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)

Register Short Schedule (printable) Detailed Schedule Hotel & Travel Sponsor / Exhibit Continuing Education

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

Register Now Sponsor / Exhibit

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: Extended through Tuesday, April 28, 2026

(If the room block appears full, you may still wish to contact the hotel directly to ask about additional availability.)

Sponsorship Levels

• 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

• Draped exhibitor table
• Conference registration for two (2) people
• Recognition on the OHPCA and WSHPCO websites
• Recognition at the Welcome Reception

• 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	KEYNOTE - 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	FY 2027 Proposed Hospice Wage Index Rule AND a Chance to Create Comments in Response - Make a Difference Today! Judi Lund Person, MPH, CHC, Lund Person & Associates Hospice Consulting
12:00 – 1:00 pm	Lunch, Visit with Vendors
1:00 – 2:00 pm	Hospice Documentation Requirements (via Zoom); 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

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	PLENARY - 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; 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	Hard-Won Lessons in Hospice Care: The HOPE Tool and Responding to Emergencies; 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 Chaplaincy; Kathryn Bomkamp, Hospice Quality Manager, Kaiser Hospice & Palliative Care
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!

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