About Ava

TULSA WORLD - A personal experience with hospice during the death of her father inspired Ava Hancock to commit her career to advocating for end-of-life care.

“No matter who you are or what your socioeconomic status is or what your background is, death comes to everyone,” Hancock said. “We all have grief. We may grieve in different ways, but death and grief are not a respecters of persons.”

As a result, Hancock has dedicated her life to bringing expert palliative services and emotional support to terminally ill people and their families

As executive director of Grace Hospice, she is ultimately responsible for all areas of service.

“I had always been intrigued by hospice,” she said. “I think where that comes from is when my dad died of cancer and we had hospice home with him and they were very helpful to my mom, especially, and the entire family.”

She remembers the holistic approach, made a difference for her father and helped her family tremendously.

“I know my dad loved having conversations with the chaplains and having that kind of support,” Hancock said.

Hancock has a master’s degree in clinical social work and health care from the University of Houston. She is a licensed clinical social worker and a trained executive leader for hospice through the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO).

The married mother of a 3-year-old has experience working in hospitals and in home health.

“I really enjoyed seeing patients and families in their home setting,” she said. “You get a better picture of who they really are when they are home with their families.”

Originally, from Lake Charles, Louisiana, Hancock applied for the opening at Grace Hospice in 2001.

“I don’t know that I had a passion for it (hospice) at that time, but I was certainly intrigued by it,” she said. “Now almost 15 years later, I love it.”

Hancock was named executive director in 2011 and restructured the management of the company to become more responsive to patient and family needs.

She also developed new departments to streamline public access to services and to ensure company compliance with Medicare regulations.

In so doing, Hancock eliminated corporate waste and has brought a new era of professionalism and dedication to all areas of the company. These measures have played a pivotal role in preparing Grace Hospice for the future of palliative care in this country.

As someone who has always loved interacting with elders, Hancock has provided individual social support and companionship to those who might otherwise have little. She has worked with local elder law attorneys for assistance with court appointed guardianships.

One of Hancock’s favorite parts of her job is being an integral part of the 10th annual Ms. Senior Oklahoma Pageant benefiting the Grace Hospice Foundation.

The event honors the lives of Tulsa area women ages 55 and over and who are living in an independent living center, assisted living, long-term care or adult day care facility. The event celebrates their accomplishments, personality and character. Typically 30-35 women compete in the pageant, allowing them to be a queen for a day.

“We celebrate the beauty of women outside of physical beauty and honor the lives they’ve had as wives, mothers and career women,” Hancock said.

“It’s very moving and no one leaves with a dry eye,” Hancock said. “Family members come from all over and cheer. One son honored his mother, who was in her 90s, by renting a black limo to take her to the pageant.”

In addition to her work with seniors, Hancock is also an avid supporter of animal rescue and is on the board of Great Plains Mastiff Rescue in Oklahoma.

As the foster coordinator and treasurer for the organization, she assists in placing rescued Mastiffs in temporary homes and oversees their care until they can be adopted.