The Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant of the Year Award presented by the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center recognizes the work of all hospice and palliative nursing assistants from across the country.
Recipients will receive:
- HPCC covers the cost of renewal for the CHPNA® certification
- Award with engraving
- Travel to an HPNA Annual event (if applicable)
The 2026 awards application window has closed. If you have any questions, please contact HPCC.
Eligibility
- Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant (CHPNA®)
- Members of the HPCC board, Examination Development Committees, and Awards Selection Committee are ineligible
Criteria
- The individual personifies excellence in the clinical practice as a hospice/palliative nursing assistant
- The individual provides leadership through mentorship of others in hospice/palliative care
Judging
- All nominations are reviewed and the recipient is selected by the Awards Selection Committee of HPCC
HPCC CHPNA® of the Year Award Recipients
Alicia started her career in health care 18 years ago when she became a Certified Nursing Assistant at the age of 17. She has been with Hospice of Western Reserve since 2016 and received her Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant (CHPNA®) certification in 2017. In 2018, Alicia was awarded the Golden Spork Award for her performance. Her passion for caring for others began long before that. She assisted with the care of her grandparents and her uncle. During Alicia’s school-aged years, she would spend her summers volunteering at Pleasant View Health Care Center, where she would spend quality time with residents and often sit bedside, holding their hand during their final hours. Alicia strives to give the best possible care to all her patients. She is caring, compassionate, and communicates well with patients and their families.
Paula Adams Hendricks has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a focus in painting. After college, she studied early childhood education and became a preschool teacher. In 1992, she relocated to the Puget Sound area and had a focused interest in caregiving. Initially, she worked in adult day health programs and specialized in teaching art to adults living with dementia and other frail populations. Subsequently, she became certified as a nursing assistant and gravitated toward a career in end-of-life care with Providence Hospice of Seattle.
- 2024: Ryann Demshar, CHPNA®
- 2023: Nicole Stephens, HNA, CHPNA®
- 2022: Stephanie Resto, HNA, CHPNA®
- 2021: Nancy Washko, CHPNA®
- 2020: Michele Watson, HNA, CHPNA®
- 2018: Audrey Boylan, CHPNA®
- 2017: Sabrina Madrid, STNA, CHPNA®