Ellen J. Toups, Development Director
Ellen Toups joined NASHP in 2013. At NASHP she is the Development Director working to grow the exhibit & sponsorship portion of the Annual Conference, and all other projects related to development. Ellen has held Director of Sales and Marketing positions with Hilton Hotels, Stouffer Hotels, and for many years owned her own company specializing in marketing, meetings & sponsorship development in the nonprofit sector.
Ellen has been active in Professional Convention Management Association, authoring Professional Meeting Management 6’s chapter on Marketing Your Meetings & Conferences; American Society of Association Executives; American Marketing Association, active in the Non Profit Section; and Association of Fundraising Professionals, Co-Chairing National Capital Philanthropy Day for two years. Ellen has also received the Monument Award for outstanding community services from the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives (GWSAE), and the President’s Award for Outstanding Service, PCMA Capital Chapter.
She has served on the Board of Directors for City at Peace, a youth development organization that uses the performing arts to teach and promote cross-cultural understanding and non-violent conflict resolution; Doorways for Women and Children, an organization striving to end domestic violence and homelessness; and served on the organizing committee and board of The Hope Connections for Cancer, a community-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free programs of emotional support, education and hope to people affected by cancer. She is also very active in her church, Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown.
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
