By Margaret Cogswell, CEO Ever since March 2020, the word “normal” has been in our vocabulary much more often. At first, we talked about a return to normal; then, we shifted to a hope that we could return to normal. But before long, we started to talk about a new normal. We envisioned a time when…
By Renee Bledsoe LPN, CHPLN Talking about children in hospice care is tough. What is tougher is being the parent or caregiver of a child who is very seriously ill and not having the opportunity to give that child the life that they thought they’d have together. The goal of hospice care for pediatric patients…
By Tony Pirrone, Hospice Chaplain During my first two years as a clinical chaplain at Hospice of the Panhandle, I provided spiritual support to a multitude of patients with an average age of well over 70. Entering my third year though, I wasn’t ready for a new experience—a pediatric patient. I had never worked with…
By Katrina Stevens Volunteer Services Manager One of the things I have missed the most during COVID is seeing people’s faces! Individuals’ facial expressions, smiles, emotions and reactions are so important when working together. We can learn so much from watching a person’s face, and we’ve missed out on this for a long time. Volunteers…
By Julie Sayre, MA, LSW, LMFT Social Work Manager at Hospice of the Panhandle I was at a doctor’s office the other day and had to fill out the basic “new patient” paperwork before an appointment. All the normal questions were on the form, including name, address, insurance and emergency contact person. As I was…
By Dr. Karen Rudolph Board of Directors When I was asked to write an article sharing my perspective on palliative community care, I realized my reflections on the topic are bittersweet. As an internist and geriatrician who worked in our community for 35 years before my retirement in 2020, I took care of many patients…
By Deme Warner, LGSW Social Worker The sibling bond is special and undeniable. Siblings are the people who teach us lifelong lessons that other relationships and friendships do not. They are the ones who watch you manage through your awkward teenage years and only occasionally laugh at your expense. The fun times in the backyard…
By Amie Burks, RN, BSN My name is Amie Burks. I’m a nurse at Hospice of the Panhandle. I would like to share a short memory with you, really a journey with you, on how being a Black African American nurse is in the healthcare profession. I remember many years ago I had a patient…
By Ashley Horst Fundraising & Marketing Coordinator The last two years have been difficult. Shutdowns, quarantines, masks, the fighting over all of it and, of course, the loss—so much loss. Since the pandemic began, I’ve known 21 people who have died (and that doesn’t include celebrities). Some died from COVID, and some from other causes.…
By Dr. Steve Johnston In March 2021, Hospice of the Panhandle (HOTP) embarked on a new community venture. A service that was expected to positively impact our community certainly has accomplished that- and maybe just a little more. Panhandle Palliative Services (PPS) is an in-home care program for people with serious disease who live in…