Literature Review

Everheart Hospice CEO shares how care, compassion and community support patients and families WCSM Radio; by Kristi Strawser; 11/25/25 Everheart Hospice CEO Kristi Strawser recently joined Spectrum, WCSM’s daily public affairs program, to talk about how hospice and palliative care have changed, what families can expect, and why local support is so important to their mission. Strawser has spent her entire career in hospice and palliative care. ... As the holidays approach, Strawser says her work is a daily reminder not to take time for granted. Watching many individuals reach the final stages of life, especially this time of year, reinforces the importance of appreciating each day. She hopes that message reaches listeners as they gather with their own families: every birthday matters, every holiday matters, and every extra day is a gift.

Santa Barbara turns holiday tables into life-saving conversations CBS-12, ABC-3, Fox-11, Santa Barbara, CA; by Patrician Martellotti I. Keyt; 11/17/25 ... Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics and Hospice of Santa Barbara are teaming up to prompt residents to start advance care planning — the process of deciding and documenting what kind of medical care they want if they become unable to speak for themselves. The campaign offers free bilingual appointments with witnessing and notary services, helping residents complete their healthcare directives with ease and confidence. Organizers say the holidays provide a natural setting for these conversations because families are already coming together.

Finding their "why": Women in healthcare share their journeys at Alys Smith Symposium The Parthenon; by Abby Ayes; 11/13/25 ...  This year, the [seventh Alys Smith Symposisum on Women Professionals] celebration centered on Melanie Hall, Hospice of Huntington CEO and Marshall University alumna, whose keynote address offered a glimpse into resilience, loss and purpose. ... Hall’s story began with a spark of curiosity. “In early high school, you’re trying to figure out what you’re going to do,” she said. “So, I signed up to be a candy striper.” ... In 2013, Hall’s husband encouraged her to apply for the CEO position at Hospice of Huntington. A few months later, tragedy struck when a house fire destroyed everything her family owned. “Thankfully, all my family made it out,” Hall said. “But life changed in just a few hours.” ... As she wrapped up her keynote, Hall left the audience with a reminder about finding purpose in the unexpected turns of life. [Continue reading.]Editor's Note: Thank you Melanie for your leadership both through Hospice of Huntington and throughout your community. This article ends with, "Students, faculty, and community members were given the chance to ask questions, connect, and learn about nontraditional pathways in healthcare, a fitting close to an evening dedicated to women whose care, courage and conviction define what it means to serve."

[Hospice] Christmas drive ongoing for local nursing homes McAlester News-Capital, Stigler, OK; by Remus Martin; 11/11/25 San Bois Hospice [in southeast Oklahoma] is hosting a Christmas drive for local nursing homes lasting until Dec. 10. Stacey Harvey, marketing employee with San Bois Hospice, started the drive eight years ago with the organization. ... She said children are always remembered during Christmas time, but the elderly tend to be forgotten. They want to make sure people in the nursing home are not forgotten and receive gifts.

Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors visit with Hospice of the Midwest AARP - Atlantic News Telegraph; Jenn Nichols; 11/13/25 The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors met with staff from Hospice of the Midwest [based in Guthrie Center, Iowa] on Thursday, Nov. 6, to learn more about the compassionate services they provide, and the important role volunteers play in supporting patients and families. Editor's Note: What ongoing relationships do you continue to foster with leaders of your service areas? Hospice of the Midwest in Guthrie Center, Iowa provides this great example.

A new treasure arrives to downtown Menomonie Volume One, Wisconsin; 11/11/25 ... Adoray’s Treasures from the Heart (521 2nd St. E, Menomonie) — the newest addition to Adoray Home Health & Hospice’s fundraising thrift stores — opened its doors earlier this summer. In just a few short months, this second-hand boutique has captured the hearts of community members, Amber Bettinger-Lytle, Adoray’s director of marketing and development said. “Every item that comes through our doors tells a story,” Bettinger-Lytle shared. “When someone donates a household item or buys a sweater, that act of kindness ripples outward, helping us bring care, compassion and hope to someone in need.”Editor's Note: This article's tone and wording moves it from a typical sales promotion to meaning and purpose, linking past, present and future. 

