Literature Review

West Michigan nonprofit celebrates 30 years of service, debuts new grief program MLive, Byron Center, MI; by Skyla Jewell-Hammie; 1/8/26 Faith Hospice, one of West Michigan’s largest nonprofit hospices, celebrated three decades of service with the launch of a new grief support program. The new program, “Real Grief,” is designed to address the needs of those experiencing unexpected, unexplained loss and unrelenting grief. "It’s a starting point for those struggling to process their loss,” said Janet Jaymin, M.A., LPC, director of integrative support services. “We’ve created a community where people can connect with others who understand what they’re going through.”

OhioHealth, Columbus family foundation end decades-long relationship Columbus Business First - Healthcare, Columbus, OH; by Carrie Ghose; 1/9/26 The primary benefactors for OhioHealth Corp.'s hospice facility have shifted their family's support to another nonprofit, Dayton-based Ohio's Hospice - citing dissatisfaction with the involvement of private equity in end-of-life care. ... "In the bright glare of machines and the cold calculation of metrics, some in our society have allowed the final days of human life to become a logistical and financial puzzle, measured in reimbursement rates and hospital capacity," said a statement from the Kobacker family of Columbus. OhioHealth will announce new naming rights for its Kobacker House in the coming months, the system said in a statement to Columbus Business First. No patients are affected by the transition. [Access may be limited due to paywall.]

‘A hug from the community’: Pikes Peak Hospice seeks red, white and blue blankets for veteran patients The Colorado Springs Gazette, Colorado Springs, CO; by O'Dell Isaac; 1/7/25 Last year, as part of an ongoing effort to honor local military veterans, Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care performed more than 100 “bedside salutes” and pinning ceremonies for veteran patients. The ceremonies include the gift of a handmade red, white and blue blanket, sewn or crocheted by a volunteer. ... Each year, Pikes Peak Hospice provides care to more than 2,200 patients and their families in the region, nearly 25% of whom are former service members, according to veteran liaison Sonya Bergeron.Editor's Note: This is a beautiful example of community gratitude in action. These handmade red, white, and blue blankets offer comfort, honor service, and often remain with families long after a veteran has died. What percentage of your hospice’s patients are veterans, and how do you honor them?

Lawsuit against Baxter Health by former Hospice board members dismissed KTLO - Mountain Lakes Broadcasting Corporation, Mountain Home, AR; by Staff; 1/6/26 The nearly 2 month legal dispute between now former members of the board of the Hospice of the Ozarks and Baxter Health, CEO Ron Peterson and newly appointed board members came to an end Monday with the dismissal of the lawsuit and resignations of the original 11 member board. ... The original suit was filed on November 21, 2025 and sought to restrain 14 newly appointed board members by Baxter Health from taking any actions on behalf of Hospice or from voting at any Hospice board meeting. The lawsuit alleged the action to appoint the new board members taken recently by the hospital was fraudulent and done to seize control and power from the then current 11 member Hospice board.

Kobacker program moves to Ohio’s Hospice in landmark partnership preserving future of quality nonprofit end-of-life care US National Times, Columbus, OH; Press Release; 1/7/26 The Kobacker family today announced that Kobacker House, central Ohio’s pioneering inpatient hospice facility founded in 1989, will move and continue its mission under Ohio’s Hospice, the state’s largest nonprofit hospice provider. As part of the announcement, the family published a guiding charter, The Kobacker Way, which details fundamental principles for quality nonprofit hospice care. The full document is available at www.TheKobackerWay.org. 

Harbor Hospice Foundation raises over $1M for Muskegon County residence MLive.com, Muskegon County, MI; by Ehren Wynder; 1/7/26 The Harbor Hospice Foundation said it has officially exceeded its $1 million fundraising goal in support of the Leila & Cyrus Poppen Hospice Residence. As of Tuesday, Jan. 6, the foundation said it has raised $1.17 million from donors, supporters and partner organizations. The campaign is still accepting donations until the end of January. “This milestone represents more than a dollar amount; it represents the collective commitment of our community to care for one another during life’s most vulnerable moments,” Ammy Seymour, director of development and communications for the Harbor Hospice Foundation, said in a statement. 

