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Our name

Who is EverFern?

There are people in your life who have impact. Big impact. For me, that was my grandmother, Fern Titus.

Fern Titus as a young woman feeding pigeons in Central Park, 1955
Nanna Fern · Central Park, 1955

When I launched my consulting practice in March 2026, I went through months and thousands of name ideas looking for something meaningful. Nothing landed. So I went to work as Buffy Howard, LLC, trusting that one day the right name would present itself.

In October 2026, I made what would be my last trip to Northampton, Pennsylvania, to say goodbye to my Nanna Fern. She was 99, and she had grown quiet, not engaging much with visitors.

When I walked in, she perked up. She spent the rest of the day asking about my family, asking about my business, and being the spitfire she always was.

The next day she grew quieter. I sat beside her and looked out her window at the tree outside, aflame with color.

Nanna Fern's window, with a red maple in full fall color outside and family photos lined along the sill
The view from Nanna's window · Northampton, PA · October 2026

Memories of growing up in Pennsylvania came back to me. Fall was always my favorite season there, when the hillsides blazed red, orange and gold. Then, for the first time in months, a name for my company started to stir. Turning leaves… Turning practices around… TurnLeaf? With a fern leaf for the logo? Close, but it didn't capture Nanna.

After that, she slipped further away. I said my goodbye before I headed home.

Nanna Fern passed away on October 18, 2026. A few days later, I told a dear friend that I was close to a company name, but it needed to be unmistakably Nanna. She and her son started building names around "Fern," saying them backward and forward.

FernEver…
Wait.
EverFern. That was it.

Throughout my career, especially leading long-term care organizations, I brought Nanna Fern's stories and photos to my teams. The message was always the same:

This is Nanna Fern.
This is why I do what I do.
And this is what we can do for our patients.

She made a difference for me. I can make a difference for you.

Buffy and Nanna Fern hugging, Fern's hand on Buffy's cheek

Somewhere on your schedule today is someone's Nanna Fern.

EverFern exists to help you get the business side of your practice right, so you and your team can give that patient your full attention.

Nanna Fern is gone, but she isn't done making a difference. She lives on in me, in this work, and in every practice we help.

EverFern. Forever.

Buffy Howard, PhD · Founder & CEO

In our community

Making a difference beyond the practice.

Nanna Fern taught us to show up for people.We carry that into the communities we're part of.

Saint Martin's University

Our founder serves on the School of Business Advisory Board and teaches health care policy in the MBA program.

Entre Hermanos

A proud supporter of Seattle's Latino LGBTQ organization and the community it serves.

Cows for Cambodia

A cause close to our team's hearts and families. We proudly support this "cow bank," which loans pregnant cows to families in rural Cambodia. Each family keeps the calf, a hand up that helps break the cycle of poverty.

Relay For Life

We support Relay For Life of Thurston County, part of the American Cancer Society's work to fund cancer research and support patients and families.

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Practice management and advisory for independent practices.

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