Ahead of National Volunteer Week and in celebration of National Volunteer Month, NPHI CEO urges Americans: “Step forward. Be present. Volunteer with your local hospice.”

Ahead of National Volunteer Week and in celebration of National Volunteer Month, NPHI CEO urges Americans: “Step forward. Be present. Volunteer with your local hospice.” 
National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), Washington, DC; by Matt Wilkinson; 4/16/25 
Ahead of National Volunteer Week next week [April 20-26], and in celebration of National Volunteer Month this April, the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) is shining a light on the often-unsung heroes of hospice: volunteers. These compassionate individuals are central to the mission of NPHI’s member providers nationwide, offering their time, energy, and hearts to patients and families during life’s most tender and vulnerable moments. NPHI member organizations rely on nearly 30,000 volunteers to keep their programs running—almost matching the number of full- and part-time staff employed across its national member network. Nationwide, hundreds of thousands of hospice volunteers contribute millions of hours of service annually. This deep tradition of volunteerism isn’t just symbolic—it’s built into the very structure of hospice care. All Medicare-certified hospices are required to have volunteers actively involved in patient and family support, reflecting the core values of compassion and community care that define the field.
Editor's note: Throughout the year, find this and more national observances on our newsletters "Healthcare Observances" tab at the top of our website, https://www.hospicepalliativecaretoday.com/resources/healthcare-observances.