Three regional hospice and palliative care organizations across the United States have announced major leadership appointments, highlighting ongoing efforts to restructure operational management and expand community outreach as the sector faces persistent public misconceptions about end-of-life care.
HopeHealth Launches Community Engagement Program Led by Helena Moronta
Rhode Island-based nonprofit HopeHealth has named Helena Moronta as its director of community engagement, according to a report by Hospice News. The newly created role oversees a fresh public outreach and education program designed to improve hospice awareness and access across Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts.
HopeHealth provides hospice, palliative care, and dementia support services. CEO and President Diana Franchitto stated that the initiative aims to build trust and educate communities long before hospice care becomes an immediate necessity.
“One of the most significant challenges hospice leaders face is helping communities understand that hospice is about so much more than a person reaching the final stage of their life,” Franchitto told Hospice News in an email.
Moronta brings over 30 years of experience in business development, community relations, and strategic engagement from the corporate, nonprofit, and public sectors, having previously worked at BayCoast Bank. She also serves as a board member for the United Way of Rhode Island, the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket, and YMCA Southcoast, alongside volunteering for the Special Olympics.
According to Moronta, a distinct disconnect persists between healthcare organizations and the populations they serve. Public misperceptions, cultural beliefs, language barriers, and historical distrust heavily influence how families approach end-of-life options.
For many individuals and families, hospice continues to be misunderstood as giving up hope… But we also have to recognize that these perceptions don’t exist in isolation. Cultural beliefs, language barriers, past experiences with healthcare and a lack of trust can all influence how individuals and families understand and approach end-of-life care. Addressing this challenge starts with listening and taking the time to understand people’s experiences, respect their perspectives and learn what matters most to them. We cannot expect communities to come to us if we haven’t made the effort to come to them.
Susan Lage Returns to MJHS Health System in Newly Established COO Role
In New York, MJHS Health System has appointed Susan Lage as its chief operating officer, filling a newly created position within the organization. Lage began her career with the health system as a hospice social worker in 2009 and spent 15 years in various roles before serving as senior vice president and business development of its home care, hospice, and palliative care services.
Prior to her return, Lage served as senior vice president and hospice administrator at Calvary Hospice. In her new role at MJHS, she will direct home care, hospice, and palliative care operations, alongside overseeing Medical Associates PC and the MJHS Menorah Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care.
“Susan brings a powerful combination of operational expertise, deep knowledge of our organization and mission and a strong understanding of the evolving health care marketplace,” MJHS Health System President and CEO David Wagner said in a statement reported by Hospice News.
Ashley Brown Steps Up as VP of Clinical Services at Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care
Colorado-based Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care has promoted Ashley Brown to vice president of clinical services following a nine-year tenure with the organization. Brown initially joined the nonprofit as a nurse in its inpatient unit at Penrose Hospital before progressing through roles including case manager and clinical manager, most recently serving as director of clinical services.
Dawn Darvalics, president of Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care, credited Brown’s leadership with maintaining strong staff satisfaction and engagement. “Over the past nine years, Ashley has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, compassion and a deep commitment to our mission,” Darvalics said in an announcement. Pikes Peak operates as an affiliate of Care Synergy, a Colorado-based network of nonprofit hospice, home health, and palliative care providers formed in 2014.
