Lisa Bass Pritchett
Manager of Clinical Services
“I love hospice so much that I can’t imagine doing anything else.” That statement from Lisa Pritchett, Manager of Clinical Services at St. Croix Hospice’s Harrisonville, Missouri, branch is evidence that her career is her calling. But there was a time when Lisa was adamant that being a hospice nurse wasn’t in the cards for her.
Lisa always knew she wanted to be a nurse. Early in her career, she was a nurse aide and a medication tech, supporting patients with their basic care needs and passing medications. Then, in 2001, she went back to school to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Lisa transitioned into the assisted living care setting shortly after, ultimately serving in administrator and director of nursing roles.
By 2014, Lisa was ready to shift away from the intense hours and pressure of assisted living, so she took a new job with Serenity Care Hospice.
Small businesses require their employees to wear multiple hats, and that’s exactly what Lisa did at Serenity. She served as an office manager, human resources professional and Medicare/Medicaid billing specialist. And despite her reservations about being a hospice nurse at the time, she went on a field call one day to help cover for a colleague. That’s when she fell in love with hospice care.
“The connection with patients and their families is so special,” said Lisa. “You’re with them when they’re most vulnerable, and it’s an honor to help them through this time in their life.”
St. Croix Hospice acquired Serenity in 2020, and by November of that year, Lisa was promoted to Manager of Clinical Services. Her promotion drove her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which she completed in December 2024 after four years of diligent work.
“It just felt like a big weight was lifted off of my shoulders,” Lisa recounted, acknowledging that managing a hospice branch and raising a family on top of school was challenging. But her commitment to personal growth and upskilling for her patients and colleagues was worth the effort. And now she’s exactly where she wants to be.
“St. Croix Hospice is such an amazing company,” Lisa added. “They always do what’s right for the patient. They reinvest into programs for patients.”
So, as we recognize National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, we honor and admire Lisa for her dedication and unwavering commitment to end-of-life care.
