S P R I N G 2 0 1 2

• CONTENTS

• National Center for Care at the End of Life Hosts Room Dedication Ceremony; page 1

• Long-time Hospice Supporters, Susan and Dennis Gilardi Lend Their Support to the Capital Campaign; page 1

• 8th Annual NHF Gala Raises Funds for Programs to Expand Hospice Care; page 3

• NHF Welcomes Samira Beckwith as Chair; page 5

• NHPCO Joins with MedicAlert Foundation for New Opportunity for Securing and Communicating Healthcare Wishes; page 5

• NHF Thanks Hospice Pharmacia for its Continued Support; page 6

• Two Pairs of Siblings Tackle Marathons as Run to Remember Participants; page 7

Guests Enjoy Tour of Center and Visit Their Named Spaces

In conjunction with NHPCO’s Management and Leadership Conference this March, The National Center for Care at the End of Life hosted a Room Dedication Ceremony to celebrate the spaces within the center that have been named as part of a campaign commitment by an individual, provider or business.

The National Center is the home of four affiliated organizations with one vision: a world where individuals and families facing serious illness, death and grief will experience the best that humankind can offer. Those four organizations: The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), The National Hospice Foundation (NHF), FHSSA (originally known as the Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa), and the Hospice Action Network (HAN), had

the opportunity to create the National Center for Care at the End of Life in 2008 and began a capital campaign to encourage investments in its future.

Forty spaces within the National Center have been named to date, and the Room-Dedication Ceremony was an opportunity for contributors to experience the space and see the area they selected to name in honor of someone important to them as an individual or organization.

Long-time Hospice Supporters, Susan and Dennis Gilardi Lend Their Support to the Capital Campaign

When Dennis Gilardi’s uncle was cared for by Hospice by the Bay 35 years ago, he had no way of knowing that it was the start of a lifetime of involvement in the hospice movement. A year after his uncle’s passing, Dennis joined the board of directors of that hospice program.

National Center for Care at the End of Life Hosts Room Dedication Ceremony

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Kathy Dodd, Kate Cummings, and Jeannee Parker Martin

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continued on pg. 2Susan and Dennis Gilardi

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Show the ones you love that you really care. Each time you make a purchase from one of these vendors, they will donate $10 to the National Hospice Foundation.

Or if gift cards are what you’re looking for, TisBest Charity Gift Cards allow the recipient to make a donation to one of 250 national charities, including NHF!

www.nationalhospicefoundation.org/TisBest

Remember also to purchase your greeting cards through Cards for Causes, and 20% of your purchase will go to The National Hospice Foundation! www.cardsforcauses.com. They offer cards for every occasion!

These programs will run through 2012 so include NHF for all holidays to add special meaning to your gift purchases.

www.nationalhospicefoundation.org/Shop

ADD SPECIAL MEANING TO YOUR GIFTS

A n e w s l e t t e r o f t h e N a t i o n a l H o s p i c e F o u n d a t i o n .

“The National Center is so much more than bricks and mortar,” said J. Donald Schumacher, president and CEO of NHPCO. “It is a space that represents the important work being done across the country to improve care at the end of life, and houses professionals working on critical issues related to improving quality patient care, education, consumer services, research, data analysis, regulatory assistance, advocacy and philanthropy. We are so grateful to each of our contributors for making this space possible.”

“ The center is strategically positioned to challenge conventions about hospice care and press the boundaries of what is possible. This is a place where future leaders can set an example for collaborative thinking and acting in ways that inspire innovation and advance best practices. We are delighted to be able to contribute to the future in this way,” said Teresa Craig, president and CEO of Suncoast Solutions.

To find out more about the National Center for Care at the End of Life or the Capital Campaign, contact Heather Slack-Ratiu at (703) 837-3155 or hslackratiu@nationalhospicefoundation.org. To see more pictures of the Room Dedication Ceremony, visit: www.nationalhospicefoundation/roomdedication

From there he became a part of significant milestones in the movement, including attending the first National Hospice Organization meeting in Washington, DC, and became a member of the original Healthcare Financing Administration’s Medicare Demonstration Project.

