Literature Review

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. 

“Transitions Supportive Care” program undergoes name change to “Big Bend Palliative Care” Big Bend Hospice; Press Release; 4/13/26 Big Bend Hospice announced today that its Transitions Supportive Care program will be renamed Big Bend Palliative Care, effective June 1, 2026. The name change reflects a strategic effort to align the program more closely with the Big Bend Hospice organization and the broader Big Bend Health system while providing greater clarity about the services offered. While the name is changing, the care remains the same, delivered by the same experienced team with a continued focus on comfort, support and quality of life.

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. 

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.

Asbury Hospice House breaks ground on expansion in Hattiesburg WDAM-TV 7, Hattiesburg, MS; by Delaney Dukes; 4/1/26 The Forrest Health Foundation broke ground Wednesday afternoon on an expansion at the Asbury Hospice House that will add new spaces designed for comfort and connection. ... The expansion includes larger family areas, a children’s activity space, a larger on-site pharmacy and an outdoor pavilion. ... The Forrest Health Foundation raised more than $3 million to support the expansion.

Stanley Subaru donates "Round Up for Change" proceeds to local nonprofits Fox 22 / ABC 7, Bangor, ME; by Beth Jones; 4/6/26 A local car dealership gave a boost to hospice volunteers of Hancock County on Monday so they can continue helping Mainers. ... Stanley Subaru has been running their "Round up for change program," which asks guests to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar. The hospice organization says Stanley Subarau has been a steady source of support over the years. 

Empath Health completes Trustbridge integration, creating Florida's largest non-profit hospice network and expanding home-based care vision Empath Health, Lakewood Ranch, FL; Press Release; 4/6/26 Empath Health today announced the completion of Trustbridge's integration into its statewide network, finalizing a two-year affiliation that makes Empath Florida's largest non-profit hospice network and positions the organization to serve one in five hospice patients in Florida. ... Both will carry forward under the name Empath Trustbridge Hospice. ... Empath Trustbridge Hospice joins Empath Health's One Hospice Model alongside Empath Suncoast Hospice in the Tampa Bay region, Empath Tidewell Hospice on the Southwest Florida coast, and Empath Hospice of Marion County in Ocala, four legacy non-profit organizations with 40 to 50 years of community roots ...