2026 Awards of Excellence Winners
FHPCA was honored to present the 2026 Awards of Excellence at the Annual Forum. These recognitions are granted to individuals, teams, or organizations that demonstrate outstanding service, innovation, leadership, and compassion in Florida’s hospices and palliative care. These awards help to highlight best practices, honor exceptional contributions, and encourage continued excellence in end-of-life care.
Click here to view the official press release.
2026 Hospice Story Award
VITAS Healthcare in Broward County – VITAS Healthcare
This year’s submission was a three-minute video about a mother and daughter and their hospice experience. This film transforms one family’s experience into a powerful reflection of what compassionate end-of-life care truly means.
2026 Rising Leader Award
Christina Alltop – Haven Hospice
Christina’s journey at Haven is a remarkable example of what can happen when passion, initiative, and compassion come together. She has risen from a Team Assistant answering phones to a leader as a Patient Care Representative. She has become a trusted resource for patients, families and care partners, approaching every conversation with warmth, empathy, and a genuine focus on what is best for the patient.
2026 Excellence in Program Innovation: Community Outreach
Kristy Skonieczny – Community Hospice & Palliative Care
Kristy created Community Mail Call, a simple idea that has become a deeply meaningful community-wide expression of gratitude. Since its launch in June 2025, more than 10,000 handwritten letters and cards have been collected, giving veteran patients a personal reminder that their service is remembered and appreciated. What makes Kristy’s work so special is that she turned a simple stack of cards into a sustainable program that connects generations, engages the community, and brings comfort to veterans and their families.
2026 Excellence in Program Innovation: Community Outreach
Volunteer Services – Empath Health
Our next award winner saw an opportunity to deepen the support hospicevolunteers could provide to patients and families at the end of life. Launched in 2021, the End of Life Doula Program created a specialized volunteer role focused on presence, active listening, legacy work, and helping patients and families plan for and navigate their final days.
2026 Excellence in Program Innovation: Clinical Practice
Dementia Care Program – Haven Hospice
This award winner saw the need for effective, one-on-one dementia care and community education throughout the north central Florida service area and responded by creating a comprehensive Dementia Care Program designed to improve quality of life, support caregivers, and help families create meaningful moments together.
2026 Synergy Award
Field Nurse Change Council – Hospice of Health First
This year’s award-winning team demonstrates the power of listening to frontline voices. They bring nurses and clinical leaders together to identify challenges, share ideas, and create practical solutions. From streamlining DME orders and admission guidelines to improving communication, technology, and cross-training. Their efforts have strengthened collaboration and made a meaningful difference in the daily work of hospice care.
2026 Excellence in Interdisciplinary Practice
Deangelis Brandon – Empath Suncoast Hospice
What truly sets Dee apart are the deeply personal moments she creates. She anticipates needs before they are spoken. Patients light up when Dee visits, and facility partners and colleagues consistently describe her as a true gift. After nearly 30 years of service, Dee continues to elevate everyone around her through empathy, collaboration and unwavering dedication to hospice.
2026 Catalyst Award
Albert “Bert” Goodsell – VITAS Healthcare
Bert is someone colleagues know they can turn to for guidance, and he consistently looks for ways to support managers, leaders, and fellow clinicians. His willingness to teach, collaborate, and step in wherever needed strengthens teams and ultimately improves care for patients and families.
2026 Catalyst Award
Eugene Banks – Gulfside Healthcare Services
Whether preparing for hurricanes, responding to emerging health threats, or streamlining safety processes, Gene brings people together around a shared goal of protecting patients, families and one another. His leadership has strengthened readiness, improved efficiency, and fostered a culture of respect, inclusion, and accountability. Part of his nomination was a 10-minute video of his team talking about how amazing he is.
2026 Barbara Janosko Excellence in Leadership Award
McKinsey S. Kemp – Community Hospice & Palliative Care/Community PēdsCare®
McKinsey exemplifies visionary leadership, innovation, and compassion in pediatric hospice and palliative care. She has also developed innovative education for healthcare professionals, including programs focused on trauma-informed care, grief and loss, and helping families navigate emotional and practical challenges. Through her leadership, compassion and commitment to developing others, she has created lasting change for children, families and the healthcare professionals who serve them.
2026 Hospice Heart Award
Natalie Villabrera-Williams – VITAS Healthcare
Natalie embodies the heart of hospice through the compassion, the calm and the connection she brings to every patient and family. She sees the person behind the diagnosis and finds meaningful ways to honor what matters most to them.
