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In November 2003 the Partnership received a national Award of Excellence from Rallying Points, a Last Acts program, at a national conference in Boston where Better Ending co-founder William Densmore was a panelist. It was the only coalition in the country to receive the award as outstanding Emerging End-of-Life Coalition. The Partnership is a member of the Caring Connections program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, which provides cross-communications and offers resources to regional coalitions.

In recognition of outstanding contributions by people and organizations who are “Making a Difference”, the Central Massachusetts Partnership presented awards to the following:

VNA Care Network for its steadfast in-kind support of the Partnership.

Since the Partnership was formed in 2002, VNA Care Network has given of its time, space, and resources in order to move forward the Partnership’s mission. The Partnership deeply appreciates the material, logistical and moral support given so generously and unquestioningly by VNA Care Network.

Bill Nay for producing the Partnership thirty-minute film Better Ending.

Used to inform audiences about the need for advance care planning, the film shows a presentation by a hospice nurse to a live audience who share their personal experiences losing a loved one. 

A powerful commentary on the need for improving end of life care, the film is being distributed throughout Central Massachusetts and beyond.

Joanne Calista for promoting diversity in Better Ending.

As Co-Chair of the Diversity Workgroup, Joanne has readily and generously shared the benefit of her considerable professional experience and expertise.  By arranging focus groups and providing translation services she is bringing the message of Better Ending to the African American, Latino and Vietnamese communities of Worcester.

Shirley Wright for promoting diversity in Better Ending.

As Co-Chair of the Diversity Workgroup, Shirley has given generously of her time and talent, providing strong leadership to ensure that multicultural versions of A Guide for a Better Ending

are made available and accessible to the African American, Latino and Vietnamese communities of Worcester. 

Raymond L. Delisle for directing and producing the Partnership seven-minute film Better Ending.

Used to introduce audiences to the need for advance care planning, the film provides comments based on personal experiences of Ray and five other Worcester people involved in end-of-life issues. The film has proved to be very effective in setting the stage for explanation of the Guide for a Better Ending and continues to be a major contribution to the success of the Partnership.

Andy Davis for providing the creative talent for A Guide for a Better Ending materials and the Better Ending Website.

The pro-bono talents of Andy Davis and Davis Advertising staff guided the selection of slogans, edited the text, and created designs for the widely acclaimed Better Ending materials. 

Davis Advertising also created the visually appealing and user-friendly educational website www.betterending.org.

Dr. Mary Valliere, MD for the development and implementation of Palliative Care Consultation Services at University of Massachusetts Memorial Health Care.

Awarded for improving end of life care through excellence in palliative care and sensitivity to the needs of patients and their families. In recognition also of the perseverance and hard work needed to start a new (and somewhat controversial) clinical program.