As a nonprofit, community-rooted hospice, the organization focuses on comfort, dignity and connection, offering care that honors both the patient and the people who love them.
Hospice is often misunderstood, but at its core, it is about enhancing quality of life. Hope Hospice provides support where patients call home, and its interdisciplinary team of nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, physicians and volunteers helps families navigate medical needs, emotional well-being and the meaningful moments that matter most. That care starts with CEO Nickie Drummond.
Volunteer program manager Julia Powers said her perspective on hospice transformed after meeting Drummond seven years ago.
“I had four years in hospice prior to coming to Hope,” Powers said. “In the now seven years I have been here, Nickie has shown me what hospice can and should be. I will forever be grateful for her leadership, support and never-ending guidance.”
A leader built on heart, clarity and purpose
As Hope Hospice has grown, so has the need for steady, mission-centered leadership.
For Drummond, the path to hospice began early in her career, when a nurse practitioner visited her nursing class and described hospice as a place where patients and families are empowered to shape their final chapter.
“That conversation changed everything for me,” Drummond said.
Her leadership style is rooted in the belief that relationships and purpose are at the heart of hospice work.
“When everything else is stripped away, what is left are the people and the love between them,” Drummond said. “That understanding shaped how I lead today, focusing on relationships, compassion and purpose, while never losing sight of excellence and accountability.”
During her 11 years as CEO, Hope Hospice has grown significantly.
Milestones include:
- A 275% increase in patients served
- A 50% increase in staff
- The opening of a second office in Bulverde/Spring Branch
- Improvements to the New Braunfels campus
- The construction of the Hampel-Wuest Grief & Hope Center, a dedicated space offering long-term grief support
“A nonprofit hospice thrives when its CEO leads not from above, but alongside, serving, listening and lighting the way for others to follow,” Lupo said. “This is exactly how Nickie serves our patients, staff and those she interacts with.”
Bereavement program manager Gayle Rice echoed this praise.
“Nickie is so talented and accomplished that I was initially intimidated. However, I have learned that she is thoughtful, approachable and receptive, even to my perpetual projects,” Rice said.
Drummond also emphasizes culture, a balance of heart and accountability. She stays visible and accessible to staff, celebrating wins and focusing decisions on what best supports patients and families.
“If it does not make life better for our patients or families, it does not belong in our culture,” Drummond said.
Her impact is also reflected in Hope Hospice’s $1.2 million each year in unfunded care provided the past two years: a 353% increase in community need over the last decade.
These services, all made possible by its nonprofit model, include charity care, palliative support, grief counseling and the We Honor Veterans program.
“Nickie exemplifies compassionate and visionary leadership as CEO of Hope Hospice, where she has dedicated over a decade to enriching lives through exceptional end-of-life care,” Director of Operations Barbara Gomez said. “Her leadership has helped Hope Hospice thrive. Her keen business acumen for making strategic decisions and unwavering dedication to both staff and patients/families create a culture of care that goes far beyond clinical excellence.”
A lasting impact on families and the community
Hope Hospice’s growth is not just measured in numbers but in the lives touched along the way. One story Drummond shared illustrates the heart behind the work.
When a team member’s son expressed a wish to take his eight-year-old son to a Dallas Cowboys game before he passed away, the entire staff rallied to make it happen. They organized travel, lodging and all the details to create a final, meaningful memory.
Clinical team leader Leah Veliz said moments like these define why so many staff stay long-term.
“Nickie has integrity, compassion and drive,” Veliz said. “She gives respect, is an active listener and inspires us all to want to do our best.”
As Hope Hospice looks ahead, its mission remains clear: to deliver care rooted in dignity, compassion and community.
“I want to leave a legacy of strength and sustainability,” Drummond said. “I hope that, long after I’m gone, Hope still feels like home to the community it serves.”
Click here to learn more about Hope Hospice.
The above story was produced by Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
