For Immediate Release July 8, 2025
Hospice Foundation of America Mourns Passing of David J. Abrams
HFA Board Member and Leader
Washington — David J. Abrams, 85, a longtime member of the Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) Board of Directors, died on July 8. Abrams, who oversaw operations at HFA from its formative years until 2007, leaves in his wake a legacy of service and commitment to hospice care in the United States.
“David’s passing will be deeply felt by many, both personally and professionally. Through his leadership positions at HFA, for many years, he greatly advanced the knowledge and quality of hospice caregivers throughout the palliative care community,” said Thomas J. Spulak, chairman of HFA’s Board of Directors. “As a friend and colleague to many, we will all miss his smile, care, concern, and intellect that he brought to us every day. David will never be forgotten.”
A veteran of the U.S. Marines, Abrams served from 1960 to 1964, which included working as an air traffic controller in Vietnam. Exposed to Agent Orange during his tour of duty, he suffered its physical effects for years but never let it dampen his curiosity, enthusiasm for international travel, or devotion to the people and things he loved, which included family, museums, tennis, vintage aircraft, languages, and a long line of rescue dogs.
Abrams was born and raised in New York City and graduated from Columbia University in 1969. He went on to work in banking and later served as chief of staff for the late Florida State Senator Jack Gordon. After Gordon retired from the State Senate, Gordon became chairman of HFA and tapped Abrams to direct its operations in Miami and Washington, DC.
During his tenure at HFA, Abrams managed a series of significant projects and developments that contributed to quality hospice and grief care, including the initial launch of the well-known Living with Grief® Program, Journeys: A Newsletter to Help in Bereavement, and the Florida Statewide Clergy End of Life Education Project, a state-funded initiative that taught clergy of all faiths about hospice care and grief. Upon retirement from HFA, Abrams continued serving as an HFA Board Member. He also served on the Board of the Federation for Medical Research Charities of the Combined Federal Campaign.
HFA wishes to thank the entire VITAS® Healthcare team that provided Abrams’ care at its University of Miami Hospital hospice inpatient unit and wants to especially acknowledge Nancy Auster, RN, Veteran Liaison, who was responsible for a moving veteran’s salute for Abrams, and Paul Pugliese, MD, Medical Director, who managed Abrams’ care throughout his hospice stay.
“David always described hospice as the gold standard of end-of-life care,” said Amy Tucci, HFA’s president and CEO. “We at HFA are grateful that he truly experienced that gold standard of care in the final days of his life.”
Abrams is survived by his wife, Cris Abrams; brother, Mike Abrams; sister, Joyce Abrams Eason; son and daughter-in -law, Ian Abrams and Yolanda Abrams; beloved granddaughter, Marley, and a host of nieces and nephews.
