At Goodwin Hospice, we believe in celebrating the dedicated professionals who make a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients and their loved ones every day. By spotlighting our team members, we hope to shed light on the empathy, expertise and heartfelt connection that define those who work in hospice care.
Sharing these stories is about more than recognition; it’s about challenging misconceptions and reducing the stigma that can surround both receiving and working in hospice.
Meet Goodwin Hospice RN Case Manager Elizabeth Paquette
What drew you to hospice care, and what keeps you here?
What drew me to hospice care was not simply the personal losses I experienced, but the incredible hospice nurses who walked beside me through those difficult times. Their presence transformed my understanding of end-of-life care, and I knew from the start of my nursing career that I wanted to be a hospice nurse.
The reason I stay with Goodwin Hospice is the unwavering compassion our team shows to every patient and family. We share a core belief that those we serve come first and foremost, ensuring that dignity and heart remain at the center of everything we do.
What is one thing families might be surprised to know about hospice?
Let’s be honest: when most families hear the word “hospice,” their immediate reaction is often one of fear or finality. One of the greatest misconceptions about hospice is that it is only for the final hours (or days) of life. In reality, hospice is a clinical and emotional support system designed for final months of life. There are two benefits in particular of entering hospice earlier: first, that it allows the team to prescribe medications slowly and find the perfect balance of comfort without excessive sedation and secondly, the hospice team needs time to build trust with both patient and families. Earlier admission allows us to help families navigate complex dynamics, assist in resolving old conflicts, and prepare for the grieving process before the patient starts to transition to the very end of life.
What brings you joy outside of work?
No question about it, spending time with my grandchildren and watching them grow.
What is a lesson you have learned in your time with Goodwin Hospice?
That healing is not always about the cure of the body, but the preservation of the self. When I can tap into someone’s passions or whatever their love is—gardening, interior designing, motorcycles, animals, a career in the military or teaching—I am not distracting them, but rather pulling them back into their own identity, which often feels swallowed up by their diagnosis. At least for that hour, they aren’t “just a patient;” they are an expert, an enthusiast and a human being with a rich history.
I’m often reminded that the mind and spirit have their own unique pharmacy. Genuine connection and the validation of one’s life’s work or hobbies can be just as vital as any medication for quality of life.
