Catholic Hospice Welcomes Diana Smith-Lopez as Executive Director to Enhance Patient Care

Diana Smith-Lopez Appointed Executive Director of Catholic Hospice

Catholic Hospice, recognized for its exceptional hospice services across South Florida, has announced the appointment of Diana Smith-Lopez as its new Executive Director. Her impressive background in the hospice and palliative care sector spans over 26 years, showcasing her commitment to excellence in patient care, operational management, and effective healthcare management practices.

Diana's career trajectory is marked by her deep understanding of regulatory compliance, care coordination, and her leadership within complex healthcare settings. Her ability to streamline workflows while implementing cost-effective and evidence-based practices has garnered her a solid reputation for achieving remarkable results. With a strategic patient-focused leadership style, Diana aims to enhance the quality of care at Catholic Hospice and empower the teams supporting the organization.

Initially trained as a registered nurse, Diana began her professional journey in oncology. Her natural leadership abilities quickly propelled her into more significant roles within the healthcare sector. Over time, her passion for blending skilled management with compassionate care led her to the field of hospice care, where she has significantly impacted various patient groups and healthcare teams.

Before her recent role at Catholic Hospice in 2023 as Senior Director of Hospice Operations, Diana spent 13 years with Vitas, where she reached the position of Senior General Manager in Palm Beach. During her time there, she played a crucial role in expanding their hospice program, receiving several accolades, including a nomination for the esteemed Circle of Excellence.

Since joining Catholic Hospice, Diana has dedicated her efforts to improving daily operations, creating policies that enhance care quality, and ensuring families experience comprehensive support. Assuming the role of Executive Director in October 2024, she continues to champion the organization's purpose of providing compassionate care at the end of life.

Her focus as Executive Director also includes empowering staff and increasing community outreach efforts to further solidify the organization’s commitment to compassionate and excellent care. Catholic Hospice is a community-based, not-for-profit program under Catholic Health Services, which has been serving the South Florida community since 1988. It offers responsive end-of-life care to patients of all backgrounds, aiding families in caring for their loved ones with dignity during challenging times.

Catholic Hospice operates in-patient care centers at Holy Cross Hospital, St. Catherine's West, and St. Anne's Nursing Center. As a vital pillar of the local community, the organization maintains a strong dedication to quality hospice care, and under Diana's leadership, it aspires to propel its mission even further.

For more information on Catholic Hospice, please visit www.catholichospice.org.