To advocate for quality hospice care throughout the state of Oklahoma and provide public awareness regarding end-of-life issues, while networking and supporting hospice organizations throughout the state of Oklahoma.

• Increased hospice awareness in the medical community and the general public at-large.
• Organized network of hospices facing end-of-life issues and hospice care in Oklahoma.
• Legislative presence and influence at the State Capitol.
• Networking with other hospice care providers.
• Reduced rates for OHPCA sponsored events.
• Continuing education opportunities for team members.
• Information & visibility through the OHPCA’s web site
• E-Newsletter from OHPCA.
• Wide variety of committee involvement.

December, 2006

Dear Hospice Colleague,

Are you concerned with the fact there is no Medicaid benefits for adult hospice patients? Are you facing hospice care challenges with very few people to talk to about it? Are you a fairly new hospice in the state of Oklahoma? The Oklahoma Hospice & Palliative Care Association is here for you. It is enrollment time for the 2007 Membership in the Oklahoma Hospice & Palliative Care Association. The OHPCA was incorporated in 1983. The purpose for this organization to exist is to advocate for quality hospice care throughout the state of Oklahoma. In order to be successful in our mission, we need the active support and collective participation of ALL hospices in the state of Oklahoma to effectively provide hospice education, addresses concerns and questions, represents views and more.

What are the benefits of your hospice joining the Oklahoma Hospice & Palliative Care Association? Some of the benefits include: increased public awareness of hospice throughout Oklahoma and the issues facing Oklahoma and hospice care, legislative presence and influence, networking with other hospice care providers, reduced rate for OHPCA - sponsored events, continuing education for staff members, information and visibility through the OHPCA website and the OHPCA’s electronic newsletter.

One of the great benefits of the Oklahoma Hospice & Palliative Care Association is the “open to the membership” board of directors’ meetings. These meetings are held monthly and open to any member of the Association and are a great way to learn and become involved with hospice issues in Oklahoma.

Please fill out the enclosed application for the 2007 membership to the Oklahoma Hospice & Palliative Care Association. Mail the application with the appropriate dues for your hospice organization to Oklahoma Hospice & Palliative Care Association, 755 W Covell Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73003. Please note, each separate licensed hospice office must join the Association if you want each location and mailings listed in the OHPCA directory and web site as additional hospices and wish to receive reduced registration fees at educational events. Satellite offices sharing the same hospice license number will share the same membership benefits and their addresses will be listed under the licensed hospice address. The deadline for the 2007 Membership is March 1, 2007. After March 1, there will be a 3% increase in the dues.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the OHPCA’s Chief Operating Officer, Lavane Vowell at 405-606-4442 or email at info@okhospice.org or call Gregory A. Wood, OHPCA President at 580-762-9102 or Rhonda Kurvink, Membership Chair at 918-423-3911.

Sincerely,

Gregory A. Wood, L.B.S.W., CHA
President, 2007
Oklahoma Hospice & Palliative Care Association, Inc.