By Ashley Horst Fundraising & Marketing Coordinator It seems appropriate that today, Independence Day, we talk about freedom and independence – and in the story below, how that is impacted by aging. People with serious illnesses often lose their independence. Depending on the illness, this may happen suddenly—like when a stroke occurs—or gradually as the…
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 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…
The story of Sandy Hamilton and her father is a familiar one. Many of us have to face difficult decisions in deciding when the time is right to seek help from Hospice when a loved one is facing a life-limiting illness. When the doctor said Sandy and her dad should call Hospice after months of…
By Ashley Horst Fundraising & Marketing Coordinator Recently I was watching the Netflix series, Cobra Kai. For those who aren’t familiar with it, it is a continuation of the Karate Kid movies. Cobra Kai catches up with Johnny Lawrence and Daniel Larusso as middle-aged adults who start competing karate schools. The drama unfolds from there.…
By Tony Pirrone, Chaplain, Hospice of the Panhandle As a chaplain for Hospice of the Panhandle, it is my goal to help people improve the quality of their life, at the end of life. I have the privilege to journey alongside patients and their families, and the honor of being invited into their lives. My…
By Monica Trivero, LPN, Hospice of the Panhandle At every staff meeting Hospice of the Panhandle has had over the years, there is usually a staff member who presents to all of the staff a “connect to purpose” or why they work for Hospice and what inspires them. This pandemic has certainly made it difficult…
KEARNEYSVILLE — A soft-spoken but articulate woman who works as a human resource professional, Eula Thomas wants others to know what she’s learned through grief counseling at Hospice of the Panhandle: Families stand to gain so much through hospice services. Her husband, John (nicknamed Jay), who died in May 2018 at the age of 56,…
When I tell people that I work at Hospice of the Panhandle as the human resources director, I often get this response, “Oh, it must take some special people to work there. I don’t think I could do that.” Indeed, it does take some special people. It’s very hard work, but it’s also some of…
I remember always being fascinated by nature. Even as a young child I was in awe of the complexities of living things. It is not surprising that I ended up seeking a degree in biology and ultimately medicine. As I proceeded through higher education, my amazement of the human body and mind increased exponentially. The…