Hospice News

Dr. Brian Haas, National Medical Director, Ascend Hospice, and Creator, Hospice Intelligence

Hospice News — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 17:12:39 +0000

In this episode, Hospice News speaks with Dr. Brian Haas, a hospice and palliative care physician, about the challenges that artificial intelligence (AI) can bring to clinical documentation. Haas is the national medical director at Ascend Hospice and CEO at the post-acute care company Wellspring Healthcare. He created Hospice Intelligence, an AI-powered documentation platform designed to get to the root of hospice regulatory nuances and catch red-flag compliance issues before they arise.

Madison Wood-Gonzalez, Executive Director, Morning Light

Hospice News — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 19:33:35 +0000

In this episode of ELEVATE, the podcast from Hospice News, senior editor Jim Parker speaks with Madison Wood-Gonzalez, executive director of Morning Light, a nonprofit home that provides free housing and 24/7 end-of-life care for individuals in need.

Tune in today!

Dr. Michael Fratkin, Palliative and Psychedelic Care Physician

Hospice News — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 15:38:07 +0000

Exploring Ethical Unknowns of End-of-Life Psychedelic Therapies

Hospices need a deep understanding of the ethical considerations involved in providing therapeutic- and medically-guided patient experiences that include psychedelics and other controlled substances.

In this episode of ELEVATE, Hospice News speaks with palliative and psychedelic care physician Dr. Michael Fratkin to dig into the range of drugs increasingly coming to the forefront in hospice care delivery and the ways that providers can develop best practices around safe, effective and ethical utilization.

Fratkin is board president of the Institute for Rural Psychedelic Care and palliative care physician at the Humboldt Center for New Growth. He is also the physician liaison of the Traditional Healers and Natural Helpers for the Hoopa Valley Tribe in California.

Listen to the episode and subscribe today!

Margot Lambright, Division Director for Psychosocial Support, BAYADA Hospice

Hospice News — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 17:09:46 +0000

In this episode of Hospice News’ Elevate, Senior Editor Jim Parker speaks with Margot Lambright, division director for psychosocial support at BAYADA Hospice, about the ways that psychosocial teams identify families at higher emotional risk, as well as practical strategies for implementing and documenting supportive interventions.

Join us today!

Holly Davis, Clinical Operations Manager of Community-Based Palliative Care, Atrium Health Hospice & Palliative Care

Hospice News — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 20:23:47 +0000

On the Frontlines of Hospice Care: Clinical Leaders’ Biggest Challenges

Clinical supervisors face a host of challenges when overseeing interdisciplinary hospice teams. This Hospice News ELEVATE episode will examine the largest concerns topping the minds of clinical leaders in the hospice space and the successful strategies they’re employing to address them.

Listen to the episode and subscribe today!

Katy Barnett, LeadingAge, Director of Home Care and Hospice Operations and Policy

Hospice News — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 16:06:55 +0000

In this episode of Hospice News Elevate, senior editor Jim Parker speaks with Katy Barnett, , director of home care and hospice operations and policy at LeadingAge about the forthcoming implementation of the 2026 final hospice rule and the Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) tool.

Greg Schneider, President & Founder, Hospice Volunteer Association

Hospice News — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 16:46:53 +0000

In this ELEVATE episode Hospice News explores the diverse challenges of establishing a strong foundation of volunteer-based services. Hospice Volunteer Association President and CEO Greg Schneider discusses how hospices can go beyond the minimum volunteer requirements to provide a wider bandwidth of support. Listen to the episode and subscribe today!

Mark Kulik, Senior Managing Director, The Braff Group

Hospice News — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 18:49:25 +0000

In this episode of Hospice News Elevate, senior editor Jim Parker speaks with Mark Kulik, senior managing director for The Braff Group, about consolidation occurring in the nonprofit hospice space. A rising number of nonprofits are affiliating with one another or selling to for- profit companies. This episode discusses the leading trends. Tune in now!

Steven Lee, Co-Founder and CEO, ianacare

Hospice News — Wed, 07 May 2025 17:56:45 +0000

The State of Family Caregiving Needs: Supporting Policies, Practices This podcast episode discusses how a rising number of stakeholders are recognizing that in order to continue caring for terminally ill patients in the home, they will also have to take care of their family caregivers. In this episode, Hospice News Senior Reporter Holly Vossel speaks with Steven Lee, co-founder and CEO of ianacare, about strategies to support patients’ families and help reduce their burden. Listen to the episode and subscribe today!

