In a groundbreaking move that redefines the landscape of end-of-life care in Central Oregon, Partners In Care has launched the region’s first integrated end-of-life volunteer doula program. Developed in collaboration with The Peaceful Presence Project, this initiative brings a deeply personal, non-clinical layer of support to patients and families navigating serious illness and the final stages of life.
The program is housed within Partners In Care’s volunteer department and draws on the strength of its nearly 200-person volunteer base. Selected volunteers undergo specialized training through a curriculum co-designed by The Peaceful Presence Project and Partners In Care’s hospice teams. The curriculum emphasizes emotional presence, active listening, and companioning—skills that complement clinical care by addressing the human experience of dying.
End-of-life doulas—sometimes called death doulas—are trained to provide comfort, guidance, and companionship during the final chapter of life. While the concept is gaining traction nationally, only six percent of hospice providers in the U.S. plan to integrate doulas into their care teams as of 2024. Partners In Care is the first hospice organization in Central Oregon to do so, positioning itself as a leader in innovative, heart-centered care.
“This program builds on our long-standing relationship with The Peaceful Presence Project and reflects our commitment to meeting patients where they are,” said Shannon Campbell, who oversees the volunteer department at Partners In Care. “Our volunteers already offer music, pet therapy, medication delivery, and companionship. The doula program adds another dimension—one that’s grounded in presence, empathy, and dignity.”
For non-profit leaders and healthcare organizations, this model offers a compelling blueprint for expanding care without expanding clinical overhead. By leveraging trained volunteers and community partnerships, Partners In Care demonstrates how mission-driven innovation can transform service delivery and deepen impact.