About HPc - Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky

OUR MISSION

Helping individuals live with dignity through the final stages of life.

Located in Owensboro, HPC - Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky provides end-of-life services in Daviess, Hancock, Hopkins, and Muhlenberg counties.

At HPC - Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky, we believe each day can be filled with precious moments. Our entire team is dedicated to helping make those moments possible for our patients and their families. It is a mistake to think that choosing hospice means giving up. Hospice care isn’t about dying; it’s about living life to its fullest.

We understand that facing a life-limiting illness is never easy. We are truly honored and humbled when you ask us to walk this important journey with you.

WHERE WE BEGAN

Over 40 years ago, at Trinity Episcopal Church, Rev. Glendon Coppick, Alice Bagot, Ann Greer, and Bea Lennox joined forces to pursue the idea of bringing hospice care to Owensboro. “The Hospice Association” was incorporated on July 7, 1980 and served its first patient in 1982. Twelve years after operating solely on the strength of its volunteers, the organization became Medicare certified.

In 1994, the first patient in Hancock County was served, and as the organization grew and reached more people in the Daviess/Hancock service area, the name was changed to “Hospice and Palliative Care of the Ohio Valley, Inc.” To better represent our success and plans for the future, the name was later changed to Hospice of Western Kentucky and, most recently, to HPC - Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky.

Our service area also expanded to include Hopkins and Muhlenberg counties. “The Heartford House,” the first free-standing inpatient hospice facility in Western Kentucky, opened in Owensboro in October 2013, providing an alternative to hospitalization by offering round-the-clock care for those hospice patients whose illness required more symptom management than could be provided in the home.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

To provide support and care for those in the final phase of a life-limiting illness so they can live as fully and comfortably as possible. Hospice affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. Hospice neither hastens nor postpones death. Instead, through personalized services and a caring community, hospice helps patients and families prepare for a death that is satisfactory to them.

HPC Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky is a non-profit, medicare-certified organization. Our services are provided regardless of race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, handicap (mental or physical), place of national origin, diagnosis, or ability to pay.

We are a member of:

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
The Kentucky Association of Hospice and Palliative Care
The Kentucky Hospice Network

MEET OUR STAFF

Janie Mahoney

Janie Mahoney has served as our Chief Financial Officer since 2007. Since joining Hospice, one of the accomplishments she is most proud of is being part of the team that designed, built, and ultimately opened our inpatient unit, the Heartford House. Seeing the tremendous asset the facility has become to the community has been truly rewarding. Born and raised in Owensboro, Janie graduated from Brescia University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Though her career may require daily hours before a computer screen interpreting financials and running spreadsheets, at heart, she is a true outdoors enthusiast and animal lover. Country-living down on the farm is the only life for her, surrounded by her six grandchildren, ages 1 to 13, and her many critters, from dogs to goats. She loves nature, camping, and being anywhere there is water—at the ocean on the beach, at a lake, in a pool—but her passion is her family. There is nothing she enjoys more than spending time with them.

Brenda Knollenberg, Chief Executive Officer

Brenda Knollenberg began her service as CEO of Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky in November of 2020. She is excited to serve the organization as she loves the mission of “helping individuals live with dignity through the final stages of life.” Originally from Illinois, Brenda has served as the executive director at non-profits in both Illinois and Iowa. She is a graduate of Illinois State University with a Bachelors Degree in Communication.

Brenda began her career with Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky in the development department in February of 2018, and most recently served as the Development Manager before becoming CEO. She lives in Owensboro with her husband Jeff, and loves spending time with her two children and one fabulous grandson!

Brenda Knollenberg, Chief Executive Officer

Brenda Knollenberg began her service as CEO of HPC Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky in November of 2020. She is excited to serve the organization as she loves the mission of “helping individuals live with dignity through the final stages of life.” Originally from Illinois, Brenda has served as the executive director at non-profits in both Illinois and Iowa. She is a graduate of Illinois State University with a Bachelors Degree in Communication.

Brenda began her career with HPC Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky in the development department in February of 2018, and most recently served as the Development Manager before becoming CEO. She lives in Owensboro with her husband Jeff, and loves spending time with her two children and one fabulous grandson!

