As we reflect on another remarkable year at Bluegrass Care Navigators, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the dedication of our team and the unwavering support of our community. 2023 was a year of growth, innovation and continued excellence in providing compassionate care to those in need.
One of our significant achievements over the past year has been the continued growth of our Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). This initiative allows us to serve more individuals earlier in their healthcare journey, providing comprehensive medical and personal care that enhances quality of life and allows our senior population to age in place in their homes and communities.
Our commitment to sustaining exemplary hospice care across our seven regional offices remains steadfast. Despite the challenges posed by a rapidly changing healthcare landscape, our teams have adapted to consistently deliver the highest quality end-of-life care, ensuring comfort and dignity for our patients and their families.
In 2023, we were honored to have achieved national recognition through the NHPCO’s Quality Connections program, being one of the few organizations to earn all
four rings of education, application, measurement and innovation for multiple years. This prestigious accolade reflects our unwavering commitment to quality and excellence in all we do.
We continue to pioneer new models of patient-centered care that focus on efficiency and sustainability. In 2023, we became a founding member of an accountable care organization to work with other like-minded companies to improve healthcare for all. We also celebrated 20 years of providing training as a Palliative Care Leadership Center. Since 2004, BCN has trained and mentored more than 270 healthcare organizations from 40 states, which is a testament to our long-standing leadership in training and supporting palliative care programs nationwide.
This year, we have and will continue to place a strategic focus on extending our services to traditionally marginalized communities. Recognizing that these communities have historically underutilized end-of-life care, we are dedicated to bridging this gap. Through targeted outreach, such as LGBTQ+ health fairs, a focus on reaching our LatinX and African American communities, offering language lines and translating marketing and educational materials into Spanish, Braille and multiple languages, our team has improved communication and access to our care. We recognize we have much work to do, but remain committed to providing expert, connected care for all.
Our mission is driven by a profound commitment to excellence, sustainability and serving the underserved. Join me in thanking our team members, volunteers and donors who go above and beyond every day to deliver exceptional and compassionate care that has true meaning and changes the lives of our patients and families. Join me in thanking our patients, their families and our healthcare partners for trusting us to deliver the right care at the right time to those who need us.
With gratitude,
Liz Fowler President & CEO
2023 Board of Directors 2023 Senior Leadership Team
RN, CHPN, CHPCA, Vice President & Chief Hospice Officer
Stephanie Greene
MHA, Chief Operating Officer, Clinical Services
Holly Hodge
CPA, MBA, Chief Financial Officer & Vice President of Finance
Laura Klumb
JD, Vice President of Philanthropy and Marketing
Kim Pennington
MHA, RN, Chief Business Officer
Danita Ross
SPHR, SHRM‑SCP, Vice President of Human Resources
Eugenia Smither
BS, RN, CHP, CHE, CHC, Corporate Compliance Officer & Vice President of Compliance and Quality Improvement (CQI)
Turner West
MPH, MTS, Assistant Vice President of Health Policy and Director of Palliative Care Leadership Center
2023 By the Numbers
BCN provided hospice care in 32 Kentucky counties
765 employees
24 part-time 631 full-time 110 PRNs
3 million miles
123,340 prescriptions filled by our pharmacy traveled for patient care
15,332 deliveries & pick ups completed by our durable medical equipment team
Hospice Care: 7,282
Palliative Care: 3,618
Transitional Care: 2,517
Grief Care: 2,370
Home Health Care: 408
PACE: 27
PACE began seeing patients in August 2022.
Extra Care: 7 Program ended in early 2023.
2023 Total Income = $87,084,698
Patient Revenue: $79,339,335
Philanthropy: $3,406,151
Other Income: $2,977,692
Investment Income: $1,361,520
2023 Total Expenses = $93,858,004
Patient Services: $78,589,008
Admin & Programs: $14,361,281
Philanthropy: $907,715
2023 Hospice Care Admissions by Location
7,282 Total Hospice Care Admissions
Lexington: 2,384
Hazard: 1,059
Barbourville: 1,055
Frankfort: 824
Pikeville: 714
Cynthiana: 646
Northern Kentucky: 600
2023 Palliative Care Location of Service
3,618 Total Palliative Patients Served
Hospital: 2,688
Primary Care: 702
Palliative Home: 166
Nursing Facility: 62
Celebrating 45 Years of Expert, Connected, Care
Community Hospice of Lexington, was founded by a group of healthcare professionals and volunteers to provide quality care to patients in their homes.
In 1982, Community Hospice hired Gretchen Brown as their first executive director. At the time, they cared for 18 patients with 38 volunteers. For more than three decades, Brown advanced end-of-life care in Kentucky and set the standard across the country, followed by Liz Fowler’s tenure as CEO which began in 2014.
“Having recently experienced caring for my mother following cancer treatment, I was personally motivated to address the needs of patients and families,” Brown said. “Additionally, I had a baby and a preschooler and was looking for a less demanding job! Little did I realize for the next 32 years my job would be more challenging and rewarding than I could have imagined.”
The organization cared for its first patient, Mrs. Gladys Dotson, when her cancer diagnosis became terminal in 1978.
1978: Community Hospice of Lexington began providing care to Fayette County residents.
1986: The program expanded to include Scott and Woodford Counties and the organization became Hospice of the Bluegrass.
1986-1989: The agency added Franklin, Bourbon and Anderson Counties to its service area.
1991: Services extended to Harrison and Nicholas Counties.
1995: Merged with Mountain Community Hospice in Hazard to provide services to Breathitt, Knott, Letcher, Leslie and Perry Counties.
Established the Hospice of Northern Kentucky office in Fort Thomas to serve Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton and Owen Counties.
1996: Opened our first hospice care center, a 12-bed, inpatient unit at Saint Joseph Hospital, Lexington, Ky.
1998: Merged with Hospice of Jessamine County to provide care to Jessamine County residents.
1999: Opened The Palliative Care Center of the Bluegrass, Inc.
Merged with Mountain Heritage Hospice in Harlan, extending services to Harlan and Bell Counties.
