If you could do one last thing as your time on this earth wanes, what would it be? This is a question that Luminary teammates often ask their patients as they near end-of-life — and then they do everything in their power to fulfill this wish. Luminary uses a locally-focused model that allows for favorable team caseloads and more time spent with each patient. This gives the team the opportunity to go above and beyond, delivering deeply personalized care that honors each individual's hospice journey.
“The quality of care, dignity, and compassion my mother-in-law (as well as our entire family) received from Luminary Hospice was unmatched! This company is made up of exceptional professionals and humans. The experience of losing a loved one is hard enough to walk through, regardless of the situation. Luminary helped ease the burden and supported us in every way possible!”
Andrea’s journey with Luminary has been one of finding true alignment between her heart and her work. After fifteen years as a hospice social worker, Andrea moved to Columbus and longed to find a hospice organization that was centered on compassion and dignity. Her search ended when she met Dr. Buddie and Andrea Baker at Luminary. “From the beginning,” Andrea shares, “it was clear to me that their promise ‘to put the patient first’ was not just a phrase but a way of being.”
Her experience with the Luminary Bright Moments program made the purpose in her work come alive in beautiful ways. She reflects on working with a 93-year-old patient, Frank, who loved golf but was no longer able to play. After recognizing his love for the game and the sparkle in his eye when he was asked if he’d like to get out on the course one more time, the Luminary team made it happen. He passed three weeks later, but that day gave him joy and peace and his family lasting memories they will always hold dear. It even became part of his obituary, a testament to how much it meant. For Andrea, moments like these are what hospice is truly about: “At Luminary, through Bright Moments, I feel honored to help patients and families find comfort, closure, and love in life’s most tender chapter.”
Seth’s attraction to Luminary was multifaceted. He got into healthcare to help make a difference in an industry that desperately needs leadership and innovation. After 20 years of building in health systems, publicly traded companies, and healthcare technology, he was starting to feel disconnected from why he got into healthcare in the first place. On the personal side, he had multiple hospice experiences with loved ones that ranged from positive to negative, and highlighted the importance of quality end-of-life care. “I was drawn by a desire to be involved in this important moment in these family’s lives and by the opportunity to help build something enduring,” Seth says. In 2024, Seth became Luminary’s CEO and hasn’t looked back. “We’re making a massive impact with patients and loved ones and are prioritizing doing end-of-life care the right way.”
After serving in hospice care for nearly 30 years, Cindy’s heart has always been drawn to the moments that matter most, where care is deeply personal, where compassion meets presence, and where families can feel supported during life’s most tender chapter. “For me,” Cindy shares, “hospice has never been just a profession; it has been a calling. A calling to create meaningful experiences, not just for patients, but for every family walking through this journey.
When she first learned about Luminary, she immediately recognized something rare: a steadfast commitment to honoring the individuality of each life by ensuring care is never rushed, never diluted, and never treated as "routine". Their dedication to maintaining staffing ratios that allow the teams to truly be present with patients spoke directly to her heart. She ultimately joined Luminary because she believes that excellence in hospice is measured not only by outcomes, but by the dignity, comfort, and moments of peace created along the way. In Luminary, she found a team that shares her vision.
