Literature Review

Iowa City Hospice hosts Walk for Dignity KCRG-9 ABC News, Iowa City, IA; by Lacey Reeves; 4/26/26 People in Iowa City walked through Willow Creek Park on Saturday in memory of loved ones who died after receiving hospice care. Iowa City Hospice hosts a Walk for Dignity every year to raise money to provide free end-of-life care to people who need it. ... “We give over $250,000 a year in unreimbursed hospice care to people in our community who don’t have insurance, because we believe that if you’re dying, you shouldn’t have to worry about how you’re going to pay for your health care,” said Sara Krieger, CEO of Iowa City Hospice. ... As the families walked, they passed by memory lane with yard signs with photos of people who have died.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice names Lee Ellison executive director Township Journal, Newton, MA; Press Release; 4/23/26 Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice has named Lee Ellison as its new executive director, effective immediately, the organization announced. Ellison brings more than 30 years of leadership experience, including nearly a decade with the hospice organization. She most recently served as director of marketing and media/business development, where officials said she played a key role in expanding programs, strengthening community partnerships and increasing donor engagement.

NPHI statement on “Protecting Patients and Taxpayers: Cracking Down on Medicare Fraud” hearingNational Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation, Washington, DC; Press Release; 4/22/26 The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) supports the continued focus by Congress and the Administration on addressing fraud, waste, and abuse within the Medicare hospice benefit. NPHI’s policy team, led by Ethan McChesney and joined by Quin Lyons, attended the House Ways & Means Full Committee hearing titled “Protecting Patients and Taxpayers: Cracking Down on Medicare Fraud,” on April 21, reinforcing NPHI’s active engagement on this issue. ... “Fraud in hospice is not a theoretical concern – it is happening in real time, and patients and families are paying the price,” said Tom Koutsoumpas, Founder and CEO of NPHI. “We are seeing entire markets impacted by actors who have no connection to the communities they claim to serve. These fraudulent actors must be rooted out of the system — at once.

Unity raises nearly $95,000 during Give Big Green Bay 2026 The Chamber of Manitowoc County; Press Release; 4/20/26 Unity is celebrating the impact of this year’s Give BIG Green Bay campaign, which generated $94,786 in support of compassionate end-of-life care and grief support services across Northeast Wisconsin. During the 24-hour giving event, 362 donors contributed $78,435 directly to Unity, with an additional $16,786 in matching funds and incentives through Give BIG Green Bay, hosted by the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation. 

Suncoast Hospice co-founder Mary Jean Etten passes away Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 4/20/26 Mary Jean Etten, co-founder of Suncoast Hospice, reached the end of her life on April 17. Suncoast is an affiliate of Florida-based Empath Health, which announced her death on Monday. Suncoast in 2015 reorganized to create Empath as a new parent company. The hospice was established in 1976. “Mary Jean helped build the foundation of hospice care in our region,” said Jan Miller, board chair of Empath Health, said in a statement. “She was a founder, a teacher, and a trusted guide who believed deeply in the mission — and in the importance of doing this work with excellence, dignity, and heart.” 

Hosparus Health names Becky Tooker as President Hosparus Health, Louisville, KY; Press Release; 4/20/2026 Hosparus Health, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit providers of hospice and serious illness care, has named Becky Tooker as President, effective April 6. Tooker brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in hospice, home health and post-acute care and a strong commitment to patient-centered care. Most recently Tooker served in a senior leadership role with St. Croix Hospice, where she oversees statewide operations including clinical quality, regulatory compliance and performance improvement. ... David W. Cook, CEO of Hosparus Health, said he looks forward to partnering with Tooker as the organization continues expanding services for patients and families across Kentucky and Southern Indiana.

