Samira K. Beckwith serves as Senior Advisor, PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) for NPHI. In this role, she supports NPHI and its members in exploring the PACE model — a comprehensive, community-based approach that integrates medical care, long-term services, and social supports to help older adults with complex needs remain safely in their homes and communities. Drawing on decades of executive leadership and hands-on experience launching PACE programs, Samira provides strategic guidance, shares practical insights, and helps members understand how PACE can strengthen care coordination, improve outcomes for older adults, and align with nonprofit, mission-driven models of care delivery. Under her leadership, Hope Healthcare became only the second organization in the state of Florida to offer a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.
Samira is a pioneer in hospice care with over 40 years of experience, including 3 decades serving as President and CEO of Hope Healthcare. She currently serves as the executive vice president for public policy at Chapters Health System and assumed this role in May 2023. With her leadership, the organization grew from a hospice caring for fewer than 100 patients daily to a comprehensive community-based health care system caring for more than 4,000 individuals a day through a variety of innovative programs.
Her expertise and lifetime commitment to quality care is acknowledged throughout the state, nationally, and internationally. She was appointed to The White House Conference on Aging and previously served on a panel for the Senate Special Committee on Aging. She has testified before the House Judiciary subcommittee on the need for legislation to enable better care and comfort for those at the end of life. Within the state of Florida, she was given special recognition by Governors DeSantis, Scott, and Bush, having been appointed to their respective committees including the Transition Advisory Committee on Health and Wellness, the Board of Directors for the Florida Center for Nursing, and the Long-Term Care Advisory Committee. Governor Jeb Bush describes Dr. Beckwith as “a visionary who provides leadership on a local and national level – passionate about ensuring the highest quality of service,” after serving as Vice-Chair on his Long-Term Care Advisory Committee.
As a dedicated champion for palliative care and end-of-life issues, Samira has served as Chair for both the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the National Hospice Foundation. In addition, she is the Founding President of the Florida PACE Providers Association and a co-founder and Director of the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation.
Samira’s leadership, career accomplishments, and commitment to diversity have also been honored. She was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, bestowed upon distinguished Americans who exemplify outstanding qualities in their personal and professional lives. She was also awarded The Ohio State Alumni Association’s highest recognition, The Medalist Award, presented to alumni who have gained national or international distinction in a chosen field.
She was granted a Doctor of Humane Letters by Piedmont College and Southwest Florida College, in addition to holding a Bachelor of Sociology Degree and a Masters in Social Work from The Ohio State University, where she recently served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors.
