Heartbeat April | 2019
Pet volunteers Billy & Major (an Alaskan Malamute) visit a patient. Read more about our pet therapy volunteers on our online blog.
From the CEO...
Another month into 2019 and another month continuing to strengthen our infrastructure. You’ve heard me talk about our year of strengthening and most recently learned about some of our leadership realignment. With every process and staff realignment, we continue to strengthen the foundation and stability that will ensure every patient receives the compassionate, high quality care our community expects from us.
As you know, one of our major projects is the implementation of Home Care Home Base. The implementation team is working closely with front-line clinical staff and managers to ensure the process goes smoothly.
I encourage each of you to attend the Spring Huddles currently underway. Terri Graham, Scott Herrmann and I look forward to these opportunities to hear from you, learn from you and ask for your help to continue strengthening with forward momentum so that we can serve more patients and families. Our huddle agenda is to share our organizational strategy and plans for the rest of 2019 and the next several years.
There a lot happening at Hosparus Health, take a few minutes and read through the Heartbeat, it’s your publication and our internal way to keep you informed!
You may have heard we are updating the website and refreshing our Hosparus Health brand. As we finish the development stage we hope to share a few sneak peaks with you, and I believe you’ll like what you see.
Phil Marshall
FORWARD MOMENTUM
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
EDUCATION CORNER
BLOG
Featuring Jeff Meyer, Grief Counselor
See what new learning
“Louisville’s Justin Magnuson
HomeCare HomeBase
opportunities are available!
Wants you to “Die Wisely”
Implementation Time line PAGE 2
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By: Stephanie Garvey, Marketing PAGE 9
Coordinator PAGE 15
SPREADING T HE WORD
Corporate HomeCare HomeBase (HCHB) Implementation Time line
HCHB will be rolled out in two phases, starting in one community and then implementing the remainder of the communities, at the same time. HSI will be the first community, however there will be other centralized areas (customer support, scheduling, billing, etc.) that will be trained, at least in part, along with HSI staff since they support all our communities.
Key Dates to Know
HSI community 1. July 1-26: staff complete online learning assignments 2. July 29- August 1: HCHB on site instructor led training 3. August 5: begin a soft go-live, where only new patients will be entered into HCHB 4. September 1: begin hard go-live. All patients will be documented in HCHB. Patients that were in Suncoast will be moved over via a “couch visit” (more to come on couch visits).
Strengthening through...
All other communities 1. August 12- September 6: staff complete online learning assignments 2. September 9-12: HCHB on site instructor at each community 3. September 16: soft go-live where only new referrals/admissions will be entered into HCHB. 4. October 1: begin hard go-live where all patients will be documented in HCHB. The patients in Suncoast will be moved over via a “couch visit” prior to October 1 (more to come on couch visits).
Strengthening through...
We respect and value your feedback! Please send your questions or comments about HCHB to ForwardMomentum@Hosparus.org.
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Forward Momentum represents the technology, process, and communication upgrades that are underway to accommodate our growth. Want to learn more about Forward Momentum? Watch the video:
Watch the Video 2
S PR E A D I N G T H E W ORD
Corporate Billing and Medical Records Surpassing Goals with the 4 Disciplines of Execution
Hosparus Health Heart ConnectionSM Appears on Great Day Live
The Billing and Medical Records teams have been working the 4DX process to set goals and hold each other accountable despite the ‘whirlwind’ of day to day distractions. The team set out to establish a Wildly Important Goal (WIG) to reduce the days in accounts receivable (the time it take Hosparus Health to be reimbursed for the care we provide).
We are in our 2nd month of organization wide implementation of Heart ConnectionSM . Our team was recently featured on WHAS Great Day Live to spread awareness about the strides the Heart ConnectionSM program is making. Checkout the clip here: http://bit.ly/2vdjRBO
When the program was implemented in June 2017 the days in AR were at 43.4. In February 2019 the team reached a record low of 35.8! To celebrate their success they had lunch at Famous Dave’s and created new goals to continue on their 4DX journey. The team has an aggressive goal for 2019 and are are looking forward to reaching it!
Stats: We have cared for 153 patients from May 21, 2018 to April 4, 2019.
HC NOT enrolled
ALOS: 42.75 MLOS: 26.5 ALOS: 18.78 MLOS: 6
Obviously, this program is making a difference! If anyone has any questions, please contact Stephanie Alvey Banks, salvey@hosparus.org.
