Literature Review

Burnett Center restores labyrinth as community healing space Southern Maryland News, LaPlata, MD; by Aamaly Hossain; 7/21/25 On a wide stretch of land, nestled between Barbara Burnett’s two homes and a weathered barn, stands the Burnett Center for Hope and Healing — and beyond it, is its labyrinth. Once known as Calvert Hospice, the center is now part of the Hospice of the Chesapeake and transformed from a patient-filled facility into a community space centered solely on healing. “We’ve reimagined it into a center for everyone in the community experiencing any kind of loss, grief, illness — whatever they need to heal,” Heather Conner, volunteer service manager with Hospice of the Chesapeake, said.

VNA Golf-A-Thon fundraising drivers give it their best shots Vero News, Vero Beach, FL; by Stephanie LaBaff; 7/24/25 Generosity was in full swing during the 35th annual VNA & Hospice Foundation Golf-A-Thon, held this year at the Vero Beach Country Club, where pros representing 13 local clubs spent a full day on the course playing more than 100 holes of golf. “It’s a beautiful day here at the Vero Beach Country Club, and I really want to thank everybody who participated today,” said Carol Kanarek, VNA & Hospice Foundation board chair, thanking the professional golfers, volunteers and staff of the VNA and the VBCC. “This has been a year of events for the VNA,” said Kanarek, referencing the VNA’s 50th anniversary, the 35th anniversary of the Golf-A-Thon and the 25th anniversary of the Hospice House. ... Co-chairs Nancy Edmiston and Karen Formont scored a perfect game with the assistance of their team, raising more than $484,000 in critical funding for VNA & Hospice Foundation programs and services. Editor's Note: Congratulations VNA & Hospice Foundation on this "more than $484,000" raised, and your 50th, 35th, and 25th anniversaries!

Rochester hospice provider pulls out of Owatonna project, sunsets community grief services PostBulletin,com, Rochester, NY; by Dené K. Dryden; 7/17/25 Citing multiple challenges, Rochester's Seasons Hospice will no longer be expanding into Owatonna and will pare back its community services through the Center for Grief Education and Support. In a Friday, July 18, press release to the Post Bulletin, Dawn Beck, president of the nonprofit hospice provider's board of directors, said "we have had to make the extremely difficult decision to restructure our grief services and to cease efforts to reopen the Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna." The Homestead Hospice House, previously operated by Allina Health, has been closed since summer 2023, the Owatonna Peoples Press reported. Since last year, Seasons Hospice had been fundraising to reopen the facility, but Beck said this week that staffing challenges, financial difficulties, issues with licensing and certification, for-profit competition and uncertainty around federal changes contributed to Seasons Hospice withdrawing from the project. ... In Rochester, starting Aug. 1, the Center for Grief Education and Support will no longer provide services to the community at large ...

Silver tsunami brings new challenges for end-of-life care NPR Network, KANW New Mexico Public Radio; by Jenny Kinsey; 7/16/25 ... Inhora isn’t a hospice but it describes itself as a social model hospice house that provides a place to be. The nonprofit opened in April and contracts with several local hospice providers to provide end of life support. ... Inhora gets its support through donations and volunteer help which enables their guests to stay for free. That’s the idea behind Inhora, said Miles Gloetzner, RN, Inhora’s founder and Executive Director. ... Investigating the idea led him to the Omega Home Network, a national network of comfort care homes, and other communities with the same mission bringing comfort and caring to those at the end of life . That’s when he realized his dream was not his alone. A comfort care home or social model hospice house provides free room and board for patient/guests and a family member or friend while they receive hospice care. ... Comfort homes like Inhora are found across Mountain West states, including Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. The idea isn’t new. For instance, the Omega Home Network was founded in 2003 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is a national organization of 50 comfort care homes – and growing rapidly with 79 in development.

Hospice & Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard announces leadership change MVTimes.com, Martha's Vineyard, MA; by The Martha's Vineyard Times; 7/16/25 After a productive five years at the helm of Hospice & Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard (HPCMV), Executive Director Cathy Wozniak, MPH, MBA, announced that she will retire on Dec. 31, 2025, ending her 40-plus years serving hospices and healthcare across the country. “My proudest moments were making sure HPCMV obtained Medicare certification, allowing it to better serve more people on this Island,” Cathy said, “and helping our talented staff create long-term strategy and a succession plan.” The board has unanimously selected Chantale Patterson, RN, BSN, as HPCMV’s next executive director. Chantale, who has served as the organization’s clinical director for the past eight years, said she is “grateful for this opportunity to lead HPCMV’s next chapter of service to Martha’s Vineyard patients and their families, increasing Islanders’ understanding of Hospice’s services and achieving sustainable growth.”

207 community hospital presidents and CEOs to know | 2025 Becker's Hospital Review; by Anna Falvey; 7/11/25 Community hospitals play a vital role in closing healthcare access gaps, and the CEOs who lead them are committed to providing high-quality, cost-effective care tailored to the needs of their local communities. While many community hospitals focus on acute care, these forward-thinking CEOs are also expanding services to include primary care, specialty treatments, rehabilitation, public health programs and beyond. They are responsible for shaping a positive workplace culture, steering long-term strategy, growing service lines and ensuring financial sustainability, all with their communities at the heart.Editor's Note: While most of these hospitals provide palliative care and partner with hospice care, these presidents/CEOs are identified providing "hospice" care.

