Two hospice nurses caring for a patient in bed holding hands
  • 5844 Crossroads History Header

    The Early Years


    The beginning of the Crossroads Hospice story starts in a nursing home in Oklahoma City in May of 1990. I began my career in healthcare as a nursing home aide. Before I went on to the floor that first day, my trainer told me that my relationship with these residents would be the last new one they would have before meeting their maker, and to make it a “good one.” That had a profound impact on me and the way I viewed my job. I wasn’t just giving baths, dressing, or feeding, but rather it was the communication between the residents and I that was the key to their happiness. After that day, I had the idea that, to really succeed in healthcare, I needed to be as experienced as possible in all fields of services.

    I started as an aide, and then became a Certified Medication Aide, spent time in the laundry, housekeeping, dietary, and maintenance departments. I later became Ward Clerk and Assistant to the DON (today it would be an MDS Coordinator). It wasn’t until June of 1991, that I became the youngest administrator in the state, and it was in that role that I first heard the word hospice.

    5844 Crossroads History Header

    The Early Years


    The beginning of the Crossroads Hospice story starts in a nursing home in Oklahoma City in May of 1990. I began my career in healthcare as a nursing home aide. Before I went on to the floor that first day, my trainer told me that my relationship with these residents would be the last new one they would have before meeting their maker, and to make it a “good one.” That had a profound impact on me and the way I viewed my job. I wasn’t just giving baths, dressing, or feeding, but rather it was the communication between the residents and I that was the key to their happiness. After that day, I had the idea that, to really succeed in healthcare, I needed to be as experienced as possible in all fields of services.

    I started as an aide, and then became a Certified Medication Aide, spent time in the laundry, housekeeping, dietary, and maintenance departments. I later became Ward Clerk and Assistant to the DON (today it would be an MDS Coordinator). It wasn’t until June of 1991, that I became the youngest administrator in the state, and it was in that role that I first heard the word hospice.

    For me, the philosophy of hospice was something completely different than I was practicing, and through a series of unfortunate events, namely deficiencies in the home caused by a hospice, I needed to find out what they were supposed to do and how they were supposed to do it. To say I was ignorant of the industry would be too kind. I didn’t read a policy and procedure manual. I didn’t check with the National Hospice Organization (NHO), now National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), because I didn’t know they existed. I did however pick up a book entitled “The Hospice Movement” by Sandol Stoddard. In the first three chapters I found what I believe to be my lifetime calling. The idea of palliative medicine, which on the surface “goes against” what we were trying to accomplish in the nursing home, seemed to complete the circle of making your relationship with the patient a “good one.” There would be no way I could go back. The philosophy hit me at my core, and I really believe that everything in my life pointed to that moment. I resigned my job, and in 1995, my family and I started Crossroads Hospice of Oklahoma in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

    Looking back at our beginning and how we got started, it is almost hysterical. Since I didn’t know that the NHO or even hospice guidelines were available, we simply started with the regulations and state and Medicare licensure and went forward. We continually asked ourselves: “What would be the right way to do this?”; “When the phone rings, what should we say?”; “What do we want our patients to experience?” This attitude of everything can be done better, would later develop into our biggest asset.

    Commitment, conviction, and compassion, the three “C’s”, would drive everything we developed or changed, and believe me, changes came daily. There wasn’t anything that could rob us of our enthusiasm for this industry. Don’t think for a second that we didn’t have our ups and downs. In fact there were so many downs and obstacles that less than two years after beginning it looked like it was all coming to an end. The only ups that I experienced were the comments from the patients, their families, and the facilities we served, and, if I’m completely honest about it, had it not been for the belief in me from our staff, I am not sure we would have ever made it.

    We bumped our heads several times and slowly but surely we began to see what worked and what made our clients thrive. We found that their happiness was what kept us going, and together we could accomplish anything. Our ideas developed into procedures which later became service standards. These “standards” started taking shape into “real” differences with other hospices.

