Empath Hospice Physicians Summit
August 13-14, 2026
Reimagining Physician Leadership Through Full Life Care for All
Join us for the 2nd Annual Empath Hospice Physicians Summit—a focused gathering created specifically for the physicians at the heart of our hospice mission. This exclusive event offers a forum to engage directly with Empath Health’s strategic vision and explore the innovations shaping the future of hospice medicine. It’s a rare opportunity to connect with colleagues and executive leaders, gain insight into emerging clinical and operational priorities, and help guide the path forward for compassionate, high-quality care across our system.
Sponsored by Palm Beach Island Hospice Foundation
Summit Agenda
This carefully curated agenda is designed to foster connection, spark ideas, and center our shared purpose. From thought-provoking presentations to candid conversations, each session is built around the future of hospice medicine and the role of physician leadership in advancing Full Life Care.
Come ready to listen, reflect, and lead.
Sponsored by:
Thursday, August 13, 2026
An Evening of Vision and Elegance
Please plan to arrive in Palm Beach Gardens by 5:00 PM.
An Evening of Vision and Elegance: We'll officially open the summit with an unforgettable
evening at 6:00 pm at The Sailfish Club of Florida,
The night kicks off in the grand ballroom, where
the energy of South Florida meets the future of healthcare. Join fellow
physicians and guests for an evening of meaningful conversation, dinner, and a
sense of renewed purpose.
Enjoy inspiring opening remarks from Empath Health President + CEO Jonathan Fleece as he welcomes us into a weekend of reflection, leadership, and vision for the future of hospice care. This is more than dinner—it's the start of something powerful.
Friday
August 14, 2026
A Day to Reflect, Connect, and Lead
Friday, August 14
Rise & Shine Breakfast Served: 7:00 AM - 8:15 AM Sponsored by Hospi Macy Catheter
Before the Physicians Summit, join us back in
the main ballroom for a networking breakfast. Gear up for a full day of
insight, dialogue, and collaboration with your colleagues.
Let the Summit Begin: 8:15 AM
Friday brings us together for a powerhouse
lineup of dynamic speakers and thought leaders. Together, we'll dive into the
future of hospice medicine—examining innovation, leadership, and the role of
Full Life Care in shaping what's next.
- Featured Speaker: Heather Hodges. Dr. Heather Hodges is a dynamic
corporate speaker, organizational psychologist, and professional
"speed-painter" who uniquely blends live art with workplace
science. During her high-energy keynote presentations, she creates
large-scale, live speed-paintings on stage as a visual metaphor to
demonstrate how teams can overcome stagnation, adapt to rapid change, and
unlock their hidden potential. Backed by a PhD in Industrial and
Organizational Psychology and a background leading development for Fortune
100 companies, she developed The Hodges 12 Types of Creative Genius™—a
research-based framework proving that creativity is not just for
traditional artists, but a strategic problem-solving tool that every
professional can utilize to drive innovation and collaboration.
- Keynote Interview: Dr.
Ira Robert Byock We
are privileged to host an exclusive interview with Dr. Ira Robert Byock, a
globally recognized American physician, author, and leading advocate for
palliative care. Dr. Byock will share his profound insights on improving
care through the end of life, humanizing medicine, and advancing the
practice of holistic, patient-centered care.
Expect bold ideas, honest conversation, and the
chance to help shape the future—not just for Empath, but for the field we're
leading together.