What My Hospice means is different to each individual and family we serve. For My Hospice Ambassadors, like Kimberly Ouwehand, it means acting as a leader in their state to support Medicare’s first coordinated care model and protect the Medicare Hospice Benefit.

My Hospice Ambassadors are hospice and palliative care professionals with an interest in advocacy who work with NHPCO to facilitate on-going outreach and relationship development with federal policymakers.

Here Ambassador Kimberley Ouwehand shares what My Hospice means to her:

Tell us a little bit about your role.

I am very active on several boards and community healthcare organizations, which include Idaho Health Continuum of Care Alliance, Justice Alliance for Vulnerable Adults, Idaho Guardian and Fiduciary Association and Idaho Caregiver Alliance. I’m also a founder of Smart workshops- which brings education to caregivers throughout the Treasure Valley and the director of The Teal Chair documentary.

How did you first get involved with hospice?

I worked in healthcare right out of college: first, as a certified medical assistant (CMA) in Seattle, WA for 12 years and then, when I moved back to Idaho, I began working for Treasure Valley Hospice.

What do you like best about your job?

I love helping families. I love being an advocate for quality of life and choice. I have a passion and perspective on healthcare and the changing effects it can have on people’s lives.

What motivates your advocacy and why do you think others should get involved?

The more I am involved with hospice and end-of-life, the more I realize how dying effects the living. Today’s healthcare has been trying to focus on WHOLE person care and I believe that hospice is the best example of WHOLE person care. Hospice has proven to be cost-effective AND provides the best quality of care.

What does My Hospice mean to you?

Helping families- by bringing experts for support and care at the most important period of life.

We invite you to keep promoting the power of hospice by joining the My Hospice campaign. Please consider sharing this post with your family and friends on Facebook and Twitter or share your My Hospice story with us.