Creating and sustaining a culture of excellence American Nurse; by Aileen Cassada, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, NRP, and Holly Puckett, DNP, RN, CNE, CMSRN; 1/5/26 Takeaways:

Hospice: Care, commerce, and the cost of a separate category The Pine Belt News, Hattiesburg, MS; by Cathy Eaker; 1/5/26 Hospice care is often presented as a compassionate alternative to aggressive medicine—a gentler path that prioritizes comfort, dignity, and peace at the end of life. In theory, it is a humane model. In practice, hospice exists at the intersection of care and commerce, and that intersection deserves far more scrutiny than it receives. ... That does not mean hospice nurses, aides, social workers, or chaplains are unethical. Quite the opposite. Most of the people providing hands-on hospice care have good hearts. They care deeply. They show up. They bathe patients gently, sit at bedsides, hold hands, and witness grief with humanity. The problem is not the caregivers—it is the structure they work within. ...

Donna Gregory’s extraordinary people: Gwen Whitley reflects on nearly 18 years of service WWAY News, Leland, NC; by Matt Bennett; 12/29/25 Nearly 18 years ago, Gwen Whitley began working at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, guided by an experience that had changed her life years earlier. ... Whitley said she never viewed leadership as a title, but as a responsibility to patients, families and staff. During her time as CEO, Whitley oversaw several major developments. She points to two accomplishments she is most proud of: the creation of the LifeCare Memory Partners program ... and the organization earning a Five-Star Rating from Medicare in August. ... As she prepares for retirement, Whitley said she plans to remain involved as a volunteer and through the organization’s foundation.

Hospice reaffirms commitment to care amid new state lawThe Post-Journal, Jamestown, NY; Press Release; 12/31/25 As New York state moves toward the implementation of Medical Aid in Dying legislation, Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care (CHPC) is reaffirming its unwavering commitment to supporting individuals and families facing terminal illness with dignity, respect, and compassion. In a recently issued press release, CHPC notes that “... While end-of-life options in New York State are evolving, our mission remains the same: to provide expert care, comfort, and emotional support to those confronting serious illness and loss.” Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care does not participate in the provision or administration of Medical Aid in Dying medications. ... As the Medical Aid in Dying law moves forward, CHPC recognizes the importance of clear, compassionate guidance. It has developed educational materials to help patients and families understand the new law and how it intersects with hospice care. For those who choose to explore Medical Aid in Dying, we will continue to offer support, information, and, where appropriate under law and policy, connections to outside providers.

Carolina Caring Foundation receives $30,000 grant to help families in Burke CountyThe Paper, Morganton, NC; by The Paper Staff; 12/20/25 Burke County families caring for children with serious illnesses will see added support through a $30,000 grant awarded to Carolina Caring Foundation for Cardinal Kids, the region’s pediatric palliative and hospice care program. Carolina Caring Foundation announced it received the grant from Speedway Children’s Charities to help fund services provided through Cardinal Kids. The foundation said this is the third consecutive year Speedway Children’s Charities has selected Carolina Caring Foundation as a grant recipient.

VNA responds to state approval of a new for-profit hospice provider in Indian River County VeroNews.com, Vero Beach, FL; by Community Submission; 12/23/25 The Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) of the Treasure Coast is responding to today’s announcement by the State of Florida approving a for-profit hospice provider to begin serving Indian River County in early 2026. The newly authorized provider will join a community that VNA has exclusively served with nonprofit hospice care for nearly 40 years. The approval follows a statewide Florida Need Projections review conducted by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) ... VNA has long met—and continues to meet—the hospice needs of residents across Vero Beach, Sebastian and Fellsmere.

New York Gov. Hochul vetos bill banning for-profit hospices Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 12/23/25 New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) has vetoed legislation that would have effectively banned new for-profit hospices in the state. The New York State Assembly passed the bill earlier this month and submitted it to the governor’s office. It would have prohibited the establishment of for-profit hospices in New York state and forbid current for-profit operators from increasing capacity. Currently only two for-profit hospices operate in New York state. Hochul previously vetoed similar legislation in 2022, citing low hospice utilization in the Empire State.