Delaware Hospice nurse earns national certification 

Delaware Hospice recently announced that Clinical Supervisor Erica Kilpatrick-Galbreath, RN, CHPN, CHPPN, obtained her Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse Certification from the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center.

Certification demonstrates mastery of a defined body of knowledge regarding hospice and palliative pediatrics. To achieve certification, the candidate must be an active member of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association. For the CHPPN certification, a candidate must have at least 500 hours of hospice and palliative pediatric care within the last 12 months.

At this time, Kilpatrick-Galbreath is the only nurse in Delaware with the CHPPN certification.

With her expansive knowledge of pediatric hospice and palliative care, she is able to help lead Delaware Hospice’s Katybug program. Delaware Hospice is the only hospice agency in Delaware to offer a dedicated pediatric hospice and palliative care program to the community. Through Katybug, staff members are able to provide personalized pediatric care incorporating curative treatment alongside supportive care.

“As a registered nurse with Delaware Hospice, I am able to work with amazing nurses, social workers, and staff who have extensive experience being there at the most difficult times,” said Kilpatrick-Galbreath. “After supporting several of our young patients, it felt like the right calling for me. I want to be able to help children find relief from pain and symptoms while improving the quality of life for them and their families. Being present for the end of life is a privilege, and one we take very seriously. As Katybug celebrates 10 years of care, it seemed appropriate to use the certification process to increase my own knowledge to support our staff and the community.”

Delaware Hospice fully supports its staff in preparing for and becoming certified in hospice and palliative care.