Petaluma’s Sacks Hospice Thrift Shoppe to close in May The Ramsey Show, Petaluma, CA; by Jeff Woodworth; 4/17/26 The beloved Sacks Hospice Thrift Shoppe in Petaluma will permanently close its doors by May 15 after nearly 40 years of service. The Petaluma Argus-Courier reports store operator Providence Hospice Foundation cited the need for “significant capital improvements” and safety upgrades to the leased Liberty Street building as the reason for the shutdown. While liquidation proceeds will continue to fund local grief support, the news has sparked community heartbreak and an online petition with over 1,300 signatures. Volunteers call the shop a “critical resource” for both hospice families and eco-conscious shoppers. 

[Global] Compassionate communities in action: global stories of care, loss and connection Taylor & Francis Group, London, UK; edited by Emma Hodges and Manjula Patel; ebook published 1/1/26 Compassionate Communities in Action: Global Stories of Care, Loss and Connection brings together practical examples of compassionate cities and communities from around the world. Together they provide a practical road map, highlighting what has worked and what has been challenging, alongside reflections from the communities profiled. ... Demonstrating public health palliative care in practice, this guide is an essential read for people working in the field of palliative and end‑of‑life care, as well as academics, students, and policymakers with an interest in the area. ... The Open Access version of this book, available at https://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Licence CC-BY-NC-ND. Editor's Note: This 334 page book is available for free download via the links above.

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare names new CEO after national search WWAY News, Wilmington, NC; by WWAY News; 4/15/26 Lower Cape Fear LifeCare has named Karen Brubaker Miller as its next president and chief executive officer following a national search. According to LifeCare, Brubaker Miller will become only the fourth CEO in the organization’s 46-year history, succeeding Gwen Whitley. The organization said its board of directors partnered with a national search firm and reviewed several candidates before selecting Brubaker Miller for the role. “After meeting Karen, I knew we had found the right person to lead LifeCare forward,” Whitley said. “She brings the experience, judgment, and compassion that align with who we are and the care we provide every day.” 

Avow expands hospice services into Glades, Hendry and Lee countiesLake Okeechobee News, Naples, FL; 4/13/26On Monday, April 13 , Avow, a leading nonprofit health care provider based in Southwest Florida, announced its expansion into Glades, Hendry and Lee counties. This expansion extends Avow’s high-quality hospice and comprehensive bereavement support, increasing access and impact for families across the region. ... Over the past year, Avow has expanded its reach and deepened its impact, caring for more than 2,900 hospice patients annually and providing more than 4,000 palliative care visits through its Naples clinic and satellite locations. 

Puzzle competition raises money to build hospice house KBTX-3, Bryan, TX; by Tyler Hoskins; 4/12/26  The Acara Hospice Foundation announced the winners of its inaugural Puzzling with a Purpose speed puzzling competition, a community fundraiser supporting the Foundation’s mission to build a community hospice house in the Brazos Valley. The event challenged teams of four to complete a 500-piece puzzle as quickly as possible. All proceeds from Puzzling with a Purpose go towards Acara Hospice Foundation’s vision of establishing a dedicated hospice house in the Brazos Valley that they said would provide dignified, compassionate care for patients and families. 

Your wishes, your voice: Ochsner doctors encourage families to plan ahead for National Healthcare Decisions Day NOLA.com; by Amanda McElfresh; 4/12/26 Every year on April 16, National Healthcare Decisions Day serves as a reminder that medical emergencies rarely arrive with warning. When they occur, the decisions surrounding treatment often must be made within minutes. For healthcare providers, including those in Ochsner emergency departments, the day highlights a simple yet powerful message: Conversations about medical wishes should happen long before a crisis unfolds.

Regional Home Health and Hospice facility to lay off 161 employees at Greenville site WhatNow; by Deepali Singla; 4/9/26 ECU Health Home Health and Hospice will lay off 161 employees at its facility in Greenville. The company filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice with the state. The layoffs follow the shutdown of the Greenville facility. ECU Health Home Health and Hospice filed a WARN notice indicating the closure of its facility at 1005 WH Smith Blvd, Greenville, NC 27834. As a result of the closure, the layoffs are scheduled to take effect on May 1, 2026.