Show Notes
In this episode, HPNA and HPNF board members Rikki Hooper and Yvonne Ruathaiwat expand on their perspectives and experiences regarding the palliative continuum of care, and how they break down the silos between palliative care and hospice. About the Speakers:Moderator: Lynn Reinke, PhD, ANP-BC, FAAN, FPCN, ATSF Featuring: Richelle (Rikki) Hooper, MBA, MSN, FNP-BC, ACHPN, NE-BC, FPCNYvonne Ruathaiwat, RN, MSN, GCNS-BC, NE-BC Rikki Nugent Hooper MBA, MSN, FNP-BC, ACHPN® NE-BC, FPCNRikki Hooper joined Four Seasons, a not-for-profit Hospice and Palliative Care organization, in 2005 as a palliative care nurse practitioner and has been providing patient care since that time. Initially in a full-time clinical role she has also served in various leadership roles including Palliative Care Professional Development Director, Regional Director of Palliative Care, Vice President of Palliative Care and now Chief Clinical Operations Officer with leadership for both Hospice and Palliative Care programs. As a strong believer in quality care at end of life, Rikki consistently advocates for her patients and families to achieve their goals. Certified in Advanced Hospice and Palliative Nursing, she provides care for patients in all settings, both pediatric and adult in Palliative Care and Hospice services. She has presented at regional and national meetings on a variety of topics related to serious and advanced illness as well as operation of community-based programs and has served on the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) Task Force for Quality, and on the Home-Based Workgroup for the Center to Advance Palliative Care. She has been part of the long-term care faculty for Bootcamp at the CAPC annual seminar for 3 years and facilitated Virtual Office Hours since 2018. Rikki is the author of several book chapters in APRN textbooks and Core Competencies and contributed to a number of articles published in HPM journals. She has been part of the core team for several Project Echo projects at Four Seasons. Rikki has provided both didactic education and mentoring to APRNs on Palliative Care and Hospice to local students over multiple years. Most recently she has attained certification as a Nurse Executive and was inducted as a 2023 Fellow in Hospice and Palliative Nursing. She has volunteered on the HPNA Clinical Forum planning committee, the AAHPM/HPNA Annual Assembly Abstract Review Committee, served as the Co-Chair for the Community Palliative Care SIG and currently serves as State Ambassador for North Carolina and on the FPCN Application Review Committee. Yvonne Ruathaiwat, MSN, RN, GCNS-BC, NE-BC, CCM, PHNYvonne Ruathaiwat has a diverse clinical and leadership background across the care continuum. Yvonne most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer/Senior VP of Clinical Services for Hospice of the East Bay in Northern California. Her previous experience involved operations and quality improvements for Palliative Care service line, transition of care programs, post-acute ambulatory care, skilled nursing facility partnerships, and population health management for medical respite/high utilizer groups. Yvonne’s past roles ranged from advanced practice nurse to adjunct professor. Yvonne obtained her Master of Science degree as a Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialist with specialty in Nursing Education. With a passion to deliver seamless and timely access to services, Yvonne is certified as a nurse executive, case manager, and in hospice operations. She is active with the schools in her community to foster creativity and opportunities.
More from Palliative Perspective Podcast
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In this episode of HPNA Palliative Perspective, we’re joined by Betty Ferrell—Editor of the Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing (JHPN), nurse, and internationally recognized researcher. As the leader of the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium, she brings a unique perspective shaped by decades of connection with hospice and palliative care nurses across the U.S. and around the world. Now in her 49th year in nursing—beginning in oncology and entering hospice as it emerged in the United States—Dr. Ferrell reflects on the remarkable growth of the field and where we stand today. At the heart of this conversation is the idea of a “professional home.” Drawing on the foundational work of pioneers like Florence Wald and Cicely Saunders, she highlights the enduring importance of interprofessional, whole-person care—and the need to stay grounded in those values as the field evolves. In a time that can feel complex and demanding, this episode offers a clear message: you don’t have to do this work alone. Finding your people, building community, and staying connected—through colleagues and organizations like the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association—are essential to sustaining both practice and purpose. A thoughtful and reassuring conversation about belonging, connection, and the future of hospice and palliative nursing.