Janie Mahoney, Chief Financial Officer

Janie Mahoney has served as our Chief Financial Officer since 2007. Since joining HPC, one of the accomplishments she is most proud of is being part of the team that designed, built, and ultimately opened our inpatient unit, the Heartford House. Seeing the tremendous asset the facility has become to the community has been truly rewarding. Born and raised in Owensboro, Janie graduated from Brescia University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Though her career may require daily hours before a computer screen interpreting financials and running spreadsheets, at heart, she is a true outdoors enthusiast and animal lover. Country-living down on the farm is the only life for her, surrounded by her six grandchildren, ages 1 to 13, and her many critters, from dogs to goats. She loves nature, camping, and being anywhere there is water—at the ocean on the beach, at a lake, in a pool—but her passion is her family. There is nothing she enjoys more than spending time with them.

Tina Sauerheber, Chief Operating Officer

Tina has been serving HPC Hospice of Western Kentucky since 1997 and started her career in our billing department. Since that time, she has served many positions within the agency and was promoted to the position of Chief Operating Officer in 2016. Tina says she loves working at HPC Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky because she knows that every day she has the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life, be it a patient, family member, coworker or even her own. Tina is the proud mother of four wonderful daughters and has five grandchildren - and one great grandchild! In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family and quiet time at home.

Beth Kenney, Chief Clinical Officer

Beth joined the HPC team in December 2023. Beth has been a registered nurse for 20 years which includes several years of nursing in ICU and women’s services. She has over 13 years of hospice experience ranging from RN to Executive Director of a small non-profit hospice. Her most recent hospice position was an Inpatient Hospice Unit Manager, where she was in charge of oversight of opening and operating a 13 bed hospice unit.

Beth lives in Rockport, Indiana but is originally from West Texas. She has 3 teenage sons and enjoys watching them play sports. Her hobbies include reading, flower gardening, antique shopping, and keeping up with her cats and dogs.

MEET THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MARK MCANULTY, Past Chair

Mark is a partner at Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn, LLP. Mark represents employers in all areas of employment and labor law. Licensed to practice in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Missouri, and has represented clients in administrative and judicial proceedings throughout the tri-state area. Mark counsels clients regarding hiring and disciplinary issues, as well as compliance with local, state and federal employment laws. Mark also works with clients in reviewing and drafting employment contracts, non-compete agreements, and employee handbooks. Mark has three children and resides with his wife, Jennifer, in Owensboro. In addition to Hospice of Western Kentucky, Mark serves on the board of the Owensboro Society for Human Resource Management, Girl Scouts of Southwestern Indiana, and the Legal Aid Society.

Mark Mcanulty — Owensboro, KY — Hospice of Western Kentucky

Blake Edge — Owensboro, KY — Hospice of Western Kentucky

BLAKE EDGE, Chair

Blake Edge serves as a Planner in Community and Economic Development for the Green River Area Development District. Blake is primarily responsible for the construction and implementation of the Region’s Hazard Mitigation Plan, a federally required document which serves to guide local officials’ investment decisions with regards to capability expansion, enhancing disaster recovery, reducing vulnerability through economic development and ensures eligibility for FEMA Disaster Assistance. Focused on resiliency and vulnerability of critical infrastructure, Blake is currently partnered with the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA on a pilot project analyzing critical infrastructure, its interdependencies and reliance on the communications and information technology network. Blake also works with local officials in the 7 counties served by GRADD on community projects to acquire federal funding with agencies including the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security, Kentucky Emergency Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Delta Regional Authority, Kentucky Industrial Authority, Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Water and Community Development Block Grant. Blake is a graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan College where he was a member of the President’s Round Table. Currently, he serves on the Board of Advisors for the Salvation Army and Board of Directors for Hospice of Western Kentucky. When he is not in the office Blake enjoys spending time with his wife of 9 years, Amanda and his 2-year-old daughter, Charlee, working with his dad and spending time on the water at Rough River Lake.

BETH DAVIS, Vice-Chair

Beth is an Owensboro native and graduate of Owensboro Community and Technical College. She is the City Clerk for the City of Owensboro and has served the community for over twenty (20) years in municipal government.

