A note from a caregiver:
“We are so thankful that we were able to spend the last three days as a family with our dad. Hospice of Southern Kentucky allowed us to be there together and love on our dad in his last days. I am so thankful for the kindness that was shown to my dad even when he would not have known the difference but also for the kindness and compassion that was shown to us as a family during the hardest time of our lives. Thank you to Hospice of Southern Kentucky.”
Hospice of Southern Kentucky is in its 45th year of serving the community. We are grateful to those who saw a need for home hospice care in the early 1980s and who brought Hospice of Southern Kentucky (HSK) to life. With their persistence, expertise, and commitment to providing South Central Kentuckians with a comfort treatment option, we are here today in long service as a community partner.
Our mission at Hospice of Southern Kentucky is to honor life through exceptional service and compassionate care. A terminal diagnosis is never easy to accept but having a specialized medical team to coordinate care 24/7 (yes, even on the weekends) is comforting, and empowering!
Individuals receiving hospice care can still live life! Hospice of Southern Kentucky patients can participate in all the events, celebrations, and vacations they would have before starting hospice or palliative care. We exist to give individuals back control of their life by relieving pain, providing spiritual and emotional support, and empowering families to enjoy their time together. Patients can stay at home to receive comprehensive care rather than experience exhausting trips to the hospital. The most frequent feedback from individuals and families is they wish they would have chosen hospice sooner.
Hospice aims to ensure that the individual is physically and emotionally comfortable. To continue the HSK mission of honoring life during hospice care, we rely on generous donors and revenue raised through our Lotus Award Gala to provide free, un-reimbursed patient care and services.
Hospice of Southern Kentucky is thrilled to bring you the Lotus Award Gala on September 13, 2025 at the Knicely Conference Center,where we will celebrate the programs and services we offer. We will also honor our 2025 Lotus Award Recipient, his contributions to HSK and to the community. With this award, we showcase excellence in leadership as demonstrated by outstanding initiative, the impact of work, and inspiration to others.
The 2025 Lotus Award honoree is Dr. Paul Cook, who has made many contributions to the community and to HSK. He was an HSK Board member for several years, is continuing his long-term service on The Medical Center Board of Directors, served as an interim WKU President and esteemed WKU professor and Assistant to President Dero Downing, and was also a founding Board member of The Community Foundation of South Central Kentucky.
We will also be remembering and honoring one of our founding Board members – Romanza Johnson – who was an active HSK Board member until her passing earlier this year. It is fitting that we honor her legacy at this event.
Our net proceeds from this year’s Gala will be designated towards the Geri Buchanon Smith Memorial Garden revitalization project.
The 2025 Lotus Award Gala is being held on September 13, 2025. The reception and silent auction will start at 5:00pm, with dinner at 6:30 pm. This will be followed by the award and program at 7:00pm. Sophisticated cocktail attire is recommended for this elegant evening. The 2025 Lotus Award Gala is THE fall event you don’t want to miss!
Tables of 8 can be purchased for $800 and general seats for $100 each. Corporate sponsorships are also available.
For more information, to secure sponsorships, or purchase tickets, please call 270-746-9300. You can scan the QR code or visit the event website, LotusAwardGala.com, to purchase online and view/bid on silent auction items.
-submitted by Hospice of Southern Kentucky
