Building from the Ground Up: Jake Panowicz on Launching Haven Hospice

In this episode of Home Health Revealed: Live from the Alliance Conference, hosts Michael Greenlee, Sara Nigro, and Hannah Vale sit down with Jake Panowicz of Haven Hospice. Though Haven has only been open just over a year, the new agency is already caring for around 70 patients—a testament to the foundation of trust and shared purpose Jake built with his team. Jake, no stranger to startups (this is his third business), pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to launch a hospice agency. He dives into: Choosing the right team and leading with shared mission Understanding the ins and outs of accreditation and state licensure The milestone of admitting your very first patient Preparing for the unknown, especially the challenges of securing a Medicare number Why intentional planning—and mentorship—make all the difference Sara and Hannah agree: Jake has the heart of a mentor, and he openly offers encouragement and guidance to those stepping into the industry with the right intentions. If you’re considering starting a hospice or home health agency—or just want to hear the journey of an inspiring new leader—this episode is packed with experience-driven wisdom. Chapters (00:00:02) - Home Health REVEALed(00:01:51) - Meet Jake Panowich at the Alliance Conference(00:04:13) - Starting a Hospice Care Agency(00:06:05) - Hospice Financial Metrics(00:08:00) - In the Elevator With Michael(00:08:38) - Adam Sandler in Happy Gilmore 2(00:09:26) - Budgeting and Visualization(00:10:14) - Jake On Hospice Mentorship