Article about Patti Moore:
From the September 2000 University of Florida Institute on Aging Newlsetter, "Pathways to Aging," page 8

When Patrice C. Moore, RN, MSN, received her Certificate in Gerontology from the University of Florida in 1982, she could not have imagined how relevant the gerontology-related courses she took would be to her future career. Indeed, her first job after graduate school at UF — as a nurse practitioner at the student infirmary — did not involve older adults in any way.

A year later, however, a friend told Moore about an opening as administrator of a then-fledging organization called Hospice of North Central Florida. With only two employees and fewer than 10 patients, Hospice offered Moore the opportunity to continue “hands-on” nursing while filling a gap in patient care. For the next 16 years, she oversaw the expansion of a hospice program that became one of the 50 largest in the country, serving more than 260 patients in 11 counties.

Under Moore's leadership, Hospice of North Central Florida raised the funds to build Hospice House, a model 18-bed residential care unit, which opened in 1997. Moore also opened three rural satellite offices, formed Florida Palliative Home Care, developed an extensive volunteer program, and created an internationally acclaimed web site, “Hospice Hands.”

“Hospice became even more than I expected,” said Moore. “It became a refuge not just for patients but for families to feel loved and comforted.”

Moore was president of the Florida Hospice and Palliative Care, the state hospice association from 1995 to 1997 and served on the board for 15 years. She was a founding member of the National Hospice Work Group, which brings together representatives of the larger hospices in the country to shape end of life care. She has been surveyor for the Joint Commission on Accreditation for Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) and provided national training for the JCAHO on quality assurance and program assessment.

A desire to share her expertise on the national level prompted Moore to found her own consulting business, The Watershed Group (www.thewatershedgroup.com) in 1999. She guides health care organizations in such areas as strategic planning and program assessment, offers training workshops, and is developing a professional speaking career. Among her topics is caring for caregivers. “With the aging of the population, most of us will be caregivers at some point,” said Moore.

Moore has remained in touch with her mentors from UF's gerontology faculty and is delighted with her alma mater's support for the new Institute on Aging.