Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) is a non-profit charity that exists to benefit members of the public and clinicians who provide serious illness care, end-of-life care, and bereavement support. HFA's Ask an Expert services are available at no cost to the public through the generosity of individual donations. If you'd like to support these services and HFA's mission, please click the Donate button the on the right. Ask an Expert provides confidential guidance to patients, families and other interested parties regarding care at the end of life. HFA’s experts have answered tens of thousands of inquiries over the years and have categorized some of the more frequently asked questions (FAQ). If you require more detailed information or a personalized answer, fill out the form below. We will try to respond to your inquiry within 24 hours. This form should not be used for any emergency situation or time-sensitive need. Please contact your hospice, hospital, physician, or 911. Are you a provider? Use our Provider-to-Provider service here.
Kenneth Doka, Ph.D., MDiv. Professor of Gerontology, College of New Rochelle; Ordained Lutheran Minister; Past President, Association for Death Education and Counseling; Former Chair, International Workgroup on Death Dying and Bereavement; Editor, Omega and Journeys; Senior Consultant, Hospice Foundation of America
Hank Willner, MD, Chief Medical Director Holy Cross Home Care and Hospice and Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Practice at Georgetown University Medical School. Read an interview with Dr. Willner here.
John Cagle, PhD, MSW Assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work with a substantive interest in improving care at the end of life. His research is informed by nearly a decade of clinical work as a hospice social worker. Dr. Cagle completed his PhD from Virginia Commonwealth University where his dissertation thesis explored the needs and experiences of informal caregivers of advanced cancer patients.
Lisa McGahey Veglahn Senior Program Officer, author, and editor for HFA’s numerous publications on end-of-life care and bereavement