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Out & About in RI: HopeHealth 50th Anniversary Gala and Fundraising Success (photos)
HopeHealth Hospice & Palliative Care 50th Anniversary Gala Raises Over $410K to Support Care for All who Need It – Gift of Hope Campaign Announced with $5.5 Million Fundraising Goal
HopeHealth, the second oldest hospice in the country, today announced that it raised over $410,000 during its 50 Years of Hope & Gratitude gala on May 21. Celebrating HopeHealth’s extraordinary 50 years of care at the WaterFire Arts Center were 400 supporters, community leaders, and advocates, including Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed.
The event also marked the public launch of HopeHealth’s The Gift of Hope campaign, which supports the organization’s growth and investment in three strategic priorities: providing support for seriously ill patients and their caregivers; expanding outreach to underserved communities; and providing hospice access through the Arthur S. Robbins Hope Fund, named in memory of the beloved community leader and former HopeHealth board member. Campaign Tri-Chairs Ruth Fain, Jonathan Fain, and Christopher Marsella announced that the campaign has quietly raised $4.2 million to date.
“HopeHealth has spent five decades caring for patients and their families, and the humanity of those we serve is at the center of everything we do,” said Diana Franchitto, president and CEO of HopeHealth. “Our 50th anniversary gala and the campaign are our way of celebrating the importance of HopeHealth to the health care system in Rhode Island and parts of Eastern Massachusetts and to jumpstart the growth of programs that are vital to our community.”
This year’s event featured the presentation of HopeHealth’s Human Dignity Award to Dr. Mukesh K. Jain, dean of the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, in recognition of his leadership and his commitment to human dignity, equity, and compassionate care. The recognition carries additional significance during HopeHealth’s 50thanniversary as the organization’s co-founder, Dr. Stanley Aronson, was also the founding dean of Brown’s medical school.
HopeHealth also presented its Spirit of Hope Award to hospice aide Nora Navas, who was nominated by her peers for her extraordinary skill and dedication to the patients and families she serves. Now in its third year, the award recognizes hospice aides as essential members of the care team whose work leaves a lasting impact on patients and their families.
The event was made possible through the support of sponsors and community partners, including the Robbins Family, Brown University Health, and the Samuel M. & Ann S. Mencoff Foundation. Additional lead sponsors include Maria Appenfeller and Rex W. Appenfeller, Bristol County Savings Bank, Dragonfly Health, Husch Blackwell, Edward W. Martin and Linda Resnik, Bender Strategies, Dr. Mayer and Mrs. Judy Levitt, Marsh McLennan, and The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
From left: Dr. Mukesh K. Jain, dean of the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and recipient of the Human Dignity award, Diana Franchitto, president and CEO of HopeHealth, and Nora Navas, HopeHealth hospice aide and recipient of the Spirit of Hope award, during HopeHealth’s 50 Years of Hope & Gratitude gala in Providence, Rhode Island on Thursday, May 21.
From left: U.S. Senator Jack Reed and HopeHealth President and CEO Diana Franchitto during HopeHealth’s 50 Years of Hope & Gratitude gala.
From left: Christopher Marsella, Ruth Fain, and Jonathan Fain, the tri-chairs of The Gift of Hope campaign launched on May 21, 2026.
From left: Dr. Carolyn Robbins Levine, Judy Robbins, and Alisa Robbins Doctoroff, family of Arthur S. Robbins, a former HopeHealth board member, beloved community leader, and the namesake of HopeHealth’s Hope Fund, which raises money to provide hospice access.
Dr. Fred J. Schiffman, former HopeHealth board member (left) with his wife, Gerri Schiffman (right).
From left: HopeHealth Board Chairman Vince Mor, Patrick Wallace, a previous Spirit of Hope award winner, and Nora Novas, 2026 Spirit of Hope award winner.
Dr. Mukesh K. Jain, HopeHealth’s Human Dignity Award winner and dean of the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University (left), pictured with his family and U.S. Senator Jack Reed (right).
Previous Spirit of Hope award winners Patrick Wallace (left) and Nancy Fraser (right) stand with Nora Novas.
From left: Dr. Ed Martin, chief medical officer at HopeHealth, Dr. Mukesh Jain, and Diana Franchitto.
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HopeHealth Receives $200K Grant to Expand Community Engagement Efforts
In addition to a succcessful Gala, HopeHealth announces it has received funding from Papitto Opportunity Connection Will Support Outreach and Education Initiatives throughout the Community to launch of new Community Engagement Program aimed at connecting underserved communities with grief support, palliative care services, and end-of-life care through hospice.
“We want everyone in our community to know that if they need help, they can call Hope,” said Diana Franchitto, president and CEO of HopeHealth. “We are so grateful to Papitto Opportunity Connection for their vision and generosity. This grant will help us expand awareness, further deepen relationships in the community, close gaps in care, and ensure dignified, respectful end-of-life care for all.”
The new program aims to:
- Build awareness of the benefits of palliative care, hospice, grief support, and family caregiver support;
- Deepen partnerships within the health care and community services sectors to ensure that people are aware of HopeHealth’s services; and
- Strengthen internal organizational capacity to provide high-quality, culturally relevant services to underserved groups (Latino, Black, Asian, Indigenous, LGBTQ+).
“We know that meaningful community engagement takes time,” said Suzanne Fortier, chief philanthropy officer at HopeHealth. “We are thankful to Papitto Opportunity Connection for recognizing the importance of meeting people where they are and helping us to build a program that will ensure that more people have access to compassionate care, grief support, and caregiver resources.”
About HopeHealth
HopeHealth is one of New England’s largest and most respected nonprofit hospice and palliative care providers, nationally recognized for exceptional standards in serious illness care. For 50 years, we have supported patients and families throughout Rhode Island and in parts of Eastern Massachusetts with extensive patient-focused services that offer comfort, respect and the highest quality care. In addition to hospice and palliative care services, we provide specialized care for dementia, support programs for caregivers and grief support. As a major teaching affiliate of the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, we help shape the future of hospice and palliative care.