Voices of Hospice Leadership Podcast

Hospice Is Not Giving Up: What Families Should Know Before Choosing Care

In this episode of The Voices Of Hospice Leadership Podcast, Brian Frantz speaks with Shahrouz Golshani, founder and president of Healing Care Hospice, about what families should understand before choosing hospice care. Shahrouz explains hospice as a shift from curative treatment to comfort-focused support, while emphasizing that hospice is not about giving up. It is about helping patients and families make informed decisions, manage symptoms, receive emotional and spiritual support, and focus on quality of life during a deeply personal season. The conversation covers common misconceptions about hospice, when families should begin asking questions, what the Medicare hospice benefit includes, and how families can evaluate hospice providers using resources like Medicare Care Compare, reviews, response times, staffing, and visit frequency. Shahrouz also shares what makes Healing Care Hospice unique, including RN case management, physician access when needed, advanced clinical support when appropriate, Spanish-speaking care teams, and a strong focus on serving Southern California families. This episode is a helpful resource for families, caregivers, referral partners, and hospice professionals who want a clearer understanding of hospice care, patient choice, and how the right provider can shape the end-of-life experience. In This Episode, We Discuss: *  What hospice care really means  *  Why hospice is not the same as giving up  *  The difference between curative care and comfort-focused care  *  How hospice supports both the patient and the family  *  What the Medicare hospice benefit may include  *  When families should start asking questions about hospice  *  Why advanced care planning matters before a crisis  *  How families can choose the right hospice provider  *  What questions to ask before selecting a hospice  *  Patient rights, including revoking hospice or transferring providers  *  What makes Healing Care Hospice different  *  The importance of informed decision-making at end of life  Shahrouz Golshani Founder And President, Healing Care Hospice Website: healingcarehospice.com [https://www.healingcarehospice.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahrouz-golshani-881075278/ Hospice Care Marketing: https://www.hospicecaremarketing.com [https://www.hospicecaremarketing.com/]/ | (877) 959-5849 Interested in being a guest on the show? Reach out today! If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who may need it. #Hospice #HospiceCare #EndOfLifeCare #HealthcarePodcast

What Hospice Really is and Why Families Need to Know Sooner with Rachel Rankin

What does good hospice care really look like? In this episode of the Voices of Hospice Leadership Podcast, I sit down with Rachel Rankin, part owner and medical director of Bosque Trails Hospice in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Rachel shares why she and her partners started Bosque Trails Hospice, how a clinician-led team changes the care experience, and why locally owned hospice can offer a more personal and individualized approach for patients and families.  We also talk about some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding hospice, why so many families are referred too late, and what signs may indicate it is time to start asking questions. Rachel explains that hospice is not about giving up. It is about comfort, dignity, support, and helping people live as well as possible in the time they have.  You will also hear: * What makes Bosque Trails Hospice different  * How clinician-led leadership improves patient care  * Why caring well for employees leads to better care  * The role of reviews, word of mouth, and community trust  * Common myths about hospice  * Signs it may be time to ask for a hospice evaluation  * The rights patients and families have when choosing hospice  * How hospice supports loved ones before and after a loss  https://www.bosquetrailshospice.com/ [https://www.bosquetrailshospice.com/] Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-rankin-b8927590/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-rankin-b8927590/] Hospice Care Marketing: https://www.hospicecaremarketing.com [https://www.hospicecaremarketing.com/]/ | (877) 959-5849 Interested in being a guest on the show? Reach out today! If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who may need it. #Hospice #HospiceCare #EndOfLifeCare #PalliativeCare #HealthcarePodcast

How Hospice Leaders Can Reduce Burnout and Improve Retention

In this episode of the Voices of Hospice Leadership Podcast, Brian Frantz talks with Katie Quine, hospice leader, coach, and founder of Leaders on Edge, about one of the biggest challenges in hospice today: burnout and staff retention. Katie shares insights from her experience in hospice leadership, including why staffing stability is directly connected to census growth, how leaders can recognize early signs of disengagement, and what it really takes to build a culture where teams feel supported. If you are a hospice owner, administrator, or leader trying to improve retention, strengthen your culture, and better support your field staff, this conversation is for you. In This Episode: * Why staffing stability is a growth strategy  * Early signs of burnout and disengagement  * What hospice staff need beyond pay and benefits  * How leaders can better support field clinicians  * Why relationships matter more than metrics alone  * Practical ways to improve retention before staff check out  * How to hire people who are truly called to hospice work  About Katie Quine Katie Quine is a hospice leader, coach, and founder of Leaders on Edge. Her work focuses on helping healthcare leaders build the capacity to handle pressure, lead more effectively, and better support their teams. https://www.leadersonedge.com/ [https://www.leadersonedge.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leadersonedge/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leadersonedge/] Subscribe for more conversations on hospice leadership, growth, staffing, and strategy. Schedule your free strategy session [https://go.hospicecaremarketing.com/?_gl=1*mbsg05*_gcl_au*MTg0MzkzNDc4NC4xNzY4MzM4MDM5] today. #HospiceLeadership #HospiceCare #BurnoutPrevention #StaffRetention #HealthcareLeadership #HospicePodcast