    The final stage of early development of Crossroads came in 1998. Clayton Farmer, my uncle and partner, was able to come on board full-time. He was a registered dietician and worked in long-term care for several years. He also started a successful medical supply business for long-term care, and that’s where he began to learn the ins and outs of Medicare part A & B. Many people have looked at the two of us as perfect partners. I took care of the operations, and program development and Clayton took care of the financial concerns, billing, and organization. Today the two roles are inseparable and there is no delineation of duties; however our staff still teases us about me being the heart and Clayton being the brain. It’s funny; I think we both get upset at that!

    The rest of the early years saw the service delivery of Crossroads become better as we grew into our own ideals. Doing the right thing for the right reasons, led us to difference in every aspect in patient care. These years also saw us add four other locations to our Crossroads family: Little Rock, Arkansas; Memphis, Tennessee; Kansas City, Missouri; and, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Because we were so young (in the industry), we did not have the majority ownership in Little Rock; and when another national provider “made an offer our partner couldn’t refuse”, we ended up selling our first location. Later, Crossroads also accepted another offer on Tulsa, however this time the family utilized the knowledge gained through the past and used that sell to catapult Crossroads into 6 other markets over the next 7 years! I like to think of those following 7 years as our adolescence.

  • 5844 Story Headers

    October 1, 2025 will bring an important change to end-of-life care data reporting as the new CMS HOPE program launches. CMS (The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) is the U.S. federal agency that runs the national healthcare programs Medicare and Medicaid. Hospice care is one of the services covered under Medicare. HOPE stands for Hospice Outcomes & Patient Evaluations.

    CMS Launches HOPE Hospice Program

    New Requirements are Better for Patients

    At Crossroads, providing the highest, most compassionate level of end-of-life care is a standard we set from our very beginning. More patient visits, more care and more attended deaths are just how we’re wired. That’s why we welcome CMS’ new data reporting requirements being introduced with the HOPE program. 

    Beginning October 1, HOPE replaces CMS’ Hospice Item Set (HIS) as the primary patient data collection tool for hospice reporting. HIS is being retired as HOPE becomes the mandatory data collection tool.

    5844 Story Headers

    October 1, 2025 will bring an important change to end-of-life care data reporting as the new CMS HOPE program launches. CMS (The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) is the U.S. federal agency that runs the national healthcare programs Medicare and Medicaid. Hospice care is one of the services covered under Medicare. HOPE stands for Hospice Outcomes & Patient Evaluations.

    CMS Launches HOPE Hospice Program

    New Requirements are Better for Patients

    At Crossroads, providing the highest, most compassionate level of end-of-life care is a standard we set from our very beginning. More patient visits, more care and more attended deaths are just how we’re wired. That’s why we welcome CMS’ new data reporting requirements being introduced with the HOPE program. 

    Beginning October 1, HOPE replaces CMS’ Hospice Item Set (HIS) as the primary patient data collection tool for hospice reporting. HIS is being retired as HOPE becomes the mandatory data collection tool.

    Unlike HIS, which relied on retrospective assessments after discharge or death, HOPE emphasizes real-time clinical assessments. It is believed that hospice providers will better identify, track and respond to patient needs with HOPE. 

    Better care for hospice patients everywhere will result, according to our Founder Perry Farmer. Crossroads Clinical and Regulatory Advisor DeAnna Looper, RN, CHPN, CHPCA, LNC, CHC, CPCO agrees. She is encouraged by how the new reporting requirements will raise the quality of care for all hospices in America.

    “They (other hospices) will have to do what we’ve already been doing since our start,” Perry said. He’s delighted that Curantis, our electronic medical records (EMR) provider, has been preparing for the introduction of HOPE for many months and is now helping Crossroads get ready for October 1. 

    “HOPE isn’t just about checking boxes; it’s about elevating how we track and respond to patient needs. At Curantis Solutions we’ve designed our HOPE solution to make the transition feel seamless with built-in safeguards, alerts and automation every step of the way,” Curantis wrote in its blog, “Top 5 HOPE Reporting Mistakes to Avoid (and How to Get it Right.)” Perry is confident in Curantis’ capabilities. “We couldn’t find a better partner for Crossroads,” Perry said.

    Taking a “train-the-trainer” approach Vice President of Clinical Education Heather Slone and Director of QAPI Heidi Tabellion are educating site clinical and administrative leaders on the HOPE program and guiding Crossroads’ adoption of the new reporting requirements. They’re focused on making sure Crossroads team members have the support they need for the HOPE roll out. 

