What My Hospice means is different to each individual and family we serve. For My Hospice Ambassadors, like Torrie Campbell, 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 Torrie Campbell answers what My Hospice means to her:

Tell us a little bit about your role.

My title is Community Liaison and I began my career with Treasure Valley Hospice in Idaho in August of this year. I engage with the community to educate them about the benefits of utilizing hospice services to live and die well.

How did you first get involved with hospice? Tell us a little bit about your role.

My first involvement with hospice was with a passing family member, as it is with many people. Hospice allowed my family member to live well enough until he took his last breath. I fell in love with hospice at that time. Now, being on the giving end of hospice care has been enlightening and very fulfilling.

What do you like best about your job?

Knowing that I can help accommodate patients’ needs in a manner that empowers them and their families has been very rewarding. Hospice allows terminally ill individuals to make choices that are right for them and their families. The team I work with has been amazing and very supportive, they are a blessing and I feel fortunate to work with them.

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

Most people believe that they know exactly what hospice is and the services provided. But most of the time, their knowledge is based on myths. Advocacy provides me an opportunity to educate lawmakers. Hospice is not only a cost-effective answer to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, it provides families an opportunity to strengthen or repair the bonds they may or may not have.

What does My Hospice mean to you?

My Hospice is an opportunity to engage policy and healthcare decision-makers about the benefits of hospice and about person-centered care. While policies are in general made for the well-being of citizens, they are not always made is such a manner that makes them useful to those that are faced with a life-limiting illness. Encouraging reform that promotes patient choice, access and accountability will help patients and their families make the most of the process of dying while providing a loving and supportive atmosphere.