“When they told me [it was terminal], we didn’t know what to do,” Gladys said in a 1978 interview with The Courier Journal Magazine. “We didn’t want to stay in the hospital. It was hard on Clayton [my husband], there all the time. Hard on us all. We didn’t know what we should do.”
After transitioning to in-home hospice care, volunteer doctors, nutritionists, physical therapists, and nurses helped with meal planning and cooking, as well as bathing, patient care and caregiver education. The Dotson’s also received care from Joan Crowe, a graduate student in counseling, volunteer on the Cancer Hopeline and a trained hospice worker. Not only did she help with household chores, but she also stayed with Gladys frequently so Clayton could take a break. She helped the Dotson’s make memories by bringing a tape recorder so Gladys could share about her life with her family. A member of the clergy also visited the Dotson’s three times a week to offer prayer, discuss life, religion and death and dying.
Gladys outlived doctor’s expectations after returning home. Although no medical explanation exists, Gladys “knew she felt better the minute she got home.” She appreciated the way hospice allowed her to remain near the people she loved and made those final days easier for her family.
At the organization’s founding, and well in to the 1980s, volunteers and fundraisers were critical, as very few insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid, paid for hospice. Although that has changed, volunteers still play a critical role in patient and family care. To maintain Medicare eligibility, volunteers must compose 5% of BCN’s workforce.
BCN’s more than 200 volunteers bring joy to our patients and families daily. During the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers left sunshine bags on patient’s porches to maintain supportive contact from a distance. Volunteers also provide respite care, 11th hour visits so patients don’t pass alone, veteran pinning ceremonies, care calls, transportation, bereavement calls, companionship visits and more.
In 2017, the organization changed its name from Hospice of the Bluegrass to Bluegrass Care Navigators to better encompass the growing continuum of care provided. Although the patients, service lines and service areas
2001: The Bluegrass Center for Grief Education and Counseling opened in Lexington, Ky.
2003: Extra Care, a private duty nursing service, opened.
The agency established a 7-bed inpatient unit at St. Luke’s Hospital in Northern Kentucky, but due to the merger of St. Luke’s with St. Elizabeth, the unit closed in 2010.
2007: Hospice services expanded to Wolfe and Morgan Counties and Durable Medical Equipment was brought in house.
2008: The Eastern Kentucky service area expanded to Clay, Laurel, Knox, Pike, Floyd and Magoffin Counties.
2011: The agency brought pharmacy services in-house, and the Greg and Noreen Wells Hospice Care Center, a 12-bed inpatient unit in Hazard, opened.
have expanded, BCN has maintained its commitment to continual growth and patient-centered care, serving patients in 32 counties in Northern, Central and Eastern Kentucky.
Susan Ware, former vice president of philanthropy for BCN and current senior director of donor engagement at Transylvania University, appreciates the diverse environment for personal and professional growth. During her 26 years with BCN, she helped fundraise for the Frankfort, Cynthiana and Northern Kentucky regional offices and the Greg and Noreen Wells Bluegrass Hospice Care Center in Hazard. In addition, she raised funds to help build the grief and loss center that expanded grief care services.
“Watching the clinicians and volunteers provide exceptional care is the ultimate job that we do,” Ware said. “But I got to see from a fundraising perspective how grateful those families were through their memorial gifts and donations to make sure other patients and families receive the care they received. As a fundraiser, that’s a wonderful thing to see!”
For 45 years, BCN has been a national leader in providing expert and compassionate care for patients and families. In addition to hospice care, our service lines have expanded to include PACE care, palliative care, home health care, transition care, bright path, grief care and integrative medicine.
“Although our service areas and service lines have increased, our heart for hospice and patient-centered care has remained the same,” Liz Fowler, current President and CEO of Bluegrass Care Navigators, said. “We are grateful for our clinicians, administrative staff and volunteers who have played a vital role in our growth and continued excellence in patient care. We are also especially proud of the national honors we’ve received that reflect praise from consumers, our staff and the health care community.”
In 2017, the American Hospital Association presented a Circle of Life Award™ to Bluegrass Care Navigators “for innovation in palliative care and for improving the care of patients near the end of life.” That same year, BCN was named a Hospice Elite recipient, placing us among the best in the nation, and Modern Healthcare named us one of its prestigious “Best Places to Work.”
| 855.492.0812
2012: Kentucky Appalachian Transitions Services (KATS) program was developed and pharmacy services in Central and Northern Kentucky were transitioned to the pharmacy in Hazard.
2013: Two intake centers opened in Hazard and Frankfort.
2017: The agency rebranded as Bluegrass Care Navigators to better encompass the growing continuum of care provided. Each service line was rebranded to follow suit –Bluegrass Hospice Care, Bluegrass Extra Care, Bluegrass Transitional Care and Bluegrass Grief Care.
2018: Bluegrass Care Navigators opened Bluegrass Adult Day Health Care, a daytime program in Frankfort for patients needing assistance but not ready for long-term care. BCN partnered with the University of Kentucky to open a 10-bed inpatient unit at the former Markey Cancer Center location in Lexington, Ky.
2019: BrightPath Pediatric Palliative Care and the Integrative Medicine programs begin. The Bluegrass HEALing Community Study also begins.
2020: New Headquarters opened at 1733 Harrodsburg Road in Lexington, Ky.
2021: The Support Center opens.
2022: The PACE Center opens in Lexington, Ky., and the Pikeville office opens.
Bluegrass Care Navigators Addresses Healthcare
Disparities Faced by the Hispanic/Latinx Community in Northern Kentucky
BCN established advisory committees composed of individuals engaged within or connected to the community. The committee focused on healthcare issues that affect Hispanic/Latinx populations and advised BCN on outreach and treatment strategies tailored to this underserved community. Through this group, we learned more about various healthcare issues and received feedback that shaped BCN’s strategies to better serve this community and foster a more inclusive and culturally competent healthcare environment.
Through listening sessions, our team heard about distressing realities regarding discrimination when accessing various healthcare systems and language barriers in care settings. We also learned that the
and resources for the Hispanic/Latinx population. By translating educational and marketing materials into Spanish, our team improved communication with the Spanish-speaking community. Additionally, our team used Spanish commercials with captions across BCN’s social media platforms to more effectively bring awareness about our services.
