Ep. 60 - Breath, Boundaries, and Letting Go: Ventilation Discontinuation in Rural Long-Term Care

Ep. 61 - Retirement with Purpose: Volunteerism and Palliative Care Ministry

For many nurses, retirement marks not the end of a career, but the beginning of a new chapter of service. In this episode, former HPNA CEO Judy Lentz, PhD, RN, reflects on how retirement created an opportunity to reimagine her role in palliative care through volunteer leadership and the development of palliative care ministry within faith communities.  Drawing on decades of experience in clinical practice, education, research, and organizational leadership, Judy explores how retired nurses and other healthcare professionals can continue to improve quality of life by supporting individuals and families living with serious illness. She also discusses the concept of the palliative care doula as one model for companioning individuals and families through serious illness, alongside practical examples of how congregations can become compassionate partners in care by providing spiritual, emotional, and social support that complements the work of interdisciplinary palliative care teams.  The conversation also reflects on the evolution of hospice and palliative care, the enduring value of mentorship and leadership, and the fulfillment that comes from continuing to serve beyond a traditional career. Whether you're approaching retirement, considering volunteer opportunities, or looking for new ways to extend the reach of palliative care, this episode offers inspiration for finding purpose in the next season of professional life.      Judy Lentz, PhD, RN Judy Lentz, PhD, RN, retired in 2012 as the CEO of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association, the National Board of Certification for Hospice and Palliative Nurses and the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation. In her retirement, her interests were in serving those experiencing serious illnesses as a palliative care doula®.  Over the past 14 years, Dr. Lentz has coordinated palliative care ministries in two Christian churches. Her research focused on the impact of spirituality in Christians experiencing serious illness. She is widely published, has presented at national conferences and has spoken to multiple groups locally.  She has encouraged the initiation of palliative care ministries in three local and regional faith communities, continues to serve as coordinator in her faith community’ ministry as well as serves independently on a national level as a volunteer palliative care doula®. Her website can be found at http://www.palliativecaredoula.com [http://www.palliativecaredoula.com/]     Brett Snodgrass, DNP, FNP-C, ACHPN®, FAANP Dr. Brett Snodgrass has been a registered nurse for 28 years and a Family Nurse Practitioner for 18 years, practicing in multiple settings, including family practice, urgent care, emergency departments, administration, chronic pain and palliative medicine. She is currently the Operations Director for Palliative Medicine at Baptist Health Systems in Memphis, TN. She is board certified with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She is also a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and an Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse. She completed a Doctorate of Nursing Practice at the University of Alabama – Huntsville. She is a nationally recognized nurse practitioner speaker and teacher. Brett is a chronic pain expert, working for more than 20 years with chronic pain and palliative patients in a variety of settings. She is honored to be the HPNA 2025 podcast host. She is married with two daughters, two son in laws, one grandson, and now an empty nest cat. She and her family are actively involved in their church and she is an avid reader.

Ep. 60 - Breath, Boundaries, and Letting Go: Ventilation Discontinuation in Rural Long-Term Care

Prolonged mechanical ventilation in rural long-term care settings brings a unique set of clinical, ethical, and logistical challenges for care teams, residents, and their families. In this episode, we explore the realities of ventilator use in rural long-term care environments, where limited resources and geographic barriers can complicate care decisions and delivery. We also take a thoughtful look at the emotional and practical impact of ventilator discontinuation, highlighting the experiences of those directly affected. Join us for a nuanced conversation that sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of long-term care and the difficult decisions that come with it.      Von Vitto, DNP, CNP, AGNP-C, ACHPN® Von Vitto, DNP, CNP, AGNP-C, ACHPN® is a board-certified adult-gerontology nurse practitioner and has advanced certification as a hospice and palliative nurse. He currently serves as a nurse practitioner at HospiceCare in The Berkshires, Inc. in Berkshire County, MA. Von brings years of experience in delivering geriatric and specialty palliative care in skilled nursing facilities and to community-dwelling patients. He is passionate about navigating serious illness conversations and the provision of goal-concordant care. Von has also mentored and precepted nurse educator and nurse practitioner students.    Julie Thurston Julie Thurston is a board-certified Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner with advanced certification in Hospice and Palliative Care who currently serves as a key member of the leadership team at HospiceCare in The Berkshires, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. In her role, Julie provides comprehensive patient and family-centered care, supports her organization in ongoing performance improvement projects, and mentors her staff in various professional development opportunities. During her tenure, Julie has embraced diverse roles including RN Case Manager, RN Weekend/Evening Triage, and Staff Educator. Her commitment to the provision of high-quality care across the continuum earned her an Integritus Healthcare Profiles in Care award. Additionally, she shares her expert knowledge and experience providing education throughout the local community for healthcare providers across multiple disciplines. Julie has been an active member of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association since 2010.   Brett Snodgrass, DNP, FNP-C, ACHPN®, FAANP Dr. Brett Snodgrass has been a registered nurse for 28 years and a Family Nurse Practitioner for 18 years, practicing in multiple settings, including family practice, urgent care, emergency departments, administration, chronic pain and palliative medicine. She is currently the Operations Director for Palliative Medicine at Baptist Health Systems in Memphis, TN. She is board certified with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She is also a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and an Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse. She completed a Doctorate of Nursing Practice at the University of Alabama – Huntsville. She is a nationally recognized nurse practitioner speaker and teacher. Brett is a chronic pain expert, working for more than 20 years with chronic pain and palliative patients in a variety of settings. She is honored to be the HPNA 2025 podcast host. She is married with two daughters, two son in laws, one grandson, and now an empty nest cat. She and her family are actively involved in their church and she is an avid reader.

