[BEND, Ore., February 27, 2025] Partners In Care, the leading and most trusted provider of hospice, home health, and palliative care services in Central Oregon, will be introducing an official end-of-life doula program in partnership with The Peaceful Presence Project.
Based in the Partners In Care volunteer department, the end-of-life doulas will be trained Partners In Care volunteers dedicated to providing an additional layer of non-clinical support for patients and families receiving services. The Peaceful Presence Project, in collaboration with the palliative care and hospice teams, created the specifically tailored curriculum, to train a cohort of volunteers with a deeper knowledge, understanding, and enhanced non-clinical skills centered around serious illness and companioning. These doula volunteers will be integrated into the interdisciplinary team, so that patients and families have the option for additional supportive services.
“We are excited to partner with Partners In Care to develop an in-house doula program—an innovative model that expands compassionate, person-centered end-of-life care. This collaboration deepens our shared commitment to providing holistic support for patients and their families during life’s final transition,” said Elizabeth Johnson, executive director of The Peaceful Presence Project.
As of 2024, only six percent of hospice providers in the United States plan to integrate end-of-life doulas, making this deeply personal, non-medical care a rare yet invaluable addition. This program is the first of its kind in Central Oregon with Partners In Care as the first hospice organization to have trained end-of-life doulas integrated as part of the care teams.
“This program strengthens our long-standing collaboration with The Peaceful Presence Project, enhancing the support we provide to patients and families at life’s end,” said Shannon Campbell, Partners In Care volunteer department. “It also offers a new opportunity for dedicated volunteers from our nearly 200-strong team, who already bring companionship, music, canine visits, medication delivery, and more to those in our care. By embracing this initiative, Partners In Care reaffirms its commitment to honoring each person’s journey with compassion and dignity—leading the way in holistic, heart-centered care.”
If someone is interested in volunteering with Partners In Care, they can learn more at www.partnersbend.org or call (541) 382-5882 to speak with a team member.
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About Partners In Care
Partners In Care is a local, independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving a 10,000 square mile region of Central Oregon. It is now the leading provider of hospice, home health, and palliative care in the region, with over 200 staff members and nearly 200 volunteers. In addition to community Hospice care in homes, facilities, and Hospice House, Partners In Care also provides: Home Health in the patient’s home or care facility; Palliative Care symptom management and support; a non-medical case management program called Transitions; and Grief Support for adults and children experiencing a loss.
Partners In Care has achieved a five-star hospice and home health rating from patient and family surveys through CMS in 2024. The nonprofit is also a five-star We Honor Veterans national hospice partner (one of only three in the whole state of Oregon), selected by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization as a leader in caring for veterans’ unique needs at end of life. Partners In Care was also chosen by the Central Oregon community as the Bend Bulletin’s ‘Best of Bend’ hospice for 2024. Learn more at www.partnersbend.org