“Every day, I am moved by the compassionate caring demonstrated by my fellow hospice caregivers who deliver emotional and spiritual support, education and respite care, along with essential clinical services,” Redard said. “Supporting our patients and their families who turn to us in the final stages of life is a privilege. I feel fortunate to be part of this team that is wholly committed to providing the best possible care and comfort so patients may live with quality and dignity.”
Redard began his career with Merrimack Valley Hospice in 2018 as a hospice chaplain before moving into the volunteer services manager role the following year. During this time, his contributions have included advancing the We Honors Veterans program to a level three status and introducing Schwartz Rounds, a program of the Boston-based Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare which provides a safe space for honest conversations about the emotional impact of healthcare work.
In his new position, Redard oversees the volunteer program, chaplain team and bereavement program that includes a diverse selection of free in-person and virtual support groups. He will continue to represent hospice care on the Service Excellence team, which continually strives to improve the patient and family experience throughout the Home Health Foundation family of home health, palliative, hospice, aide and private care service providers.
Redard holds a Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from the University of Maine. He lives in Andover.
Diane Farraher-Smith, MSN/MBA, RN, chief clinical integration officer of Home Health Foundation, noted that Redard has another connection to Home Health Foundation. From 2011 to 2012, he was executive director of Hospice of York – now York Hospital Hospice in York, Maine, which is also a hospice provider of Home Health Foundation.
“I am pleased about Eric’s expanded and critical leadership role in our organization, as his contributions strengthen the caring we provide every day,” she said. “His focus on compassionate spiritual care for individuals and their loved ones in end-of-life care is meaningful to patients and staff alike.”
About Merrimack Valley Hospice
Merrimack Valley Hospice is a not-for-profit agency providing comfort care and supportive services to patients nearing the end of life and bereavement services to their families and loved ones. Together with Home Health VNA, the agencies provide a full continuum of home health and hospice care in more than 110 communities throughout northeastern Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire and southern Maine as York Hospital Hospice.
