For Ciara Dean, being a hospice team coordinator isn’t just a role—it’s a calling defined by compassion, dignity and teamwork. Her “why” lies at the heart of ensuring patients and their families are supported during one of life’s most challenging journeys. Ciara brings a deeply personal commitment to her role, striving every day to provide seamless, patient-centered care that honors each individual’s wishes and quality of life. 
Q: What personal values drive you in your role, and how does your work align with those values?
A: As a hospice team coordinator, I am driven by values of compassion, dignity and teamwork. I believe patients and families deserve respectful, supportive care during end-of-life, and I strive to ensure they feel heard, informed, and comforted. My role aligns with these values by coordinating communication and services among the interdisciplinary team to provide patient-centered care that honors each individual’s wishes and quality of life. I focus on organization, clear communication and emotional support to help ensure seamless, compassionate care for patients and their families.
Q: What was the defining moment that made you feel proud to be part of this team or field?
A: A defining moment that made me proud to be part of hospice care was seeing how our team came together to support a patient and their family during a difficult transition. Watching the patient remain comfortable while the family felt informed, supported and at peace with their loved one’s care reinforced the importance of what we do. It showed me how teamwork, compassion and communication can truly make a meaningful difference during end-of-life care, and it confirmed that I am in a field where I can help provide comfort and dignity when it matters most.
Q: What part of your job gives you the most satisfaction or fulfillment? Why?
A: The part of my job that gives me the most satisfaction is helping ensure patients and families feel supported, informed, and cared for during a very difficult time. Being able to coordinate services that keep patients comfortable and help families feel at peace with their loved one’s care is very fulfilling. It is especially meaningful to see how effective teamwork and communication can ease stress for families and improve a patient’s quality of life. Knowing that my role helps create a smooth, compassionate care experience is what makes my work rewarding.
Q: What motivates you to keep coming back, even on challenging days?
A: What motivates me to keep coming back, even on challenging days, is knowing that the work we do truly makes a difference in the lives of patients and their families. Being able to help provide comfort, guidance and support during such an emotional and vulnerable time is very meaningful to me.
Q: How does being part of this team contribute to your sense of purpose or direction?
A: Being part of this team strengthens my sense of purpose by allowing me to contribute to care that truly focuses on compassion, dignity and quality of life. Working alongside a supportive interdisciplinary team helps me feel that I am part of something meaningful that makes a real difference for patients and their families. It also gives me direction by allowing me to use my organizational and communication skills to help ensure patients receive coordinated, thoughtful care. Knowing that my role helps support both the team and the families we serve reinforces my commitment to hospice care and the values that guide it.
Thank you, Ciara, for sharing your story and for the compassion, creativity and care you bring to the Compassus team.
