Ep. 61 - Retirement with Purpose: Volunteerism and Palliative Care Ministry

For many nurses, retirement marks not the end of a career, but the beginning of a new chapter of service. In this episode, former HPNA CEO Judy Lentz, PhD, RN, reflects on how retirement created an opportunity to reimagine her role in palliative care through volunteer leadership and the development of palliative care ministry within faith communities.

Drawing on decades of experience in clinical practice, education, research, and organizational leadership, Judy explores how retired nurses and other healthcare professionals can continue to improve quality of life by supporting individuals and families living with serious illness. She also discusses the concept of the palliative care doula as one model for companioning individuals and families through serious illness, alongside practical examples of how congregations can become compassionate partners in care by providing spiritual, emotional, and social support that complements the work of interdisciplinary palliative care teams.

The conversation also reflects on the evolution of hospice and palliative care, the enduring value of mentorship and leadership, and the fulfillment that comes from continuing to serve beyond a traditional career. Whether you're approaching retirement, considering volunteer opportunities, or looking for new ways to extend the reach of palliative care, this episode offers inspiration for finding purpose in the next season of professional life.

Judy Lentz, PhD, RN Judy Lentz, PhD, RN, retired in 2012 as the CEO of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association, the National Board of Certification for Hospice and Palliative Nurses and the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation. In her retirement, her interests were in serving those experiencing serious illnesses as a palliative care doula®. Over the past 14 years, Dr. Lentz has coordinated palliative care ministries in two Christian churches. Her research focused on the impact of spirituality in Christians experiencing serious illness. She is widely published, has presented at national conferences and has spoken to multiple groups locally. She has encouraged the initiation of palliative care ministries in three local and regional faith communities, continues to serve as coordinator in her faith community’ ministry as well as serves independently on a national level as a volunteer palliative care doula®. Her website can be found at http://www.palliativecaredoula.com

Brett Snodgrass, DNP, FNP-C, ACHPN®, FAANP Dr. Brett Snodgrass has been a registered nurse for 28 years and a Family Nurse Practitioner for 18 years, practicing in multiple settings, including family practice, urgent care, emergency departments, administration, chronic pain and palliative medicine. She is currently the Operations Director for Palliative Medicine at Baptist Health Systems in Memphis, TN. She is board certified with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She is also a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and an Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse. She completed a Doctorate of Nursing Practice at the University of Alabama – Huntsville. She is a nationally recognized nurse practitioner speaker and teacher. Brett is a chronic pain expert, working for more than 20 years with chronic pain and palliative patients in a variety of settings. She is honored to be the HPNA 2025 podcast host. She is married with two daughters, two son in laws, one grandson, and now an empty nest cat. She and her family are actively involved in their church and she is an avid reader.