November is National Hospice & Palliative Care Month, a time to honor the heart and soul of UpliftedCare—our extraordinary team. Every day, you bring compassion and community connection to the forefront of your work. This month, we’re shining a light on the stories that define who we are: moments that remind us why we do what we do. We’ve asked our team to reflect on their personal journeys and share what it means to uplift others through care. These reflections will be featured throughout November, celebrating the spirit of UpliftedCare and the people who make it truly special.
Meet Our Team:
Randy Hertzberg – Operations Manager
What keeps you rooted in this work – even on the hardest days?
“What keeps me rooted is knowing that the work I do directly supports those who provide comfort and dignity to patients and families in their final stages of life. Even though I don’t interact with patients myself, I take pride in making sure our staff has a safe, efficient, and well-equipped environment to do their work. On tough days, I remind myself that every system I fix, every process I improve, and every project I complete ultimately helps someone receive better care.”
Is there a moment from your work that stands out to you as especially meaningful or human?
A moment that stands out to me was when one of our staff members lost everything in a house fire and the entire team came together to help. People from every department donated clothing, household items, and gift cards, doing whatever they could to make sure that person had what they needed to get back on their feet. There was no hesitation and no question about whether to help, it just happened naturally. Seeing everyone unite in that way reminded me that the compassion at the heart of hospice care isn’t limited to the patients and families we serve. It’s something that exists within our own team, and it showed me how deeply people here care for one another in times of need.
When people express their fears of hospice to you, how do you help “redefine” their perception?
“I often explain that hospice isn’t about giving up, it is about focusing on quality of life and comfort. From what I’ve seen behind the scenes, it’s one of the most compassionate forms of care there is. The amount of coordination, teamwork, and heart that goes into supporting each patient and family shows that hospice is really about living well, even at the end of life. It’s not a place of sadness, but one of support, dignity, and peace.”
How has working in hospice/palliative care changed your perspective on life, family or community?
“Working in hospice has made me much more aware of how precious time and relationships are. Seeing the dedication of our care teams reminds me daily that kindness and connection matter more than anything else. It’s also given me a stronger sense of community—how everyone plays a role, whether you’re at the bedside or behind the scenes, in supporting people during life’s most vulnerable moments.”
Is there a moment or person who reminded you why you chose this work?
Hospice Care
When that time comes, hospice is there every step of the way with the patient and family as they focus on comfort at the end of life.
Palliative Care
Palliative care is a chance for people dealing with life-limiting illness to have relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of dealing with the illness and to have an extra layer of support.
Care Where You Are
Most patients receive hospice care in a private home. Yet did you know that UpliftedCare also provides care to those living in a nursing home, hospital or assisted living?
Complementary Therapies
Support services such as massage, respiratory therapy, music, and pet therapy can play a significant role in enhancing quality of life for those who are ill. From easing discomfort to evoking fond memories, these therapies can heal the body and lift the spirit.