Father's Day has been officially celebrated in June in the United States since 1972. As we prepare to celebrate this year, it's good to reflect on the importance of hospice to fathers and their families.

We've read many heartwarming stories of adult children who are grateful for the help they received from hospice. Here are a few excerpts from letters collected by the Hospice Foundation of America.

"As I sit to write this letter to you, I am still trying to deal with the news that hospice is now caring for my father-in-law. In many ways, I am so sad: this is the beginning of the end. But in many other ways, I am overjoyed. You see, hospice cared for both of my grandfathers at the end of their lives. I know that hospice will be there to help my mother-in-law, and now I know that they will also be there to help us."

"It was a two-week summer vacation for my two daughters. The day after we arrived, my father got word his cancer had spread and was terminal. The doctor immediately contacted hospice, and they called on us at home. We had no idea that my dad would die in front of our eyes in a matter of sixteen days, but we were supported daily by the hospice workers."

"Hospice gave dignity to a dying man and healing to a hurting family. They shall forever hold a special place in our hearts for all they did for dad in his final days. This past year, hospice has kept in touch with mom every month and Chaplain Bob has been to see her several times."

"My father's death changed all of us in ways we would never have imagined. The love and care we received from hospice has also changed us for the better. Mom and I now do volunteer work for our local hospice programs."

Hospices build great relationships with referring physicians by giving them the information, data and studies which help them succeed in meeting their end-of-life patients' needs. Dr. David Fisher, in his NHPCO speech with Transcend CEO and co-presenter Martha Vetter, said that hospices should remember six "needs" of doctors. They are: satisfied patients, evidence-based practice, time to do a good job, good outcomes, recognition and autonomy in decision-making. MORE >>

Beginning in this issue and continuing through to December, we'll have a regular monthly feature of tips to boost your marketing efforts to physicians. We hope the tips will give you the confidence, knowledge and skills to turn your physician office calls into a strategic way to gain referrals. This introductory series of basic tips was developed by Transcend team member, Maggie Chipman, with firsthand knowledge of relating to physicians. She blends her experience as a pharmaceutical marketing and sales executive with the understanding that hospice physician communications are unique. MORE >>

It is vitally important that you know the source of your referrals and to have strategic plans for increasing referrals from traditionally low sources. Physicians, self, family, friends and home health agencies offer a great opportunity to increase your referrals. Transcend Hospice Marketing Group can help you with a comprehensive plan including research, branding and messaging to reach targeted sources. We'll send you a case study of one of our hospice clients who increased ADC by 170 patients in only seven months, a 40% increase, and increased LOS by almost 20% through a community engagement plan we designed and implemented. If you'd like to receive the case study, please e-mail Stan Massey.