Hospice of Orange & Sullivan’s sixth annual community breakfast features caregivers’ emotional stories of courage, compassion and dignity FocusMedia, Middletown, NY; Press Release; 11/7/25 Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc.’s Sixth Annual Community Breakfast celebrated the profound difference Hospice makes through caregivers who shared touching stories of supporting patients during their final life journey. The ”Real Stories, Real Impact” panel discussion was moderated by Eric Gatsik, President and CEO of Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties and Heather Bell-Meyer, President and CEO of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. About 115 attendees at the Barn at Villa Venezia connected, reflected and were inspired by stories of love, dignity and trust offered to patients at the end of their lives. 

Difference-making factors linked to higher reach of Specialist Palliative Care among people with heart failure across a national sample of VA Medical Centers American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Yan Zhan, PhD, RN, MBA, Edward J. Miech, EdD, Erica A. Abel, PhD, MD, and Shelli L. Feder, PhD, APRN, FPCN, FAHA; 11/10/25 Conclusion:  High Specialist Palliative Care (SPC) reach among people with advanced heart failure (aHF) was linked to combinations of several modifiable factors related to staffing, cardiology involvement, and outpatient palliative care. These findings provide actionable insights into improving SPC delivery across VAMCs.Editor's Note: What education or other partnerships do you have with VA Medical Centers in your service areas? Or, what gaps for veterans exist because of a lack of VA Medical Centers? Use these "combinations of modifiable factors related to staffing, cardiology involvement, and outpatient palliative care" for your strategic planning to improve care for veterans struggling with advanced heart failure.

Hospice of Davidson County marks 40 years with podcast series The Dispatch, Lexington, NC; by Jill Doss-Raines; 11/10/25 Hospice of Davidson County will join organizations nationwide in recognizing National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and celebrating 40 years in the community with the creation of a podcast. The special podcast series will highlights stories from founders, stakeholders, staff and community members who have been part of its meaningful journey.

Non-profit that brought beauty, joy to hospice patients closes its doors Gold Country Media, Auburn, CA; by Midori Sperandeo; 11/4/25It has been said flowers are sunshine and medicine for the soul. For 12 years, that was the mantra of volunteers for The Petal Connection, who collected donated flowers from local businesses and created lovely bouquets – a little sunshine in a bottle – for people who needed them most. The special floral deliveries were made to hospice patients and senior citizens throughout the region, in Auburn, Folsom, Lincoln, Roseville and Rocklin. During the time The Petal Connection was in existence, volunteers delivered almost 130,000 bouquets, bringing brightness to people whose outlook could often be bleak.

Palliative care & hospice poll reveals major gaps Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan; by Michigan Medicine; 11/6/25 Many older adults don’t know much about care options for people with serious illness, but express interest once they’re explained to them. ... In all, 33% of older Michiganders were aware of palliative care, ... leaving 67% saying they knew little or nothing about it. But after being given the definition of palliative care, 79% of Michiganders were interested in receiving palliative care if they had a serious illness ... Michiganders were as likely as those in the rest of the U.S. to know about (68%) and be interested in (82%) hospice care. However, there was a sizable gap in hospice interest between Black Michiganders (70%) and white Michiganders (84%). 

Alive Hospice celebrates 50 years with 400 guests, two Nashville stars and one Krispy Kreme Yahoo! News; 11/6/25In typical Vince Gill fashion, the country star had a nonprofit fundraiser crowd laughing and tearing up in a two-minute span. After his wife, fellow artist and Nashville philanthropist Amy Grant, gave heartfelt opening remarks at the Alive Hospice gala, Gill leaned into the mic with a little smile. "I'm strictly here as eye candy," Gill said, swiveling his hips and sticking out his tongue as the crowd laughed, hooted and clapped.  ... More than 400 people gathered for Alive Hospice's 50th anniversary gala Nov. 4 at the Country Music Hall of Fame in downtown Nashville. It was the largest event in the nonprofit's history, and the $1 million-plus raised is the most money Alive Hospice has collected at a fundraiser, hospice staffers said.