Dr. Rachel Jordan, Hospice of the Chesapeake, and Dr. Christopher Paredes, Northwell Health

Hospice News — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 14:58:41 +0000

In this episode of the Hospice News Elevate podcast, we’ll be talking about the growing demand for palliative care and the barriers that interview with providers’ meeting those needs with our guests: Dr. Rachel Jordan, director of legislative affairs and advocacy at Hospice of the Chesapeake and Dr. Christopher Paredes, a geriatrician specializing in home-based primary and palliative care. Tune in now!

Chloe Bishop, Bereavement & Social Work Supervisor, Frederick Health Hospice

Hospice News — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Chloe Bishop, Bereavement & Social Work Supervisor, Frederick Health Hospice by Hospice News

Sue Murphy, Director of Clinical Education, BAYADA Hospice

Hospice News — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Hospice News Elevate, Senior Editor Jim Parker speaks with Sue Murphy, a registered nurse and director of clinical education for BAYADA Hospice, about the legacy of former President Jimmy Carter and his impact on the hospice space.

G. Scott Herman, CEO, New Day Healthcare

Hospice News — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:01:19 +0000

Interest in the hospice space has broadened amid rising demand, a trend resulting in more transactions and collaborative relationships with other health care providers. In this episode, Hospice News Senior Reporter Holly Vossel speaks with G. Scott Herman, founder and CEO of New Day Healthcare LLC, to uncover the scope of hospice assets currently in the market and the factors that are both fueling and challenging M&A activity.

Marianne Muzic-Lucenti, Palliative Care Program Manager, St. Mary’s Healthcare System

Hospice News — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Hospice News Senior Editor Jim Parker speaks with Marianne Muzic-Lucenti, manager of one of the oldest pediatric palliative care programs in the nation, at St. Mary’s Healthcare System in Queens, New York City. The discussion profiles the program and looks at the outlook for palliative care for 2025.

Dr. Andrew Mayo, Chief Medical Officer, St. Croix Hospice

Hospice News — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 20:53:45 +0000

On the Frontline of Hospice Care: Physician Leadership’s Laser Focus Navigating the frontlines of hospice includes having clinical leadership who are well-versed in the nuanced challenges in end-of-life care delivery. Hospice News sits down with St. Croix Hospice’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Andrew Mayo to learn more about how hospice has evolved and the successful strategies that help staff deliver quality interdisciplinary care at the bedside. Listen to the episode and subscribe today!

Dr. Nancy Weber, Assistant Professor, Vice Chair for Quality and Patient Experience, Texas Tech

Hospice News — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 15:10:19 +0000

Hospice referrals are often delayed due to a lack of knowledge or understanding of the service among emergency department and hospital staff. In this episode, Hospice News speaks with Dr. Nancy Weber, assistant professor, vice chair for quality and patient experience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, on how providers can foster greater coordination.

Susan Dulczak, Director and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, RWJBarnabas Health

Hospice News — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 16:11:40 +0000

This episode explores the myriad challenges that pediatric patients and their families face when coping with a serious or terminal illness. Hospice News uncovers some of the biggest hurdles and opportunities in pediatric palliative and hospice care delivery with Susan Dulczak, director and pediatric nurse practitioner of Valerie Center and Pediatric Medical Day Stay. Dulczak is also director of the pediatric palliative care program at the Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center, which is part of the New Jersey-based RWJBarnabas Health system.

Annemarie Switchulis, Practice President, Hospice, Bayada Home Health Care

Hospice News — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 06:00:03 +0000

In this episode, Hospice News Senior Editor Jim Parker speaks with Annemarie Switchulis, Practice President, Hospice, for Bayada Home Health Care. Tune in to hear her perspective on a variety of issues, including: -The tie between earlier hospice admission and improved outcomes -The power of community education and normalizing conversations about end of life -The impact of public figures of such as Jimmy Carter and the potential for more effective marketing and storytelling

Dr. Bob Uslander, co-founder, Empowered Endings

Hospice News — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 14:06:47 +0000

In this episode, Hospice News Senior Editor Jim Parker speaks with Dr. Bob Uslander, co-founder of Empowered Endings, about the unique hospice and palliative care model that his organization has developed.

