Spring Intensive 2026
May 7 @ 7:30 am - May 8 @ 5:00 pm
Free – $4,000.00
Spring Intensive: Regulatory Update 2026
Better Together: Strengthening Care Through Community Partnership
May 7–8, 2026 | Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel | Portland, Oregon
Jointly hosted by the Oregon Hospice & Palliative Care Association (OHPCA) and the Washington State Hospice & Palliative Care Organization (WSHPCO)
Conference Details
Dates: May 7–8, 2026
Location: Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel, Portland, Oregon
Hosted by: OHPCA & WSHPCO
Continuing Education: 10.75 Contact Hours / CEUs (see details below)
About the Conference
The Spring Intensive: Regulatory Update is an annual conference jointly hosted by OHPCA and WSHPCO, focused on the evolving regulatory landscape shaping hospice and palliative care. As providers continue to navigate ongoing changes related to payment reform, compliance oversight, and quality reporting requirements, the need for accurate information and thoughtful interpretation of regulations remains essential.
This year’s program expands that focus by highlighting the important role of community partnership in delivering comprehensive, person-centered end-of-life care. Better Together: Strengthening Care Through Community Partnership explores how collaboration with organizations and professionals outside of traditional hospice and palliative care can enhance care planning, broaden available resources, and better support patients and families throughout the end-of-life journey.
In addition to regulatory updates, the Spring Intensive features perspectives from invited experts whose work intersects with end-of-life care but may fall outside the hospice and palliative care setting. These sessions are designed to help care teams better understand the expertise, services, and regulatory considerations that exist beyond their own organizations, and how intentional collaboration can strengthen communication, coordination, and care delivery.
By examining how hospice and palliative care providers can work more effectively with community-based partners, this year’s program offers practical insight into expanding the “menu” of support available to patients and families, while continuing to meet regulatory expectations and deliver high-quality, compassionate care.
Registration Rates
| Registration Type | 2 Days | 1 Day | Exhibitor Table |
|---|---|---|---|
| OHPCA / WSHPCO Members | $595 per person | $350 per person | $750 |
| Non-Members | $850 per person | $495 per person | $1,500 |
Hotel & Travel
Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel
8235 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97220
|
View on Map
Please book your group rate for the OHPCA/WSHPCO Spring Intensive at the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel, offering a special group rate of $155 per night.
Last day to book: Thursday, April 23, 2026
(If the room block appears full, you may still wish to contact the hotel directly to ask about additional availability.)
Sponsorship Levels
Runway Sponsor — $4,000
Runway Sponsors provide core support for the Spring Intensive and help make the conference possible. This level is for sponsors who want a visible presence and an opportunity to briefly introduce themselves and their work to attendees.
Includes:
- Draped exhibitor table
- Conference registration for two (2) people
- Recognition on the OHPCA and WSHPCO websites
- Recognition on Day 1 of the conference, with a brief opportunity to introduce yourself and your business
Gate Sponsor — $3,000
Gate Sponsors support connection and engagement throughout the conference. This level offers a strong exhibitor presence and recognition during a key networking moment.
Includes:
- Draped exhibitor table
- Conference registration for two (2) people
- Recognition on the OHPCA and WSHPCO websites
- Recognition at the Welcome Reception
Wayfinding Sponsor — $2,000
Wayfinding Sponsors help support the overall conference experience and attendee engagement. This level is a good option for sponsors who want visibility and connection at a more modest level.
Includes:
- Draped exhibitor table
- Conference registration for one (1) person
- Recognition on the OHPCA and WSHPCO websites
- Recognition at the Tuesday luncheon
Sponsorship support helps strengthen connection, collaboration, and shared learning for hospice and palliative care providers across Oregon and Washington.
