NAHC’s Theresa Forster & Katie Wehri Honored for Advocacy by NY Assn

May 7, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Thomas Threlkeld Director of Communications 202-547-7424/tom@nahc.org

NAHC’s Theresa Forster & Katie Wehri Honored for Advocacy by NY Assn

Washington, D.C.— The Home Care Association of New York (HCA) honored NAHC Vice President for Hospice Policy Theresa Forster and Director of Home Care & Hospice Regulatory Affairs Katie Wehri for their advocacy on behalf of hospice services, at the association’s virtual annual conference on May 5.

The HCA Advocacy Award recognizes a provider agency or person who took risks to improve the home care or hospice industry, clients, and workers through their advocacy efforts.

“HCA is enormously proud to recognize each individual’s exemplary achievements, contributions, service, and inspiration to the field of home care and hospice,” said HCA President and CEO Al Cardillo.

Theresa and Katie combine to provide a one-two combination of policy and program advocacy that addresses virtually all areas and levels.

They provide direct support for hospice and palliative care providers, as well as proactive planning of initiatives and innovations for hospice and palliative care advancement. They engage with Congress and the federal administration on all things hospice and palliative care, including urgent matters of both positive opportunity and critical reshaping of policies.

“One of the great things about the work that we do is that it never really gets old,” said NAHC Vice President for Hospice Policy Theresa Forster. “Each day new issues emerge, and they present the opportunity to learn a little more about how hospice practice is changing, and how hospice providers and the patients and families they serve are impacted by policy decisions. It creates tremendous motivation because you get to see first-hand how relevant the work you do is at the ground level. But it’s a great honor to be recognized for doing work that is so rewarding, particularly from an association with such a stellar reputation for advocating on behalf of community-based providers and the patients and families they serve.”

“It is an honor to be chosen for this award,” said Katie Wehri, NAHC Director of Home Care and Hospice Regulatory Affairs. “I was spurred to work in hospice by a personal experience and began as a volunteer, so it is exceptionally fulfilling to be able to continue this work. It is important to keep this focus but easy to lose sight of it. Al, the HCA team, and HCA members always keep the focus and are superb advocates for patients and families and providers. Thank you for being such great partners and making our work all that much more enjoyable.”

A video of the ceremony is here, including remarks from all honorees.

Descriptions for all awardees are posted at https://hca-nys.org/2021awards. There you’ll also find links to individual profiles about each recipient, their accomplishments, and contributions to the field.

 

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About National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC)

The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) is the voice of home care and hospice. NAHC represents the nation’s 33,000 home care and hospice providers, along with the more than two million nurses, therapists, and aides they employ. These caregivers provide vital services to Americans who are aged, disabled, and ill. Some 12 million patients depend on home care and hospice providers, who depend on NAHC for the best in advocacy, education, and information. NAHC is a nonprofit organization that helps its members maintain the highest standards of care. To learn more, visit nahc.org.