    Looking Ahead

    Stay tuned! Over the next few months, we’ll be sharing HOPE updates from Heather and Heidi and highlighting adoption milestones.

    • Key Features of HOPE:
    • Standardized Data Collection
    • Focus on Patient Outcomes
    • Patient-Centered Approach
    • Improved Quality of Care
    • Data-Driven Insights
  • Path To More

    A Perfect Day


    The word utopia was coined by Sir Thomas More in 1516 as the title of his book Utopia. He combined two Greek roots:

    ou- (οὐ), meaning “no”
    topos (τόπος), meaning “place”

    So utopia literally means “no place” - a place that doesn’t exist.

    More was also playing with a pun: eu- means “good” or “fortunate.” That makes utopia sound like eutopia - a “good place.” Ever since, the word has carried two meanings: the dream of a society that is perfect, yet unreachable.

    Path To More

    A Perfect Day


    The word utopia was coined by Sir Thomas More in 1516 as the title of his book Utopia. He combined two Greek roots:

    ou- (οὐ), meaning “no”
    topos (τόπος), meaning “place”

    So utopia literally means “no place” - a place that doesn’t exist.

    More was also playing with a pun: eu- means “good” or “fortunate.” That makes utopia sound like eutopia - a “good place.” Ever since, the word has carried two meanings: the dream of a society that is perfect, yet unreachable.

    This summer, I began working with Executive and Clinical Directors on the Crossroads Perfect Day project. We took a step forward. Not a giant leap, but a real step. The aim isn’t to chase utopia or paint an unrealistic picture of life at Crossroads. It’s something more grounded, more human: to create the conditions for the best care at the end of life - and the best experience for everyone involved in caregiving.

    Over the last six weeks, I’ve traveled from site to site, sitting down with you - listening to what works, what gets in the way, and what could give us momentum together. Out of those conversations, I’ve begun to shape your voices into themes and share them with Clayton, Perry, and the Carrefour team. What’s clear is this: everyone wants the same thing. The key is that we all commit, not just to meeting challenges, but to making Crossroads stronger than it has ever been in this shifting healthcare terrain.

    Just last week, we traveled to Cincinnati, Dayton, and Memphis to continue these conversations with leaders and staff. I was grateful to be there - part of those conversations, part of the movement. This coming week, we’ll be in Cleveland, NEO, and Philadelphia. These visits are only the beginning - small but important steps to open channels, build trust, and spark action.

    The vision is simple: for Crossroads to keep doing what it does best - delivering outstanding hospice and palliative care - while going further than before. To create an environment where employees feel connected, capable, and supported. Where obstacles are cleared so the focus can remain on what matters most: caring for patients and families with presence and compassion.

    We may never reach utopia. Maybe we’re not supposed to. Maybe it’s the reaching, the arm stretched out toward something just beyond us, that gives the day its meaning. And that kind of reaching - that’s a perfect day.

Vital Signs

This week's question:

When you think about a “Perfect Day” at Crossroads, which of these matters most to you? (Responses are anonymous and used to help improve the organization.)





WOW!

Why not recognize a coworker for a job well done?

Congratulate July’s WOW! Card recipients:

Cincinnati

Candy Anderkin, STNA
Nadine Beaty, STNA
Ed Blankenship, PR
Phil Bolinger, LPN
Dawn Bradley, SW
Tom Daniel, BC
Porsche Dodds, STNA
Colleen Graff, CD
Kelsie Hall, STNA
Shannon Hines, RN
Emy Leonard, AN
Amanda Lester, SSD
Scott Looney, QRT3 RN
Tanya Neumeister, LPN
Mike Noyola-Izquierdo, VC
Jessica Sanford, NP
Alexis Sloan, QRT2 STNA
Chuck Testas, CH
Deb Whitesell, ED
Patty Whitling, QRT4 RN
Elizabeth Wiles, MR

Cleveland

Volonda Williams, EMC Aide
Nicholas Fenell, BC
Kalla Sykes, HA
Carmella Huff, HA
Sarah Basiden, SW
Claudia Valderrama, HA
Elizabeth Cortez, HA

