Karen Rubel is the president and CEO of Nathan Adelson Hospice. She joined the organization in 2007 as the vice president of development. She has extensive experience in operations, administration, major gifts fundraising and building development programs, as well as strong leadership skills and strategic planning abilities.
Q: Why did you choose to be part of this industry, especially this aspect of the health care industry?
A: Before coming to hospice, I professionally worked as a fundraiser at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and then at the Nevada Community Foundation. At that time, Nathan Adelson was looking for a vice president for the foundation. My former boss at UNLV was recruiting for that position. He called and suggested I consider it. Nathan Adelson Hospice has a stellar reputation in the community. It was an easy decision, and I’ve been here since 2007.
Q: How did you prepare for your position at Nathan Adelson?
A: Though I was heading up the philanthropic efforts for the hospice, I had to learn about what hospice does. I had not personally had any experience with hospice. I quickly learned how amazing those people who care for patients are.
Q: Let’s talk about professional goals for the hospice in 2025.
A: Nathan Adelson Hospice is really in a transition for 2025. We are affiliated with the country’s largest nonprofit hospice company, Chapters Health System. We have created, with three other hospice entities, Chapters Health West. The other organizations are in California and Oregon; our program is here in Nevada. This affiliation will allow us the size and the scale to continue to be competitive and build on the sustainability of nonprofit hospices for years to come. We still maintain our independence, brand, name and philanthropy stays in the community. As the largest nonprofit hospice in Southern Nevada, we need to think differently about our future. What got us here does not necessarily get us where we need to be.
Q: Let’s talk about your professional goals in 2025.
A: I will be transitioning out of my role as the president and CEO for Nathan Adelson and heading the Chapters Health West region. I am excited about this new opportunity.
Q: What do you like to do for fun?
A: I’m a huge Golden Knights fan. I am not necessarily a lifelong hockey fan, but it was great when the Golden Knights came to town. They had great energy, made the games fun and family-focused, and the team gave back to the community uniquely. I enjoy catching a game whenever I can.
Q: What makes Nathan Adelson such a legacy organization across Southern Nevada?
A: The legacy of Nathan Adelson Hospice, which was very important to the people who founded the organization, including Irwin and Susie Molasky and a group of very influential community members, was that no one ends the journey of life alone, afraid or in pain. We still use the vision statement that they created 46 years ago.
We share this vision with our families, employees and community because we believe it to be true. If you follow that vision statement, you’ll always do what’s right for the patient and the family. Then, if you keep those three groups in mind, you’ll always do what’s right for your employees, which helps build trust and creates a legacy.
Everything that we do is centered on compassionate, exceptional patient care. We constantly strive for best practices at the bedside. You only have one opportunity to get it right. The community has put their trust in us, and we’ve built trust with the community. That lends to our legacy. We have a very influential board of trustees who have been with the organization for a long time. They take their role as board of trustees very seriously and want to ensure we continue to have a great legacy in the community.
Nathan Adelson Hospice was established nearly 50 years ago after the passing of Nathan Adelson, a dedicated hospital administrator who deeply cared for his patients and staff. The philosophy of Nathan Adelson Hospice is to provide support and care during the final phase of an incurable illness, ensuring that individuals can live as fully and comfortably as possible.
