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For Immediate Release
August 27, 2004
Trailblazer in the Hospice Movement Recognized
HFA Honors Legacy, Memory of Elisabeth Kubler- Ross
(Washington) The end-of-life community mourns the passing of its long time advocate Elisabeth Kubler- Ross, author of "On Death and Dying." Kubler- Ross died in Scottsdale, Arizona this Tuesday, August 24 after a long illness. First published in 1969 and reprinted many times since, "On Death and Dying" was one of the first works to openly address the issue of one's own death. Kubler-Ross was instrumental in educating the general public on the role that grief and bereavement plays in our lives, and was an early supporter of hospice care for the dying.
"Kubler-Ross carried on work with dying people that helped revolutionize attitudes toward care of the dying," noted HFA Chairman and CEO, Jack Gordon. [Note: Mr. Gordon served as Chairman and CEO of HFA until his death in 2005.]
Kubler-Ross will be remembered as a relentless advocate for hospice care. Dr. Bill Lamers, Jr., fellow psychiatrist and HFA Medical Consultant expresses fondly, "Those of us who knew her personally know the magnitude of her impact on the health care community as well as on the general population. She was unique. She will be missed."
Dr. Ken Doka, noted bereavement educator and HFA Bereavement Consultant eulogizes Kubler-Ross's contributions, "She really taught us the importance of listening to and speaking with the dying. Her legacy was to humanize end-of-life care."
Elizabeth Kubler- Ross's death is a monumental loss to the end-of-life community. HFA sends our condolences to her family, friends, and everyone who came in contact with the pioneer who paved many paths to all who sought and still seek to understand how to live with grief.
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