Dayton

Loretta Haney, STNA
Tina Phillips, STNA
Shawnta Parker, STNA
Ceara Mebane, STNA
Valencia Gray, VM
Stacey Evans, STNA
Cynthia Brooks, RN CM
Maria Lester, PRN RN
Michelle Deweaver, QRT RN
Paula Owen, MR
Joseph Hamman, Acct
Malita Williams, SSD
Kathleen Cooley, CD
Kimberlee McBride, SE
Chiquita Berry, TL
Aataya Berry, RN CM
Tami Jacobs, SW
Rich Fitzwater, CH
Trevor Combs, PR
Brandy White, HA
Kelsey Williams, RN/LPN
Jack Thompson, BC

Memphis

Shelita McQuarter, BC
Dianne Green, Recep
Linda Kinnard, RN/SED
George Waldrup, Acct
Nancy Mcintosh, PRN
Dee Barnes, RNCM/NP
Patrice Woods, RN/TL
Kalura Morris, RN
Erica Arrington, HHA
Mary Dollar-Shapiro, SW
Chris Springfield, CH
Linda Burnett, BC
Heather Diffy, RN/TL
MarQuehsia Bowles, SW
Erika Bolton, RN
Margaret Davis, RN
Skylar Eble, SW
Lisa Kroener, CH
Patty Smith, VM
Janice Love-Dickerson, HHA
Rachel Jackson, RNCM

Northeast Ohio

Adriann Winn, LPN
Alexis Woods, STNA
Amanda Robin, STNA
Andrea Foster, RN
Areol Dunlap, STNA 
Beth Ann Gratzmiller, STNA
Brandi Harrod, STNA
Brek Gerber, STNA
Brittany Dugan, RN
Cassandra Keller, STNA
Cathleen Kelley, TL
Chasity Thacker, LPN
Cheryl Courrier, RN
Chris Carter, STNA
Christine Shafer, RN
Connie Shy, RN
Dainah Love-Kent, SE
David Simpson, SW
Deb Kirkland, STNA
Detra Morrison, STNA
Edda Sedon, ED
Eli Kleinhenz, RN
Elizabeth Dodd, LPN
Eric Tiell, STNA
Gabriela Jimenez, STNA
Gabriella Capalingo, STNA
Ginny Dorco, RN
Hallie Leonard, RN
Heather English, STNA
Heidi Jacks, STNA
Holly Fogle, MR

Irina Grbic, STNA
Jamie Layton, STNA
Jannifer Cafarelli, RN
Jason Grassie, RN
Jessica Marple, RN
Jessica Tomasetti, STNA
Jodi Burroughs, AED
John Morgan, CH
Kelsey Tilton, RN
Kim Jackson, STNA
Lisa Yaneff, STNA
Lori Hazel, TL
Luke Pantelis, HL
Mary Higginbottom, LPN
Mary Kennedy, RN
Meropi Steve, STNA
Michelle Abel, RN
Mikayla Winter, STNA
Mike Burkhardt, SW
Morgan Gray, LPN
Morgan Norman, RN
Olivia Crone, STNA
Pamela Vorkapich, RN
Pat Slater, CH
Pierce Norman, SW
Rod Miller, CH
Rustine Blazer, RN
Samantha Jacobson, RN
Samantha Simons, STNA
Sara Foster, LPN
Sarah Dean, RN
Sasha Rotruck, STNA
Scott Hileman, LPN
Stephanie Huth, STNA
Tara Crawford, STNA
Taylor Smith, RN
Tempie Porter, MR
Tianna Mahaffey, STNA
Tiffany Shull, STNA
Tim Jensen, CH
Tongela Jackson, STNA
Tonya Tano, RN
Xavier O'Neal, LPN
Yvonne Pruiett, RN

Philadelphia

Leslie Gruenberg, LPN
Woo Jeong, CNA
Holli Farrow, BRV
Nicole Shear, SW
Christian Bennett, CH
CeCe Dennis, CNA
Josh Hwang, CH
Jennifer Groman, RN
Edith Jallah, SW
Rayhan Owens, CH
Beaunka Willoughby, CNA

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