From the Desk of the Executive Director

FHPC is a busy organization. And it’s not just the staff and consultants, here in Tallahassee -- the members who pay their dues dollars AND offer their invaluable time and expertise also make great contributions to the success of this organization. There are a lot of good things going on, and I want to share just a few of those things with you.

The FHPC Public Policy Initiative (PPI) and its task forces meet (at least) monthly to discuss the opportunities before us and lay plans to deal with issues that arise from Florida’s legislature and executive branch agencies. The PPI also deals with issues that arise from the actions of the Federal Government and work in cooperation with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization on that front. Without the efforts of the PPI, we would be collectively unprepared for the challenges that we face in the legislative and regulatory arenas. The Chair of the Public Policy Initiative is John McElligott, President and CEO of Big Bend Hospice.

The FHPC Access Initiative (AI) is seeking to expand the knowledge of hospice, working to promote “having the conversation” about advance directives, and promoting a better understanding of diversity issues that may affect how consumers access or view hospice care. Among their goals are identifying and breaking down barriers to access hospice care (or building bridges over barriers – depending upon how you want to look at it) – irrespective of what form those barriers may take. We are optimistic that there is a solution. In May, FHPC’s Diversity Workgroup will host the inaugural Hospice Diversity Summit, bringing together people to share knowledge, insights, strategies, and stories of success in reaching specific communities with hospice care. The Chair of the Access Initiative is Dale Knee, President and CEO of Covenant Hospice.

The FHPC Excellence Initiative (EI) is working to fully understand what the public wants as they approach the end of life (so that hospice programs can meet those needs) and to maintain the highest standards of practice in Florida’s hospices. Currently, the EI is gathering hospice and end-of-life related research, and exploring standards and best practices for hospice programs. Another important role of the EI is to ensure that FHPC committees and initiatives have qualified persons identified and engaged to perpetuate a core knowledge and growing expertise in hospice and end-of-life issues. Two highly energized and vital parts of the EI are the Symposium Committee, which plans and runs the Annual FHPC Symposium, and the Peer Workgroup Task Force, which plans and runs the “Peer Workgroup Networking Workshops.” The Chair of the Excellence Initiative is Samira Beckwith, President and CEO of Hope Hospice.

Stay tuned… the 2006 Regular Session of the Florida Legislature kicks off on March 7, for a 60-day run. It promises to be another busy year at the Capitol.

Paul A. Ledford

Executive Director