OUR MISSION

Helping individuals live with dignity through the final stages of life

HPC  provides end-of-life care to individuals and families in Daviess, Hancock, Hopkins, and Muhlenberg counties. We are proud to walk alongside people facing serious illness — offering expert care, guidance, and the kind of support that helps families feel less alone.


A former staff member said it best:
“Hospice is about meeting the needs of those we care for, and sometimes meeting those needs is as simple as getting a fishing line wet and seeing their face light up.”


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.

Where we began

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!

Blake Edge, Chief Executive Officer

Blake Edge serves as the Chief Executive Officer of HPC, bringing a strong record of leadership, community service, and strategic growth to the organization. Prior to this role, he dedicated his career to advancing regional development as Director of Community & Economic Development at the Green River Area Development District (GRADD), where he worked closely with local governments and organizations to secure critical investments in infrastructure, healthcare, and quality of life projects across Western Kentucky. Blake has been deeply connected to HPC for many years, serving as a board member since 2019, and most recently as Board Chair. In these roles, he developed a deep appreciation for the mission of providing compassionate end-of-life care and support for patients and their families. Now, as CEO, he is honored to lead the organization into its next chapter of service and growth. An active civic leader, Blake has served on numerous local boards and committees, working to strengthen healthcare access, community resilience, and economic opportunity throughout the region. He is a graduate of Leadership Kentucky and Leadership Owensboro. Born in Knottsville in eastern Daviess County, graduating from Owensboro Catholic High School and Kentucky Wesleyan College, Blake lives in Owensboro with his wife Amanda and their four children. He is passionate about building strong communities rooted in care, service, and connection. He believes deeply in the values of dignity, respect, and compassion—principles that guide his leadership at HPC.





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 and Palliative Care 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 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.

Bethany Mulligan, Director of Nursing

Bethany has been a nurse for 15 years, with the last 10 devoted to hospice and palliative care. Born and raised in Daviess County, she first felt called to this work during nursing school, when her grandfather became ill and his hospice nurse brought comfort and reassurance to her family. She began her career at the Heartford House and has since served in many roles—from Admissions Nurse to Palliative Care Manager—before stepping into her current position as Director of Nursing. Through every role, her passion for hospice has remained constant.

Bethany and her husband of 11 years have four children: one who just left for UK, another in high school, one in middle school, and a busy almost-4-year-old at home. Their household also includes a dog, cats, chickens, and a rabbit. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, bonfires, and being outdoors.


MEET THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mark Mcanulty — Owensboro, KY — Hospice of Western Kentucky

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.

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.

Pam Smith — Owensboro, KY — Hospice of Western Kentucky

PAM SMITH-WRIGHT

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 HPC Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky. She cherishes the memories of her late husband, Eugene, and enjoys spending time with her two children and grandchildren.

Joni Sims — Owensboro, KY — Hospice of Western Kentucky

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.

CAROL BOLING

DR. MINERVA COVARRUBIAS

ALISON MCFARLAND