These dedicated efforts have truly helped to foster increased trust and engagement from the Hispanic/Latinx community. Thank you to the Duke Energy Foundation for supporting our mission and enabling us to reach more individuals who can take advantage of our expert, connected care.
Patient Leaves Lasting Legacy Through Heartbeat Song Thanks to Music Therapy
Irene Thomas faced many challenges as the result of her dementia diagnosis. Her family struggled to provide care, and they believe that Bluegrass Care Navigators (BCN) was an answer to their prayers. Team BCN coupled expert, compassionate clinical care with support from our integrative medicine team that helped boost Irene’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and allowed her to leave a meaningful legacy for her family.
“The professionalism, the details, the persistent care for my mother from BCN had a huge impact on my mother’s life, and I honestly believe that BCN helped my mother live longer because of their care,” Troy Thomas, Irene’s son, said.
From bluegrass melodies to old-time tunes, music embodied the essence of Irene’s life. The songs she loved weaved together tales of her Eastern Kentucky heritage, community, resilience and traditions. As a clogger and square dancer, Irene taught dancing lessons for more than 65 years. She appeared on Country Music Television, played on a country music video and performed at the Grand Ole Opry twice. She also served as an “extra” in the iconic movie Coal Miner’s Daughter, depicting the life of music legend and Eastern Kentucky native, Loretta Lynn.
“The day that BCN played music for my mother, her demeanor and the expression on her face changed noticeably, and you could see the joy and happiness on her face,” Troy said. “She moved her head back and forth, and you could tell for a moment that she was in her element listening to the guitar music and singing. It was a pure joy seeing her smile and relive her life.”
Like many in the region, Irene lost treasured heirlooms, irreplaceable photographs and memories spanning a lifetime in the devastating Eastern Kentucky flood in 2022. Afterward, it seemed impossible for her to leave a legacy to her family, but our integrative medicine team stepped in to help. The team recorded Irene’s heartbeat, combined it with an original recording of Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” and created a Heartbeat Song for Irene and her family to cherish for generations to come.
855.492.0812
Bluegrass Care Navigators Celebrates 20 Years of Providing Training as a Palliative Care Leadership Center
For 20 years, Bluegrass Care Navigators (BCN) has served as a Palliative Care Leadership Center (PCLC), a designated center of excellence through the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC).
As a PCLC, BCN provides technical expertise and mentorship to organizations developing or expanding palliative care programs across the U.S. BCN is one of eight leadership centers and the only hospice organization in the U.S. that is also part of PCLC. Since 2004, BCN has trained and mentored more than 270 healthcare organizations from 40 states.
“Bluegrass Care Navigators is proud to support organizations in advancing palliative care programs,” Turner West, Vice President of Health and Policy Strategy at BCN and lead BCN faculty with PCLC, said. “Being part of the PCLC initiative has not only allowed us to share our learnings with other organizations, but it has also provided unique insights for us as we hear the ways others approach palliative care in their communities.”
In 2003, CAPC and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation established a network of Palliative Care Leadership Centers. These centers are nationally recognized centers of excellence and provide training in a variety of areas, including team skills and complex program design. Health care organizations can choose to train at the leadership center that is the best fit for them based on their stage of program development and growth, as well as their goals. As part of the program, organizations receive assessment tools, customized training and a full year of mentoring designed to meet that organization’s specific challenges and needs.
BCN is a national leader in delivering high-quality care and a pioneer in developing new programs that respond to the evolving needs of seriously ill patients and their families. BCN provides hospice care in 32 counties across Kentucky, as well as specialized care for aging Kentuckians including palliative care, PACE, home health, transitional and grief care. BCN offers guidance on effective strategies for building hospital-hospice partnerships, insight into opportunities for palliative care in a value-based healthcare delivery system, best practices on serving a largely rural population, and more.
“The demand for palliative care services has increased exponentially, so it remains vitally important that we continue to build and expand successful, sustainable palliative care programs. We are grateful for Bluegrass Care Navigators’ work as a Palliative Care Leadership Center. For two decades, they have played a crucial role in providing a necessary foundation of practical knowledge and coaching for so many new and growing palliative care teams,” said Brynn Bowman, chief executive officer at CAPC.
PCLC is part of the Center to Advance Palliative Care and uses their proven training methods, coupled with the unique experience that each leadership center offers, to provide customized training and mentoring for palliative care programs of every setting, size and stage. CAPC is a national organization dedicated to increasing the availability of quality, equitable healthcare for people living with a serious illness. As the nation’s leading resource in its field, CAPC provides healthcare professionals and organizations with the training, tools and technical assistance necessary to effectively meet this need.
Helps Children in Grief with Peer Understanding
Each September and October at two locations in Eastern and Central Kentucky, Camp Hope, a free one-day children’s bereavement camp for ages 6-17, helps children and caregivers know they are not alone.
From the moment campers arrive, they are welcomed by a community that knows what it’s like to love and to have lost. Bereavement counselors, social workers, volunteers and integrative medicine specialists provide an opportunity for participants to express their grief and develop effective coping strategies in a fun, safe and supportive environment. At the end of the day, campers report a sense of lasting community and inner healing.
“Children in grief often feel alone,” Holly Bender (LCSW), bereavement counselor, said. “They may not think that anyone else gets it or know that other people are experiencing similar situations. When you see those kids come together, and they see that other kids are going through what they’re going through, they know they’re not
“Throughout the day, we see them build that peer connection and learn that it is okay to talk about and express their feelings, often building friendships that last.”
Children and their caregivers engage in a variety of physical, mental and social activities to process their loss and find a way of expression that is a good fit for them. Campers start the day together with family activities before being divided into peer groups. Each ageappropriate activity is tied to a grief support objective, such as sharing their personal grief story, learning healthy coping strategies, developing communication skills to share feelings, and understanding the importance of remembering loved ones.
