Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association

Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association The Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association (NHPCA) is a collaborative effort of more than

Professional Education, Community Engagement, Advocacy, Research and Quality Improvement.

We are grateful to Dr. Caren McHenry Martin for sharing her outstanding expertise at the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative...
05/03/2026

We are grateful to Dr. Caren McHenry Martin for sharing her outstanding expertise at the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association Annual Conference.

Her presentation, Following the Symptom Management Cues in CAHPS and HOPE, offered attendees practical, evidence-based strategies for managing some of hospice care’s most challenging symptoms with both clinical confidence and compassion. From pain and dyspnea to anxiety, nausea, bowel concerns, and sadness, Dr. Martin provided meaningful guidance on assessment, medication monitoring, communication with families, and quality implications tied to the HOPE tool and CAHPS survey.

Dr. Martin has a gift for turning complex symptom management principles into clear bedside practice—reminding us that excellence in hospice care is found in both what we treat and how we respond.

Thank you, Dr. Martin, for helping our members strengthen the care they provide to patients and families every day.

⭐ Congratulations to Danielle Sillman of St. Croix Hospice, recipient of the 2026 Shining Star Award presented by the Ne...
05/02/2026

⭐ Congratulations to Danielle Sillman of St. Croix Hospice, recipient of the 2026 Shining Star Award presented by the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association! ⭐ Danielle was nominated by a teammate who shared that from the very beginning, she was a trusted trainer, mentor, and compassionate caregiver. As a bath aide, Danielle goes far beyond her role, providing exceptional comfort, dependable care, and genuine love to every patient she serves. Her nominator said it best: “She is someone you would choose to care for your own family member.” That kind of trust says everything. Danielle’s kindness, reliability, and servant heart make her a true shining star in hospice care, and we are proud to honor her 💙.

Congratulations, Danielle, on this well-deserved recognition! 👏

We were honored to recognize Robert Slagle of St. Croix Hospice as the recipient of the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative ...
05/02/2026

We were honored to recognize Robert Slagle of St. Croix Hospice as the recipient of the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association 2026 Spirit of Hospice Award.

Nominated by his teammate, Tabitha Reimers, Robert was described as someone who consistently embodies the compassion, dedication, and heart that define hospice care. Through his kindness, empathy, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to patients and families, Robert creates an atmosphere of comfort, dignity, and trust everywhere he serves.

Whether he is taking extra time to explain the dying process, reaching out to families after the loss of a loved one, supporting his colleagues with knowledge and encouragement, or simply ending a visit with his “joke of the day,” Robert brings warmth, humanity, and connection to every interaction.

His genuine passion for hospice care, his servant heart, and his ability to make others feel valued and supported are what truly set him apart.

Robert’s compassionate spirit not only blesses the patients and families he serves, but strengthens his entire team at St.Croix Hospice.

Congratulations, Robert, on this well-deserved honor. NHPCA is proud to recognize you as a 2026 Spirit of Hospice Award recipient!

We were deeply honored to recognize Tammy Hempstead as the recipient of the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Associa...
05/02/2026

We were deeply honored to recognize Tammy Hempstead as the recipient of the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association 2026 Shining Star Award.

Tammy was nominated by the wonderful team at Hospice of Columbus Community Hospital for her extraordinary generosity, compassion, and quiet commitment to bringing beauty into the lives of hospice patients and families.

Through her business, Accent Floral, Tammy began providing fresh floral bouquets for hospice volunteers to deliver during patient visits. What was originally intended to be a contractual arrangement in which Tammy would simply bill the hospice each week soon became something far more meaningful. Tammy instead chose to donate the bouquets week after week as her personal way of bringing something bright, beautiful, and hope-filled into the homes and rooms of patients facing the end of life.

For several years now, these flowers have become more than an arrangement — they have become a gesture of tenderness, dignity, remembrance, and human kindness for patients and families during deeply sacred moments.

Tammy has remained committed to continuing this ministry of generosity for as long as she owns Accent Floral, and that kind of hospice heart is exactly what the Shining Star Award is meant to recognize.

Thank you, Tammy Hempstead, for your compassion, your selfless giving, and the light you continue to bring to Nebraska hospice patients and families.

And thank you to Jody and the team and volunteers of Hospice of Columbus Community Hospital for nominating Tammy for this well-deserved honor.