Current boards and affiliations: President of Green River Municipal Clerks Association; Regional Representative to Kentucky Municipal Clerks Association (Public Relations Committee Chair); Kentucky Colonel, Lady Kentucky Colonel, International Association of Administrative Professionals and International Institute of Municipal Clerks. Leadership Owensboro Class of 2020.

Beth Davis — Owensboro, KY — Hospice of Western Kentucky

RUSS LEWIS, Secretary

Ryan Moore — Owensboro, KY — Hospice of Western Kentucky

RYAN MOORE, TREASURER

Ryan Moore is a CPA and CVA and works for WilkinGuttenplan. Previously he was with Riney Hancock CPA’s and before that he worked with an aircraft charter and FBO business as well as another regional CPA firm, both located in Owensboro, KY. He was born and raised in Owensboro, graduating from Daviess County High School in 2008 and Kentucky Wesleyan College in 2012. He’s highly involved as a deacon and youth leader at Life Community Church, and also serves on the board of Aid The Homeless. Ryan married his wife, Jaimie, in 2013 and they have two children, Micah and Rosalie. Personally Ryan enjoys spending time with his family and friends, playing and coaching basketball, playing disc golf, and watching UK basketball and football.

NEEL FORD

Neel Ford is a partner at EM Ford, a local insurance and financial planning firm. Neel serves on the executive committee of HPC and is the chair of the strategic planning and marketing committee. Neel and his wife Sarah live in Owensboro, KY and have 3 kids Sutton, Wynn, and Julia.

PAM SMITH

Pamela LaVerne Smith-Wright was born and raised in Owensboro the daughter of Ethel and Willie Smith, Jr. She is a 1967 graduate of Owensboro High School, 1968 graduate of Rosebud’s Beauty Academy, 1969 graduate of Owensboro Vocational School, and a 1992 graduate of South Seas Cooking School. Pam has served the people of Owensboro as a five-term City Commissioner. She is a graduate of Leadership Owensboro and The Kentucky Women’s Leadership Network. She is past President of the Owensboro Human Relations Commission. Pam is President of the Lady Kentucky Colonels, and she currently serves as a board member of The Wendell Foster Campus and Chairperson of the Wendell Foster Campus Human Rights Committee. She was elected in 2014 as the President of the Kentucky Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials. Pam is a board member for the Owensboro Museum of Fine Arts and President of the ODT Executive Board. In 2016, Pam was inducted into the Owensboro High School Hall of Achievement. Her past service includes the Mayor’s appointee for the Unified Government Task Force and Past Chair of the Wesleyan- Shawnee Neighborhood Alliance. Additionally, she has been an instructor for Community Education and a nurturer for Habitat for Humanity. Pam is a former board member of the RiverPark Center, the Museum of Science and History, and past board Chair of Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky. Pam is married to Eugene Wright, who is retired. They have two children and two wonderful grandchildren.

JONI SIMS

Joni Sims is an Owensboro native who currently serves as Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. She has worked as a nurse at Owensboro Health for the past 35 years — 29 of which have been in nursing leadership. Joni graduated from Owensboro Catholic High School in 1982 and earned an Associate's Degree in Nursing from Kentucky Wesleyan College in 1985. She continued her education at Western Kentucky University, earning a Master's Degree in Business Administration and a Master's Degree in Nursing. Joni and her husband Thomas have three children: Derik, Zak and Meghan, and four grandchildren: Olivia, Charley, Karter and Kamdyn.

JOHN EDGE

John Edge is the retired regional president of First Security Bank. John and his wife Marianne have lived in Owensboro and been heavily involved in the support of non-profits. Marianne is a former board member of HPC.

John has been on the board and in leadership roles for Settle Memorial, Habitat for Humanity, West Kentucky Botanical Garden, Science and History Museum, Theatre Workshop of Owensboro, and others. Currently, John is on the State Habitat for Humanity board. Interests include farming, travel, snow skiing, music, and extended family.

A renewed interest in the HPC mission was stimulated when John’s mother Esther was a hospice resident which motivated John to bring his talents and energy to serve the organization.