Eastern Kentucky’s Camp Hope was held at Four Star Village in Redfox and offered peer group and family activities, music therapy and an emoji game. Central Kentucky’s Camp Hope was held at the Life Adventure Center in Versailles. In addition to activities, this camp also offered equine therapy, a giant swing and a variety of low ropes activities. Each year, families select either camp to attend based on their preferred date or location.
In the adult peer group, parents or guardians also participate in activities, process emotions and learn how to guide children through their grief. The hope is that healing will occur not only within peer groups, but also enable families to discuss experiences and difficult subjects moving forward. Each activity is led by a bereavement counselor or a social worker who is trained to help others fully process their grief, provide education and give permission and tools to express feelings.
“Camp normalizes that I am not the only person to experience this,” Susan Houston (LCSW), bereavement counselor, said. “The ages are congruent, so they’re all on the same level in reacting and understanding their loss, and they know they’re not alone. You can see from the hesitancy in the morning, and it’s just this beautiful transformation by the end of the day.”
Bereavement counselor, Dr. Lisa King (PsyD) was especially moved by a young camper in first grade. In the morning, the girl hid behind her guardian and wouldn’t approach
father figure. The boys immediately connected and two weeks later attended a camp reunion. They ran into the room so happy to share that they discovered they go to the same school and are neighbor and get to see each other every day.
“A few months ago, I ran into one of the mothers and she said the boys are still best friends,” Bender said.
“Just to know that they have this lifelong connection where they can continue to help each other heal as they grow, that to me is what camp is all about!”
Space is limited, so reserve your spot today! Southeast Kentucky Camp Hope is September 21, 2024 with a registration deadline of August 30. Central Kentucky Camp Hope is October 5, 2024 with a registration deadline of September 6.
The Bluegrass Grief Care program is available to anyone in the community who has experienced the loss of a loved one, and offers various programs, including camps, support groups and individual grief counseling. The Grief Care program and Camp Hope are possible due to the kindness and generosity of donors who support the program. Learn more and join us in supporting others through their grief.
Bluegrass Home Health Care Celebrates One Year
Supporting Healing and Convenience for Patients in their Homes
There is no substitute for the comfort of home, especially
Care has cared for more than 850 patients and families, helping them to recover and maintain their best health at home. BCN began offering home health in the region last year following an acquisition.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better team to adopt and build upon,” Carma Potts, Executive Director of Home Care Services, said. “Working for BCN is more than a job to this team, it’s an investment in their community. We have put a lot of thought into the many changes over the past year, and we are taking steps to ensure our clinical staff is practicing at the top of their license with hands-on trainings and education.”
Bluegrass Home Health Care offers a range of in-home medical services tailored to the patient’s needs. Services include traditional home health, Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment Special Services (EPSDT), Home and Community-Based Waiver Services and Outpatient Incontinence Supplies. As part of Bluegrass Home Health Care, patients have access to skilled nursing care, aid services, medical social services, and physical, occupational and speech therapy to restore patients to the best quality of life possible.
Last year, a local farmer decided to try home health. He had not been actively farming for about a year due to
device, and the occupational therapist even rode with him on a tractor to help him safely return to his daily activities.
“Our home health staff joined the BCN team from various healthcare backgrounds, and all have banded together to form a dedicated team,” Holly Webb, Home Health Clinical Manager, said. “We continue to learn, grow and provide the best, patient-centered care. I am eternally blessed and thankful to help lead and shape the Bluegrass Home Health Care Team!”
“We are so grateful to the patients and families in the Cynthiana region who have allowed us to serve them in other service lines for more than 30 years and now through our home health services,” Liz Fowler, president and CEO of BCN, said. “We value the trust these families give us by allowing us into their lives and homes and appreciate our team members who consistently provide expert and compassionate care.”
Anyone who is interested in home health services provided by Bluegrass Home Health Care should speak to their physician or healthcare provider about their care needs. More information about Bluegrass Home Health Care and other services offered by Bluegrass Care Navigators can be found at bgcarenav.org/home-health-care
Therapy Dog Grace Gives Puppy Love
Bluegrass Care Navigators celebrated the retirement of long-time therapy dog Grace, our therapy dog in the Hazard region, offering her many “pats” for the love and quiet calm she provided to hundreds of patients, families and teammates throughout the years.
“Thank you for bringing such a kind, gentle spirit to us over a really difficult time,” Whitney Clay, Integrative Medicine Program Coordinator, said in a message to Grace. “You were a rockstar in puppy training, and you are a teacher and an amazing therapist. Thank you for the lives that you touched, including my own, and for all that you taught us. I hope that the rest of your days are spent with folks loving on you and giving you as much care as you have given to all of us.”
As unit secretary at the Greg and Noreen Wells Hospice Care Center (HCC), Amanda Weber knows that Grace was loved by many and will be missed by all. Many family members would stop at Weber’s desk to ask if Grace was in that day so they could see her and give her a treat. No matter where Grace went, she wanted to be with those who needed her the most. Sometimes she was the only thing that brought a smile to the spouse of a passing patient; her presence even helped diffuse disagreements between family members in some cases.
“When people are faced with loss, I think we get used to the platitudes that people speak to us,” Scotty Caudill, social worker (MSW, CSW) at the HCC, said. “But when a dog comes up to you and sticks her nose right to your hand and wants to be touched and petted, just that contact alone, that unconditional love means significantly more to families than maybe just words can do.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hazard teammates took Grace to the Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital to support staff. Everyone petted and smiled at Grace, but one nurse ran up to her, dropped to her knees and hugged her. Grace snuggled the nurse while she cried, licking the tears from her face.
“That’s where Grace is,” Sonya Joseph, RN and handler for Grace, said. “She’s with that person who needs her the most. Whether it’s to get extra cuddles or just sit at your feet and let you know she’s there, that’s where she wants to be.”
Shortly after Grace arrived at the HCC, Monica Couch, vice president and chief hospice officer, watched Grace
petting Grace, the nurse told Monica that Grace somehow knew she was having a hard day because she didn’t normally engage with her in that way.
“It just resonated with me how impactful Grace’s care is not only to our patients, but also to our staff,” Couch said. “She has brought love and compassion and has made a lot of hard days better just by being there.”