Year of Strengthening
Organization Structure Adjustments
Thanks to our growth and service line expansion we have new staff and leaders joining our organization, and we are implementing major system and process changes. To help ensure we have resources aligned to best support our growth, system and process changes, we are making adjustments in the organizational structure. View the full chart here. Here are a few highlights: • Clinical Services Department under Tricia Pancner – we are realigning areas of responsibilities and adding a Regional Director position for the Louisville Communities. This structure will be transitioned over the next couple of weeks. • Quality and Clinical Excellence Department under Mary Pat Stickler – we are eliminating the Associate VP of Clinical Processes position and adding a Director of Risk and Clinical Excellence. • Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management –Loretta McGinty has moved full time into the Associate Vice President of Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management position. • Volunteer Services – this summer our Volunteer team will transition to the People Pillar reporting to Melissa Merrifield. • Leadership Development – in addition to leading our Education Department, Deborah May will also focus on Leadership Development. • Strategy Office – Scott Herrmann is leading the organization’s strategy areas with the following departments reporting to him, Bob Mueller, Fund Development; Tyler Perkins, Business Development; Gwen Cooper, External Affairs with focus on policy making and brand positioning; 3 and Karen Lozado, Strategic Project Manager.
CONNECT ING YOU TO EVEN TS
Calendar See more events & programs on our website, and show your interest and share our event pages on Facebook!
APRIL Counseling Awareness Month
MON. 4/29, 9 AM- 3PM Volunteer Training- Glasgow Where: HBR-Glasgow Office For more information contact Jessica Briley, jbriley@hosparus.org.
MON. 4/29, 8:30 AM HLSE Spring Huddle Where: 1000 Building, Owsley Brown Conference Room
TUES. 4/30 HLNE Spring Huddle, 8:30 AM Where: 1000 Building, Owsley Brown Conference Room Medical Staff Spring Huddle, 3:30 PM Where: HL Community Room
MAY Older Americans Month Stroke Awareness Month Mental Health Month
WED. 5/1, 11 AM Pennies From Heaven Fundraiser Round-up Reception Where: HSI Office Pennies counting roundup, open house, & refreshments.
5/6 - 5/12 Nurses Week
SAT. 5/11, 9:00 AM
WED. 5/22, 8:45 AM
Remembering Our Mothers See more information to the below.
Volunteer Training- Louisville Where: HL Community Room For more information contact Sky Yeasayer, syeasayer@hosparus.org
THURS. 5/16, 8:45 AM Volunteer Training- Green River Where: HGR Office, Campbellsville For more information contact Carrie Truitt, ctruitt@hosparus.org.
TUES. 5/21, 8:45 AM Volunteer Training- Campbellsville Thrift Shoppe Where: Campbellsville Shoppe For more information contact Carrie Truitt, ctruitt@hosparus.org.
WED. 5/22, 8:45 AM Volunteer Training- Thrift Shoppe Etown Where: HCK Office For more information contact Annette Jones, ajones@hosparus.org.
FRI. 5/24, 8:45 AM Volunteer Training- Barren River Where: HBR Office For more information contact Jessica Briley, jbriley@hosparus.org.
Remembering Our Mothers SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019 10:30 AM- 1:00 PM (Brunch Included)
What: Hosparus Health invites you to Remembering our Mothers, a gathering for women celebrating and remembering mothers who have died and keeping our connection to them. Guest Speaker: Lisa Hutson, Anchor, WHAS11 RSVP: Receipt of your payment confirms your reservation. To RSVP visit: http://bit.ly/RememberingMothers2019 **Please bring a framed photo of your mother for the event. For questions & payment call: 502-456-5451 OR 800-264-0521.
Upcoming... JUNE
6/1 - Vol. Training HSI 6/6-6/7 - Indiana Senior Games 6/15 - Vol. Training HL 6/18 - Vol. Training HGR Thrift Shoppe 6/18 - Vol. Training HBR 6/26 - Vol. Training HCK Thrift Shoppe
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Holidays/Special Events May 4 - Derby May 12- Mother’s Day May 27- Memorial Day
Click Here for the Occupational (Employee) Health April Calendar See info on page 6 about employee health changing its name.
FUND I N G T H E M I S S ION
Development GIFTS
We received the following gifts and donations to help our patients and families who need us most: • Zephyr Gallery did their annual visit to the HICC and new art was placed throughout the unit along with art work we are keeping. • 5 new members joined the Autumn Leaf Society. • $10,000 from Bill Alden for care provider scholarships. • $10,000 renewed gift from Al & Mary Jo Burke for care provider scholarships for 2019. • $2,750 from The Koerber Family Breakfast at St. John’s in Starlight for Southern Indiana. • $8,000 from the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth for grief counseling, particularly in Louisville. • $1,500 from the Vitale Family Fund through the Community Foundation of South Central Kentucky for our Kourageous Kids.
Southern Indiana Yard Sale Raises Money from Donated Treasures The annual Southern Indiana Yard Sale was held March 16th and raised over $5,500 for patients and families in Southern Indiana! Thank you to all staff and volunteers that helped out, and for anyone that shopped for a deal over the weekend!
Campbellsville Roundtable Event
A roundtable event was held in Campbellsville that allowed staff to give an update to the community on the organization, services, thrift shoppe, volunteers, fundraising and how they can help HGR. Christy Davis share her Hosparus Health experience with the crowd as we served two of her children through the KKids program.
