Heritage Hospice, Inc. Executive Director Announces Retirement after 34 years of service

August 26, 2025 | by mbaker

Janelle Rogers began her career at Heritage Hospice, Inc. in 1991 as the Director of Social Services. She moved to the position of Interim Executive Director in 1997 and was named Executive Director March of 1998, a role she has served for more than 27 years. Mrs. Rogers is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University and Somerset Community College. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds an Advance Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Social Worker certification.

Mrs. Rogers has lead the organization through a number of changes and growth during her tenure including a relocation of the office from West Broadway, to Enterprise Drive, Danville. The location change included purchase of land and oversight of a new building in 2007.

The organization has grown through relationship development with providers, healthcare facilities, and our communities in the four-county service area. serving on average 93 patients per day.

Program service expansion included the introduction of Palliative Care Services first in acute care followed by in-home services.

Mrs. Rogers has served on numerous boards and committees over the years including the Kentucky Hospice Network (KHN) and the Kentucky Association of Hospice and Palliative Care (KAHPC) where she served in each executive board position during her tenure. She also chaired several committees, most recently as Chair of the KAHPC Regulatory Committee since 2021. She served on a number of committees and taskforce with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the National Hospice Foundation Philanthropy Council. Mrs. Rogers was recently recognized at the Kentucky Association of Hospice and Palliative Care Annual Conference as a recipient of the Gretchen M. Brown Award. This prestigious award is given to those who are retiring from service in the hospice industry and for the work they have done in the advancement of the hospice and palliative care.

In 2010, Mrs. Rogers was selected to be a train- the- trainer candidate for the newly established We Honor Veterans initiative between the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organizations and Veterans Administration. This opportunity led to assisting in training individuals throughout the Commonwealth about end of life needs and services for veterans. Under her leadership, Heritage Hospice has received numerous accolades and Level 5, We Honor Veteran Recognition, a distinction that she is very proud of Heritage Hospice receiving.

Mrs. Rogers stated leaving Heritage after 34 years is bittersweet but is excited for the next chapter to begin. Retirement is something that has been in her thoughts for a while and “is time”. Mrs. Rogers states she is looking forward to spending more time with her husband, Mark and her family adding, “it’s time to do a few other things I’ve always wanted to do. I am humbled and honored to have had the opportunity to serve such a wonderful organization. I am so proud of the care and service we have been able to provide to terminally patients and their families over the years. I have been blessed to have served with the absolute best professional staff, volunteers and board of directors. There are none better. It is with a grateful heart that I enter this next season, wishing only the best to the organization and those who carry the name into the communities we serve with great responsibility and care. I also want to thank each family that have allowed us into their homes over the years to provide care and services to their loved one. It has been our honor and privilege.”

The Reverend Michael Denney, chair of the Heritage Hospice Board of Directors, commented on Mrs. Rogers’ decision by saying, “Having served on the board for most of the last decade, Mrs. Rogers’ retirement comes as a bit of a surprise. She has certainly earned the respect and admiration of the Board and is most deserving of a long and happy retirement. Mrs. Rogers leaves the organization in a great position, and the next director will have huge shoes to fill. On behalf of the Board, we wish her only the best in this next season of her life.”

Reverend Denney also noted that the Board has appointed Mr. Matt Baker, a long-time employee of Heritage, as interim director. Mr. Baker will lead the organization in its day to day operations as the Board works through the hiring process leading to the naming of the next Executive Director.

A reception will be held for Mrs. Rogers, Thursday, September 4, 2025, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage Hospice, Inc. office, 120 Enterprise Drive. Everyone is welcome to attend.