We’re proud to announce that Hospice Foundation of the Ozarks is now Hospice Foundation for Outreach.
This name change reflects more than a new title—it represents our growing purpose and the expanding impact of our work across communities beyond the Ozarks. While our roots are planted firmly in southwest Missouri, our mission has evolved. We’re no longer just funding local nonprofits; we’re leading national conversations, programs, and partnerships that are reshaping how end-of-life care is approached in communities across the country.
Why the Change?
As our projects and reach have grown, we needed a name that better reflects the scale and spirit of our work. Our heart remains in the Ozarks, but our efforts are now designed to serve, educate, and advocate for individuals and caregivers nationwide.
Here are just a few of the initiatives that inspired this change:
End-of-Life Care Summit
In 2025, we hosted the inaugural End-of-Life Care Summit in Springfield, Missouri, with over 250 attendees from Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Illinois. The event brought together physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other end-of-life care professionals for a powerful day of education, collaboration, and inspiration.
Summit Highlights:
- Sessions focused on coordinated care for fragile patient populations
- Accredited continuing education for multiple disciplines
- 34 vendors and 8 incredible speakers from across the Midwest
- Overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees
This isn’t a one-time effort—the next Summit is already scheduled for February 13, 2026. We’re building a national hub for innovation and learning around hospice and palliative care.
The Soft Surrender – Randy Bacon’s Film & Portrait Exhibition
This groundbreaking documentary and portrait series shares the raw, intimate stories of hospice patients and caregivers. Premiering November 1, 2025, at the historic Gillioz Theatre, the project blends powerful storytelling with advocacy for better end-of-life care.
We’re working to bring this exhibit to:
- Museums
- State capitols
- Medical schools (where it will be accompanied by curriculum materials)
The Soft Surrender aims to humanize death, spark healing conversations, and inspire systemic change.
LIGHT – Learning Institute for Global Hospice Training
In partnership with Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University in St. Louis, the LIGHT program is an online education platform offering culturally responsive, evidence-based training in hospice and palliative care.
Focused on empowering underserved and historically marginalized communities, LIGHT is preparing caregivers and healthcare professionals across the country to provide compassionate, person-centered care.
Bucket List +1 Program
Our free, signature advance care planning program helps people of all ages consider what matters most—not just in life, but at life’s end. Bucket List +1 packets include:
- A simple worksheet and advance directive
- Conversation starters for families
- Tips for making wishes known
Translated into Spanish in 2025, the program is now on track to become a nationally distributed resource available to medical systems, communities, and educational institutions.
Moving Forward
From community education to national advocacy, we are expanding access, reframing conversations, and inspiring dignity at every step of the journey. As Hospice Foundation for Outreach, we’re more committed than ever to supporting individuals, families, caregivers, and professionals—wherever they are.
Stay tuned as we continue growing our reach, launching new initiatives, and keeping the conversation going.
This new name reflects a new chapter. But our mission remains the same: to lead and support communities in making a positive impact on the seriously and terminally ill through education, resources, and compassion.