Hospice Foundation of America - Annual Report FY 2009 - 1

Dear Friend of Hospice, The last year has been one of growth and development for Hospice Foundation of America (HFA). In addition to adding two board members to the governance structure of HFA, we have grown and developed our capacity to educate the public and the professional healthcare community about hospice, palliative care, and grief. As you look through our FY 2009 Annual Report, I hope that you will be as excited about HFA’s new and noteworthy programs as we are. Of course, we have the privilege of building upon the strong foundation of excellence that was established by our long-serving chairman and my predecessor, the late Jack D. Gordon. Jack, a statesman, businessman, and great intellect, worked tirelessly for decades to support the needs of hospices and grief programs in the United States through both education and direct funding, and he left us wanting to carry on his unique vision and ideals. Today, as HFA’s chairman, I am proud of the great strides that we have made to bring hospice to the forefront of America’s consciousness. But I also know that we have much more work to do. Hospice care has been available in the United States since 1974 and a Medicare beneﬁt for more than 30 years. In spite of that, hospice is still not well understood nor is it utilized to its full potential. It is my goal to drive this organization to reach out even further so that all people in the United States are aware of the beneﬁts of hospice care and the great comfort it can bring to both terminally-ill patients and their families. I thank you for your support, which enables us to continue our service to the public and the very special hospice professionals who care for individuals and their families. Sincerely, Thomas J. Spulak Chairman

Hospice Foundation of America - Annual Report FY 2009

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