Palliative Perspective Podcast

What if the key to reducing resistance to care isn't doing more, but approaching care differently? In this episode of HPNA Palliative Perspective, internationally recognized dementia care expert Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA shares practical techniques for licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants that prioritize connection before providing care. From seeking permission and interpreting refusals to using body language, pacing, and creative storytelling, listeners will discover simple, actionable strategies that can improve comfort, trust, and communication across hospice, home care, and long-term care settings.     This episode is part of HPNA HOMES initiative, which provides dedicated support, education, and resources for hospice and palliative care licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants. The initiative is made possible through generous funding from the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (HPNF), with grant support from the Jack Buncher Foundation and the Y.C. Ho/Helen & Michael Chiang Foundation. Together, these efforts help strengthen the skills of frontline caregivers while improving quality of life for patients and families living with serious illness. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, is an Occupational Therapist with over forty years of rich and varied clinical and academic experience. Her experiences led her to the development of the GEMS® States of Brain Change and the Positive Approach™ training strategies. Her company, Positive Approach to Care® (PAC), provides online and in-person education and products to support those living with brain change. She also co-founded the Snow Approach Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Teepa presents with extraordinary expertise and humor to audiences throughout the world.    Brett Snodgrass, DNP, FNP-C, ACHPN, FAANP, has been a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner for 18 years, practicing in multiple settings. She received her DNP from University of Alabama – Huntsville. She is currently the Palliative Medicine System Director of Operations for the Baptist Healthcare System. She is also the president of BBS Health Education – where she creates and presents continuing education for healthcare providers. Brett is a nationally recognized healthcare speaker and nationally recognized pain management expert, working for more than 20 years with pain patients in a variety of settings. She is board certified with the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.  She is also a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and certified as an Advanced Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse. 

Advocacy doesn't begin in the legislature—it begins wherever nurses use their voices to improve care.  In this episode of Palliative Perspective, HPNA Advocacy Committee member Janelle Williamson MSN, NP-C, APRN, ACHPN, FPCN, and Kansas State Representative Melissa Oropeza DNP, APRN, NP-C, CGRN, join the conversation to explore how nurses can influence healthcare at every level. From sharing patient stories and engaging in professional organizations to testifying on legislation and serving in elected office, they discuss the many ways nurses can shape policy and advance the profession.  Together, they reflect on their own advocacy journeys, the leadership skills that grow from speaking up, and why nurses are uniquely qualified to inform healthcare decisions. The conversation also addresses a common challenge: many nurses don't see themselves as policy experts, despite being the clinicians closest to patients and families.  Whether you're attending your first advocacy event, participating in an HPNA Hill Day, or simply wondering where to begin, this episode offers practical insights and inspiration to help you discover where your voice can make a difference. Advocacy isn't reserved for a select few—it's a natural extension of nursing practice, and every nurse has a role to play. HPNA Advocacy  __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Melissa Oropeza, DNP, APRN, NP-C, CGRN, is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner specializing in Gastroenterology at The University of Kansas Health System and a Kansas State Representative. With more than 27 years of healthcare experience, she has been a leader in advancing the role of Advanced Practice Providers and improving patient care through clinical practice, leadership, and advocacy.    Throughout her career, Dr. Oropeza has championed the nursing and advanced practice professions. She founded and served as the inaugural Chair of The University of Kansas Health System's Advanced Practice Providers (APP) Council, where she established professional recognition programs, created an APP endowment fund, and launched the institution's first APP Symposium. Her leadership has created lasting opportunities for professional development, recognition, and advocacy for advanced practice providers.    A nationally recognized healthcare advocate, Dr. Oropeza served on the Kansas State Board of Nursing and became the first actively practicing Nurse Practitioner elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 2022. She currently serves as Chair of the Wyandotte-Leavenworth County Legislative Delegation and as Ranking Minority Member of the Kansas House Social Services Budget Committee, where she works to improve healthcare access, strengthen behavioral health services, and advance policies that support Kansas families and healthcare professionals.  In addition to her legislative service, Dr. Oropeza continues to provide direct patient care and mentor future healthcare leaders. She is a strong advocate for healthcare access, mental health, and patient-centered public policy. Her professional honors include the 2017 Kansas Nurse Practitioner Advocate Award and numerous leadership and service recognitions throughout her career. In 2026, she received the Legislative Leadership and Collaboration Award for Mental Health Advocacy, recognizing her commitment to building bipartisan solutions and improving mental health outcomes for Kansans.   Janelle Williamson, MSN, APRN, NP-C, ACHPN, FPCN, is a nurse practitioner with Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care at Stormont Vail Health in Topeka, Kansas. A nationally recognized leader in hospice and palliative care, she has held specialty certification in the field for nearly 15 years and was named a Fellow in Palliative Care Nursing in 2023—an honor recognizing significant contributions to the profession. She has been a strong advocate for improving access to palliative care across Kansas, helping lead efforts that established the state's Palliative Care and Quality of Life Advisory Council and contributing to Kansas' first five-year palliative care plan. Janelle also serves in leadership roles with the Kansas Advanced Practice Nurses Association and the Kansas Advanced Practice Nurses Association's Political Action Committee. She is passionate about advancing hospice and palliative care while advocating for APRNs to practice to the full extent of their education and training.

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     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.

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.

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.