EvenMORE For You

Scott Nguy, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

VP of NP Education is an Emerging Leader

The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) “is the national professional organization that represents the specialty of palliative nursing, which includes hospice and palliative nurses.”

“Nurturing a Community of Caregivers” is the name of a campaign recently implemented by the Association’s Foundation (HPNF) where “inspiring stories of nurses whose passion and dedication are shaping the future of hospice and palliative nursing care” were shared. “These professionals are making a profound difference in the lives of patients, families, and communities.”

C4’s very own Vice President of Nurse Practitioner Education for Crossroads Scott Nguy, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, is one of those nurses. Scott is a dedicated health care professional whose journey into hospice and palliative care was driven by a deep commitment to compassionate caregiving.

The Right Care at the Right Time

A former Peace Corps volunteer, Scott was working as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Certified Nurse-Midwife during the COVID-19 pandemic when he witnessed the immense grief and suffering experienced by patients and families. 

This experience ignited a desire to improve the way people navigate serious illness and end-of-life care. Eager to enhance his communication skills, Scott pursued training in goals-of-care conversations, reinforcing his belief in the power of clear, compassionate dialogue. 

“I want to improve how we help people with serious illness get the right care, at the right time,” Scott said.

In 2025, Scott was recognized as an HPNF Emerging Leader, an honor celebrating early-career hospice and palliative nurses who have demonstrated outstanding leadership. This program not only acknowledges excellence, but also fosters professional growth, ensuring that emerging leaders like Scott can continue to advance the field.

Scott lives in Kansas with his wife, Suzie, and their children, Evelyn (14), George (8), and Julius (5).

Note: A version of this story appeared on the HPNA website.

The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA)
Mission: Advance nursing expertise in hospice and palliative care through education, advocacy, leadership, and research.
Vision: Every person living with serious illness receives equitable, comprehensive, and innovative hospice and palliative nursing care.

Meaning Matters

By Danny Gutknecht
I have been working with Crossroads to help the company infuse Meaning into its everyday ethos. We can all probably agree that Crossroads has developed an excellent business model that captures the heart of the hospice provider - it’s why we are all here. Last year, the company began its “Even More Care for You” programs.  These programs have been slowly gaining momentum, maybe not as fast as we would all like, but they’re now starting to take shape. 

I thought I would take this moment to share with you all, that while meaning won’t solve everything - understanding it, and gaining an understanding of how meaning works will go a long way to helping Crossroads move forward into what we all hope can be better than it’s ever been. I have been working with many people on the C4 team and, personally I feel really good about where things can go. 

Meaning is how we make sense of our experiences, assign relevance to them, and decide how to respond. It’s the lens that shapes our perception, choices, and actions in daily life and work. 

And why does it matter so much today? Well, too many people today feel they don’t matter. It’s an attitude that lies at the heart of many business and societal changes, like stress, burnout, low engagement and stagnation. Even the best companies in the world are dealing with a crisis of meaning. Of course, those who deliver hospice care are confronted with one of the most meaningful events anyone will ever experience – death.

While major life events like weddings, births and death are important - meaning (or lack of it) is something that we deal with every day, or it often deals with us. 

Seminal studies in psychology and sociology have shown that meaning is a more significant need than belonging. In a work environment we need to know why our work matters to us even beyond what we tell ourselves about it. We also know that Crossroads needs to create an environment where meaning can thrive. To do this it needs people to be heard in a manner that demonstrates real interest beyond mechanical or directive answers. We also know that people need to be able to express their unique gifts through work in relationship to others. 

Why is this a difficult job? For all the conveniences the Information Age has given, our reliance on digital communication and diminished connection have weakened our relational skills and left many isolated. In fact, many people struggle to find meaning because they are either afraid or unwilling to embrace the work meaning requires. But it’s actually working with Meaning that can breathe life’s magic back into work and life! 

Stay tuned, we will be sharing more about a few upcoming projects that we hope to launch over the summer that hopefully will help everyone experience a more connected, cohesive and curious Crossroads.

Celebrating Five Friends who are 100 or Older!

Classic Cars were part of the NEO Gift of a Day

Living past 100 is a milestone worth celebrating. That’s according to the Pleasant Pointe Assisted Living facility. In collaboration with Crossroads in Northeast Ohio a centenarian birthday celebration was planned.

One of the centenarians is Crossroads patient Susan Sturgill, age 103. The celebration was her Gift of a Day and it went off beautifully.

Susan and four friends, including Dolores who was celebrating her birthday that very day, were honored with a party and classic car parade. Finger foods, a cupcake cake and the centenarians posing for photos with the classic cars delighted family and friends assembled for the occasion. 

Two television stations covered the special birthday bash resulting in seven feature segments building both Crossroads and Pleasant Pointe’s visibility in the market. Leaders at Pleasant Pointe were appreciative and enthusiastic about the awesome collaboration and the media coverage generated, thanks to Crossroads.