Pat Soenksen Receives the 2016 Peter Keese Leadership Award
August 29, 2016
(GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA)—Pat Soenksen, president and CEO of Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro (HPCG) and the Hospice Foundation of Greater Greensboro (HFGG) was honored today at the 40th Annual Hospice and Palliative Care Conference in Charlotte.
“I am excited to announce that Pat has been named the 2016 recipient of the Peter Keese Leadership Award,” said Mary Magrinat, chair of the board of directors at HPCG. “Pat has been a tremendous asset to HPCG, inspiring and challenging our staff and board to rigorous standards of excellence and compassion.”
The award is presented annually by The Carolinas Center (TCC), which is a trade organization promoting quality end-of-life care and representing an extensive number of hospice and palliative care providers in North and South Carolina. This year marks TCC’s 40th anniversary.
The Peter Keese Leadership Award is presented to a North Carolina individual who has:
- Been affiliated with a North Carolina hospice or palliative care provider or end-of-life care coalition that is a member of TCC.
- Devoted significant time to promoting hospice care.
- Provided vision and innovation in an approach to end-of-life care.
- Involved in fostering relationships with strategic partners.
- Involved in hospice care throughout North Carolina.
Under her watch, HPCG has continued to solidify its distinguished reputation among hospice programs locally, statewide and nationally. “Pat has managed our growth against a backdrop of challenging economic times, increased regulatory burden and rising competition,” said Magrinat.
In addition to providing leadership for HPCG for nearly a decade, Soenksen has been an active member of TCC and an engaged advocate of hospice care. The addition of The Lusk Center at HPCG has served as a meeting space for many TCC meetings and educational opportunities. Additionally, she is recognized as a wise and experienced leader, having held leadership roles in both acute and post-acute care settings. This broad knowledge has enabled her to advocate effectively for the integration of hospice into the broader health care continuum.
Soenksen’s career encompasses 40 years in health care management, including her first role in hospice when she served as executive director of Triangle Hospice in Durham from 1985 until 1988. As she moved on to other health care administration and consulting roles, Soenksen continued to serve as a trained hospice volunteer in North Carolina and Minnesota. She has a special fondness for volunteers and remembers her many years as a hospice volunteer with great pride.
“Throughout her career, Pat has mentored emerging talent, including many hospice leaders. She embodies the leadership qualities and characteristics appropriate for recognition of the Peter Keese Leadership Award,” said Magrinat.
About Peter Keese
Presentation of the Peter Keese Leadership Award began in 1986 with Keese as the first recipient. Keese is now a retired episcopal priest and an actively retired supervisor certified by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education. He served 15 years at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, as well as 15 years as director of clinical pastoral education at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. Keese has also served as a pastoral counselor with the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. He lives with his wife in Knoxville.
About HPCG
HPCG, a nonprofit organization serving Guilford County and surrounding areas since 1980, is situated on a 14.75 acre campus at 2500 Summit Avenue. HPCG provides physical, emotional and spiritual support for children and adults faced with a life-limiting illness, as well as their caregivers and families. For more information, call 336.621.2500 or visit www.hospicegso.org.
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