The Bluegrass PACE Center celebrated 1 year of service to Central Kentuckians looking to stay out of nursing homes and remain safely in their homes. Bluegrass PACE Care opened in July of 2022 as the first Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly in Kentucky. This program is available to Medicare or Medicaid recipients aged 55 or older who qualify for a nursing home level of care, who live in the service area of the PACE organization, and who can continue to live independently with the help of
Barbara Harris, current participant in Bluegrass PACE Care, believes that enrolling in PACE is the best decision she ever made for her physical, mental and emotional health. At the Bluegrass PACE Center, she’s found a new community outside of her home, made new friends and receives patient-centered medical care. As a result, she’s learning to take her first steps post-amputation.
“The Bluegrass PACE Center is wonderful because I love my home and I want to be there, but at the same time, you get tired of sitting in the house with nowhere to go and nothing to do,” Harris said. “So they pick you up
and bring you to the Center where you have all day to socialize, can eat a good meal and get your medicine.”
Transportation is provided by the Bluegrass PACE program to and from the Center, as well as to and from any appointments arranged by the PACE team. At the PACE Center, participants receive primary care, therapy, meals, recreation and personal care, as well as meals and the opportunity to engage in social activities.
At the Bluegrass PACE Center, participants receive the full continuum of medical care, social care, longterm services and support needed by elderly adults so they can live safely in their homes. Upon enrollment in PACE, participants and their caregivers meet with an interdisciplinary healthcare team that includes doctors, nurses, therapists, social workers, dietitians, personal care aides and van drivers among others. This team develops an individualized care plan that addresses the participant’s needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
“Bluegrass PACE Care has improved my quality of life by being able to get out of the house and socialize,” she said. “I feel younger, and I haven’t had this much get up and go in quite a few years,” she said.
Several years ago, Harris’s leg was amputated due to poor circulation. She was unable to walk because her prosthesis was too heavy and didn’t fit correctly. The team at Bluegrass PACE Care measured Harris for a new prosthesis and the therapists are working to strengthen her legs to prepare her to walk when the new leg arrives.
“Bluegrass PACE Care is having a new prosthetic leg made for me, and they’re also giving me therapy to learn to walk with it, which is a big help,” she said. “I’m proud of my progress because the other leg, I couldn’t use; it was just a door stopper.”
Bluegrass Care Navigators was the first PACE program to enroll participants in Kentucky and currently serves Fayette, Jessamine, Franklin, Woodford and Anderson counties; participants must live in these counties to qualify.
For those with Medicaid and Medicare, PACE services are 100 percent covered. For Medicare only, private insurance or private pay, contact Bluegrass PACE Care to discuss associated fees. To qualify, PACE participants must be aged 55 or older, qualify for a specific level of care that may otherwise require a nursing home, live in the service area of Bluegrass PACE Care, and be able to continue to live safely in the community with the help of PACE services.
Medical Director
Dr. James Borders is the new medical director for Bluegrass PACE Care. PACE stands for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. In this role, Borders will lead the day-to-day operations of our PACE program, overseeing clinical staff and ensuring high-quality patient care. PACE assists aging Kentuckians to remain independent at home, by coordinating all aspects of participants’ care through a comprehensive team of clinicians and services provided in the home and at the PACE Center.
Dr. Borders brings more than four decades of experience to Bluegrass PACE Care. After graduating from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in 1979 and completing residency in internal medicine at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, he held a private practice in Dallas for six years. In 1988, he joined his twin brother John in internal medicine practice in Lexington, where he continued until becoming Chief Medical Officer of Baptist Health Lexington, a role he held from 2015-2022.
WHAS Crusade for Children Awards BCN Grant for Bright Path Pediatric Palliative Care
A serious illness in a family is difficult to handle. When it is a child, families need special support and care through this trying time. Bright Path, a pediatric palliative care program, offers specialized medical care for infants, children, adolescents and young adults who are living with a serious illness.
At the heart of our Bright Path program’s philosophy is the belief that the needs of the patient, not their prognosis, should shape the care they receive. Through homebased services, the program offers specialized care, comfort and resource navigation to those facing unimaginable challenges. Every child is unique, and their journey is met with tailored care coordination, symptom management, shared decisionmaking and anticipatory guidance.
The true magic of Bright Path lies in our presence in the homes of our patients. This allows us to be more than just health care providers; we become advocates with the families for services, resources, equipment and treatments our youngest patients need to thrive. By improving communication between different specialists, we ensure that everyone is on the same page, creating a seamless web of support around each child and family.
This incredible impact is made possible through the support of donors from our Caring Community, like the WHAS Crusade for Children. Building on a long-standing partnership, which has seen cumulative investments exceeding $100,000, a recent grant of $9,000 from the WHAS Crusade for Children has been pivotal in fulfilling our mission. Through this grant, our Bright Path program perseveres as a beacon of hope for more than 65 families each year, spanning 12 counties in Kentucky. Our program is committed to delivering comprehensive and compassionate care with expert navigation of the healthcare system.
Medical Respite Program Connects Underserved
Communities to Care
For many of us who are able to go home at the end of a difficult day, we often find warmth and joy at there in the company of loved ones. Yet for a 75-year-old veteran who had experienced homelessness, this was a distant dream. After undergoing a life altering above-the-knee amputation and spending over two months in a rehab facility, he faced an uncertain future. No longer in need of intensive medical care, he was referred to a medical respite program.
This brave individual had developed a painful pressure ulcer, requiring wound dressing to be changed three times a week. He needed a safe, clean place where home health nurses could facilitate his recovery. Our dedicated medical respite team stood by him through this challenging journey, working in close collaboration with his healthcare providers.
At one point, the client hesitated to attend a crucial followup appointment with his physician. In that critical moment, our team went the extra mile. They provided the client
with essential education and unwavering support, inspiring him to take charge of his health once again. We arranged for food, transportation to medical appointments, and even a heartwarming holiday meal with gifts.
This patient continued to heal during his two-week stay in our medical respite program. We didn’t stop there; our team reached out to the VA Homeless Outreach program, and the result was beautiful. After 16 days in our care, the client found a safe place to call home. It was more than just a home; it was a new beginning.
