Steve Ford Guest Speaker at 18th Annual Pathways Hospice Awards Breakfast

Business Wire, Sept 23, 2008

Dr. Philip R. Lee and Janis Bell, RN to Be Honored

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- Steve Ford, son of former President Gerald R. Ford, will be this year's guest speaker at the 18th Annual One from the Heart Awards Breakfast, on October 10, 2008, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel in Palo Alto. Ford, an actor, motivational speaker and hospice supporter, will give the audience an insider's view of life in the public eye, featuring many historic and never-before-seen photos and slides. Steve will also share insights gained when he and those dearest to him supported Gerald Ford and each other during the final months of the late president's life.

"Three years ago, I would have had nothing to say about hospice," said Steve Ford. "That all changed during the final year of my father's life, when his hospice team taught me how to be a caregiver. Recently, I used what I learned with my own father to help a dear friend care for her father. These two experiences left me with many good things to say about the value of hospice care."

Breakfast attendees will also honor recipients of The John W. Gardner Visionary Award, and the One from the Heart Award. These annual awards, presented by the Pathways Hospice Foundation, honor those who have inspired others, improved society, and supported Pathways' mission of providing compassionate, family-centered home health and hospice care.

"We look forward to having Steve Ford speak at this year's One from the Heart Awards Breakfast. Hospice has become part of the family vocabulary, and his firsthand experience is sure to be informative and uplifting," said Carol Lillibridge, Vice President of Philanthropy of Pathways Hospice Foundation. "In addition to enjoying a wonderful speaker, at this event, we have the opportunity to recognize those individuals who represent the compassion, humanity and spirit of hospice and health care."

The John W. Gardner Visionary Award was created to recognize the work of those who strengthen our regional or national commitment to healthcare, volunteerism or philanthropy. Dr. Philip R. Lee will receive this year's Gardner Award. An influencer of national health care policy, Dr. Lee served as Assistant Secretary for Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under two presidents, from 1965 to 1969 under President Johnson, and then again from 1993 to 1997 under President Clinton. Most notably, in 1965, more than 80 landmark bills were passed, including the formation of Medicare and Medicaid. As the third Chancellor of University of California, San Francisco, from 1969 to 1972, and as Founder and Director of the UCSF's Institute for Health policy studies from 1972 to 1993, Dr. Lee has devoted his career to improving health care and public health for all people at the local, state, federal and international levels.

The One from the Heart Award honors individuals or organizations for their enduring contributions to Pathways hospice patients and their families. This year's recipient is Janis Bell, RN, a recently retired Pathways Hospice nurse. Bell served as a hospice nurse for twenty years; her gentle manner and delightful smile have supported hundreds of dying patients and their families. Throughout her time at Pathways, Janis mentored countless other nurses, and taught hospice skills to those transitioning to this special form of care. Prior to becoming a hospice nurse, Janis was a midwife nurse, so she truly embraced patient care from cradle to grave.

One from the Heart Corporate Sponsors:

Corporate sponsors of the event included Diamond Sponsor, US Bank; Lead Underwriters, Sequoia Hospital/CHW and El Camino Hospital; Corporate Sponsors, Alhouse-Deaton Management & Leasing, Inc., Berg & Berg, LLC, Bernardin Family McDonalds, BridgePoint at Los Altos, California Home Medical Equipment, Carstarphen Family Foundation, Inc., Cashin Company Realtors, Congregation Beth Am, DES Architects Engineers, Inc., Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Morgan Stanley, Palo Alto Commons, Palo Alto Medical Foundation/Camino Medical Group, The Roberts Foundation, Ron Labetich Company, Inc., The Private Bank, Rambus Inc., Stanford Hospital & Clinics, Tarlton Properties, Inc., Thoits Bros., Inc., Washington Hospital Healthcare System, Wells Fargo, and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. Media sponsors for this event are Palo Alto Weekly, and Palo Alto Online. KTVU reporter Rita Williams will return for the 9th year as emcee.

Individual seats to the One from the Heart Awards Breakfast are available for $90 each. To inquire about a table, contact the Pathways Hospice Foundation. For more information and to register for the One from the Heart Awards Breakfast, call 408.730.1200, e-mail events@pathwayshealth.org, or visit http://www.pathwayshealth.org.

About Pathways Hospice Foundation

Pathways Hospice Foundation supports Pathways Home Health and Hospice by funding services that could not be offered without community support. These services include family bereavement counseling and support, integrated therapies, caregiver support, comfort care, and gap funding for under and uninsured patients. Pathways Home Health and Hospice is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that cares for Bay Area patients in their place of residence, whether it be their home, hospital, nursing home, or assisted living facility. Founded in 1977, Pathways now serves over 5,000 families annually in five Bay Area counties. For more information about Pathways Hospice Foundation, call 408.730.1200 or visit http://www.pathwayshealth.org.