Faith Hospice announced that Rene’ Wheaton, RN, BSN, NHA, Executive Director, has been inducted into the Michigan Homecare and Hospice Association (MHHA) Hall of Fame. Wheaton joins a select group of past Hall of Fame inductees who through their significant career achievements, advance the homecare and hospice profession.
Wheaton has been a tireless advocate to improve the regulatory and legal environment for hospice care. She has considerable expertise in hospice regulatory matters. Most recently, Wheaton worked with other statewide hospice leaders and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to successfully amend Michigan’s newly enacted opioid restrictions to provide necessary exemptions for hospice care providers.
She joined Faith Hospice in 2006 and has served as Executive Director since 2011. Under Wheaton’s leadership, Faith Hospice has quadrupled the number of West Michigan patients and families served, while maintaining its excellent reputation for quality. Wheaton also oversaw the development of the Trillium Palliative Service clinic, Grand Rapids’ first dedicated palliative care outpatient clinic. Wheaton is known for her humility and gentle demeanor, which are matched by her level of expertise and deep understanding in the fields of hospice and palliative care. She is also known for mentoring and developing leaders in the field.
“I’m honored to receive this award and be inducted into the Hall of Fame with the other talented leaders I’ve had the privilege of working alongside over the years,” Wheaton said. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many caring and talented people over the years, who walk with patients on some of their most difficult days. Receiving this recognition for doing something that I already value is extremely gratifying.”
The Hall of Fame was inaugurated to honor those individuals who have excelled in the home care and hospice profession, those who bring honor and recognition to the MHHA and those who inspire and mentor individuals and students to consider or continue their careers in home care and hospice.
“Rene is a leader among leaders with exceptional career achievements as a nurse, manager, and advocate for change,” noted Barry Cargill, President and CEO of the MHHA. “Her unselfish contribution to improving the quality of life for hospice patients at the end of their lives, extends beyond her organization to patients across our state and nation.”
Wheaton is an active hospice leader at both the state and national level. She currently serves on the Hospice Regulatory Committee for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Association and the Hospice Advisory and Quality Committees for the National Association of Homecare and Hospice. She also serves as Chair of the Hospice Committee and Room and Board Subcommittee for the MHHA. She has remained an active member of the MHHA, after completing service on the organization’s Board of Directors in 2012.
Wheaton received her undergraduate degree in nursing from Northern Michigan University. She held leadership positions in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities in Minnesota and Michigan before beginning her career in hospice service in 1993. Wheaton is also a licensed Nursing Home Administrator.
