Profile: Dallas Area Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association

HPNA is a membership organization for individual members of the nursing team working in the specialty of hospice and palliative care across the life span. 

The mission of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association is promoting excellence in end-of-life nursing by:

•  Promoting the highest professional standards of hospice and palliative nursing
• Studying, researching, and exchanging information, experiences, and ideas leading to improved nursing practice
• Encouraging nurses to specialize in the practices of hospice and palliative nursing
• Fostering the professional development of nurses, individually and collectively
• Responding to the changing needs of HPNA members and the populations they represent
• Promoting the recognition of hospice and palliative care as essential components throughout the health care system

The need for our chapter was identified in May of 2003 by founding members Valerie Gilbreath and Karla Beard, who recognized the need for collaboration and fellowship among providers of end-of-life care.  Our chapter was officially chartered in 2004 with the diligent assistance of members Marte O’Brien, Bert Martin, Jan Gartenberg, Eileen McMenemy, Sandi Hebley, and Alane Capen.  We are proud of our growing chapter and welcome new members.  Regardless of discipline or employer affiliation, we promote excellence in palliative and end-of-life care and support one another on our professional journeys.

The Dallas Area Chapter serves the eastern half of the DFW Metroplex, including Dallas and surrounding counties.