Built on Compassion & Personal Experience
Lotus Blossom Hospice exists to provide the kind of care we'd want for our own families—personal, compassionate, and always available.
In Pursuit of A Better Way
Lotus Blossom Hospice was born from frustration, loss, and a deep belief that families deserve better.
Our founders, Susan Taba and Michelle Teter, have more than 20 years of combined experience working in hospice care. They've seen the best of what hospice can be—and unfortunately, they've also witnessed the worst.
At larger, corporate hospice companies, they watched as:
Families called after hours in crisis and couldn't get a nurse to visit (only phone triage)
Patients became just numbers in a system focused on the bottom line
Care decisions got delayed by layers of bureaucracy
Families who desperately needed hand-holding and support were left to navigate alone
They knew there was a better way. A way that honored each family's unique story.
Both Susan and Michelle have also lost their own parents. They understand the weight of making end-of-life care decisions. They know what it feels like to be scared, overwhelmed, and desperate to do right by someone you love.
That's why they founded Lotus Blossom Hospice and Palliative Care in 2020: to create the kind of hospice they would have wanted for their own families.
Our Philosophy
Small By Design
We're boutique on purpose. We don't want to be the biggest hospice in Atlanta—we want to be the best at caring for each individual family.
That means:
Our owners make care decisions directly, with no corporate red tape
You'll know our team by name, and they'll know you
We grow organically, never sacrificing quality for quantity
Every family gets personalized attention, not corporate protocols
Available 24/7
Patient &
Family-Centered
Community-Rooted
Why “Lotus Blossom?”
When we were searching for a name for our business, we wanted something meaningful—a name that reflected the journey families take with us. We found our answer in the lotus blossom.
The lotus flower grows in murky, muddy water—yet it rises to the surface and blooms into something beautiful and pure. It's a universal symbol found across many cultures and spiritual traditions, representing:
New Beginnings & Transformation Even in life's most difficult moments, there can be growth, meaning, and transformation. The end of life isn't just an ending—it's also a transition, a completion of a journey, and in many spiritual traditions, a new beginning.
Strength & Resilience Like the lotus rising from muddy water, families show incredible strength as they navigate serious illness and loss.
Beauty in Difficult Circumstances Even in the hardest times, there can be moments of profound beauty—a meaningful conversation, a shared laugh, a peaceful evening, a gentle goodbye. We help families find and honor these moments.
Renewal & the Soul's Journey Many spiritual traditions view the lotus as a symbol of the soul's journey through life, death, and beyond. We respect and honor whatever beliefs bring your family comfort.
What We Stand For: The Lotus Blossom Promise
Our values aren't just words on a page—they're commitments we live by every single day.
Dignity & Respect
Every person deserves to be seen, heard, and honored—especially at the end of life.
Excellence & Clinical Expertise
Outstanding care requires both heart and skill.
Compassion & Integrity
We show up—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We do what we say we'll do. Always.
Accessibility & Responsiveness
When you need us, we're there—day or night.
Cultural Sensitivity & Inclusion
We honor all faiths, traditions, and cultures.
Family-Centered Care
We care for the whole family, not just the patient.
Meet Our Founders
Susan Taba
Administrator
Susan came to hospice care somewhat accidentally when she needed a job and landed a position as a marketing liaison for a hospice company.
"I remember thinking, 'Oh my gosh, I don't know if I can do this,'" Susan recalls. "But then I started listening to families' stories, seeing the difference we could make... and it became a passion. I found myself thinking about these families at 11 PM, responding to texts about whether it was okay to give someone ice cream."
After more than 15 years in the field, Susan had seen both the incredible potential of hospice care and the heartbreaking reality of how many patients fell through the cracks at larger companies. She'd watched families not get the visits they needed, seen care decisions delayed by bureaucracy, and felt the frustration of not being able to provide the level of service families deserved.
Susan has also lost her own parents, giving her firsthand understanding of how difficult end-of-life care decisions can be. "That experience added so much depth to my work. This isn't just a job—it's about honoring families during one of life's most meaningful times."
As co-owner of Lotus Blossom Hospice, Susan oversees operations and ensures that every family receives the personalized care they deserve. She's known for her hands-on approach, her willingness to make "out of the box" decisions when a family needs something special, and her genuine concern for every person Lotus Blossom Hospice serves.