“Given my experience with hospice over the years, and my semi-retirement, when the opportunity came to support the movement on the national level by contributing to the National Center for Care at the End of Life, I knew it was something that would mean a lot to both Susan and me.” The Gilardis elected to lend their name to the office of Senior Vice President, Office of Philanthropy (pictured on previous page).

Samira Beckwith, president and CEO of Hope Healthcare Services and J. Donald Schumacher, president and CEO of NHPCO.

Teresa Craig, president and CEO of Suncoast Solutions

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NHF would like to thank Bobby McKey’s piano bar and restaurant at the National Harbor for donating the space for our Evening of Gratitude Event!

3A n e w s l e t t e r o f t h e N a t i o n a l H o s p i c e F o u n d a t i o n .

More than 600 Guests Gathered to Honor the Women Who Have Shaped Hospice

More than 600 guests gathered this spring for the 8th Annual National Hospice Foundation Gala, “Celebrating the Women of Hospice: A Salute to Heroines and Humanitarians” at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, National Harbor, MD.

The event, held during the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s 27th Management and Leadership Conference, raised nearly $300,000 through ticket sales and a silent auction to support NHPCO programs such as the We Honor Veterans program in partnership with the Veterans Administration focused on improving end-of-life care for veterans, and Caring Connections, a national consumer and community engagement initiative.

“The theme of this year’s Gala gave us the opportunity to reflect on the women who have shaped hospice into what it is today through their dedication, compassion and unique contributions throughout the years. Without them, we would not be where we are today, changing the way we live and the way we die,” said J. Donald Schumacher, president and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

Several awards were presented at the event:

• The Today Show received the Buchwald Spirit Award for Public Awareness for its dedication to sharing compassionate stories. This award was presented by actress and hospice advocate and volunteer, Torrey DeVitto.

• Bernice Catherine Harper, a social worker and hospice advocate with a long history in health policy and minority access to care was honored with the Global Vision Award for her work in expanding palliative care services in Africa and her role in establishing FHSSA (originally known as the Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa).

• Ann Morgan Vickery was granted the Healthcare Architect Award for her many years of dedication to hospice beginning with her involvement in the enactment of the Medicare Hospice Benefit in 1982 and advising on a regulatory and policy level since.

• Center for Hospice Care received the Morfogen Art of Caring Award for its work in collaboration with the University of Notre Dame Film School on the film “Okuyamba,” about the challenges and triumphs of providing palliative care in Uganda.

Eleanor Clift, a hospice heroine in her own right, having generously shared her personal experience with hospice care in a book about her husband’s death, served as Mistress of Ceremonies.

In addition to these awards, several women were honored by their hospice programs for their contributions with cards at each gala table describing their work in shaping hospice care in the U.S.

Next year’s gala will be held on Friday, April 26, 2013, also at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in conjunction with NHPCO’s 28th Management and Leadership Conference.

8th Annual NHF Gala Raises Funds for Programs to Expand Hospice Care

The live auction portion of the Gala was a hit with attendees.

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NHF Wishes to Express Sincere Gratitude to the Sponsors of the Gala as well as the staff and volunteers who made the event a tremendous success!

SPONSORS:

Ruby• Suncoast Hospice and Suncoast Solutions

Pearl• Dignity Memorial Providers

Tanzanite• Gentiva Hospice• Hospice Pharmacia

Amethyst• As eraCare Home Healthcare and

Hospice Inc.• Center for Hospice Care• Chapters Health System• Community Health Accreditation Program• Evercare Hospice & Palliative Care and

Hospice Inspiris• Gl atfelter Insurance Group/Hospice &

Community Care Insurance• Hogan Lovells US LLP• Hope HealthCare Services• Sara Jo Kobacker• David and Sandra Lee & Christine Swann• Montgomery Hospice• mumms Software / Secure Computing• VITAS Innovative Hospice Care

