By arhospice on April 30th, 2025
4th annual award honors recently retired Arkansas Hospice President & CEO
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Recently retired Arkansas Hospice President & CEO Judy Wooten received the fourth annual Michael V. Aureli Compass Award on April 26th during Party at the Plaza, the Arkansas Hospice Foundation’s signature event to benefit the Arkansas Hospice Family of Care.
The award is named for Arkansas Hospice Co-Founder Michael Aureli, who died in 2011 as a patient in the organization’s care. The recognition is presented to an individual who embodies the true nature of a “hospice heart,” and whose involvement has furthered Arkansas Hospice’s mission 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.
Having joined the Arkansas Hospice team in 2002 as vice president and chief operating officer, Judy was named president and chief executive officer in 2011. Under her leadership, Arkansas Hospice has grown to become the state’s largest non-profit provider of hospice services, and, in recent years, the organization has developed a continuum of care to serve Arkansans before they reach the stage of needing hospice care in life’s final months. After 23 years of serving the mission of Arkansas Hospice, Judy retired in March as a leader in the fields of hospice, palliative and senior care who has been recognized on the local, regional and national levels.
Bruce Holsted, recipient of last year’s Compass Award for his service as a longtime Arkansas Hospice volunteer and board member, presented this year’s award to Judy during Party at the Plaza after a special video highlighting Judy’s many contributions to the organization.
Prior to the event, those wanting to join Judy in supporting Arkansas Hospice’s Family of Care were invited to become a “Friend of Judy” for a $100 donation in her honor. To see a list naming “Friends of Judy” or to make a gift to support Arkansas Hospice’s Family of Care, please visit https://www.arkansashospice.org/plazacompassaward.
CLICK HERE to read more about Judy.
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.
Registered 501(c)(3). EIN: