For Ernie Carnevale, joining Blue Ridge Hospice back in 1999 was deeply personal. His mother had recently received hospice care, and a nurse’s timely call allowed him to spend her final hours by her side. “It was probably the best gift a hospice nurse could give to me,” he recalls.

Leading the organization became, in part, his way of giving back.

Ernie helped Blue Ridge grow its presence in the community while remaining grounded in its purpose.

Throughout his tenure, Ernie focused on ensuring that those caring for patients had the resources and support they needed. That commitment helped inspire new sources of funding, including the thrift shops, and expanded services including music therapy. “I just said, ‘How can I get this program established?’” he remembers after seeing the impact music therapy had on patients.

Looking back, he sees an organization built on a strong foundation and nurtured by generations of people who believed in its mission. “Legacy means that it’s here forever, and it’s going to continue on,” he says. “Blue Ridge is a legacy organization.”