Garnet• Bradford Renaissance Portraits Corp.ˆ• The Brennan Family• Bristol Hospice, LLC• Sue Canutesonˆ• Th e Corridor Group and Jeannee &

Mike Martin• Delaware Hospice• Denver Hospice• Deyta• The Elizabeth Hospice• Gilchrist Hospice Care• HBO• Hospice of the Bluegrass• Hospice and Palliative Care of Western• Colorado• Hospice of Palm Beach County• Hospice of the Western Reserve• Lighthouse Hospice• Nathan Adelson Hospice• National Association of Social Workers• Pr airie Haven Hospice & Hospice

Services Inc.• Dr. Colin Ratiere and Familyˆ• J. Donald Schumacher• Simione Consultants LLC• Studer Covenant Alliance/Covenant• Hospice Inc.

Topaz• Ac creditation Commission for Health

Care, Inc• Eleanor Blayneyˆ• E. John Bullard• Family LifeCare• Greenspring Village• Hospice Buffalo• Hospice of the Miami Valley• Jon Keyserling & Jennifer Miller• John Mastrojohn III and Mike Davids• Medline• Galen Miller and Bob Ward ˆ• Mrs. Frank Perdueˆ• PNC Bank• Judy Polstraˆ• Stoladi Properties• David and Lynn Swensonˆ

ˆ(auction donors)

GALA PARTNERS

Capitol File MagazineCCR EventsGa ylord National Resort &

Convention CenterMaster Print, Inc.

STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS:

Barbara Bouton, Kathy Brandt, Sharon Campbell, Jeana Connaughton, Shirley Conroy, Andrew Cunningham, Karen Davis, Kristi Dudash, Andy Duncan, Beth Fells, Steve Gardner, Maryann Krayer, Tony Kudner, Caroline Kuo, John Mastrojohn III, Sarah Meltzer, Susan Messina, Galen Miller, Aimee Murphy, Erinn Nanney, Debbie Perkins, Rodney Perkins, Emily Person, Judi Lund Person, Jon Radulovic, Eric Shepperd, Heather Slack-Ratiu, Shelley Smith, Shauna Stupart, Gwynn Sullivan, Walter Swenson, Rebecca Trout, Annie Williams, Mary Williams, Patrick Williams, Merikokeb Wondafresh, Emil Zuberbueler and Grace Zupancic.

A n e w s l e t t e r o f t h e N a t i o n a l H o s p i c e F o u n d a t i o n .

Pictured, from left to right: Kate Cummings, Hospice Director, Fairview Home Care and Hospice; Former Congressman Bill Gradison; Ann Morgan Vickery; Christy Whitney, President and CEO, Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado

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NHPCO Joins with MedicAlert Foundation for New Opportunity for Securing and Communicating Healthcare Wishes in Cases of Emergency

Advance Healthcare Planning Ensures Last Wishes are Honored

When the unexpected occurs, it’s important that your loved ones know your wishes regarding your medical care. Advance Directives provide a means for documenting your preferred treatment options if you are unable to speak for yourself in a medical emergency.

Caring Connections, a program of NHPCO supported by funds raised through the National Hospice Foundation, provides information and guidance on Advance Directives and now, through a collaborative effort with MedicAlert Foundation, these written documents are safely and confidentially stored, communicated and made available when and where they are needed.

“This is a great opportunity not only to encourage these important discussions among family members and loved ones, but to make the process of storing and accessing advance directives secure and easy,” said J. Donald Schumacher, president and CEO of NHPCO.

NHF Welcomes Samira Beckwith as Chair

Earlier in the year, the hospice community lost a true pioneer and trailblazer with the death of Mary L. Labyak. Mary died peacefully at home on February 4, 2012 under the loving care of her colleagues at Suncoast Hospice, the organization she helped create and where she served as President and CEO.

At the time of her death, Mary was the Chair of the National Hospice Foundation, Co-chair of the Capital Campaign for the National Center for Care at the End of Life, and a member of the NHPCO Board. For

many in the hospice and palliative care community, it seems that no one can replace Mary. However, she would be the first person to say that we must keep moving forward with the important work we share.

