Q&A with Raeann G. Leblanc, 'Excellence in ELNEC' Award Winner

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Raeann G. LeBlanc.

Raeann G. LeBlanc, PhD'18, DNP'12, AGPCNP-BC, CHPN, clinical professor at the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has been named a 2025 End‑of‑Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) Trainers “Excellence in ELNEC” award winner by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in recognition of their leadership in palliative nursing education and community‑based, equity‑focused care.

"I am really grateful for this esteemed award," Raeann says. It "highlights the opportunity I have to make a positive impact that can improve outcomes for people with serious illness and their kin and/or family and caregivers."

Since 2018, Raeann has created and taught a palliative nursing elective resulting in 200 students completing the ELNEC Undergraduate Curriculum Certificate. ELNEC is a national education initiative to improve palliative care.

Palliative care is defined as "specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness," focusing on providing relief and comfort during symptoms, according to the Center to Advance Palliative Care. The goal of palliative care "is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family."

Get to Know Raeann G. LeBlanc

What draws you to end-of-life nursing care in general? 
Raeann LeBlanc: Early on in my practice, I was aware of the gaps in end-of-life care in my own education and in our health systems. I remain committed to improve on that. This is an area where nurse-led care practices can address a critical gap in traditional training. This knowledge and skill supports nurses delivering high quality, compassionate palliative and end-of-life care. That is deeply important, and an area where nurses can directly address equitable access to quality end-of-life care.

As a clinical professor and ELNEC trainer, what drew you to teaching?
RL: I have always appreciated the way that teaching, practice, and research in nursing synergize one another. Teaching and learning go together, and there is always more to learn and to teach. With ELNEC, I am part of a national initiative that fosters a practice community I am grateful to be a part of.

What's something you want all of your ELNEC students to take away from your training? 
RL: Foster human connection. In serious illness and at the end of life, many common fears emerge— suffering, pain, abandonment, and fear of being a burden, to name a few. Nurses can ensure supportive end-of-life care through addressing pain and symptoms, listening carefully and acting skillfully, communicating, collaborating well, and actively addressing barriers to creatively inspire and provide quality care in our communities. It matters. Be a leader in palliative and end-of-life care. Join me!