Suncoast Hospice Honored at Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Association’s Annual Conference

CLEARWATER, Fla. – May 31, 2017 – Suncoast Hospice, a member of Empath Health, was honored by the Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Association at their annual conference May 24 in Orlando.

Susan Finkelstein, RN, MAS, manager of Suncoast Hospice’s pediatric hospice and palliative care programs has received the Catalyst Award honoring an individual who consistently demonstrates leadership and the use of collaboration to bring together various teams throughout their organization to provide the best hospice experience for their patients and families. Finkelstein joined Suncoast Hospice in 2015 and is responsible for Suncoast Hospice’s Perinatal program, Partners in Care: Together for Kids and the counseling and support programs for families with ill children in active treatment or for those bereaved.

The Excellence in Program Innovation for Community Outreach was awarded to Suncoast Hospice’s Traditions (Tradiciones) program for demonstrating the power of creativity and ingenuity to impact the hospice practice and the community. The Traditions program was established to increase access to hospice services to underserved communities in our area: African American, Hispanic and Jewish communities. Nationally these communities use hospice services at lower levels than other communities. The Traditions team provided approximately 200 community events, presentations and educational opportunities breaking down hospice myths and misconceptions, and created advisory councils to increase their voices within the agency. The hard work culminated in Suncoast Hospice serving above “expected” national expected rates in these communities.

Photos information:

Catalyst Award Winner Susan Finkelstein, RN, MAS, Manager of Suncoast Hospice’s pediatric hospice and palliative care programs and Paul Ledford, President & CEO of FHPCA

Traditions Team – From left: Karen Davis-Pritchett, M.Ed, director of Professional Relations and Community Outreach; Kelly Seigel, MBA, Community Outreach Specialist; Maria Pepe, Community Outreach Specialist; Paul Ledford, President & CEO FHPCO and LaShante Keys, M.S. Community Outreach Specialist

About Suncoast Hospice

Suncoast Hospice is a nonprofit provider of compassionate hospice care and bereavement support services to Pinellas County patients and families nearing the final stages of life or grieving the deaths of loved ones for 40 years. As an Empath Health member, we focus on bringing holistic comfort and dignity through our medical and integrative treatment, emotional and spiritual care and palliative and support services. Families and caregivers also are comforted with training, support and healing. Suncoast Hospice is accredited by The Joint Commission.

About Empath Health
Empath Health is a nonprofit integrated network of care that provides expert, life-changing health care to those with chronic and advanced illnesses. Empath Health includes hospice, home health and physician services, independent living assistance and day care for seniors, HIV services and advance care planning.

###