On April 22, Fresno State hosted the Compassionate Whole Person Care: Embracing Palliative and Hospice Support Conference at the Peter’s Building, bringing together students, community professionals and human services partners for a meaningful day of learning, collaboration and reflection on the importance of palliative and hospice care.

Led by Department of Social Work Education Chair Dr. Helen Miltiades, the conference focused on advancing compassionate, person-centered care and strengthening awareness of palliative and hospice support across disciplines. The event highlighted the importance of addressing not only physical health needs, but also the emotional, social and spiritual well-being of individuals and families navigating serious illness and end-of-life care.

The conference was made possible through the support and collaboration of several valued community partners and sponsors, including the Fresno State Social Welfare Evaluation, Research and Training Center, Fresno State Health Careers Opportunity Program, Hinds Lifecare, Fresno Council of Governments, Seva Hospice, HCAI and Bristol Hospice. Their partnership helped create a rich learning environment that emphasized interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement.

More than 150 participants attended the conference, including Fresno State students, healthcare professionals, social workers, human services staff and community advocates. The strong attendance reflected the growing need for education and dialogue surrounding palliative and hospice care services in the Central Valley.

The event featured five engaging workshops covering important topics related to end-of-life care, advance planning, hospice support, ethical decision-making and innovative approaches to compassionate care. One of the highlights of the day was the keynote presentation by Dr. Patrick MacMillan from University of California, San Francisco, who shared valuable insights on the current state of palliative and hospice care and the importance of whole-person support for patients and families.

The conference served as an important opportunity to foster education, connection and advocacy while reinforcing Fresno State’s commitment to preparing future professionals who lead with compassion, dignity and service.

This successful event reflects the ongoing mission of Fresno State and its partners to support healthier communities through education, collaboration and compassionate care for all.