Her Story
About Karen
I work as a Community Hospice Liaison, which means my primary role is building trusted relationships with hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities and physicians to ensure they view us as a vital resource. When a patient need arises, I personally meet with the family to navigate their options and ease their transition into our care. From there, our clinical team provides holistic support—ranging from direct nursing and aide care to social work, chaplain services, pet therapy, and 13 months of bereavement counseling. After a patient passes, we plant a tree in their memory (through the Arbor Foundation) as well as hold an annual memorial event for their families and friends.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Karen
01What do you attribute your success to?
I draw my daily inspiration from two profound sources: my earthly father and my Heavenly Father. My dad was the most patient, kind, and selfless man of God I have ever known. His unique ability to connect deeply with others is a trait I am blessed to have inherited. Paired with my Heavenly Father’s calling to be of service to others, these two influences shape everything I do.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
What gets you excited to wake up every single morning? Find that passion—the thing you thoroughly enjoy—and figure out how to turn it into your career. Life is too short not to make a living doing what you love.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
In hospice care, true passion cannot be faked. It requires a special gift and a deeply generous spirit. While we all need to earn a living, this field demands that you put people and their comfort first; genuine heart is essential. I only wish I had found this profound calling earlier in my career, but I am incredibly grateful to finally be exactly where I belong.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The greatest challenge we face in hospice is dispelling the myth that care is only for the final days of life. This misconception prevents eligible patients from getting the support they deserve much sooner. Medicare covers hospice at 100%, offering amazing benefits that shouldn't be delayed until a crisis hits in the final week. Our services focus entirely on comfort and quality of life, and we want patients to have the opportunity to utilize these incredible resources much earlier in their journey.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Guided by my Christian faith and the morality of the Ten Commandments, integrity, ethics, and kindness form the foundation of my life. I believe we are called to be of service to others, a mission that brings immense fulfillment to my work every single day. For me, these core values are absolutely essential—both in my profession and also how I live my life personally.
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