Aspen Hospice & Palliative Care Waco

01/15/2026

Thank you The Brazos of Waco for letting us pamper your family 💅

01/09/2026

Meet Chelsea Grogan, Registered Nurse Case Manager. ✨

I have been in healthcare since I was 15 years old. Starting as a CNA and lastly with my BSN. Throughout my journey, I have consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to service, compassion, and delivery of high-quality patient-centered care. I am originally from North Dakota and have been in Texas for roughly 6 years now.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family including my fiancée and our three children. I remain compassionate about advancing my practice, advocating for patient needs, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to improve clinical outcomes and enhance the overall patient experience in their most vulnerable times.

01/08/2026

Meet Sara Laack, Registered Nurse Case Manager. ✨

I am a Registered Nurse, practicing since 2013, and a mom to two young kids. Hospice and end-of-life care are where my heart is, and I consider it a true privilege to walk alongside patients and families during this stage of life.

I am a strong advocate for my patients and am not afraid to speak up to ensure their wishes are honored and the right care is provided. Compassion, honesty, and dignity guide my practice, and my goal is for every person I care for to feel seen, heard, and truly supported.

01/08/2026

Meet Christina King, Weeknight On Call Nurse ✨

I am a wife to the best husband and a mom of 4 amazing kids. I have been a Registered Nurse for over 10 years and graduated Cum Laude with my Bachelors of Science in Nursing from West Coast University. My career began with landing my dream job of working inpatient Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplants at CHOC Children's Hospital Orange County in California. Through that time, I was introduced to end of life care for some of our patients and I then began to love hospice.

I became a nurse after watching my grandmother at the end of her life. The nursing staff was so completely wonderful to her and my grandfather as they held their hands through every different situation that would arise. Their knowledge and kindness left a lasting impression on me, and I knew that I wanted to help people the way my family and I had been helped.

I believe it is such a privilege and an honor to walk side by side with patients as they near the end of life. Advocating for my patients and their wishes is extremely important to me and it is something that is a great honor. I believe in providing compassionate care to every person I come in contact with and making sure that every patient knows they are seen, heard, and valued.

01/08/2026

Meet Summer Shofner, Registered Nurse Case Manager. ✨

I am a wife of six years and a proud mom to two wonderful children-a five-year-old son and an almost two-year-old daughter. I have been a registered nurse for eight years, inspired by my mother, who is also an RN. I earned my Associate Degree in Nursing from McLennan Community College and later completed my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Texas Tech University.

I spent ten years at Baylor Scott & White Waco working on a medical-surgical unit, where I gained valuable experience and a deep appreciation for patient-centered care. Recently, I made the transition to home hospice nursing, and it has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my career. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside patients and their families during such a meaningful time.

I believe in caring for others as if they were my own family. With Aspen, we become family - providing compassion, support, and guidance every step of the way.

01/08/2026

Meet Amanda King, CNA ✨

"I am a devoted CNA specializing in hospice care, where I provide heartfelt support and comfort to patients and their families during life's most tender and challenging times. Guided by compassion and a deep sense of purpose, I strive to bring dignity, peace, and kindness to every life I touch. Beyond my work, I am a loving wife and a proud mother of two wonderful boys who fill my heart with joy and inspire me every day to lead with love and strength. "

01/07/2026

🌿 Meet Liz Ward, LMSW – Hospice Social Worker 🌿

We’re proud to introduce Liz Ward, our Licensed Master Social Worker at Aspen Hospice & Palliative Care. Liz brings compassion, clarity, and calm to the families she serves. With a background in trauma-informed care and a deep respect for each person’s story, Liz walks alongside patients and their loved ones through some of life’s most tender moments.

Outside of work, she’s passionate about mental health advocacy, family time, and long walks that help clear the mind. We’re grateful to have Liz on our team as a steady, thoughtful presence for the people we serve. 💙

12/04/2025

Bingo at The Village at Heritage Oaks!

11/22/2025

11/14/2025

When you or someone you love is on hospice, everything can feel fragile, your heart, your hopes, even your voice. I want you to know something: hospice is not the boss of you. We are not here to take over or to dictate what should happen. Our role is to support you, to honor your loved one, and to walk with you in a way that feels right for you. But we can only do that if you tell us what you need, what scares you, what feels off, or what you don’t understand.

If a nurse suggests a medication or recommends increasing one, you have every right to ask why. If you don’t like something, say so. If you’re afraid, please tell us. This doesn’t make you difficult, it makes you a fierce advocate for the person you love.

We are not here to tell you what you “should” do. We are here to ask what you want, what you hope for, and how we can support you in a way that reflects your values and your person’s dignity.

I look at it like this: when the dying process is met with clarity, communication, and compassion, even in the hardest moments, the path through grief becomes gentler. It doesn’t remove the pain of losing someone you love, but it keeps you from carrying the heavy weight of “I should have spoken up” or “I should have asked.” Some things are out of your control, and some things are out of ours, but asking questions never hurts. Speaking up never hurts. Silence, however, often does.

As a hospice nurse and an end-of-life doula, I want to know how you feel about the care you’re receiving. I want to understand what matters to you and what worries you. I want to make sure your needs, and your loved one’s needs, are truly honored. Please don’t ever be afraid to use your voice.

We are here to meet you exactly where you are, and we can walk this with you so much better when you let us in.

xo
Gabby
www.thehospiceheart.net

11/04/2025

10/28/2025

Halloween fun! 🎃