Delaware Hospice president Susan Lloyd earns national recognition

Delaware Hospice’s President and CEO, Susan Lloyd, was recognized for her leadership in advancing hospice care during the National Hospice Foundation’s 8th Annual Gala, “Celebrating the Women of Hospice: A Salute to Heroines and Humanitarians.”

“The theme of the gala gave us the opportunity to reflect on the women who have shaped hospice into what it is today through their dedication, compassion and unique contributions throughout the years. Without them, we would not be where we are today, changing the way we live and the way we die,” said J. Donald Schumacher, president and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

Among several women honored for their contributions was Lloyd of Delaware Hospice, in recognition of her work as the former chair of the Hospice Action Network, an affiliate of National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. The Hospice Action Network focuses on preserving and expanding access to hospice care by connecting advocates with one another and providing them with the tools they need to fight for the hospice cause at home, in Washington and online.

Since 1987, Lloyd has guided Delaware Hospice from a fledgling, local grassroots organization to a nationally-recognized provider of quality hospice services. Under her focus on quality care and meeting community needs, Delaware Hospice has served more than 39,000 patients in Delaware and southern Pennsylvania.

Under Lloyd's leadership, significant innovations in care have been implemented. The Delaware Hospice Center, offering 16 private suites, opened in 2008, and brought a new option of care to Delaware’s families with a state-of-the-art facility in family-style surroundings.

Another program implemented under Lloyd's direction, the award-winning New Hope Program, meets the special bereavement needs of children. For more than 20 years, New Hope has helped youth cope with loss through one-on-one counseling, school groups, and a four-day summer camp held in the three counties in Delaware.

For seriously-ill individuals who are not appropriate for hospice, Lloyd brought the Transitions Program to Delaware. Transitions provides nonmedical support, helping families’ access community resources or assigning a volunteer to lend a helping hand.

Lloyd's success at the local level has resulted in requests for her to participate on a national level. She serves as Northeast Region Geographic Regional Representative on the NHPCO’s Board of Directors, former Chair of Hospice Action Network, and Member of the Executive and Public Policy Committees.

“Susan has made numerous contributions to Delaware Hospice and the community,” stated Gene Donnelly, founder and member of the Board of Trustees of Delaware Hospice. “Delaware Hospice is celebrating 30 years of giving back to the community, and Susan has been a part of 25 of those years. It’s truly incredible what she has helped us accomplish during that time.”

The money raised by the National Hospice Foundation’s gala will be used to support NHPCO programs, such as the We Honor Veterans program in partnership with the Veterans Administration focused on improving end of life care for veterans, and Caring Connections, a national consumer and community engagement initiative.

For more information on Delaware Hospice go to www.delawarehospice.org.