Hospice care is about so much more than what happens at the end of life. It is about having meaningful conversations, understanding what matters most to each person and surrounding patients and families with people who are committed to helping them live as fully and comfortably as possible.
Yesterday, Pathways Director of Business Development Natalie Petersen and Vice President of Clinical Services Marianne Buss joined the crew at Good Morning NOCO to talk about their work, their journeys to Pathways and the important role hospice plays in our communities.
A Journey to Hospice Leadership
Marianne Buss brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her role as Pathways Vice President of Clinical Services. During the interview, she shared her journey to joining Pathways and discussed how her experiences, combined with her passion for hospice care, have helped shape her leadership style.
Leadership in hospice requires clinical knowledge, but it also requires compassion, understanding and a commitment to supporting the people who provide care every day. Marianne talked about the importance of creating an environment where hospice professionals can do meaningful work and feel supported in the roles they have chosen.
Making Difficult Conversations Easier
For many people, talking about dying can feel uncomfortable or even overwhelming. Families may not know where to begin. Individuals may be unsure about what questions to ask or what their options are. And sometimes, simply acknowledging that a conversation needs to happen can be the hardest part.
Natalie Petersen discussed these challenges during the interview, along with the barriers that can prevent people from having conversations about death and dying.
At Pathways, we believe these conversations are important. They give individuals an opportunity to talk about what matters most to them, understand their choices and make plans that reflect their wishes.
Our team can help facilitate these conversations and provide guidance and support along the way. Hospice is not simply about preparing for death. It is about helping people make the most of the time they have and supporting a life well lived.
The People Behind the Care
Natalie and Marianne also discussed one of the most important ingredients in providing exceptional hospice care: finding the right people.
Hospice work is deeply rewarding, but it can also be challenging. It takes a special combination of clinical expertise, compassion, resilience and a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and families.
Finding employees who are passionate about this work is essential. Just as important is creating an environment where those employees feel valued, supported and equipped to do their best work.
At Pathways, we understand that exceptional care starts with exceptional people. We are committed to recruiting talented professionals who share our values and supporting them throughout their careers.
When the right people come together around a shared purpose, the impact can be profound.
Hear the Full Conversation
We are grateful to Good Morning NOCO for inviting Natalie and Marianne to share more about hospice care, the importance of meaningful conversations and the people who make Pathways what it is.
Their conversation offers a thoughtful look at hospice from both a personal and professional perspective, and a reminder that talking about the end of life can ultimately help us focus on what matters most: living well.
Listen to the full interview here:
https://1310kfka.com/podcasts/07/good-morning-noco-july-29-2026-crp-4x4-vip-guest-natalie-petersen-and-marianne-buss-with-pathways-hospice/