Samira Beckwith
Interview Responses

Nominees were asked to provide written responses to the following questions prior to their interview with the Governance Committee.

A.  What do you see as the top three roles of a board member of a national organization? What goals do you hope to achieve through NHPCO board service?

The role of the National Board is to set the Vision for the organization and assure the highest possible functioning.  As a Board member, I believe that we are responsible for sharing our talents, experience, information and observations through dialog and discussion.  

My goals are to assure that Hospice is relevant in the future health care system and taking a leadership role in shaping that future. This is critical with   increased competition for scare reimbursement and unprecedented economic times with the aging of the boomers.

We must assure that our work of 30 years is an integral part of the continuum of care.

B.  The profile of the hospice industry has evolved over the past 10 years and some changes have led to tension between providers. What do you see as the role of the NHPCO Board with regard to increasingly diverse membership? (Increased competition, new entrants, rural vs. urban needs, other post-acute providers adding hospice services and hospice provider tax status.)

There will always be diversity in opinion, and tensions among providers for the various reasons noted in the question. Our strength over the years have been our focus on the needs of the people in our care and speaking with one voice.

We must affirm that hospice is not an “industry” and resist the urge for the medicalization of our care.  Our common denominator is our calling and our passion for our work. As a Board, we have to work with the membership in regards to quality, compliance, standards and ethics.  My leadership experience in navigating these discussions over the years will be helpful at these critical times.

NHPCO Board members must lead the way through a changing healthcare landscape and uncertain future. Together, hospices must maintain their distinct identity and coveted reputation in healthcare. Even if there is diversity within the world of hospice, our strength must be in our common goals. The “hospice difference” is the way to meet increased competition.

NHPCO must help member hospices to maintain superiority in the field. As a Board member, I want to continue developing new opportunities for hospices to expand their circle of care, with a focus on improving quality, reducing costs, and increasing access for every individual. These are goals that all hospices must share.