Employer of the Year Award

The Employer of the Year Award is given annually to an organization that has provided substantial and comprehensive support to its employees through professional development, education, and certification opportunities.

Eligibility
  • Current Employer Partner
Criteria
  • Your organization provides financial support for professional development, education, and certification purposes for hospice and palliative care
  • Your organization demonstrates formal recognition of education and certification for hospice and palliative care
  • Your organization supports professional development through hospice and palliative care education and certification

Please note, organizations cannot be selected more than once in a five-year period. Additionally, organizations that employ members of the HPNA or HPCC Board of Directors are not eligible to receive this award.

Judging
  • All nominations are reviewed and the recipient is selected by the Awards Selection Committee of HPCC

The 2026 awards application window has closed. If you have any questions, please contact HPCC.

HPCC Employer of the Year Award Recipients
2026 – MiraSol Health

MiraSol Health is a community-driven non-profit health care organization dedicated to honoring life by providing care and support for those facing chronic conditions, end of life, and grief. Founded in 1982 as Hospice Volunteers of the Lowcountry, MiraSol Health began as a 501(c)(3) dedicated to providing compassionate, quality care to neighbors facing the end of life. Over time, the organization evolved, gaining Medicare certification, expanding its professional staff, and establishing a Palliative HomeCare agency. This growth allowed the newly named Hospice Care of the Lowcountry to extend its care to those with terminal illnesses who were still pursuing curative treatments. As the community’s needs grew, so did MiraSol Health’s services.

Today, guided by a team of exceptional physicians, nurses, counselors, and administrative staff, a dedicated board of directors composed of community leaders and health care professionals, and supported by more than 200 volunteers, MiraSol Health serves more than 3,200 individuals annually. A trailblazer in the community, MiraSol Health continues to offer a comprehensive approach to health and wellness in the shadows of adversity by providing hospice, palliative, and grief care services to patients and their families. MiraSol Health remains committed to delivering compassionate care and continues to grow and adapt to meet the evolving needs of the community, ensuring that every patient and their family receive the highest standard of care and support during life’s most challenging moments.

2025 – Harbor Hospice

Harbor Hospice, originally founded as Hospice of Muskegon County in 1983 under the leadership of Sue Wierengo, has been pioneering compassionate, holistic end-of-life care for more than 40 years. Starting with an interdisciplinary hospice team in 1984, Harbor Hospice has continually expanded its scope and services to support patients and families in five counties along the West Michigan lakeshore.

In 2005, the organization opened the Leila and Cyrus Poppen Hospice Residence, a fully funded space dedicated to patients requiring specialized care outside their homes. The establishment of Harbor Palliative Care in 2006, led by Gerald Harriman, further reinforced Harbor’s commitment to symptom management and quality of life for seriously ill patients.

Today, Harbor Hospice honors veterans through the national We Honor Veterans initiative, provides enriching therapies as part of our circle of care—such as art, music, and massage—and continues to expand services to reach underserved areas. At the heart of its work is the Bob and Merle Scolnik Healing Center, offering transformative grief support services free of charge to all in the community. The Harbor Hospice Foundation, established in 2015, supports these and other programs and services of Harbor Hospice.

Guided by the commitment of the staff, volunteers, and board of directors, Harbor Hospice remains dedicated to its mission: to walk alongside patients and families at every step of their journey, providing compassionate, expert care, comfort, and support to those facing serious illness or nearing the end of life.

2018 – 2024
  • 2024: Hospice of Central Ohio
  • 2023: Treasure Coast Hospice
  • 2022: Evergreen Health, Kirkland Washington
  • 2021: Care Dimensions, Inc.
  • 2020: Hospice of the Western Reserve, Cleveland Ohio
  • 2019: Hospice of Miami County, Troy, Ohio
  • 2018: Main Line Health System, Radnor Pennsylvania
  • 2017 – Kindred Hospice, San Marcos, Texas
  • 2016 – Hospice & Community Care, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
  • 2015 – Hospice Family Care, Huntsville, Alabama
  • 2014 – Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg, Ohio
  • 2013 – Hospice of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio
  • 2012 – Hospice Care of South Carolina, Spartanburg, South Carolina
  • 2011 – York Hospital WellSpan Health, York, Pennsylvania
  • 2010 – Hospice of Southern Illinois, Belleville, Illinois
  • 2009 – Hospice of Southern Illinois, Belleville, Illinois
  • 2008 – Home Hospice, Odessa, Texas
  • 2007 – Hospice of the Comforter, Altamonte Springs, Florida
  • 2006 – Columbus Hospice, Columbus, Georgia