Arlen Gaines, Director of Hospice Social Services, JSSA Hospice

Hospice News — Mon, 13 May 2024 16:21:07 +0000

In this episode, Hospice News Senior Reporter Holly Vossel speaks with Arlen Gaines, licensed clinical social worker and director of hospice social services at JSSA Hospice, about the turnover and retention factors among hospice social workers, a core part of the interdisciplinary team. Listen to the episode and subscribe today!

Ken Druck, Author and Founder of the Jenna Druck Center

Hospice News — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 18:43:48 +0000

In this episode, Hospice News Senior Editor Jim Parker speaks with author, speaker, and grief and resilience expert Ken Druck about the ways hospices can strengthen support for both grieving families and caregivers for the terminally ill. Ken Druck is the author of How We Go On: Self-Compassion, Courage and Gratitude on the Path Forward and founder of the Jenna Druck Center

Jim Wieland and Dr. Mihir Kamdar of Tuesday Health

Hospice News — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 19:24:55 +0000

In this episode of Hospice News' Elevate podcast, Editor Jim Parker speaks with Jim Wieland, CEO of Tuesday Health, and Dr. Mihir Kumdar, Tuesday Health's head of clinical delivery, about the strategies and pitfalls that come with building a palliative care program from the ground up.

Carole Fisher and Dr. Cameron Muir, NPHI

Hospice News — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 21:19:48 +0000

This episode features a discussion about the ways that pervasive experiences of domestic violence, abuse and trauma affect hospice and palliative care patients. Hospice News Reporter Holly Vossel speaks with Carole Fisher, president of the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), and Dr. Cameron Muir, chief innovation officer at NPHI, about the different ways hospices can shape their trauma-informed care delivery approaches. Listen to the episode and subscribe today!

Dr. Kaishauna Guidry, CEO, Mourning Dove Medical

Hospice News — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 22:26:20 +0000

In this episode of Hospice News Elevate podcast, editor Jim Parker speaks with Dr. Kaishauna Guidry, CEO of Mourning Dove Medical, about strategies for improving compliance with federal care planning standards, which are among the most frequently cited survey deficiencies for hospices.

Dr. Karl Steinberg, CEO, Stone Mountain Medical Associates Inc.

Hospice News — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 18:12:32 +0000

This episode will explore the challenges that hospice providers face when considering the use of restricted controlled substances. Hospice News Reporter Holly Vossel talks with Dr. Karl Steinberg, CEO of Stone Mountain Medical Associates Inc. in California, about the different ways hospices are navigating the regulatory lines.

Tim Smokoff, general manager for home and hospice for MatrixCare

Hospice News — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 19:52:08 +0000

This episode is sponsored by MatrixCare. Hospice News Editor Jim Parker speaks with Tim Smokoff, general manager for home and hospice for MatrixCare, about the ways that hospices can leverage technology to build efficiency into their workflows and alleviate the burden on staff.

David Garlock, National Public Speaker and Criminal Justice Reform Advocate

Hospice News — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 13:00:10 +0000

In this episode, Hospice News speaks with David Garlock, a national public speaker and former hospice worker, about ways to improve end-of-life care experiences among a growing volume of incarcerated senior populations. Garlock is also a formerly incarcerated criminal justice reform advocate and reentry expert. Listen to the episode and subscribe today!

Nancy Cary and Sue Weeks, HEALTHCAREfirst

Hospice News — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 15:35:36 +0000

In this episode, Hospice News speaks with Nancy Cary, manager, billing services operations for HealthCare First, and Sue Weeks, manager of training and development at HealthCare First, about strategies for responding to a Targeted Probe and Educate audit.

Karri Combs, registered nurse team leader at Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care

Hospice News — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 19:47:26 +0000

Hospice News joins Karri Combs, registered nurse team leader at Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, to gain an inside look at some of the challenges and experiences that clinicians have while delivering end-of-life care by the bedside.

Dr. Carla Pennington, Expert in Hospice Marketing, Sales and Communications

Hospice News — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 20:24:04 +0000

Hospice marketing professional Dr. Carla Pennington speaks with Hospice News editor Jim Parker about how to tailor your organization's messaging to reach consumers, payers and referral partners.

Jackie Owen, Clinical Product Specialist, CITUS

Hospice News — Mon, 01 May 2023 20:54:09 +0000

In this episode of Hospice News Elevate, sponsored by CITUS Health, editor Jim Parker speaks with Jackie Owen, a registered nurse and Clinical Product Specialist for CITUS , about the importance of patient and family engagement.

