National POLST

11/29/2025

As we get closer to Giving Tuesday, we’re reflecting on why POLST matters so deeply.

For people living with serious illness or frailty, having their wishes clearly understood can change everything.

POLST helps turn those wishes into portable medical orders — ensuring care teams know exactly what matters most, wherever treatment happens.

This Saturday, we invite you to learn more, share with someone who may benefit, and help us spread the word ahead of Giving Tuesday.

Together, we can bring clarity, dignity, and compassion to serious illness care.
👉 Donate today: https://one.bidpal.net/polst/browse/donation(details:item/3)

11/26/2025

This , help us honor the wishes of people living with serious illness or frailty.

POLST is more than a form — it’s a conversation, a process, and a portable medical order that ensures a person’s treatment aligns with what they truly want.

Your gift today supports education, clarity, and a voice for families and clinicians across the country.

👉 Donate here: https://one.bidpal.net/polst/browse/donation(details:item/3)

11/20/2025

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month—a time to honor
compassionate care and reaffirm our commitment to improving quality of life for
those with serious illness. From the perspective of the National POLST Collaborative, this month is a powerful reminder of how shared decision-making and advance care planning can transform the patient experience.

Each November, we celebrate National Hospice and Palliative Care Month to recognize
the clinicians, caregivers, and advocates who ensure that patients facing serious illness
receive care that honors their values, preferences, and dignity. This year’s theme, “We
See the Whole You,” resonates deeply with the mission of the National POLST
Collaborative—a coalition dedicated to improving person-centered care through the use
of Portable Medical Orders that reflect patients’ treatment goals across care settings.
POLST (a set of portable medical orders) is not just a form—it’s a process. It begins
with meaningful conversations between patients, families, and healthcare professionals
about what matters most in the face of serious illness. These conversations lead to
actionable medical orders that guide emergency and long-term care teams, ensuring
that treatment aligns with the patient’s wishes.

Hospice and palliative care are built on the principles of comfort, dignity, and respect.
POLST complements these principles by:
 Empowering patients to make informed decisions about life-sustaining
treatments.
 Reducing unwanted interventions that may not align with a patient’s goals or
values.
 Improving continuity of care across hospitals, nursing homes, and home
settings.
 Supporting clinicians with clear, legally recognized guidance that honors
patient autonomy.
As the population ages and the prevalence of chronic and serious illness grows, the
need for coordinated values-based care becomes more urgent. POLST helps bridge
the gap between patient preferences and clinical practice, especially in moments when
patients cannot speak for themselves.

The National POLST Collaborative is committed to expanding access to POLST
conversations and forms, especially among underserved communities. This includes:
 Developing culturally sensitive materials that reflect diverse values and
beliefs.
 Training clinicians in communication strategies that foster trust and
understanding.
 Promoting digital POLST registries to ensure forms are accessible when
needed most.

We believe that every person—regardless of background, diagnosis, or
setting—deserves care that reflects who they are and what they want. November is more than a month of recognition—it’s a call to action. By integrating POLST into hospice and palliative care, we move closer to a healthcare system that sees, hears, and honors the whole person.
For more information, visit polst.org and join us in shaping a future where every
patient’s voice guides their care. The Conversation ProjectNational Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD)National Alliance for Care at HomeRespecting ChoicesLouisiana-Mississippi Hospice & Palliative Care OrganizationCenter for Practical BioethicsPrepare for Your CareOchsner HealthKY MOST CoalitionNew York MOLSTArizona POLSTFlorida POLST

04/16/2025

National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD.org) is April 16. It’s a day to encourage everyone to make sure their family and healthcare providers know their healthcare wishes if they suddenly became too ill to make decisions for themselves. By planning ahead, you can make sure you get the care you want and that your loved ones don’t have to guess what you would want if you are unable to speak for yourself.
It’s not just for older people. Sudden illness can happen any time to anyone!
Identify the key people in your life and make sure they know what Matters Most to you-then put it in writing! It is ok if you don’t know exactly what you want but naming a person/persons who can speak for you is gift you give your family.
There are many resources available to help with these important documents including National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD)Respecting ChoicesPrepare for Your CareThe Conversation ProjectCenter for Practical BioethicsLouisiana-Mississippi Hospice & Palliative Care OrganizationNational Alliance for Care at Home
Illness can happen to anyone, at any age, and it’s impossible to predict. Having a plan in place, even if you’re healthy now, can help make sure you get the care you want if something unexpected happens.

06/27/2024

Conversations do change lives!

06/26/2024

Important announcement about new National POLST Collaborative officers and board members!

National POLST Collaborative Announces New Board of Directors and Officers
(Baton Rouge, LA-June 21, 2024) – The National POLST Collaborative, a leader in promoting the understanding and use of POLST – a set of portable medical orders for individuals with serious illness or frailty, is proud to announce the election of its new board of directors and officers.
The newly elected board members bring a wealth of experience and expertise in healthcare, policy, and patient advocacy. They are committed to the Collaborative’s mission of ensuring that people receive the medical treatments they prefer in the event of a medical emergency when they cannot speak for themselves.
New Board of Directors members to the 12-person Board:
Kim Callanan, MA (Texas)
Jeannette Koijane, MPH (Hawaii)
Christine McMichael, MA, LMHC (Massachusetts)
Nine members are continuing, as follows: Jennifer Ballentine, MA/California, Vicki Buchda MS, RN, NEA-BC/Arizona; Paul Drager, JD/New Hampshire; Emmie Gardner, MSW, LCSW/Utah; Matt Kestenbaum, MD/Virginia; Cindy Munn, MHA/Louisiana; Susan Nelson, MD/Louisiana; Paula Sanders/Georgia; Karl Steinberg, MD/California
New Officers:
• Susan Nelson MD - President, Louisiana
• Matt Kestenbaum MD -President-Elect/Treasurer, Virginia
• Cindy Munn MHA - Secretary, Louisiana
• Karl Steinberg, MD - Past President, California
“We are thrilled to welcome our new board members and officers,” said Abby Dotson, PhD, Executive Director of the National POLST Collaborative. “Their diverse backgrounds and shared passion for patient-centered care will be invaluable as we continue to advocate for POLST programs nationwide.” The National POLST Collaborative looks forward to working with the new board and officers to enhance the use of POLST. Through education, resources, and research, the Collaborative aims to support healthcare professionals and empower patients and their families to make informed decisions about their care when faced with serious illness and frailty.
For more information about the National POLST Collaborative and its initiatives, please contact Abby Dotson, Executive Director at natlpolstcollaborative@gmail.com.

06/26/2024

Conversations change lives!

A study published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine found that only 18% of cancer patients remember receiving a prognostic disclosure from their oncologist. VitalTalk seeks to address this issue by providing healthcare professionals with the skills necessary to conduct these crucial conversations in a timely and effective manner.

05/05/2024

Conversations change lives!!

04/14/2024

Conversations change lives!

01/12/2024

Have conversations!

01/09/2024

Conversations do change lives. These conversations always seem too early until they are too late. Talk with your family and friends. A great gift to share.

⛳ 🏌️ Crises are hard settings to learn in, that's why whether it's at the kitchen table or the driving range, you can put some thought into what the most comfortable setting to have conversations about to you is.

10/01/2023

Lately, you may be feeling like it's time to start a conversation about choosing your health care proxy. But you want to be sure you're as ready as possible before you do.

1️⃣ 2️⃣ 3️⃣ Don't worry, if you're feeling lost about where to start, we recommend starting with these three easy steps!

Check out our resource, When the Lights Go up, here: https://bit.ly/46aCRjJ