My name is Joan Bretthauer and I am passionate about the end-of-life experience.

This passion started many years ago when my own father was on hospice. It was the first time I had heard the word hospice and experienced a hospice program. During this time, I assisted my mother in my father’s care and working together, my father not only had a peaceful death, but our family was educated, supported and empowered throughout the entire process.

 

 

To better support, educate and comfort the dying and their families, I completed training to be a Certified End-of-Life Doula and a Certified Doulagiver Care Consultant.

As a result of my first hospice experience, I was drawn to end-of-life care to learn more about the dying process. I wanted to be a part of the solution, the way my father’s hospice agency had been a solution for us, and so I became a hospice volunteer. I had a sincere and genuine desire to serve others.

 

 

When I worked for a private duty in-home care company, a big part of my job was networking with other senior services providers in our community.

Observing the lack of education and resources for families facing end-of-life and senior care decisions, I made it my mission to share my personal experience, knowledge, and resources with the goal of making transitions to senior care and hospice easier for everyone. With a Master’s Degree in Corporate and Industrial Communications and with more than 30 years committed to the welfare of others, I devote my energy, talent and experience to fulfilling on my mission and making a difference for others around the end-of-life experience.

 

Over ten years ago I applied to be on the board of Gateway End-of-Life Coalition, a local organization in St. Louis committed to the same mission I had adopted for myself. I remember to this day how I felt being accepted to serve on the board. I was humbled and honored, but I was also nervous. I was humbled and honored because I was being provided my own gateway to further learn, grow and accomplish our mutual mission. However, having never served on a community board before, I was nervous and wasn’t entirely sure what to expect.

 

 

As a Gateway End-of-Life board member, I created programs, workshops, and educational training for health care providers and the community.

I created the Gateway End-of-Life Coalition Summer Speaker Conference, an annual conference held in St. Louis, that brings in top speakers from around the country presenting on a variety of topics, including end-of-life conversations and care, palliative care, and advance care planning. The conference is in its eighth year and is valued by end-of-life professionals and the volunteer community evidenced by yearly attendance of over 200 people.

 

As president of the Board, another project that was particularly important to me was for Gateway End-of-Life Coalition to become a registered 501C-3 nonprofit organization. It was quite a lengthy process, but I am proud to say we are now officially a nonprofit coalition committed to our community and health care providers to provide education, collaboration and advocacy for end-of-life issues. While no longer President, I continue to serve on the board.

 

As someone in the community committed to make a difference, I advocate for Hospice and Palliative Care legislation in Washington D.C and Missouri.