Howard Young, Partner, Morgan Lewis

Hospice News — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 17:12:31 +0000

Hospice News connects with Howard Young, partner at law firm Morgan Lewis, to discuss some of the largest compliance issues hiding in plain sight of hospice leaders.

Dr. Hanh Trinh of Houston Hospice, and Monica Hampton

Hospice News — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 15:00:07 +0000

The 22nd episode of the Elevate podcast is now available! This episode we will be talking about pediatric hospice care with Dr. Hanh Trinh, MD, Butterfly Team Physician and Education Liaison at Houston Hospice and Monica Hampton, whose son, Jake, passed away from Hunter syndrome at the age of 17.

Meg Pekarske, Partner, Husch Blackwell

Hospice News — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 16:00:08 +0000

Hospice News sits down with Meg Pekarske, partner at law firm Husch Blackwell, to discuss the hospice regulatory outlook in 2023 and what compliance challenges and concerns are on the horizon.

Caitlin Berry, Nurse Practitioner at Advocate Aurora Health Hospice

Hospice News — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 19:07:03 +0000

The next episode of our podcast, Elevate, is now available! Reporter Holly Vossel sits down with Caitlin Berry, nurse practitioner at Advocate Aurora Health Hospice, to discuss frontline hospice workers experiences and ways that employers can retain their clinical workforce in this latest episode of the Hospice News Elevate podcast.

Reid Peterson, Founder, Grief Refuge

Hospice News — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 04:01:17 +0000

In this episode, Hospice News editor Jim Parker speaks with Reid Peterson, founder of Grief Refuge, a technology platform designed to support bereaved families.

Dr. Timothy Ihrig, CEO of Ihrig M.D. and Associates

Hospice News — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 21:15:59 +0000

In this episode, Hospice News Editor Jim Parker speaks with Dr. Timothy Ihrig, CEO of Ihrig M.D. and Associates, on value-based care in the hospice space, palliative care in a pandemic, regulatory reform and other key issues in the industry.

Dr. Sara Schneider, founder and CEO of The Human Journey

Hospice News — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 19:23:50 +0000

This episode of the Hospice News Elevate podcast features Sara K. Schneider, Ph.D., founder and CEO of The Human Journey, an organization dedicated to helping families cope with anticipatory grief and bereavement.

Edo Banach, president and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)

Hospice News — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 21:34:18 +0000

The next episode of our podcast, Elevate, is now available! COVID-19 has left little untouched in its wake as the deadly virus continues its global spread. Nearly three years later into a public health emergency, the pandemic rages on with financial, regulatory and operational impacts sweeping through the industry. Reporter Holly Vossel sits down with Edo Banach, president and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) to take a closer look at how hospices are navigating pandemic-related headwinds on the horizon in this 15th episode of the Hospice News Elevate podcast. Subscribe to the Elevate Podcast to be notified when new episodes are released. Listen today!

Karen Bussen and Elizabeth Karansky, the founders of Farewelling

Hospice News — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 22:06:55 +0000

In this episode of Elevate, Hospice News speaks with Karen Bussen and Elizabeth Karansky, the founders of Farewelling, a platform designed to help families coping with terminal illness plan for a loved one’s end-of-life and bereavement.

Caitlin Crommett, Founder and President, Dreamcatchers

Hospice News — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 16:49:09 +0000

In this episode of Elevate, Hospice News speaks with Caitlin Crommett, founder and president of Dreamcatchers, a nonprofit organization that partners with hospices to help patients fulfill wishes, goals or dreams as they near the end of life.

Jen Flugaur, VP of Clinical Excellence, Agrace Hospice & Supportive Care

Hospice News — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 20:18:49 +0000

The next episode of our podcast, Elevate, is now available! The coronavirus pandemic has woven a complex web around the hospice regulatory and compliance landscape. Reporter Holly Vossel sits down with Jen Flugaur, vice president of clinical excellence at Agrace Hospice & Supportive Care to take a closer look at how hospices are navigating shifts in requirements and strategies to comply with evolving rules, in this follow-up to the 12th episode of the Hospice News Elevate podcast. Subscribe to the Elevate Podcast to be notified when new episodes are released. Listen today!

Diana Previs, Founder, Journey Through Grief with Grace

Hospice News — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 16:07:59 +0000

In this episode of Elevate, Hospice News editor Jim Parker talks with author, speaker and coach Diana Previs, founder of Journey Through Grief with Grace, about grief and bereavement care during a pandemic and how her experience in oncology helped her better understand patients’ end-of-life experience.