Better Conversations, Better Transitions: A Home Health Nurse's Take on Hospice

In this episode, Brian sits down with Angie Oujiri, Director of Hospice for Vivie, serving families across Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. With over 15 years in home health and palliative care, Angie brings a rare perspective on why so many hospice appropriate patients are hiding in plain sight  inside home health caseloads. You'll learn how better conversations, earlier education, and stronger partnerships between home health and hospice teams can transform both care quality and census growth. Key Topics * Why patients who are eligible for hospice often land in home health first * The emotional barrier to hospice and how to meet families where they are * How to have informed, compassionate conversations about end-of-life options * The single most important question clinicians can ask every patient * Why home health teams are an underutilized referral source for hospice * Building a new hospice program within a larger integrated care organization * Facility partnerships, seamless care, and team communication tools * Growing census in a new market through collaboration Featured Guest Angie Oujiri, Director of Hospice, Vivie is a care provider offering an integrated set of care services, including home health, care management, senior living, rehabilitation, hospice, and more. With a dedicated team of over 2,300 employees, Vivie serves more than 13,000 individuals annually across Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Rooted in a foundation of faith and focused on transforming the way people live, age, and thrive, Vivie tailors its support to meet the unique needs of every person. By prioritizing people first and fostering a culture of excellence, compassion, and innovation, Vivie strives to deliver exceptional care. Resources & Links * Vivie: https://vivie.org/ [https://vivie.org/] * Connect with Angie on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angie-oujiri-926a5397/] * Hospice Care Marketing [https://www.hospicecaremarketing.com/] If your hospice is not showing up where families search, you are leaving admissions on the table. We help hospice teams strengthen Google Maps visibility, generate reviews, and turn education into referrals. Call (877) 959-5849 or visit www.hospicecaremarketing.com [http://www.hospicecaremarketing.com] Schedule your free strategy session [https://go.hospicecaremarketing.com/?_gl=1*mbsg05*_gcl_au*MTg0MzkzNDc4NC4xNzY4MzM4MDM5] today. #Hospice #HospiceCare #HomeHealth #PalliativeCare #HospiceLeadership #EndOfLifeCare #CensusGrowth #HospiceMarketing #Minnesota #HealthcareLeadership

Eligibility Vs Readiness: Blue Monarch Hospice’s Approach to Care, Communication, And Census Growth

Episode Summary In this episode, you sit down with Raphael Akobundu, NP and CEO of Blue Monarch Hospice, serving families across North County San Diego. You unpack the difference between being eligible for hospice and being emotionally ready, common myths like 24/7 in-home care, and how clear communication with families and facilities reduces crisis decisions. Raphael also shares practical playbooks for reviews, referral partnerships, and what actually drives census growth in a competitive market. Key Topics * Eligibility vs readiness and how to guide families through both * What hospice covers vs what it does not cover * Typical visit cadence and how it increases as needs change * The 24/7 misconception and how to set expectations * Switching hospices and discharge when patients stabilize * Building referral partnerships that last * Why medication workflows between facilities and hospices need standardization * Owner insights on compliance, costs, and growth Featured Guest Raphael Akobundu, NP, CEO, Blue Monarch Hospice Locally owned, clinician-led hospice serving North County San Diego. Emphasis on small-team communication, right-sized caseloads, and high-touch family support. Pull Quotes * “Eligibility and readiness are different conversations. Your job is to meet families where they are.” * “Communication and clear expectations with facilities prevent most issues before they start.” * “Great care is your best marketing. Reviews and referrals follow.” Resources And Links * Blue Monarch Hospice, North County San Diego * Connect with Raphael on LinkedIn * Hospice Care Marketing: SEO, Maps, and Reviews Support Show CTA For Hospice Providers If your hospice is not showing up where families search, you are leaving admissions on the table. We help clinician-led teams strengthen Google Maps visibility, generate reviews, and turn education into referrals. Call (877) 959-5849 or visit www.hospicecaremarketing.com [http://www.hospicecaremarketing.com] Schedule your free strategy session [https://go.hospicecaremarketing.com/] today. #Hospice #HospiceCare #HospiceEligibility #Caregiving #PalliativeCare #NorthCounty #SanDiego #HealthcareLeadership #CensusGrowth #HospiceMarketing