from organizing essential documents and creating a “death folder” to protecting loved ones through wills, trusts, and life insurance. Joseph explains why facing mortality head-on allows people to live more freely and meaningfully. 

Life beyond the grave: These morticians are both conservation heroes and undertakers Sierra - The Magazine of the Sierra Club; by Marin Scotten; 10/31/25 ... Freddie Johnson could never see himself lying in a traditional cemetery. The idea of being buried with concrete, metal, and wood—materials that would stay in the ground forever—didn’t sit right with him. Cremation, the other conventional end-of-life option, also seemed jarring. ... Everything changed when he learned about natural or “green” burials while attending a community potluck more than 15 years ago. The relatively niche end-of-life movement uses entirely biodegradable products in the burial process and aims to connect human death to the natural world by restoring and protecting nature.

HBO’s ‘The Pitt’ inspires viewers to consider organ donation, end-of-life planning WBOG Country 101.3; by Ozzy; 10/28/25 A University of Southern California study reveals HBO’s Emmy-winning The Pitt motivates viewers toward organ donation and end-of-life preparations. Research examining two multi-episode storylines shows 26.9% of surveyed audiences sought organ donation information while 17.2% shared donation details with others. The organ donation narrative particularly resonated with Black viewers, a demographic overrepresented on transplant waiting lists yet underrepresented as donors. Editor's Note: The Pitt's storyline involving organ donation is from Season 1, Episode 6, titled' 12:00 P.M."

Care-A-Van will make the rounds on Veterans Day Texarkana Gazette, Texarkana, TX; 11/2/25 Hospice of Texarkana will take to the streets again this Veteran's Day with its annual Care-A-Van, a rolling tribute to the men and women who have served the country. On Nov. 11, staff, volunteers and community partners will visit senior and assisted living centers throughout the area to thank and recognize local veterans, according to a news release from Hospice of Texarkana. ... Each stop will feature live patriotic music, certificate presentations and the giving of a U.S. flag to each veteran. In 2024, the Care-A-Van honored 110 veterans, and organizers hope to surpass that number this year, according to a news release.

Medicare finalizes controversial cut to specialty care next year HealthcareDive; by Rebecca Pifer; 11/3/25 The CMS finalized the Medicare physician fee schedule for 2026 on Friday [10/31], one day before the statutory deadline. Medicare has locked in a controversial pay cut for specialty doctors next year, normalizing reimbursement between specialists and primary care doctors and curbing the influence of a powerful physician association in setting rates. ...  The -2.5% adjustment is meant to account for non-time based services becoming more efficient over time as technology improves and workflows become smoother. As a result, they’re easier to perform, so Medicare is overpaying, regulators say.

BrightSpring’s purchase of Amedisys, LHC Group locations to become accretive in 2026 Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 10/31/25 BrightSpring Health Services (Nasdaq: BTSG) expects its acquisition of former Amedisys and LHC Group locations to close in the fourth quarter of the year and to become accretive in 2026. The sale has been contingent on the outcome of the UnitedHealth Group’s (NYSE: UNH) own acquisition of Amedisys, which closed in August. That deal had been delayed by an investigation and lawsuit by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). 

Scout completes Eagle Scout project to replace a former Eagle Scout project at Kathy Hospice Washington County Daily News, Town of Polk, WI; by Grayson Sewell; 10/30/25 In 2013, Derek Palecek made and installed eight handcrafted bird feeders at Kathy Hospice for his Eagle Scout project, but after years of wear and tear, a new scout, Tyler Szabo, stepped up to replace them for his Eagle Scout project in October. “It meant a lot for me to be able to have this opportunity to make sure I can make something that can have a lasting effect on not only on the loved ones, but the ones who are passing away,” said Szabo. “It’s an amazing feeling to make sure they can enjoy the little bit of time they have left. It almost brings me to tears.”

Friends Fore Hospice Golf Tournament raises over $100,000 Hickory Daily Record, Newton, NC; by Carolina Caring; 10/30/25 Carolina Caring Foundation's 23rd annual Friends Fore Hospice Golf Tournament surpassed fundraising records this year, bringing in over $100,000 to support nonprofit serious illness provider Carolina Caring. The event was held on Oct. 6 at Catawba Country Club in Newton. ... This is the third consecutive year that the event sold out. Sixty sponsors from across North and South Carolina offered generous monetary and in-kind donations to Carolina Caring Foundation. 

Honoring the lives and legacies of hospice leaders - October 2025