Ep. 59 - Finding Our Professional Home: Community, Connection, and the Future of Hospice & Palliative Nursing

In this episode of HPNA Palliative Perspective, we’re joined by Betty Ferrell—Editor of the Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing (JHPN), nurse, and internationally recognized researcher. As the leader of the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium, she brings a unique perspective shaped by decades of connection with hospice and palliative care nurses across the U.S. and around the world.  Now in her 49th year in nursing—beginning in oncology and entering hospice as it emerged in the United States—Dr. Ferrell reflects on the remarkable growth of the field and where we stand today.  At the heart of this conversation is the idea of a “professional home.” Drawing on the foundational work of pioneers like Florence Wald and Cicely Saunders, she highlights the enduring importance of interprofessional, whole-person care—and the need to stay grounded in those values as the field evolves.  In a time that can feel complex and demanding, this episode offers a clear message: you don’t have to do this work alone. Finding your people, building community, and staying connected—through colleagues and organizations like the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association—are essential to sustaining both practice and purpose.  A thoughtful and reassuring conversation about belonging, connection, and the future of hospice and palliative nursing.      Betty Ferrell, RN, PhD, MA, CHPN®, FAAN, FPCN® Betty Ferrell, RN, PhD, MA, CHPN®, FAAN, FPCN® has been in nursing for 48 years and has focused her clinical expertise and research in pain management, quality of life, and palliative care. Dr. Ferrell is the Director of Nursing Research & Education and a Professor at the City of Hope Medical Center in Duarte, California. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and she has over 500 publications in peer-reviewed journals and texts. She is Principal Investigator of the “End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC)” project. She directs several other funded projects related to palliative care in cancer centers and QOL issues. Dr. Ferrell was Co-Chairperson of the National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care. Dr. Ferrell completed a Masters degree in Theology, Ethics and Culture from Claremont Graduate University in 2007. She has authored 12 books including the Oxford Textbook of Palliative Nursing (5th Edition, 2019) published by Oxford University Press. She is co-author of the text, The Nature of Suffering and the Goals of Nursing published by Oxford University Press (2nd Ed, 2023) and Making Health Care Whole: Integrating Spirituality into Patient Care (Templeton Press, 2010). In 2013 Dr. Ferrell was named one of the 30 Visionaries in the field by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. In 2019 she was elected a member of the National Academy of Medicine. In 2021 Dr. Ferrell received the Oncology Nursing Society Lifetime Achievement Award and she was inducted as a “Living Legend” by the American Academy of Nursing   Brett Snodgrass, DNP, FNP-C, ACHPN®, FAANP Dr. Brett Snodgrass has been a registered nurse for 28 years and a Family Nurse Practitioner for 18 years, practicing in multiple settings, including family practice, urgent care, emergency departments, administration, chronic pain and palliative medicine. She is currently the Operations Director for Palliative Medicine at Baptist Health Systems in Memphis, TN. She is board certified with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She is also a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and an Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse. She completed a Doctorate of Nursing Practice at the University of Alabama – Huntsville. She is a nationally recognized nurse practitioner speaker and teacher. Brett is a chronic pain expert, working for more than 20 years with chronic pain and palliative patients in a variety of settings. She is honored to be the HPNA 2025 podcast host. She is married with two daughters, two son in laws, one grandson, and now an empty nest cat. She and her family are actively involved in their church and she is an avid reader.

