The HPNF Florence Wald Champions program was established in honor of Florence S. Wald, MN, MS, FAAN. Florence Wald Champions are leaders promoting high quality of life for persons experiencing serious illness through excellence in palliative nursing. These devoted and generous donors ensure that funds are available to nurses and other health care professionals for education and research in the advancement of the rapidly growing and increasingly important hospice and palliative nursing specialty while honoring the “mother of hospice and palliative care.”
Florence Wald Champions demonstrate their passionate commitment to quality, end-of-life care by pledging to contribute $10,000 to the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation over the course of a maximum of five years. Florence Wald Champions are special philanthropists, and they are given special recognition by HPNF.
Your commitment begins with a pledge of intent and is followed by a gift agreement. To become a Florence Wald Champion, please click the button below to download and submit the Florence Wald Champion pledge form.
Florence Wald Champions
The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation is proud to recognize the following individuals who are leading through giving a Florence Wald Champion pledge of $10,000 over five years.
Rikki N. Hooper (2025)
Ginger Marshall (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2019)
Lynn Reinke (2024)
Masako Mayahara (2024)
Tracy Fasolino (2024)
Polly Mazanec (2024)
Susan S. Cox (2023)
Gloria and Larry Fabrey (2023)
Denise Stahl (2023, 2018, 2013)
J. Nicholas Odom (2023)
Patrick White (2023)
Barbara Head* (2023)
Judith Paice (2022)
Michelle Webb (2022)
Jen Hale* (2021)
Margaret L. Campbell (2021)
Marie A. Bakitas (2021)
Joan Carpenter (2021)
JoAnne Reifsnyder (2020)
Anne Hughes* (2019)
Katy Lanz (2018)
Joyce Palmieri (2017)
Betty Ferrell (2016, 2005)
Sally Welsh (2016)
Jeanne Martinez (2015, 2004)
Marge Maisto (2014)
Debra Weigand* (2011)
Connie Dahlin (2011)
Joy Buck (2009)
Pam Malloy (2009)
Rose Virani (2009)
Kate Faulkner (2008)
Debra E. Heidrich (2008)
Mary Louise Irvine (2008)
Jane C. Sidwell (2008)
Patricia Berry (2007)
Elizabeth Ford Pitorak* (2007)
Bonnie Glod (2006)
Barbara Miller (2006)
Mary Ersek (2005)
Linda Gorman (2005)
Judy Lentz (2004)
For more information, please contact the foundation directly at 412-282-8220 or email info@hpnf.org.
*HPNF honors the memory of the Florence Wald Champions who have passed. Their contributions to hospice and palliative care continue to inspire us.
“Patients and their caregivers shape our practice through patience, love, and resilience. They help us recognize the beauty of their lives even as we struggle at times. They give beyond measure and overflow with kindness. Through the Florence Wald Champion program, we can honor our patients by ensuring that Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association remains a dominant leader as we welcome future generations of nurses into the discipline.”
I am grateful to be able to join the other dedicated professionals who have become HPNF Florence Wald Champions for many reasons. This opportunity allows me to give back to HPNF and HPNA for the many years it has supported me in my palliative care education as well as my research. Secondly, knowing the funds will be used to help the next generation of hospice and palliative care nurses advance the field makes this commitment rewarding. Finally, it is an honor to celebrate the life of our very own leader, Florence Wald and her legacy. Thank you HPNF for helping to keep her vision alive and for encouraging nurses to advance palliative care nursing practice, education, and science.
I have been working in the hospice field since 2002 and I have been involved with HPNA as well as certified as a CHPN since 2004. Hospice is near and dear to my heart. I have been honored to serve on the HPNA board in the past and am now serving on the HPCC board. I am thankful that I have the ability to support HPNF and the many wonderful ways they support hospice and palliative professionals. This has been a desire of mine and fulfilling this desire is an honor and a privilege.
Having given more than 25 years of my career to the field of palliative and hospice nursing, it has become not just my work – but also my “home” and my passion. I believe supporting other nurses and clinicians in the specialty is critical for our future and am committed to doing my part. It’s been a privilege to walk in the footsteps of so many palliative and hospice nursing giants and leaders. If I can give back just a little, then I feel honored to do so. I am proud to be a Florence Wald Champion and am thrilled to renew my pledge.