Care Dimensions celebrates 20 years of compassionate care at Kaplan House Care Dimensions; 6/16/25 Care Dimensions, the largest hospice and palliative care provider in Massachusetts, celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Kaplan Family Hospice House at a special gala event, held on Thursday, June 12 at Kernwood Country Club in Salem. The event brought together community supporters, staff, and volunteers to honor two decades of compassionate end-of-life care at the first-of-its-kind facility in Massachusetts. The gala raised $214,000 to support the Kaplan Family Hospice House, which has served thousands of families since opening its doors in 2005.  ... "Events like tonight remind us of the incredible generosity and compassion of our community," said Heather Johnston, Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Care Dimensions. 

Community turned-out for 7th annual Hoedown for Hospice in Dickinson The Dickinson Press, Dickinson, ND; by Press Staff; 7/11/25 The spirit of community and compassion was on full display June 19 as families, friends and neighbors gathered at Veterans Memorial Park for the 7th Annual Hoedown for Hospice. This beloved fundraising event benefits the Dickinson hospice program offered through CHI Health at Home.A crowd of all ages turned out, making the event a resounding success. Attendees enjoyed a lunchtime filled with activities and entertainment. Children laughed and played in colorful bouncy houses, met furry new friends at the petting zoo, and everyone enjoyed delicious food and ice cream.

Hill Country vigil draws hundreds after deadly Texas floods MYSA, San Antonio, TX; by Nicholas Hernandez; 7/11/25 ... On Thursday, July 10, hundreds gathered downtown for a Candlelight Vigil of Hope to honor those affected [by the "catastophic flood"] and shine a light on the importance of grief and mental health support in the wake of disaster. Organized by River City Advocacy in partnership with Hope Hospice and other local nonprofits, the event brought together counselors, community leaders and families. Handheld candles were distributed at the plaza, where people stood shoulder-to-shoulder in silence, prayer and remembrance.Editor's Note: Thank you Hope Hospice for your leadership in providing this meaningful way to gather and grieve. Calling all hospice leaders to simply "check in" on employees who have family and friends in affected areas when such crises occur. Other recent examples include Hurricanes Helene & Milton, the Los Angeles wildfires, Kentucky floods, and these Texas / New Mexico floods. Your kind words can make a lasting difference.

Georgia Power Foundation supports Phoebe Hospice Services in memory of President Jimmy Carter Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, Americus, GA; by Mary Bickerstaff; 7/9/25The Georgia Power Foundation has made generous donations to Phoebe Sumter Hospice and Phoebe Hospice in memory of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, honoring his legacy as a long-time advocate for clean energy and compassionate care. Phoebe Sumter Hospice provided hospice services for both Pres. & Mrs. Carter. The gift was made in recognition of hospice’s role in providing care and comfort and highlights Georgia Power’s continued commitment to the communities it serves, especially in Southwest Georgia. Phoebe Sumter Hospice serves patients in Sumter and seven other surrounding counties. Phoebe Hospice serves patients in 11 counties in and around Albany. The Georgia Power Foundation donated $100,000 that was split evenly between Phoebe Sumter Hospice and Phoebe Hospice.

Monroe Community Hospital awarded $50,000 grant for new Hospice and Palliative Care Center NBC News, Rochester, NY; by Kiley Wren; 7/3/25 The Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation has awarded Monroe Community Hospital a $50,000 grant, which will help them build a Hospice and Palliative Care Center. The grant will help with building a 25-bed space, providing end-of-life care that MCH says will offer a “home-like environment” that provides emotional support, comfort, and privacy for people in their final days. Construction of the new unit is currently underway and hopes to be open this summer.

Sutter’s CEO outlines its billion-dollar expansion and what’s next Becker's Hospital Review; by Kelly Gooch 7/2/225 Sutter Health is doubling down on its growth strategy, with a focus on expanding access and attracting more physicians to California. Headquartered in Northern California, with executive offices in Sacramento and Emeryville, the health system‘s 57,000 staff and clinicians and 12,000 affiliated physicians provide care to more than 3.5 million Californians. Now, the organization counts San Francisco’s East Bay region among its opportunities for growth, President and CEO Warner Thomas told Becker’s.

Hospice Foundation of America mourns passing of David J. Abrams – HFA board member and leader Hospice Foundation of America (HFA), Washington, DC; Press Release; 7/8/25 David J. Abrams, 85, a longtime member of the Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) Board of Directors, died on July 8. Abrams, who oversaw operations at HFA from its formative years until 2007, leaves in his wake a legacy of service and commitment to hospice care in the United States. “David’s passing will be deeply felt by many, both personally and professionally. Through his leadership positions at HFA, for many years, he greatly advanced the knowledge and quality of hospice caregivers throughout the palliative care community,” said Thomas J. Spulak, chairman of HFA’s Board of Directors. “As a friend and colleague to many, we will all miss his smile, care, concern, and intellect that he brought to us every day. David will never be forgotten.”