The Home Care Association of Florida (HCAF) is pleased to announce that Executive Director Denise Bellville, RN, BS, COS-C, has been appointed to the Florida Palliative Care Coalition (FPCC) Steering Committee, joining an impressive group of health care executives, medical professionals, researchers, policymakers, and patient advocates working to strengthen palliative care throughout Florida.

The appointment comes as FPCC enters a new chapter of statewide collaboration, with a renewed strategic direction focused on improving quality of life for Floridians living with serious, chronic, or advanced illnesses. The Coalition seeks to expand access to high-quality palliative care through public and professional education, research, advocacy, and partnerships across the health care continuum.

Bellville will bring the home care industry's perspective to the Steering Committee, helping ensure that community-based providers and the patients and families they serve are represented in discussions about access, care coordination, and health policy.

An Influential Coalition of Statewide Leaders

The Steering Committee brings together representatives from more than 30 organizations spanning health care delivery, government, higher education, professional associations, patient advocacy, and public policy.

Co-chaired by Susan Ponder-Stansel, Chief Executive Officer of Alivia Care, and Paul Ledford, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Association, the committee includes leadership from some of Florida's most prominent health care institutions and advocacy organizations.

Among those represented are the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), Florida Hospital Association, Florida Health Care Association, AARP, American Cancer Society, Moffitt Cancer Center, Sunshine Health, VITAS Healthcare, Empath Health, and the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation.

Academic and clinical expertise is represented by the University of Florida, Florida State University College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, and several osteopathic medical colleges. Other participating organizations include the Florida Nurses Association, Florida Academy of Physician Assistants, Florida Senior Living Association, LeadingAge Southeast, and the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs.

The committee also includes representatives from organizations focused on aging, advance care planning, social work, bioethics, and cancer research, reflecting the Coalition's commitment to bringing diverse perspectives to the challenges facing Floridians with serious illnesses.

HCAF's participation is particularly significant in ensuring that home health and other home-based care providers have a voice alongside hospitals, hospices, physicians, insurers, researchers, and other stakeholders.

Advancing a Statewide Strategy for Palliative Care

The Steering Committee will provide strategic guidance as FPCC works to establish itself as a leading statewide resource for palliative care education, collaboration, and advocacy.

Its strategic priorities include:

• Expanding public awareness: Helping Floridians better understand palliative care, who can benefit from it, and how it differs from hospice care through public education initiatives.
• Strengthening statewide partnerships: Building a network connecting health care providers, professional associations, academic institutions, community organizations, and patient advocates.
• Advancing public policy: Developing a sustained, nonpartisan legislative and regulatory advocacy effort to improve palliative care access and quality.
• Improving access to care: Expanding professional education, strengthening referral resources, and identifying opportunities to address gaps in palliative care availability throughout Florida.

An immediate policy priority under consideration is establishing a clear definition of palliative care in Florida law during the 2027 Legislative Session, creating a foundation for greater public understanding and future policy initiatives.

The Coalition also plans to develop Florida-specific research and data resources, elevate patient and caregiver experiences, and establish sustainable partnerships to support long-term progress.

Bringing the Home Care Perspective to the Table

For HCAF and its members, the appointment represents an important opportunity to help shape statewide conversations about serious-illness care and the growing role of services delivered in patients' homes and communities.

Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms, addressing physical and emotional needs, and improving quality of life for individuals living with serious illness. It can be provided alongside curative treatment and across multiple settings, including patients' homes.

As more Floridians seek to receive care at home, coordination among home health agencies, hospitals, physicians, hospice and palliative care programs, and other community-based providers will be increasingly important.

Bellville's participation will help bring attention to the opportunities and challenges facing home care providers, including care transitions, interdisciplinary collaboration, patient and caregiver education, and access to services that support individuals with complex health needs.

“I’m honored to join such an accomplished and diverse group of leaders who share a commitment to improving the quality of life for Floridians living with serious illness,” said Bellville. “Home-based care plays an essential role in helping patients remain comfortable, supported, and connected to the services they need. I look forward to bringing the home care perspective to this important effort and working alongside our partners to strengthen education, expand access, and advance meaningful policies that put patients and families first.”

Looking Ahead

The Steering Committee is scheduled to convene for its inaugural meeting on October 22, 2026, to establish its governance framework, identify initial priorities, and begin organizing workgroups responsible for advancing the Coalition's strategic initiatives.

The meeting will also include discussions surrounding the 2027 legislative agenda and opportunities to strengthen collaboration among participating organizations.

HCAF looks forward to contributing its expertise and statewide provider perspective to this important initiative, reinforcing the Association's commitment to policies and partnerships that improve access to high-quality care in the home and throughout Florida's health care system.

The article is framed for HCAF's website and gives Denise's appointment prominence without implying the Steering Committee has already adopted the proposed charter or legislative priorities. It also highlights the committee's institutional breadth without turning the announcement into a lengthy roster.