The Medical Respite program at Bluegrass Care Navigators provides an environment to safely recuperate after hospital discharge for patients experiencing homelessness. Additionally, this program allows patients to connect to permanent housing options, reunite with their families and receive referrals to ongoing support services. The program is entirely funded through private support, including grants and philanthropic donations.
Memorial Garden Honoring Loved Ones is Dedicated at Bluegrass Care Navigators in Lexington
Bluegrass Care Navigators (BCN) gathered with our Caring Community of donors, friends, teammates, local artists Matthew and Karine Maynard of Maynard Studios, and landscape designer Jon Carloftis to dedicate the newly installed memorial tree sculptures in our Bluegrass Care Navigators Memorial Gardens. Together, we celebrated life, honored memories and left with renewed determination to continue to make a positive impact in the lives of those we serve.
“Through our work in hospice care, we have learned that every life is a story worth celebrating, and every memory is a treasure to be cherished,” Liz Fowler, President and
“These memorial trees and our garden stand as symbols of the lives we have cared for and the lives we continue to touch. They stand as a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring connections that bind us together.”
Maynard Studios custom designed these inspiring memorial tree sculptures to honor the memory of those who have touched our lives and celebrate their contributions to our community. Each leaf, animal and flower on our memorial trees is inscribed with a tribute message from the bricks located at our previous location, and each represents a life cherished and remembered.
These trees ornament the BCN memorial garden designed by Jon Carloftis whose skillful creativity has transformed the space into a sanctuary of reflection, hope and peace. Carloftis created a haven that is beautiful in every season, where team members can come to rejuvenate and where
“The natural world around us teaches us that life begins, withers, ends and then life can begin again,” Kathryn Perry, Executive Director at our Lexington location, said. “A garden teaches us of the interconnectedness of life, both the majesty and the fragility, the dependence on caretakers and resilience of even the smallest plant.”
Care teams at BCN remember each patient with writings, ribbons, glass beads and other meaningful rituals. When BCN moved to its new headquarters in 2020, we wanted
to take these individual reminders with us, and these have been buried in our garden. Irises grow around the parking lot nearby. These bulbs are from the field where Flight 5191 crashed at the Lexington Airport on August 27, 2006, and honor the 49 passengers and crew who perished that day.
“The support and dedication of our donors, community partners, team members and volunteers serve as a shining example of how we can create positive change when we come together with shared purpose,” Laura Klumb, Vice President of Philanthropy, said. “Your generosity enables us to provide comfort, compassion, and solace to families during their most challenging times, and our memorial garden stands as a testament to the love and respect we hold for every life we touch.”
You can leave a legacy in honor of a family member or friend by adding to our memorial tree sculptures at our headquarters location. To place a memorial tree tribute call 855.492.0812 or visit bgcarenav.org/tribute
Bluegrass Grief Care Helps Survivors Heal
A Perspective from Bluegrass Grief Care Participant
October 28, 2015, was the worst day of my life. That was the day that my 18-year-old son, Tom, died by suicide after a long struggle with depression. The grief was crushing, and I was plunged into a world that was totally different from my life up until then, with no clue of what to do next or if there even was a life after Tom’s death.
Bluegrass Care Navigators (BCN) gave me a way forward. On a friend’s advice, I called BCN and asked about grief counseling. A counselor called me back immediately and set up an appointment that same week. My counselor listened to me with kindness and compassion. She gave me practical information about how to take care of myself during this horrible time. Most importantly, she let me know I was not alone and reassured me that what I was feeling was normal and I wasn’t going crazy. I will be forever grateful for that.
BCN’s monthly child loss support group connected me with other parents who had also suffered this unimaginable loss. I started attending shortly after Tom died and attend it to this day. We support each other, share our experiences, laugh together and cry together. Grief isolates you, and many of the people closest to us are scared by it and back away. The child loss group is a safe space where each of us knows that we are truly understood and where we can say what we feel without any fear of judgment. I am so grateful to BCN and the counselor who volunteers time each month to lead this group. Because of it, we are healing.
BCN helps us survivors heal in other ways. At the holidays, there are sessions on how to deal with this difficult time of year. We get together to make ornaments and pillows in honor of our lost loved ones. We send our other children to grief camps. That ongoing support is so important to those of us who are grieving and who often feel the world is moving on and forgetting the people we have lost.
Eight years after my loss, I can say I am in a better place than I ever thought I would be. I’m taking joy in life and beginning to remember my son with joy, too. I know I have support from BCN when I need it.
Bluegrass Care Navigators remembers.
| 855.492.0812
Patient Celebrates a Century of Life with the help of Bluegrass Care Navigators
On July 22, Ruth Manning gathered with more than 60 children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews to celebrate her 100th birthday two days after being admitted into hospice care.
She was unable to sit in her wheelchair safely due to her disease progression, and her family was concerned that she wouldn’t be able to attend her party. Upon learning of her family’s goal, Manning’s Bluegrass Hospice Care team collaborated to move up her admission date. Less than 24 hours after her admission, they coordinated the delivery of a Broda chair that provides supportive positioning so that Manning could safely attend and celebrate at her birthday party.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” Patricia, Manning’s daughter said. “The chair was a lifesaver because it allowed Mom to attend her party and celebrate this milestone with us. The staff at Madonna Manor where Mom stays also used the chair for the next few days to take her to the dining room and engage with her community at the Manor.”
Although battling dementia, Manning seemed genuinely happy to see her family, even taking a bite of her favorite lemon cake.
“My favorite memory is of me bending over Mom’s wheelchair with her cake and the candle while everyone sang happy birthday and her looking at the cake sort of in awe,” Patricia said. “That was a moment that just struck me that this is really happening.”
