Angela Willis – Hospice Hero
(Angela and her family)
Part of living the hospice promise is to recognize those
everyday moments that may have a lasting impact on someone’s life. Angela
Willis, CNA/office assistant at UT Home-Based Palliative Care in Knoxville,
Tenn., totally understands this approach.
Recently, the program had a patient who needed help. The
patient was contracted, bedbound and only able to communicate using a
whiteboard. Angela volunteered to leave the office and make a home visit to
help her. When Angela arrived, she communicated to the patient each step
of what they were attempting to do. She asked the patient to give her a “thumbs
up” or “thumbs down” – to indicate if they were doing good or needed to stop.
Angela was extremely patient and as gentle as possible with
her care. The patient was so relaxed and comfortable that Angela was able
to wash, brush and blow dry her hair, probably for the first time in a long
time. She was signaling “thumbs up” the whole time!
When Angela was thanked for taking such great care of this patient,
she replied, “Just to see the patient so happy to get her hair washed made my
day!”
Thanks, Angela, for making a “moment” for this
patient. Your gentleness and patience meant so much to this patient and
her family. You are our Hospice Hero!