Michelle Teter
DNP, FNP-BC, NP-C
Michelle brought deep clinical expertise and a commitment to patient-centered care that goes far beyond industry standards with over 20 years of healthcare experience with some of the nation’s largest hospice care providers.
Michelle holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree and is dual board-certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner through both ANCC (FNP-BC) and AANP (NP-C). She also holds specialized certifications in Clinical Telemental Health (CTMH) and Clinical Anxiety Treatment (CCATP), bringing comprehensive expertise to patients with complex emotional and mental health needs at end of life.
Throughout her career, Michelle witnessed the same troubling patterns at larger hospice organizations: families in crisis being managed over the phone instead of receiving in-person visits, cultural and spiritual needs being overlooked, and an emphasis on numbers over people.
"When Susan and I met, we immediately connected over our shared frustration," Michelle remembers. "We both knew that hospice care could be—should be—so much better. We decided to create the kind of hospice we'd want for our own families."
Michelle has also experienced the loss of her own parents and understands the profound responsibility of making end-of-life care decisions for someone you love. This personal experience, combined with her extensive clinical training, informs every aspect of how Lotus Blossom Hospice operates.
The People Who Make Lotus Blossom Hospice Special
Heather Taylor, RN-C
Clinical Director
Dr. Richard Abrohams
Hospice Medical Director
Gail Chupein
Chaplain
Arnia Howard, RN
Cheryl Toure
Certified Nursing Aide
Dr. Varsha Patel
Amanda Turner
Social Worker
Sol Agin
Rabbi
Credentials You Can Trust
Our credentials reflect our commitment to clinical excellence and specialized care.
ACHC Accredited Hospice
Lotus Blossom Hospice is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), one of the nation's most respected healthcare accreditation organizations.
ACHC accreditation requires rigorous evaluation of our clinical processes, patient care protocols, and safety measures. We undergo regular surveys and maintain compliance with the highest standards in hospice care—including pain and symptom management, patient satisfaction, clinical outcomes, staff training, and medication safety.
NIJH Accreditation
We're accredited by the National Institute for Jewish Hospice (NIJH), recognizing our specialized knowledge and commitment to serving Jewish families with cultural sensitivity and respect for Jewish traditions.
Our NIJH accreditation requires comprehensive staff training in Jewish customs and end-of-life practices, including Halacha (Jewish law), kosher food access, rabbi availability, understanding of mourning practices (Shiva, Kaddish), and respect for Sabbath and Jewish holidays in care planning.
We Honor Veterans Program
We're proud participants in the We Honor Veterans program, achieving Level 4 out of 5 recognition—the second-highest level, representing advanced veteran-centered care capabilities.
To achieve Level 4, we've completed extensive training in veteran-specific care needs, developed specialized protocols, created partnerships with VA and veteran service organizations, and trained our entire team in military culture and service-related experiences.
Medicare & Medicaid Certified
Lotus Blossom Hospice is fully certified to provide services under Medicare and Medicaid, ensuring that hospice care is covered 100% for eligible patients with no out-of-pocket costs.
Fully Licensed in Georgia
We maintain all required state licenses and certifications to provide hospice and palliative care services in Georgia, ensuring compliance with all state and federal regulations.
Community Reputation
While not a formal accreditation, we're most proud of our reputation in the Atlanta community. In our first five years we grew almost entirely through word-of-mouth referrals—families telling their neighbors, friends, and loved ones about the care they received from Lotus Blossom Hospice.
That's the recognition that matters most to us.
Rooted in The Communities We Serve
Lotus Blossom Hospice and Palliative Care isn't a national chain parachuting into Atlanta—we're your neighbors. We live and work in the communities we serve, and we're deeply committed to giving back.
Education & Outreach
We recently launched the Physician Education Program —providing information about early hospice referrals and why they benefit patients. We're targeting specialties like neurology, cardiology, and cardiopulmonary medicine with customized educational materials.
Community Presentations
We offer free educational presentations to senior centers, churches, synagogues, and community groups about hospice care, advance directives, and end-of-life planning.
Hospital Partnerships
We work closely with hospitals throughout our service area—including Northside Cherokee, Emory St. Joseph's, and others—to ensure smooth transitions from hospital to home for patients needing hospice or palliative care.
Annual Bereavement Service
Every year, we host a Celebration of Life ceremony where we honor and remember all the individuals we've had the privilege of serving. Families come together to share memories, find community with others who understand loss, and celebrate the lives of their loved ones.