At the Gala on March 30, the National Hospice Foundation proudly welcomed Samira K. Beckwith, LCSW, FACHE, as the new chair of the NHF Board of Trustees.

Samira is president and CEO of Hope HealthCare Services in Ft. Myers, Florida, and has a long history with NHF and our affiliate organization the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. She was a founding member of NHF’s board and its executive committee and has served in many leadership roles. In her service to NHPCO, she served as board chair when the organization was still National Hospice Organization.

NHF Executive Director John Mastrojohn said, “We are delighted to have Samira serving as our Board Chair. She is an experienced and nationally respected leader who is strongly committed to our vision of a world where individuals and families facing serious illness and grief will experience the best that humankind can offer.”

We extend a warm welcome and look forward to Samira’s dedicated leadership.

Honoring the passion at the heart of hospice, this new t-shirt was designed by actor and hospice advocate Torrey DeVitto. All proceeds from the new “comfort.love.respect” shirt will support Caring Connections awareness and outreach efforts.

TO ORDER, VISIT: www.nationalhospicefoundation.org/shop

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NHF Recognizes Hospice Pharmacia for Its Contributions to Hospice

Pioneer in Meeting Hospice Medication Needs Continues Long-Standing Commitment

The National Hospice Foundation is grateful for the continued support of Hospice Pharmacia, pioneers in hospice pharmacy service solutions. Hospice Pharmacia, a division of excelleRx, has long supported the work of hospice programs as vendor partners in patient care as well as through contributions of time, professional resources, and financial gifts to the programs of the Foundation and NHPCO.

Hospice Pharmacia was the first pharmacy to focus on expert management of medication for end-of-life patients and exists on the belief that all people, especially those dealing with end of life symptoms, have the right to appropriate medications. Hospice Pharmacia works directly with hospice and palliative care organizations to design program-specific pharmacy service that meets the unique needs of the hospice staff and patients. With a 15-year focus on customer service and innovation and expertise in medication management, formulary design, and symptom management education, Hospice Pharmacia continues to grow with our industry.

“For most of us working in hospice, it is so much more than a job, it’s a commitment to making an impact on the lives of the patients we care for and their families. Hospice Pharmacia is no exception. Not only have they been leaders in improving pain management, but through their support of educational and policy initiatives, they have made a real contribution to ensuring our field remains innovative. We are so grateful for this commitment and contribution,” said J. Donald Schumacher, president and CEO of NHPCO.

HP’s commitment to education is evidenced by their years of support of NHPCO conferences and educational opportunities for members. As an important partner in assuring the integrity and fortitude of our work, they have answered our calls whether for NHF’s Gala sponsorship requests or the Hospice Action Network’s need for pharmacy experts when addressing material legislative issues.

“It continues to be an honor tow work with hospices that provide such critically important care at the end of life. We view our work as a noble calling and it has been or privilege to empower the good work of NHPCO for so long,” said Michael Cinque, PharmD, vice president of Medication Therapy Management Services for Hospice Pharmacia.

Consumers may purchase the Advance Directive Management Service for $50 which includes five years of document storage and accessibility, live 24/7 emergency response and family notification services, and an emergency wallet card with information on how to access the individual’s Advance Directives.

“We are committed to providing consumers and our members with the best quality healthcare available. For people with no existing health condition, the quality and choice of care is still a big concern. Through this advance directive service, we give patients who are unable to speak for themselves in an emergency situation a voice in deciding their preferred medical treatment,” said Andrew Wigglesworth, MedicAlert president and CEO.

For more information about Advance Directives, visit Caring Connections at: www.caringinfo.org. To learn more about this MedicAlert service, visit: www.medicalert.org.

Learn about the opportunities to give and save — meeting your financial goals and maximizing your charitable intentions through gift planning with the National Hospice Foundation.

Visit www.nationalhospicefoundation.org/give

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Make a decision today… to make a gift tomorrow.

