Editor’s note: McKnight’s Home Care, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Senior Living are profiling the McKnight’s 2022 Women of Distinction honorees daily July 5 through Aug. 10. For additional McKnight’s Women of Distinction content, visit this page.
Demetress Harrell has served individuals in hospice and in her community for more than 30 years. Since being hired in 1993 to work at Hospice in the Pines in Lufkin, TX, she has held the titles of program director of outreach, executive director, and now CEO/administrator.
“This impressive leader has a very diverse work history and is acknowledged for her forward thinking and impeccable leadership style,” Hospice in the Pines Executive Assistant Lauryn Ricks said.
This acknowledgment has led to Harrell’s inclusion in the upper management of multiple organizations. She serves on the board of directors for the South East Texas Alzheimer’s Board, Texas & New Mexico Hospice Organization and Texas Non-Profit Hospice Alliance, and she is the board executive for the Catholic Health Initiative/CommonSpirit Hospital. She also recently was appointed as a National Hospice and Palliative Care Hospice ambassador.
In addition to her many achievements in the hospice field, Harrell also is an avid humanitarian.
She has been a Rotarian since 1998 and is set to be appointed the 5910 district governor for 2022 and 2023. Through Rotary International, she consistently donates to Polio Plus and the Paul Harris Society. She has also volunteered at the Rotary Youth Leadership Award Camp for over 15 years.
Harrell and her husband founded the Sherman and Mandy Curl Memorial Scholarship, which has awarded more than 20 scholarships to graduating high school seniors. She also is an adjunct professor at Angelina Community College, a position she has held for more than 18 years.
In recognition of all of her hard work, Harrell has been honored with the Athena Award and Hometown Hero Award and was named Concerned Black Men’s Citizen of the Year, among many other community and leadership distinctions.
“Demetress has added such volume to her community,” Ricks noted.
“She is a woman who has inspired other leaders to maintain a high ethical standard as well as promote goodwill.”
The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Home Care, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Senior Living. The program’s Diamond sponsor is PointClickCare. Silver sponsors include OnShift and PharMerica, and the Bronze sponsor is Reliant Rehabilitation. Table sponsors included Dreamscape, Gojo/Purell and Sound Physicians.
