MESSAGE FROM THE EXITING 2011-2014 PRESIDENT

In August 2011 the Southwest Florida Hospice & Palliative Nurses and Interdisciplinary group received provisional status to start a chapter in Lee, Charlotte, and Collier Counties. We received our official charter in October 2012, and was recognized by the national Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) as one of the fastest growing chapters.
The rapid growth of palliative care in the U.S. creates a climate for professionals who care for people with serious illnesses to foster opportunities for education, networking, leadership, research and scholarship. Our chapter accomplishments include: gaining local support and sponsorship from members of the community, including physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and hospice organizationsproviding a means for developing personal leadership skillsproviding a mechanism for peer support, education, and networking at the local levelopportunities to plan, organize, and implement educational programming and eventsparticipating in HPNA Annual Leadership Weekend, an opportunity to learn from other chapter leaders and the HPNA Board of Directorsopportunities to foster cooperation and collaboration with other  professional and technical associates, healthcare organizations, educational institutions and governmental bodies on issues affecting the quality of hospice and palliative care on the national and local levels

It has been my privilege and honor to serve as the President of our local chapter for the past three years, and an even greater honor to work with a dedicated group of professionals who recognized the vision and lived the mission.
I can not thank you enough for your unwavering support and leadership in helping to grow the local chapter.

Wishing you a heartfelt Holiday Season and Healthy New Year!

Best Regards,
Lolita Melhado

President 2011-2014

Mission Statement

The SWF Chapter of HPNA mission is to further excellence and collaboration in hospice and palliative care across the continuum of care in Southwest Florida through education and networking at the local level