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Two Pairs of Siblings Tackle Marathons as Run to Remember Participants

The opportunity to memorialize loved ones was irresistible

This year, two pairs of siblings are running marathons as part of Run to Remember. John and Mike O’Connor will tackle Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 7 in memory of their father, Emmett O’Connor. On October 29, Sara Garcia and Michelle Reitz will run the Marine Corps Marathon in memory of their grandmother, Elizabeth Prior.

Neither O’Connor brother has ever run a marathon. Mike explains, “I’ve always wanted to run a marathon, even though I’m not a huge runner. We always get together around the anniversary of our father’s death to remember him. I tried to think of something different this year and when I saw Run to Remember on the Chicago Marathon website, I knew that was it. My brother, John, runs every day so he had no problem saying ‘yes’ to my idea.”

Sara and Michelle, along with their brother and sometimes other siblings, have a long tradition of doing endurance events together. Sara says, “We’ve done marathons and triathlons for a number of years. It’s been a few since we did one together. When our group of friends and family decided on the Marine Corps Marathon, Sara and I were surprised at how fast the race closed. We were so pleased to find that NHF had charity slots available. All four of our grandparents have passed away and all of them received hospice services.”

All four participants find great meaning in running in memory of their loved ones. Michelle remembers her grandmother Elizabeth as “really kind, extremely strong, and very independent. She worked for an airline early in her life and had the unusual opportunity to do a lot of travel.”

About his father, Mike says, “He was the greatest guy in the world. He was laid back, worked as a painter. He raised five kids and was married to my mom for 30 years. He was only in hospice one day, but it was so helpful. The hospice has a ‘memorial box’ outside each room and we were able to put a baseball with his name on it in the case, as my dad was a huge Yankees fan. Sometimes we visit there, instead of making the 1.5 hour drive to the cemetery.”

The two brothers and two sisters are all looking forward to their marathons this fall, knowing that they will be sharing something special with each other.

Would you and a sibling like to do a race together? You could! Learn more at www.runtoremember.org or email info@nationalhospicefoundation.org

Run to Remember brothers, Mike O’Connor and John O’Conner

Run to Remember sisters, Sara Garcia and Michelle Reitz

1731 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314Ph: 703-516-4928 or 877-470-6472Fax: 703-837-1233info@nationalhospicefoundation.org

Learn more about NHF at www.nationalhospicefoundation.org

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I have a pretty strong personal connection with hospice and here are some of the reasons. I am no stranger to death. The scary word that no

one wants to talk about has been the most common topic talked about in my personal and professional life. My experience with death started very young with my grandfather dying. Later in the fifth grade my teacher collapsed and went in to a diabetic coma and soon after passed; she was very young. My father had a heart attack and died when I was 14. His mother could not handle losing her son and died shortly after my father. My cousin was shot and killed at 14 not long after that. I lost two close friends to suicide in high school. I married and had three beautiful healthy daughters. My youngest, at age 7 months, died in her sleep and went to be with Jesus on September 28, 2010. Six months after that my stepfather died on Hospice, the same hospice I was working for at the time. With hospice my mother called her second husband’s death a beautiful death; only hospice can provide that. So I am no stranger to death and have also been on a few different sides of hospice.

One of my messages that I share with people is this: if you have ever had a sudden death in your family who was close to you, you know how difficult it is. After the pouring in of support for a month or two, everyone gets back to their lives and you are left alone to grieve and have no REAL support for yourself or your family. When you have someone close to you that you know is going to die and they choose hospice care for the short period of life they have left, you reap the benefits and receive REAL support. Hospice provides so much for families that NO OTHER profession can. If you ever have the opportunity to choose Hospice please do so for you and your family.

MY PERSONAL CONNECTION TO HOSPICEBy Tim L. Pape

Editor’s Note: When Tim Pape signed up to receive NHF’s online news, we asked him to tell us a little about his reasons, he wrote this. We wanted to share it with you.

— Tim L. Pape