Her party doubled as a family reunion, where relatives greeted Manning and visited with each other. A few gave toasts that shared memories of what her 36,525 days of life have meant to them. Patricia recounted how her mom grew up during the Great Depression and learned to make do with very little. Manning made Patricia’s dresses out of feed sacks, and she remembers her friends telling her they were the best dresses they’d ever seen. Although not formally educated, Manning was a person with the utmost common sense and was a homemaker and caregiver for her and her husband’s families. She loved gardening, especially her rose bushes. Always a swimmer, she joined
job is to help patients end their lives well, and it’s nice to celebrate something lifegiving to help the family find joy. Those little memories of happy, joy-filled moments help with the sorrow and the grieving process after their loved one’s passing.”
“I always try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud,” Angela Gray, Department of Medical Equipment Office Manager, said. “I’ve learned that what Maya Angelou said is true: people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. I’m so grateful to have been able to help facilitate this celebration for the Manning family.”
Corbin Couple Feels the Love on Valentine’s Day and Beyond Why Volunteer at Bluegrass Care Navigators?
“I volunteer at Bluegrass Care Navigators because I wanted to give back to an organization that did so much for my family when my parents were sick. The best part of volunteering is the peace that I get when I walk into the care center and knowing that maybe I can give peace and comfort to a family there.”
—Cynthia Gooch Hazard, Ky
“I would recommend...just to try it out because it’s a good thing, not only for yourself, but for other people. It’s a great thing to do.”
—Josh Hoffman Pikeville, Ky
“I like to volunteer because I love people, especially the elderly. They don’t get as many visitors, and I just love to see them smile.”
—Sherry Terlau Florence, Ky
When Lee and Lynne Keller said “I do” 42 years ago, they never anticipated needing hospice care. When Lee suffered a traumatic brain injury in January 2021, the couple knew life would never be the same. At their doctor’s recommendation, they signed up for hospice care with Bluegrass Care Navigators (BCN). In the fall of 2022, Lynne was diagnosed with breast cancer. BCN not only cared for Lee, but also provided daily respite care for two months so Lynne could receive treatment.
“I think it was more for me than for Lee,” Lynne said. “I did not miss a single appointment in two months because there was always somebody here. That’s worth more than anything I can put value on because I worry about him if I can’t be here, and I knew he would be well taken care of.”
Lynne took care of Lee on her own for a year prior to hospice care. Lynne describes that time as “extremely challenging,” as Lee suffered hallucinations, seizures and uncontrollable behaviors. The Kellers averaged two trips to the emergency room per month for six months. After signing up for hospice care, the clinicians adjusted Lee’s medications to balance his moods and behaviors and offered 24/7 nursing support.
“The most important thing I got from Bluegrass Care Navigators was their commitment to excellence,” Lynne said. “I never felt like I was one of a whole bunch of people. I felt like they put us first and no matter what the need was, Bluegrass found a way to help and to meet our needs.”
Milly Burkhart, a BCN volunteer in the Barbourville region, became the Keller’s regular volunteer in December of 2022. She brought magazines to share with Lee, and Lee, an accomplished pianist, played her piano concerts.
As Valentine’s Day approached, Burkhart saw an opportunity to play cupid. Although she’s been volunteering with BCN for 12 years, she says it’s not often that she sees a couple so much in love. She decided to help them celebrate in style with a card, flower delivery and their favorite meal.
“I wanted the wife to have all the wonderful things that encompass a Valentine’s Day from her husband,” she said.
Burkhart got Lee to sign the card, which she mailed to arrive for Valentine’s Day. She also arranged for Lynne’s favorite flowers to be delivered first thing Valentine’s morning, and she personally delivered the couple’s favorite meal of spaghetti and meatballs, salad and dessert that evening.
Lynne, who had no Valentine’s Day expectations, was shocked and surprised.
“I was blown away and so surprised,” Lynne said. “I felt so loved
Lynne and Lee met at church after her first husband passed and Lee had divorced. On their first date, he opened the passenger door for her, and she found daisies on the front seat. For her, that was an “ah ha” moment that this man was special.
“I still think she’s the most beautiful, intelligent and caring person I’ve ever spent time with,” Lee said.
After dating for a while, Lee suggested that they get married. Lynne went into a deep funk and finally told him that because of how difficult her first marriage was, she never wanted to be anyone’s wife again.
“He said, ‘You won’t be my wife, you’ll be my girlfriend,’ and here we are 42 years later, and we still call each other ‘boyfriend’ and ‘girlfriend,’” Lynne said. “There’s just a different mindset when you think back to how you met your husband and how you felt like there was nobody else in the whole world.”
Although life will never return to the way it was before Lee’s injury, BCN helped this couple learn to live in the aftermath of tragedy. Lynne feels blessed to get to live each day with her husband at her side.
“I give credit to BCN that Lee is as healthy, as far along and as stable as he is,” she said. “I believe that between prayer, the knowledge that we have and to be able to be at home, all those things contribute to his well-being.”
“I feel like I am making these patients’ last moments on earth a little more enjoyable. They feel more like themselves when I leave rather than when I came, and I feel like I’m doing a good thing.”
—Meg Demaree Lexington, Ky
“The best part is the personal satisfaction I get from doing the work. I know I’ve done something to help somebody and that keeps me going.”
—Pete Croswell Frankfort, Ky
“Being able to serve those who have served is a privilege that you can’t find anywhere, and Bluegrass Care Navigators has afforded that opportunity to me.”
—Nick Liford Barbourville, Ky
“This is a great opportunity. If you want to get into a program where you know you are doing good, this is where you really ought to take a look.”
—Dave Clark Cynthiana, Ky
Bluegrass Care Navigators Achieves National Recognition through ‘Quality Connections’ Program
Demonstrating commitment to providing the highest quality care for the hospice community
Bluegrass Care Navigators (BCN) has achieved recognition by earning four rings in the 2023 Quality Connections program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). BCN is the first to achieve this national recognition this year and the only hospice in Kentucky to be recognized. Quality Connections is the only national program designed to support hospice and palliative care provider delivery of high-quality, person-centered care.
“This award recognizes and honors the work of our nurses, physicians, nurse practitioners, aides, chaplains, social workers and volunteers, as well as our team’s daily commitment to provide excellent, holistic care to our fellow Kentuckians,” Monica Couch, Chief Hospice Officer, said. “I commend my team for their continued excellence and their commitment to serve our communities with compassion, expertise and kindness.”