Judi Lund Person, vice president of regulatory and compliance, NHPCO

Hospice News — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 15:31:04 +0000

The tenth episode of our podcast, Elevate, is now available! The COVID-19 pandemic has created tremendous disruption in the hospice space, including in the regulatory arena. In this episode of Hospice News Elevate podcast, reporter Holly Vossel talks with Judi Lund Person of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization about the impact of the pandemic on the regulatory and payment landscape. Subscribe to the Elevate Podcast to be notified when new episodes are released. Listen today!

Jake Vesely, Associate and Kevin Palamara, Managing Director Provident Healthcare Partners

Hospice News — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 14:03:46 +0000

In the July episode of the Hospice News Elevate Podcast, editor Jim Parker talks with Kevin Palamara and Jake Vesely with the mergers and acquisitions advisory firm Provident Healthcare Partners about trends in the booming hospice M&A market.

BJ Miller, M.D., President & Counselor, Mettle Health

Hospice News — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 15:37:16 +0000

The eighth episode of our podcast, Elevate, is now available! In this episode of Hospice News Elevate podcast, reporter Holly Vossel talks with Bruce (BJ) Miller of Mettle Health, about how the coronavirus pandemic has complicated caregiver support, including access to respite care.

KaLee Mohrman, Director of Hospice at Knute Nelson

Hospice News — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 20:42:49 +0000

In this episode of Hospice News Elevate podcast, editor Jim Parker talks with KaLee Mohrman, director of hospice at Knute Nelson, about the intersection between clinical quality and a providers' business objectives.

Christopher Kerr, M.D., CEO and chief medical officer of Hospice & Palliative Care Buffalo

Hospice News — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 18:02:16 +0000

In this episode of the Hospice News "Elevate" podcast, Christopher Kerr, M.D., CEO and chief medical officer of Hospice & Palliative Care Buffalo, talks about research that examines the death experience from the perspective of the patient, as well as sharing points on financially sustainable palliative care.

Brad Stuart, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC)

Hospice News — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 18:44:04 +0000

Risk vs. Performance in Value-Based Hospice Care In 2021, hospices will have the opportunity to participate in value-based payment programs such as Medicare Advantage and Primary Care First. These models include a mix of risk- and performance-based payment structures, concepts that will be new to the hospice industry. This episode of the Elevate podcast will discuss the differences between these two payment methodologies, and the risks and advantages of each.

Nick Jurkowitz of the Fenton Law Group

Hospice News — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 20:15:06 +0000

False Claims Act cases are a leading legal concern for hospice providers as the industry comes under ever-increasing regulatory scrutiny. In this episode of the Elevate podcast, health care attorney Nick Jurkowitz of the Fenton Law Group discusses the laws involved and how hospices can ensure compliance to prevent and defend against potential questions of their patients' eligibility for hospice.

Shoshana Ungerleider, Founder, End Well

Hospice News — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 17:56:33 +0000

Shoshana Ungerleider, M.D., is an internist practicing medicine at Crossover Health in San Francisco, founder of the organization End Well, and executive producer of the Academy Award-nominated end-of-life documentaries Extremis and End Game. She spoke with Hospice News about her experiences as a physician during the COVID-19 pandemic and the lessons learned about end-of-life care during the outbreak. Dr. Ungerleider is a Hospice News Changemaker for the class of 2020. Correction note: Since 2006, hospice and palliative medicine has been officially recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties and requires fellowship training.

Resolution Care CEO Michael Fratkin

Hospice News — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 21:05:40 +0000

With telehealth utilization skyrocketing amid the pandemic, hospice and palliative care providers are increasingly exploring new avenues of care. Telepalliative care has slowly emerged from a few early adopters to become virtually essential during the pandemic. This episode will feature Michael Fratkin, M.D., founder and CEO of Resolution Care, which operates a robust and sustainable telepalliative care service in northern California.

LHC Group President Joshua Proffitt

Hospice News — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 20:20:23 +0000

Joshua Proffitt in June was appointed president of LHC Group, one of the nation’s largest hospice and home health providers. He had previously served as CFO. Proffitt sat down with Hospice News to discuss the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on LHC Group, the company’s M&A outlook, value-based care and the ways they are supporting their employees during these difficult times.