Nathan Adelson Hospice, the leader in hospice and palliative care in southern Nevada, and its Board of Trustees announced today that President and CEO Karen Rubel has transitioned to become President of Chapters Health West, a newly launched division of Chapters Health System. As her new role gets underway, Nathan Adelson Hospice’s current Chief Nursing Officer Lori Townsend has been promoted to Executive Director of Nathan Adelson Hospice.
Nathan Adelson Hospice in collaboration with three other highly respected nonprofit hospice organizations — Hospice East Bay (Pleasant Hill, CA), Hospice of Santa Cruz County (Santa Cruz, CA) and Willamette Vital Health (Salem, OR) — announced in the fall of 2024 a groundbreaking affiliation agreement to join and form Chapters Health West. This landmark partnership signified the beginning of a new era in not-for-profit hospice care across the Western United States, blending innovation with a commitment to compassionate, community-based care.
Rubel’s transition announcement comes on the heels of the Chapters Health West affiliation finalization. With this finalization, all four Western hospice organizations combine resources to support ongoing innovation and critical care expansion in the communities they each serve.
In her new position, Rubel will oversee operations of all four western region hospice organizations and will continue to participate in local decision making, contract negotiations, maintaining relationships with referral sources and local donors across Southern Nevada. Rubel is committed to upholding the legacy of Nathan Adelson Hospice as the community’s trusted partner for comprehensive end-of-life care.
As Nathan Adelson’s Executive Director, Townsend will assume local decision making, local operations, and manage the clinical delivery of hospice and palliative care to ensure all bedside practices align with the organization’s objectives and values. In addition, Townsend will continue to oversee the Home Care, Business Development, Admissions and Transportation departments of the organization along with actively engaging with patients and employees to support and promote the hospice’s values and mission.
“Lori’s passion for patient care and healthcare is inspiring,” said Rubel. “As executive director, Lori will play an important role in ensuring Nathan Adelson Hospice’s commitment to providing the highest standard in compassionate patient care. We are grateful for her dedication and look forward to her leadership in providing quality end-of-life care and compassion to those in our community.”
Townsend joined the hospice in 2023 as Chief Nursing Officer, possessing more than 32 years of diversified experience in healthcare. She has held various roles, including Campus Interim Chief Nursing Officer and Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, and Chief Nursing Officer at both Methodist Children’s Hospital and Methodist Hospital Campus in south Texas.
“It’s an honor to step into this new leadership role with Nathan Adelson Hospice and continue to drive our mission as a center of excellence in compassionate end-of-life care,” said Townsend. “I look forward to building on the strong foundation we’ve established within our community and strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients and their families.”
About Nathan Adelson Hospice
Nathan Adelson Hospice, the trusted partner in hospice care and palliative medicine, is the largest and longest-established hospice in southern Nevada. Founded in 1978, Nathan Adelson Hospice provides comprehensive end-of-life care to more than 400 patients and families every day. Recognized as a national model for superior care, the vision of Nathan Adelson Hospice is that no one should end the journey of life alone, afraid or in pain. For more information, visit www.nah.org.
About Chapters Health System
As a forward-thinking leader and distinguished healthcare organization, Chapters Health System is committed to pioneering care across the spectrum of chronic illness and beyond. Established in 1983 as a community-centered, not-for-profit entity, Chapters Health has continually expanded its reach and offerings to meet evolving healthcare needs. Dedication to innovation and excellence is evident through its diverse portfolio of companies, including hospices, PACE Centers, an integrated pharmacy company, and value-based care. As part of its ongoing mission to enhance the patient and family experience, Chapters Health continues to evolve and grow, ensuring that individuals facing advanced illness receive exceptional, comprehensive care tailored to their unique needs. To learn more, visit www.chaptershealth.org, like us on Facebook or follow us on X and LinkedIn.
