Florida Senator Baxley Receives 2020 Hospice Champion Award


Tallahassee, Fla., November 9, 2020 – On November 5, 2020 Senator Dennis Baxley (R-Marion, Sumter, and Lake Counties) was presented with the 2020 Hospice Champion Award at Hospice of Marion County in Ocala.    

This award is bestowed upon Florida Legislators for outstanding support and advocacy for hospice care in Florida.  “Senator Baxley has been and incredible advocate and provides insight and quiet leadership in matters related to hospice, for which we are very grateful,” said FHPCA President and CEO Ledford.

FHPCA continues to support hospice providers throughout Florida and publicly recognizes elected officials whose leadership paves the way to better care for all.

In the 2020 Session, Senator Baxley confidently presented FHPCA’s primary legislative initiative in several committees of reference and resolutely advocated for the issue among his peers.  The legislation exempts health care practitioners from a requirement to have a conversation about ‘non-opioid alternatives’ with hospice patients, because the discussion is not appropriate for patients at the end-of-life and is likely to lead to confusion at a very difficult time. 

Hospice of Marion County CEO Rick Bourne added, “I’m glad to have the privilege of presenting this much deserved award to Senator Baxley on behalf of FHPCA.  We greatly appreciate him and his ongoing support to Hospice of Marion County’s mission to the community as well as Hospices throughout the State of Florida.”

Dennis Baxley is State Senator for District 12, which includes all of Sumter and parts of Marion and Lake Counties.  Baxley’s commitment to serving his fellow Floridians helped him rise to the position of Speaker Pro Tem, the number two leadership position in the Florida House.  His record of leadership continues in the Florida Senate, where he serves as Chair of the Ethics and Elections Committee.  

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About Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association

Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association (FHPCA) is a not-for-profit, IRS Section 501(c)(3) organization representing Florida’s hospice programs. Established in 1982, FHPCA was formed to be a unified voice for hospice programs in Florida.  For more information, visit www.floridahsopices.org.  

About Hospice of Marion County

A not-for-profit locally operated hospice, HMC has provided compassionate end-of-life care for patients and their families since 1983. Patients may receive services in their own home, assisted living facility, nursing home or in one of our three hospice houses. A comprehensive hospice model, HMC is the county’s third largest healthcare company and earned Deemed Status designation from the Joint Commission, the national gold standard for quality healthcare.