Ep. 58 - After Five: The Other 123 Hours of Hospice Care

Hospice care is often structured around a 40-hour workweek—but patients and families need support 24/7. In this episode, we explore what happens during the “other 123 hours”: nights, weekends, and holidays when staffing is leaner, coverage areas expand, and each clinician carries greater responsibility—even as symptom crises and end-of-life transitions unfold. Through frontline insights, we examine the risks, resilience, and resourcefulness that define after-hours care—and discuss practical strategies to strengthen continuity, safety, and support across the full week.      Djenie Helne, DNP, FNP-BC, CRNP, ACHPN®  D’Jenie R. Helne, DNP, FNP-BC, ACHPN®, is a Doctor of Nursing Practice–prepared Family Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse with over 18 years of nursing experience and more than a decade in advanced practice. She currently serves as Director of Resource Nights & Weekend Nurse Practitioners at Chapters Health System, where she leads multi-state advanced practice teams delivering high-quality hospice and palliative care across Florida, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.  Dr. Helne is recognized for her expertise in clinical operations, regulatory readiness, telehealth innovation, and interdisciplinary care models. She has held leadership, hospitalist, and academic roles, including faculty appointments at Johns Hopkins University and Santa Fe College. Fluent in Haitian Kreyòl and proficient in Spanish, she is deeply committed to equitable, patient-centered care and building collaborative clinical environments that drive excellence in outcomes and operational performance.    Brett Snodgrass, DNP, FNP-C, ACHPN®, FAANP Dr. Brett Snodgrass has been a registered nurse for 28 years and a Family Nurse Practitioner for 18 years, practicing in multiple settings, including family practice, urgent care, emergency departments, administration, chronic pain and palliative medicine. She is currently the Operations Director for Palliative Medicine at Baptist Health Systems in Memphis, TN. She is board certified with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She is also a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and an Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse. She completed a Doctorate of Nursing Practice at the University of Alabama – Huntsville. She is a nationally recognized nurse practitioner speaker and teacher. Brett is a chronic pain expert, working for more than 20 years with chronic pain and palliative patients in a variety of settings. She is honored to be the HPNA 2025 podcast host. She is married with two daughters, two son in laws, one grandson, and now an empty nest cat. She and her family are actively involved in their church and she is an avid reader.

Ep. 57 - I’m Not Dead if I’m Still Talking: Behind the Film A Butterfly Has Been Released

In this episode, filmmakers Barry Koch and Jason Zamer are joined by Angela Novas, Chief Medical Officer of the Hospice Foundation of America, to discuss A Butterfly Has Been Released. The documentary follows hospice nurse Allyson during the final 39 days of her life with brain cancer. Determined to turn her dying into a teaching moment, she hosts a living funeral, shares deep conversations with loved ones, and chooses a natural green burial—modeling agency and intention through the end of life.  Barry and Jason reflect on the emotional and ethical realities of documenting such an intimate journey, while Angela offers a hospice leadership perspective on what the film reveals about patient autonomy and end-of-life care. Together, they explore how storytelling can reshape conversations about death and grief.  This episode invites palliative and hospice professionals to reflect on what happens when the caregiver becomes the patient—and how narrative can be a powerful vehicle for change.  “A Butterfly Has Been Released” is available for individual and community viewing, with and without continuing education credit at Hospice Foundation of America website [https://hospicefoundation.org/product-category/from-caregiver-to-patient-hospice-nurse-allysons-final-39-days/].      Barry Koch  Barry Koch is a media executive turned end-of-life innovator whose work brings humanity, honesty, and meaning making to life’s final chapter.  Through the production of  films like A Butterfly Has Been Released and digital projects that enhance deathcare literacy, he sparks important and necessary conversations that families often avoid.  As a Co-founder of TGBeyond and longtime hospice volunteer, he champions compassionate care, community healing, and conscious choices at the end-of-life.   Jason Zamer  Jason Zamer is a healthcare technology innovator turned documentary storyteller, using film to illuminate the emotional and therapeutic power of end-of-life narratives. With 20+ years designing evidence-based interventions for older adults, he blends science, empathy, and creativity to transform how we communicate about dying.  As co-founder of TGBeyond, he creates “deadutainment”—engaging, empowering content that normalizes death conversations—through tools and stories that help families prepare, heal, and connect through life’s final chapter.     Angela Novas Angela Novas is a nationally recognized hospice and palliative care clinician who serves as Chief Medical Officer and consultant for the Hospice Foundation of America (HFA). She moderates and participates in HFA's professional educational panels, provides information about hospice to the public, and is frequently quoted by major media outlets including The Washington Post, AARP, USA Today, and NPR. With advanced training from Harvard and The George Washington University, she leads with clinical rigor, compassion, and a commitment to high-quality end-of-life care.     Brett Snodgrass, DNP, FNP-C, ACHPN®, FAANP Dr. Brett Snodgrass has been a registered nurse for 28 years and a Family Nurse Practitioner for 18 years, practicing in multiple settings, including family practice, urgent care, emergency departments, administration, chronic pain and palliative medicine. She is currently the Operations Director for Palliative Medicine at Baptist Health Systems in Memphis, TN. She is board certified with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She is also a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and an Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse. She completed a Doctorate of Nursing Practice at the University of Alabama – Huntsville. She is a nationally recognized nurse practitioner speaker and teacher. Brett is a chronic pain expert, working for more than 20 years with chronic pain and palliative patients in a variety of settings. She is honored to be the HPNA 2025 podcast host. She is married with two daughters, two son in laws, one grandson, and now an empty nest cat. She and her family are actively involved in their church and she is an avid reader.