NHPCA is proud to recognize and celebrate you, Tammy, with the 2026 Shining Star Award!

Chavonn Mailahn was awarded the “Spirit of Hospice” award at the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association Confer...
05/02/2026

Chavonn Mailahn was awarded the “Spirit of Hospice” award at the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association Conference.

NIkki Landon nominated Chavonn with the following accolades:
“Under her leadership, Cottonwood Hospice has repeatedly earned 5-star ratings on Medicare family surveys, reflecting the exceptional care provided to patients and families.

Chavonn continually educates herself on Medicare regulations, best practice guidelines, and management strategies to ensure her team delivers the highest level of hospice care.

She has a deep passion for serving her team, patients, families, and local community. Chavonn is always willing to fill another’s cup, even when her own may be running low.

She is consistently thoughtful and remains deeply compassionate about advocating for the needs of patients, families, and employees alike. Her wealth of knowledge is truly remarkable and a significant asset to our efforts. We are very fortunate to have her on our team.

Chavonn gives from her heart whether she is at the office or at home. She gives unconditionally and supports her staff 100%. God blessed Cottonwood Hospice with a great leader and role model who truly cares about others.”

Congratulations, Chavonn! We are proud to honor you and delighted to meet your beautiful family!

We were honored to recognize Marcia Cederdahl as the  recipient of the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association ...
05/02/2026

We were honored to recognize Marcia Cederdahl as the recipient of the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association State Impact Award, the highest honor awarded by this association. It is awarded by the Board of Directors to an individual who has had a significant impact on our industry throughout their career. Marcia has met this criteria in so many ways.

For many years, Marcia has been a strong and unwavering voice for palliative care across Nebraska, working diligently to ensure that palliative care is better understood, better supported, and more clearly recognized within our state’s healthcare landscape. She has served on the Nebraska Palliative Care and Quality of Life Advisory Council and a liaison to NHPCA.

Her advocacy has extended beyond conversation into legislative effort, including her involvement in the campaign surrounding LB345 to establish a formal statutory definition of palliative care in Nebraska law. While that language was ultimately rolled into another bill and the work to fully move this initiative forward continues, Marcia’s commitment to laying that groundwork has been significant and deeply meaningful.

True systemic change often happens one determined voice, one conversation, and one legislative step at a time — and Marcia has been willing to do that work.

Her efforts on behalf of patients, providers, and the future of serious illness care in Nebraska have not gone unnoticed. Through persistence, education, and advocacy, she has helped elevate the conversation around palliative care in ways that will continue to influence progress for years to come.

Congratulations, Marcia, on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for the lasting impact you continue to make across our state.

A heartfelt thank you to Jacob Dahlke for his informative presentation on POLST and for sharing exciting updates on Nebr...
05/01/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Jacob Dahlke for his informative presentation on POLST and for sharing exciting updates on Nebraska’s statewide electronic advance care plan registry, MyDirectives/Nebraska at the NHPCA conference this week!

We are so close to seeing this incredible initiative move into live action, and it will truly be a game changer for EMS, healthcare providers, and vulnerable Nebraskans — helping ensure that an individual’s healthcare wishes are known and respected no matter where they are.

This important advancement represents greater accessibility, clearer communication, and stronger protection of patient choice when it matters most.

Thank you, Jacob, for serving as faculty for this wonderful conference and for helping spread the word about MyDirectives/Nebraska. We are fortunate to have professionals like you willing to share your expertise and help move end-of-life care forward in Nebraska!


With deep appreciation, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Robert Wzorek of Good Shepherd Funeral Home for the many ways ...
05/01/2026

With deep appreciation, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Robert Wzorek of Good Shepherd Funeral Home for the many ways he continues to invest in and support the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association.

Robert’s involvement in this year’s Annual Conference was extraordinary — serving not only as a Strategic Partner of NHPCA, but also as a valued sponsor of our Tuesday luncheon, a participating vendor in the annual trade show, and a highly regarded faculty presenter for our attendees.

Partnerships like this bring tremendous value to our association because they go far beyond sponsorship. They create trusted relationships, strengthen interdisciplinary understanding, and open doors for education that directly benefits those caring for patients and families at end of life. Robert consistently shows up not simply to support an event, but to support our mission.

