By arhospice on May 1st, 2023
2nd annual award honors nonprofit’s co-founder
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A highlight of Arkansas Hospice’s recent Party at the Plaza event was the presentation of the organization’s second annual Michael V. Aureli Compass Award to Arkansas Hospice Co-Founder Dee Brazil-Dale for her vital contributions to the nonprofit organization and the Arkansas Hospice Foundation.
The award is named for Arkansas Hospice Co-Founder Michael Aureli, who died in 2011 as a patient in the organization’s care.
As an Arkansas Hospice co-founder and the first director of the Arkansas Hospice Foundation, Dee embodies the true nature of a hospice heart, and her involvement has resulted in furthering the success of our important work. Since her retirement in 2006, Dee has remained a constant compass for compassion for Arkansas Hospice and its patients and families during the nonprofit organization’s 31-year history.
CLICK HERE to view a video of the award presentation.
Dee saw first-hand the impact that Arkansas Hospice makes when the organization cared for both her mother and her husband.
“Taking care of people at the end of their life is a special calling,” she said in a 2021 interview. “When you experience loss, you gain compassion. And I think compassion makes up a big part of having a hospice heart.”
Sharon Aureli, widow of Michael Aureli and recipient of last year’s inaugural Compass Award, presented this year’s award to Dee in a special video shown during Party at the Plaza — with Dee receiving a resounding round of applause afterward.
Since its beginnings in 1992, Arkansas Hospice has grown to become the state’s largest nonprofit provider of hospice care.
At the end of the Compass Award presentation, Dee said, “I am tremendously honored to receive this award, but I want to emphasize that, from the very first day until now in this challenging healthcare environment, the heroes of our story are the nurses, the CNAs and the staff that have kept this organization going as a strong, leading nonprofit organization.”
Prior to the event, those wanting to join Dee in supporting the mission of Arkansas Hospice were invited to become a “Friend of Dee” for a $100 donation in her honor. To see a list naming “Friends of Dee” or to make a gift to support the mission of Arkansas Hospice, please visit https://arkansashospice.org/plazacompass.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Dee Brazil-Dale and her legacy of love .
About Arkansas Hospice
Caring since 1992, Arkansas Hospice’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for those facing serious illness and loss by surrounding them with love and embracing them with the best in physical, emotional, and spiritual care. The hospice care provider is the recipient of numerous local, state, and national awards, as well as numerous other awards for quality of care, including Hospice Honors Elite from HEALTHCAREfirst, as well as the only hospice in Arkansas to be certified by the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs for nonprofit service to Arkansas’ veteran population. For more information, visit https://arkansashospice.org.
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