Tentative Schedule
Thursday, May 7, 2026
| 7:45 – 8:30 am | Breakfast, Registration/Sign In |
| 8:30 – 8:45 am | Welcome, Housekeeping, Announcements |
| 8:45 – 9:45 am | A View from the Other Side: Caregiver Perspectives on Hospice; Dr. Ashley Meagher, MD, MPH, FACS |
| 9:45 – 10:15 am | Helping Care Go Well: A Caregiver’s Role in the Hospice Experience; Meg McCauley, Director of Association Management and IT Manager, OHPCA & WSHPCO |
| 10:15 – 10:45 am | Break with Vendors |
| 10:45 am – 12:00 pm | Regulatory Deep Dive – Up to the Minute Hospice Regulatory Issues; Judi Lund Person, MPH, CHC, Lund Person & Associates Hospice Consulting |
| 12:00 – 1:00 pm | Lunch, Visit with Vendors |
| 1:00 – 2:00 pm | NGS Presentation; Kathy Mersh, Medicare Part A Provider Outreach & Education Consultant; NGS, an Elevance Health Company |
| 2:00 – 3:00 pm | Empowering Clients with Updated Funeral Resource Information; Holly Pruett, MA, Funeral Celebrant & Death Doula, Oregon & Washington Funeral Resources & Education |
| 3:00 – 3:15 pm | Break with Vendors |
| 3:15 – 4:15 pm | Key Drivers of Hospice Access and Experience; Marc Berg, Co-Founder & Sarah Cameron, Principal, Berg Data Solutions |
| 4:15 pm | Adjournment |
Schedule is tentative and subject to change.
Friday, May 8, 2026
| 7:45 – 8:30 am | Breakfast, Registration/Sign In |
| 8:30 – 8:45 am | Welcome, Announcements |
| 8:45 – 9:45 am | Better Together: Community as Intervention in End-of-life Care; Erin Collins, MN, RN, CHPN, Director of Programs, The Peaceful Presence Project |
| 10:00 – 10:15 am | Break with Vendors |
| 10:15 – 11:15 am | Partners In Care Integrated Volunteer Doula Program; Shannon Campbell, Volunteer Manager, Partners in Care; Lisa Hurley, Chief Operating Officer, Partners in Care
Clinical Excellence in Action: Surviving an OIG Audit; Greg Hagfors, CEO, Lisa Hurley, Chief Operating Officer, Kristi Williams, BSN, RN, Quality Manager, Partners in Care |
| 11:15 am – 12:15 pm | Better QI Leads to Better Outcomes - One Agency's Journey; Greg Pang, Principal, MHA, Greg Pang Consulting |
| 12:15 – 1:15 pm | Lunch, Exhibitor Bingo Drawing, Vendor Drawings |
| 1:15 – 2:15 pm | Lessons Learned: HOPE and Disasters; Judi Lund Person, MPH, CHC, Lund Person & Associates Hospice Consulting, Christine Nidd, CPHQ, PMP, MSW, Manager of Quality & Compliance, Hospice of the Northwest; Casey Byman, RN, BSN, Hospice Quality Program Manager, EvergreenHealth; Zoe Diaz, MBA, CCO, Tri-Cities |
| 2:15 – 2:30 pm | Break with Vendors |
| 2:30 – 3:30 pm | Regulatory Deep Dive – Up to the Minute Hospice Regulatory Issues; Judi Lund Person, MPH, CHC, Lund Person & Associates Hospice Consulting |
| 3:30 pm | Adjournment – Thanks for your participation, safe travels! |
Schedule is tentative and subject to change.
Continuing Education
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #CEP14488 for 10.75 Contact Hours.
This workshop has been approved for 10.75 CEUs by the Washington Chapter, National Association of Social Workers (NASW) for Licensed Social Workers, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists and Licensed Mental Health Counselors. Provider #1975-153.
Cancellation Policy
Substitutes are welcome. Full refunds are available if notice is received by April 30, 2026. No refunds will be granted thereafter.
Questions?
Email: mccauley@oregonhospice.org
Erin Collins , MNE, RN, CHPN, RYT
Co-Founder & Director of Programs; NEDA-Proficient End-Of-Life Doula
2022 Cambia health Foundation Sojourns Scholar; https://thepeacefulpresenceproject.org/
Co-Founder & Director of Programs; NEDA-Proficient End-Of-Life Doula
2022 Cambia health Foundation Sojourns Scholar; https://thepeacefulpresenceproject.org/
Ashley Meagher, MD, MPH, FACS
Judi Lund Person, MPH, CHC
Lund Person & Associates Hospice Consulting
Lund Person & Associates Hospice Consulting