Rachel Blankenship – Hospice Hero

Housecalls Hospice – Parkersburg, W.Va.

Rachel Blankenship, RN, at Housecalls Hospice in Parkersburg, W.Va., was visiting four of her patients at a local nursing home. One of the patients was confused, agitated and having a very bad day. Since it was a really nice day, Rachel decided to take the patient outside while completing her documentation.

The patient was extremely happy to be outside and couldn’t contain her smile. She kept telling Rachel, “This is so nice!”

Her patient was still confused when Rachel wheeled her back in, but she was no longer agitated. She was able to enjoy the beautiful blue sky and the warmth of the sun on her skin. Sometimes, it’s the small things that have the biggest impact on the lives that we touch.

Thanks, Rachel, for taking the time to make a difference in your patients’ lives – even something as simple as taking someone outside to enjoy the weather. You are our “Hospice Hero!”

Alabama Hospice Care in Oxford – Hospice Heroes

Alabama Hospice Care

In October of 2015, Wanda Brooks, administrator at Alabama Hospice Care in Oxford, Ala., was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. The brain tumor affected her vision and caused terrible migraine headaches. Wanda had to undergo six months of chemotherapy and radiation in her treatment course.  During that time, her staff rallied around her.

Wanda says that she always knew her staff took great care of their patients, but their actions during this time made her realize just how awesome they were. She suffered through terrible nausea that wasn’t helped by medication, and the only thing she could keep down was ice cream. The team always made sure there was ice cream for her in the freezer at work. 

When she lost all of her hair, Jennifer Phillips, office manager, made hats when it was difficult to find women’s hats in their area. They all pitched in and helped Wanda with whatever she needed. They brought ginger ale, crackers and whatever else they could think of that might help her. They also helped her with prayers and words of encouragement.

Wanda said this ordeal was one of the most difficult things she has ever gone through, but her team did everything in their power to make it better. Oxford team, you are our Hospice Heroes!

BTW – Wanda has made a full recovery and is doing fine.

Sunday Molebuin – Hospice Hero

Halcyon Hospice – Tucker, Ga.

Hospice is a job you either love or find out that you really aren’t cut out for it. You usually know right away which it will be for you.

Sunday Molebuin, RN, at Halcyon Hospice in Tucker, Ga., is one of those nurses who really loves his job. He exudes care, compassion and comfort with every patient and family he meets.  Recently the daughter of a patient wrote these words about Sunday:

“Sunday Molebuin gave my mother exceptional care. He was professional and showed care and compassion at all times when visiting my mom. My mother adored him. Just knowing that she had a nurse who showed concern about her made life easier for her. Sunday was always very informative about letting us know what was going on with mom. Your company is extremely lucky to have Mr. Molebuin as an employee. Even in my mom’s last hour, he was there and did everything within his power to comfort her. We will forever cherish the relationship that we established with Sunday. He surely made a difference in the last three months of her life. We feel blessed that Sunday was a part of this journey.”

This really is what hospice is all about – making the end-of-life journey with our patients and their families and making a difference. Sunday, thanks for the exceptional care you provided to this patient and her family. You are our “Hospice Hero!”

Halcyon Hospice of Flowood, Miss. – Hospice Heroes

Halcyon Hospice of Flowood, Miss.

Halcyon Hospice of Flowood, Miss., recently cared for a patient who came close to passing away several times before managing to rally. The patient later confided to her nurse, April Page, RN, that she wanted to “go home.”

After some investigation, it became clear that “home” was her bedroom. She was staying in another room because other furniture in her bedroom prevented her hospital bed from fitting. April, Maurice Jackson, MSW, Kris Myers, RN, and Lyquita McLaurin, CAN, met at the patient’s home and moved some furniture out of her bedroom so that her hospital bed could be moved in.

The patient and her daughter were very appreciative. Exactly one week later, the patient passed away peacefully at “home.”

Tammy Partridge, administrator in Flowood, said that her team always pulls together like this to make sure that patients are not only well cared for, but that their wishes are granted whenever possible. What great teamwork!  Thanks April, Maurice, Kris and Lyquita – you are all our Hospice Heroes!

Idaho Home Health and Hospice (Twin Falls/Meridian, Idaho) – Hospice Heroes

Idaho Home Health and Hospice – Twin Falls/Meridian, Idaho

The teams at Idaho Home Health and Hospice in Twin Falls and Meridian recently lost one of their staff members to cancer. It was a quick decline and hard on everyone. The teams worked really hard to make their friend comfortable and to take care of her needs. They also decided to honor her memory by supporting some of the community causes she cared about.

First, they are supporting their local food bank by making donations in their friend’s honor. They gathered donations from staff, facilities and even a local farmer who donated a truck full of potatoes. They took the $500 they won during Hospice Helps week and donated $250 for canned goods to the local food bank.  Then they took the other $250 and bought blankets and pet food for a local animal rescue that their friend supported.

The Idaho Home Health and Hospice teams took a devastating loss and turned it into wonderful way to honor their teammate and friend. You are all our Hospice Heroes!

Halcyon Hospice (Philadelphia, Miss.) – Hospice Heroes

Halcyon Hospice – Philadelphia, Miss.

The end-of-life journey is never easy – for the patients, for their families and loved ones or for our teams. We all rally together to not only take care of our patients, but to also hold each other up. That is what we do.

Halcyon Hospice in Philadelphia, Miss., recently had the opportunity to care for the father of one of our fellow home health branch managers, and she wrote a quick note to tell them how much their efforts were appreciated.

Randi Shafer, RN, and Dena Smith, RN, have been very sweet and helpful to the patient and family. Dena calls the two daughters (both of whom are nurses) daily and updates them on their father. The patient’s wife said that Balencigia McClendon, CAN, and Tomecia Hammock, CNA, are absolutely wonderful and very gentle and kind to her husband. They are all so pleased with the care their father/spouse has received from the Philadelphia team and wanted them all to know how much they appreciated the help during this journey.

Thanks to Randi, Dena, Balencigia and Tomecia for truly caring for your patients and their families. Your compassion and excellent care is apparent and brings peace and comfort. You are all our Hospice Heroes!

Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care – Hospice Heroes

Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care – Jennings, La.

The wonderful thing about being a mission-driven organization is that we all, no matter what our position or title, strive to fulfill that mission every day. Recently, a home office employee had a family member who needed hospice services. She spoke with us about the process and available options. Her family member initially chose another provider, but we told her to let us know if she needed anything.

A few days later, she again sought our help – her family member was in extreme distress and their hospice provider would not come to the home to help. She could not immediately find the person she was looking for – they were visiting one of our locations – but, luckily, she encountered JoAnne Little, who asked how she could help.

JoAnne listened to her story and immediately called Angela Fontenot, administrator at Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care in Jennings, La. Angela talked to her and was able to walk her through the transfer process. Holly Miller, RN, admitted the patient to our program that day and stayed over three hours on the first visit. The next day, Holly and Terri Miller, RN, both spent most of the day with the patient and family. Paul Estes, chaplain, was also able to spend extended time with them. The patient passed away later that day.

Thanks so much to Joanne for stepping in with a fellow employee and getting the ball rolling. Thanks to Angela for your passion and for getting this transfer completed as soon as possible. And thanks to Holly, Terri and Paul for spending many hours in the home to provide exceptional care. You all saw a need and stepped in to help. Our employee said that she had no idea hospice was such a special service. You are all our Hospice Heroes!