FHPCA Recognized Florida Representative Gayle Harrell for Championing Hospice and Palliative Care


Tallahassee, Fla.—Today, during the Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Association’s (FHPCA) third quarter Board Meeting & Retreat at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, Legislative Aide Karen Sweeney accepted the Hospice Champion Award on behalf of Florida Representative Gayle Harrell. FHPCA recognized Representative Harrell’s role in serving as a champion for hospice and  palliative issues during the 2017 Legislative Session. Representative Harrell has over 16 years of public service and over 28 years of experience in healthcare. She served on the Treasure Coast Hospice Board, now known as Treasure Health.

During the 2017 regular session, she sponsored FHPCA’s bill “An Act Related to Hospice” (HB 539). The bill was passed into law and addresses quality measures, prescription drug disposal after a patient’s death, and obtaining records after death. 

FHPCA’s President and CEO Paul Ledford said, “We are very appreciative to Representative Gayle Harrell for serving as a champion for hospice and palliative care. With her support and partnership this past legislative session, Florida hospices can continue to provide better care for terminally ill patients and their loved ones.”

Representative Gayle Harrell said, “I thank FHPCA for honoring me with the Hospice Champion award. Healthcare is very important to Floridians in my district and across Florida, and hospice plays a critical role in caring for a significant portion of Florida’s population. It is great to work with FHPCA and support issues the community cares about.”

Representative Harrell’s district (83) includes parts of Martin and St. Lucie counties. The hospice programs serving those counties are Hospice of Okeechobee and Treasure Health.

FHPCA’s board is comprised of 41 hospice executives representing their hospice organizations in Florida. The board strives to assure excellence in and expand access to hospice and palliative care and advocates for the needs of those in the final phases of life. The vision of FHPCA is to continue making Florida a model state for hospice and palliative care services.

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 About Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association

FHPCA is a not-for-profit, IRS Section 501(c)(3) organization representing hospice patients and families, hospice professionals and hospice providers. FHPCA strives to assure excellence in, and expand access to, hospice and palliative care, and advocates for the needs of those in the final stages of life.For more information, please visitwww.LetHospiceHelp.org and https://www.floridahospices.org/. Follow FHPCA on Twitter at @FlHospicesPC and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FloridaHospices.