Kaua‘i Hospice welcomes new director

After two years with Kaua‘i Hospice, former Executive Director Judith Smith will leave the organization Nov. 5. Lori Miller will step into Smith’s shoes to lead the nonprofit.

Smith, who joined Kaua‘i Hospice in August 2005, has overseen a number of significant changes during her tenure, including the completion of a capital campaign to provide Hospice with its own facility at 4457 Pahe‘e Road and the restructure of staffing and patient services.

Smith previously worked for Kaiser Permanente’s Southern California and Hawai‘i regions.

“The staff and board have had one mission in mind the entire term of my leadership: help people complete their final journey and provide sensitive and continuing support to the many island families during the process,” Smith said in a press release. “It has been my privilege to work closely with such a professional and caring Hospice Team.”

Kaua‘i Hospice President Valerie Rekward applauded Smith’s management skills, which she demonstrated during the capital campaign and building process.

“Smith’s ability to provide leadership, structure and direction has served our patient population, our volunteers and staff, and the community of Kaua‘i extremely well — she will be missed,” Rekward said in the release.

Miller leaves behind her roles at Ho‘ola Lahui Hawai‘i and the Kaua‘i Community Health Centers, where she has served since 2002 as chief operations officer. She also directed the AIDS Community Care team in Honolulu.

“Our focus for the future will be on the provision of the highest quality of care and services possible to meet the end-of-life needs of the Kaua‘i community,” Miller said in the release. “… Together we will work to promote a better and fuller understanding of the benefits of Hospice services.”

For more information about Kaua‘i Hospice, visit www.kauaihospice.org.