2021 Annual Hospice & End of Life Awards
CALL FOR NOMINEES
Each year, The Carolina Center recognizes and honors gifted, skilled and dedicated hospice professionals and volunteers. These individuals and/or organizations are those who exemplify leadership, excellence and passion across the Carolinas from advocacy to hospice and palliative care delivery. We invite you to nominate a colleague, leader or organization who fits these descriptions for one of our 8 awards.
Nominations must be submitted by Friday, June 15th @ 5pm. Award recipients will be recognized during our “Virtual” 45th Annual Conference, August 30th - August 31st.
2021-Awards-Nomination-Form
Award Descriptions
- Peter Keese Leadership Award (NC): In December 1976, Peter Keese initiated grassroots efforts that led to the opening of the first hospice organization, Hospice of North Carolina in 1977. Peter served as the first President, and hired Carl Whitley as the first Executive Director. Due to Peter Keese’s leadership, 9 communities began working on developing hospice programs. Grant funds in excess of $215 thousand were received and distributed to assist the early programs in launching their programs. Due to his passion and others, North Carolina’s one hundred counties offer hospice services in a variety of settings. The recipient of this award will be considered a leader and pioneer who advocates for regulatory and legislative change and forms strategic partnerships to advance hospice and palliative care delivery.
- Tamra West Leadership Award (SC): Tamra West was TCC’s first South Carolina Program Director and served in this capacity for more than 15 years. As TCC’s ambassador she forged key relationships with regulators, legislators, payers and other association leaders to build bridges for hospice and palliative care providers and led to the protection of the SC MCD Hospice Benefit and regulatory changes for hospice providers in SC. Tamara’s leadership led to the implementation of several grant funded initiatives related to advance care planning and symptom management education. The recipient of this award is someone who is a fierce advocate for regulatory change, education for hospice professionals and consumers and works diligently to build relationships that advance high quality hospice and palliative care delivery in SC.
- Sharon O. Dixon Clinical Excellence Award (NC): Mrs. Sharon O Dixon was the driving force for the incorporation of Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region. Her passion for end-of-life care was second to none; she was a tireless advocate for the hospice industry as a whole. She found ways to work around barriers by finding solutions to allow for greater access and care delivery to those who are at the most vulnerable time of their lives. She was so revered for her clinical excellence, this award was created in her honor. The recipient who receives this award will be one who raises the level of clinical excellence in his or her organization through exemplary leadership and care delivery skills.
- The Palmetto Clinical Excellence Award (SC): This award recognizes exemplary leadership and clinical excellence. The recipient of this award is recognized by their peers for their ability to raise the clinical expertise of others through the provision of education, mentorship, or direct care delivery. In addition, the recipient of this award is diligent in raising the standards for hospice and care delivery through meaningful collaborations (i.e. national, state, regional stakeholders and clinical associations) that serve to enhance the quality of care provided to hospice and palliative care patients and their families. Examples may include, but not be limited to: innovative care delivery protocols, licensing or regulatory changes, etc.
- Judith Lund Person Hospice Volunteer Award: Judi Lund –Person started her career in hospice as a hospice volunteer and later became TCC’s third Executive Director. She served this role from 1980-2002. She was a key asset in getting the NC hospice licensing and CON law established and worked closely with the national stakeholders in establishing the Medicare Hospice benefit. She was at the helm during much of the growth of the industry in NC as well as around the country. This award honors extraordinary hospice volunteers. All volunteers are eligible regardless of their role.
- Hospice Veteran Partnership Organizational Leadership Award: This award recognizes an organization who has achieved at least a level 4 designation as an NHPCO We Honor Veterans Hospice Veteran Partner (HVP) and provides exemplary services to veterans throughout the communities they serve and forms innovative community partnerships designed to meet the needs of veterans throughout the serious illness care continuum.
- Palliative Care Innovations Award: This award is designed to recognize the contributions of health care organizations and/or health care professionals who have launched innovative palliative care education programs or care delivery models that enhance the care provided to patients and their caregivers
living with an advanced or serious illness. Examples of such contributions may include, but not be limited to: cutting edge symptom management, research articles that exhibit advances in providing access to patients and their families or evidence of creative partnerships (i.e. primary care, hospitals, faith communities, etc.) to serve diverse community populations.
- The Spirit of Hospice Award: This award recognizes the unique gifts and contributions of a hospice professional whose persona brings good will to patients, families, and their peers. The recipient of this award seeks out opportunities to lift the spirits of others and engages others to make changes that will enhance the mission of the organization or care provided to patients and their families.