Quality Connections is structured around four fundamental pillars represented by four rings: Education, Application, Measurement and Innovation. Quality Connections participants must achieve milestones within defined timeframes by taking part in activities such as quarterly data reporting and benchmarking, educational courses, case studies, and engagement on emerging issues; all of which serve to promote high-quality care delivery and service excellence. Achievement in the program is measured by completing activities within each of the four foundational areas, culminating in the closure of up to four rings.
“We are committed to providing expert, compassionate care to those in need wherever they call home, whether that is in a private home, a nursing home or even a hospital,” said Bluegrass Care Navigators CEO Liz Fowler. “We are proud of this recognition and commend our team of clinicians and staff who work tirelessly every day to provide excellent care to Kentuckians in the 32 counties that we serve.”
By taking part in the Quality Connections program in 2023, BCN has earned the highest achievement possible by closing four rings and has enhanced its quality improvement program, plus is up to date on the newest and best practices in serious illness and end-of-life care.
“Achieving this recognition reflects BCN’s strong culture of quality and safety,” Joanne Luke, Director of Quality and Patient Safety Officer, said. “We continue to be committed to providing the highest quality of care for our patients and their families. The quality team at BCN appreciates the collaboration and support from administrative and clinical team members to ensure that we remain a leader in providing hospice care for those we serve.”
“NHPCO is committed to helping hospice and palliative care providers deliver the best care possible to patients and their loved ones. Quality Connections was created to make the ongoing journey of excellence possible,” said NHPCO COO and interim CEO Ben Marcantonio. “The Quality Connections program continues to grow and include broader content and learning opportunities like compliance, palliative care, equity and inclusion that serve our patients and communities across the continuum of serious illness and end-of-life care.”
Patient Leaves Legacy of Perseverance
Teresa Thornton was born with the odds stacked against her. As a low-weight twin at 4 lbs. 11 oz., and the oldest and often “mom” figure in a dysfunctional family, she learned to survive from the start. Although she was diagnosed with life-threatening asthma and dyslexia, somehow she never lost her desire to learn. After a high school teacher gave her the time, skills and learning opportunities she needed, Thornton went on to become a paraeducator at Dry Ridge Elementary School where she worked for 17 years, helping children like herself excel at reading, writing and mathematics. As a current hospice patient, Thornton hopes her story inspires others to never give up no matter their situation.
“Her story is inspiring to me because no matter what came her way, most of which was not of her own choosing, she has more than survived, she’s thrived,” Phillip Moody, Chaplain in the Cynthiana office, said. “She went past everyone’s expectations including her parents, but once they understood that they celebrated and supported her.”
Thornton was misunderstood by teachers and students. As a first grader, she was often put in the corner while the teacher worked with the rest of the class. Another teacher taped her dominant left hand to her desk to try to force her to become right-handed. She suffered severe asthma attacks that put her in the hospital for weeks at a time. Yet, she was determined to persevere.
“I knew I wasn’t a dummy, and I knew something was wrong, even as a child,” she said. “Overcoming my struggles helped me decide I wanted to work with kids because if my teachers could teach me, then I could teach others.”
In high school, her freshman English teacher gave her the chance she needed, helping her learn to write letters and numbers and even working with her on Saturdays. Thornton learned to read by placing a red dot on the left side of the paper to train her eyes to start reading from left to right. That teacher helped other teachers understand how to help Thornton learn.
late to continue living and because of God’s grace and mercy, we can live again,” Moody said. “Witnessing her determination has also reminded me to create space, when possible, for patients and their families to persevere through what has come their way.”
As a paraeducator at Dry Ridge Elementary, Thornton supported students’ confidence by helping them succeed at small things so they could tackle bigger challenges. She made index cards with cutouts so students could see only one word at a time. She shared her red-dot trick, and she worked with dyslexic students to help them learn to “flip words” based on context. Most of all, she inspired them to never give up.
Team members who care for Thornton are reminded and inspired to look at the positive and develop a healthy perspective.
“Teresa pushes through whatever issues or symptoms that she encounters involving her illnesses,” Kimberly Lewis, RN in the Cynthiana office, said. “She does it with such grace and peace. It’s been a blessing for me to be involved in her care.”
Six Awards for Excellence Recognize the Team and Partners at Bluegrass Care Navigators
Each year, the Kentucky Association of Hospice and Palliative Care (KAHPC) honors hospice team members from across the state in eight categories. On August 22, five team members from Bluegrass Care Navigators (BCN) and one of our partners at UKHC received an award at the KAHPC annual conference. These awards are peer-nominated and selected by a KAHPC committee. They recognize an individual’s commitment to providing expert, compassionate and patient-centered care. BCN winners include:
Monica Couch Vice President and Chief Hospice Officer Pioneer Category
With more than 25 years of experience in the hospice industry, Couch has dedicated her life to ensuring that the most vulnerable individuals are provided with the best possible end-of-life care. Her career has spanned on-call nurse, case manager, nursing supervisor, executive director and now vice president and chief hospice officer. Couch is a staunch advocate for Eastern Kentucky and works tirelessly to ensure that this underserved population receives standardized, excellent care. Her efforts were instrumental in the design and opening of a state-of-the-art, free-standing, in-patient hospice care center in Eastern Kentucky. Although personally affected by the flooding in Eastern Kentucky in 2022, she collaborated with a community group to distribute food door-to-door and worked with BCN to provide financial assistance, drinking water, cleaning supplies, clothing and other necessities to employees affected by the flooding.
Dave Carper
Counseling Resource Officer
Innovator Category
Carper not only supports the clinical team to maintain high-quality patient care, but he is also committed to the communities BCN serves. In the aftermath of the Eastern Kentucky flood, Carper set up a Hope Table at recovery sites in Hazard with games and activities to entertain children while their parents filled out flood-recovery paperwork. Carper helped other chaplains and social workers set up tables at other sites. Carper has served as a hospice ambassador with
commitment to advancing the industry and its principles. Their work has influenced renowned hospitals, such as Johns Hopkins and Tampa General. By sharing their expertise and success, they have made a difference to hospice care well
