End of Life Center
Announcements
Melissa Malone, Makeba Huntington-Symons, Nik Lampe, and Angela Hill
Advancing dementia care: USF conference brings together experts, caregivers, and community
members
People living with dementia and their family care partners often face a complex and emotionally taxing journey, from initial diagnosis through long-term care. Recognizing the need for compassionate, informed support, the USF Center for Hospice, Palliative Care and End-of-Life Studies and Florida Policy Exchange Center in the School of Aging Studies recently brought together leading dementia care professionals, students, and advocates for a conference focused on improving care services, support, and resources for dementia patients and caregivers throughout Florida.
The event, now in its fourth year, was held on March 27, 2026 and welcomed more than 100 attendees for a day of learning and collaboration. Through a keynote presentation, panel discussions, practical instruction, and an immersive virtual experience, attendees explored the realities of dementia care and the critical role of care partners.
The conference opened with a keynote address by Angela M. Hill, PharmD, RPh, CRPh, FAACP, a professor and associate dean of clinical affairs in the USF Health Taneja College of Pharmacy, who highlighted key considerations in dementia care and the importance of interdisciplinary approaches.
Additional sessions offered both practical insight and personal perspective. Melissa Malone, a community educator with the Alzheimer’s Association Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, led a discussion on understanding brain health, while CherylAnn Haley of Sandy’s Daughter, LLC, emphasized the importance of amplifying caregiver voices. Eileen Poiley, director of education at the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Center & Research Institute, shared essential knowledge for professionals working with dementia patients.
The day concluded with a panel discussion led by Dr. Tara Friedman, chief medical officer of Chapters Health System, featuring panelists Dr. Nicholas Joseph of Empath Health and Dr. Nicholas James of Chapters Health System. The discussion explored challenges, available resources, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in dementia care.
One of the most impactful elements of the conference was an interactive dementia virtual reality training facilitated by Empath Health. This training allowed participants to better understand what living with dementia may feel like, offering a powerful perspective that deepens empathy and informs care practices.
Empath Health commits $50,000 to advance palliative and hospice care research and
education at USF
Empath Health, a decades-long community partner of the Center for Hospice, Palliative
Care and End-of-Life Studies at USF, contributed $10,000 to the center in February
and committed to providing $10,000 annually for the next five years—a total contribution
of $50,000. This generous support enables the center to offer pilot funding to graduate
students and faculty conducting research in the fields of palliative and hospice care.
It also supports educational programs, including annual conferences co-hosted by the
center. The recent third annual conference, "Building Community in a Post-COVID Era
for Older Adults and Their Families," brought together more than 80 caregivers, professionals,
and community members on March 27 in Tampa.
Building Community Among Older Adults Post-COVID
This was the third annual conference co-sponsored by the Center for Hospice, Palliative
Care, and End-of-Life Studies and the Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging. The
event took place on March 27th at the USF Embassy Suites Hotel and brought together
caregivers, professionals, students, and community members. Expert panelists represented
the USF School of Aging Studies, the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College, Chapters Health
System, Empath Health, Moffitt Cancer Center, Senior Connections Center, Barlowe and
Associates, and the Alzheimer’s Association. The keynote presentation was delivered
by Joanne Elayoubi (USF School of Aging Studies) and focused on loneliness and social
isolation. This conference was made possible with the support of a USF Conference
Grant awarded to Dr. Lindsay Peterson.
Dr. Nik Lampe (PI) and Dr. Ji-Young Lee (co-PI) , assistant professors in the Department
of Mental Health Law & Policy in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences
were awarded the Center for Hospice, Palliative and End of Life Studies Pilot Grant
Award for their project, "Delivering LGBTQ+ Inclusive and Culturally Responsive Hospice
Care” (January, 2025 – December 2025).
The pilot project is in collaboration with Chapters Health System, Inc.The award supports research studies focused on palliative care and end-of-life care
within the local community. Lampe and Lee's research team will conduct focus groups with hospice care providers
from Life Path Hospice, family caregivers of LGBTQ+ hospice care patients, and community-dwelling
LGBTQ+ older adults as part of a project called "Delivering LGBTQ+ Inclusive and Culturally
Responsive Hospice Care.” Data collected from these focus groups will inform the development
of a training intervention. This intervention aims to enhance hospice care providers'
knowledge, confidence, and skills in delivering LGBTQ+ inclusive and culturally responsive
hospice care. The project team also includes Jessica Vanderwerf, second year doctoral student in
the School of Aging Studies, and Helena Polansky, first year doctoral student in the
School of Aging Studies.
Our second annual conference, co-sponsored by the Center for Hospice, Palliative Care and End of Life Studies and Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging from the School of Aging Studies, took place on Friday, April 12th, at the USF Embassy Suites, 'Caring for the Caregiver to Provide Better Care;' the conference brought together community caregivers and professionals, with 100 individuals and almost 50 caregivers in attendance. Sessions included how to cope with stress, medical and health issues caregivers often face, and resiliency and advocacy. Caregivers participated in activities, including a Q & A with a panel of experts, and learned about resources available within the community. Distinguished University Professor Bill Haley, PhD, gave the keynote address.
A big thank you to Moffitt Cancer Center for providing free chair massages to caregivers.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at Empath Health PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) center in Tampa, Florida
link to article: https://empathhealth.org/empath-health-launches-new-pace-center-hospice-news/
Enhancing Care and Communication at the End of Life: Best Practices in
Advance Care Planning
The Center for Hospice, Palliative Care and End of Life Studies and Florida Policy
Exchange Center on Aging from the School of Aging Studies held a conference Friday,
April 21st at USF Embassy Suites, Enhancing Communication and Care at the End Of Life:
Best Practices in Advance Care Planning. The brought together students and community
members to come listen to experts in the fields of nursing, spiritual care and medicine
from Center Community partners Chapters Health System and Empath Health. Pictured
below our organizers from the School of Aging Studies (middle) Debra Dobbs, Lindsay
Peterson and Sara Hackett from the conference planning committee with presenters and
other faculty from the conference.
Tara C. Friedman, MD FAAHPM, Chief Medical Officer of Chapters Health System will be the new Community Director for the Center for Hospice, Palliative Care and End-of-Life Studies at the University of South Florida. Dr. Friedman replaces recently retired Ronald S. Schonwetter, MD, FACP, AGSF, FAAHPM, HMDC and former Chief Medical Officer of Chapters Health System.
Congratulations to the 2023 – 2024 Graduate Assistantship Awardee: Jessica Yauk, MGS.,
PhD. Candidate in The School of Aging Studies.
Title: "Black Caregivers' Perceptions of Care Recipients' End-of-Life Care Planning"
Jessica Yauk, a doctoral candidate in the School of Aging Studies, was selected for the 2023-2024 Graduate Assistantship in End-of-Life or Palliative Care. This assistantship provides funding for a 9-month period to allow graduate students to pursue their own research projects related to end-of-life or palliative care and work with community providers. This year's awardee, Jessica Yauk, received $20,000 to research Black caregivers in the community to understand their perceptions of care recipients' end-of-life wishes.