His educational sessions have become a conference favorite, and our attendees cannot say enough about how informative, insightful, and eye-opening his presentations are. As hospice professionals, we often work closely alongside funeral homes, yet Robert continues to shed light on aspects of the funeral industry many had never fully understood. His willingness to teach, explain processes, answer difficult questions, and provide practical perspective helps build stronger collaboration between hospice and funeral service — ultimately improving continuity of care for families during one of life’s most tender transitions.

What makes Robert especially appreciated is that he never stops at one presentation. He goes the extra mile to ensure questions are answered thoroughly, conversations continue after session close, and future topics requested by attendees are met with enthusiasm and generosity.

That kind of faithful partnership, responsiveness, and commitment to education is rare — and it does not go unnoticed.

Thank you, Robert, for the many hats you wear on behalf of NHPCA, for your unwavering support, and for the meaningful impact you continue to make on our members year after year. We appreciate you more than words can say!

A heartfelt thank you to Molina Healthcare for joining us as a valued vendor at the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care...
05/01/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Molina Healthcare for joining us as a valued vendor at the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association Annual Conference!

We are grateful for your support of this event and for your commitment to being present with our hospice and palliative care professionals from across the state.

Having trusted organizations like Molina Healthcare onsite creates meaningful opportunities for our members to connect directly with representatives, ask important questions, gain clarity on services and coverage, and become more informed about the resources available to the patients and families they serve each day.

These face-to-face conversations are invaluable. They help bridge knowledge gaps, strengthen professional relationships, and ensure providers have a deeper understanding of payer perspectives, processes, and support systems — all of which ultimately contribute to better coordinated care.

Your presence at conference was more than a vendor booth — it was an investment in education, collaboration, and connection within Nebraska’s end-of-life care community.

Thank you, Molina Healthcare, for your partnership and for helping make the 2026 NHPCA Annual Conference a success!

We extend our sincere gratitude to  Yates for her engaging and informative session on the evolving and meaningful role o...
05/01/2026

We extend our sincere gratitude to Yates for her engaging and informative session on the evolving and meaningful role of death doulas in end-of-life care at the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association Annual Conference.

Sara provided valuable insight into who death doulas are, the services they offer, pathways to certification, and the important reality that while certification is available, it is not currently required for someone to identify and practice as a death doula. Her presentation helped attendees better understand the wide range of support doulas can provide — from emotional presence and legacy work to vigil planning, family guidance, and companionship through the dying process.

As a certified death doula herself, Sara brought both professional knowledge and heartfelt experience to this conversation, offering our members a thoughtful look into how this role is becoming an increasingly visible part of end-of-life care.

Perhaps most importantly, Sara highlighted the significance of collaboration between hospice teams and death doulas when both are involved in supporting a patient and family. While hospice provides the clinical, medical, psychosocial, and interdisciplinary framework of care, doulas often offer additional non-medical, personalized bedside presence and holistic support. When these roles are clearly communicated and approached with mutual respect, they can beautifully complement one another — creating a more seamless, compassionate, and deeply supported experience for patients and loved ones.

End-of-life care is always strongest when all members of the support circle work together with a shared commitment to dignity, comfort, and honoring the wishes of the individual.

Thank you, Sara, for helping our attendees better understand this emerging partnership and for sharing your expertise, passion, and perspective with us. We are grateful you were part of the 2026 NHPCA Annual Conference!

Thank you Horisun Hospice for sponsoring this dynamic speaker and for the delicious break following the session! We appreciate you!

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Teply for an outstanding keynote presentation at this year’s Nebraska Hospice  and Palliati...
04/29/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Teply for an outstanding keynote presentation at this year’s Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association Annual Conference.

Dr. Teply has long been recognized as a breath of fresh air in palliative medicine — bringing thoughtful perspective, clinical clarity, and genuine humanity to every conversation. Her keynote, “Playing Your Part: Navigating the Three Timelines of Eventual Terminal Illness”challenged and inspired attendees to think more deeply about the patient journey, the family experience, and the critical role we play in helping navigate both.

With honesty, compassion, and practical wisdom, she reminded us that hospice and palliative care is not simply about managing illness — it is about guiding people through uncertainty with dignity, meaning, and connection.

Thank you, Dr. Teply, for sharing your expertise, your insight, and your heart with us. Your message left a lasting impact on everyone in the room.

Address

1519 M Street
Cozad, NE
69130

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association:

Share