The Good Stuff
Submitted by patients & families, this is the ‘why’ behind what we do. “My father was in their inpatient unit and I cannot put into words the compassionate care they provided him. His wish was to pass in his sleep and when he did he looked very peaceful. Thank you!” - Daughter of patient
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HERE TO HEL P
Employees
Human Resources, Education and Employee Health News
Employee Health is changing its name to… Occupational Health!
Flooding
Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters. • In the office: The site safety officer, clinical leader and the administrator on call will determine whether to flood proof the building, or if evacuation is necessary. They will also determine which staff members are to remain at the site location or go to their personal places of residence. Any staff member that leaves the location is to check in with the site to verify their new location. • In automobiles: If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the vehicle quickly and move to higher ground! Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of water. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger. • In patient homes: - Consult the patient’s disaster plan. - Make the patient as safe as possible. - Once the danger has passed, assess the situation for both you and your patient. For more information, view these resources on the HUB: Hosparus Flood Procedures Red Cross “Be Ready” Flood Safety Checklist
Occupational Health (OH) better conveys the job characteristics and organizational functions, and helps us to better align with the many people we serve, including our volunteers! Some job tasks of Occupational Health include: • Administration of TB tests and vaccinations • Maintaining job related health records, ensuring timely completion of health requirements • Education, prevention and management of occupational health hazards and exposures ( e.g. annual respirator fit testing) • Ensuring compliance of other essential occupational health requirements
Patient Safety Awareness Week Winners
Thank you all for celebrating Patient Safety Awareness Week with us by participating in our Mini Quizlets. We had 750 completed quizzes! Here are the random drawing winners from each community: HICC Marsha Bryant HLSE Amanda Thompson HCK Debra Smith HSI Stephanie Rolfe HCL Joyce Stacy HLSW Doug Tribolet HBR Sandy Seckel Palliative/KKids Beatrice Aistrop HGR Elizabeth Bell Other Dina Carroll HLNE Jennifer Noonan
RAT
G CON
Exiting Employees Amanda Mason, Certified Social Worker- HCK Cassidy Carty, Manager Community Outreach- HSI Chad Settle, Certified Social Worker- HBR Charcyce Walker, Team Nurse- HLSW Cherie Jackson, Intern- CORP Darlene Oxendine, Community Director- CORP Jennifer Circle, Team Nurse- HBR Jessica Masticola, Intake & Admissions LPN- HCL Jessica Williams, Clinical Supervisor- CORP Julie Reardon, Ref. & Admission Coord.- HLSE
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Justin Wyatt, Chaplain- HLSW Kelley Perry, CNA- HSI Marcie Nicole Crain, Social Worker- HBR Meghana Suchak, Counselor- CORP Melissa Burchett, Inpatient Services Director- HICC Melissa Wilson, CNA- HLSW Paul Val Gilder, Team Nurse- HCK Susan Downey, PRN RN- HICC
NS!
TIO ULA
Happy Retirement! Jan Morton - 20 years of service Jodi Shetter - 16 years of service
Welcome New Employees
Congratulations!
WELCOME TO:
Toemica McDougal
In our recent orientation classes we welcomed the following new employees to our organization! Elizabeth Byrd, Team Nurse- HBR Alison Stone, CNA- HBR Ayisha Carr, CNA- HCL Katherine Ballard, Executive Coordinator- HL Corp Philip “Phil� Micali, Consultant- HL Corp Amy Hall, CNA- HSI
The Over The Top program is designed to show appreciation to a fellow co-worker who has provided excellent customer service and/or support to their peers. Staff can fill out an Over The Top card on any staff member that helped them in some way. Ask your manager where the cards are at your location. Completed cards should be put in the designated box. A copy of the card is then sent to the nominated individual and to their supervisor.
OTT
Shining Star
Our Shining Star program was created so staff could receive the recognition they deserve from families. Patients and families give a donation to Hosparus Health in honor of a caregiver to say thank you.
Barren River Rhoda Filback Central Kentucky Debra Smith Central Louisville Alex Saulman Kayla Buckman Kimberly Tribolet Nina Johnson HICC Amber Schiller Andrew Wagoner Charla DeBurger Consuelo Bagaipo
To these newly certified staff members CHPNA CNA Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse Practitioner (CHPN): Andrea Thomas Angie Claypool
Diana Foote Jennifer Carpenter Robert Lucas Stacey Merritt Jenney Louisville Anne London Bert Lindvall Kristie Abney, 2 Melanie Schrader Michael Brill Stephanie Harwood, 2 Tammy Jones Louisville Northeast Amelia Motsch Ayla Schoenhoff
Courtney Dilley Doug Engelsman Todd Sprouse Louisville Southeast Adrienne Hatfield Danielle Mills Elizabeth Scott Mary Recktenwald Louisville Southwest Jennifer Croasdaile Justin Wyatt Megan Godsave, 2 Tyra Bentley Kim
Indiana Julie Hammond
Nurses
Karen Mccubbins
Social Workers Karen Allgeier
Counselors Jeffrey Meyer
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Human Resources, Education and Employee Health News
Jeff Meyer, LCSW, Grief Counselor ABOUT
W
e are thankful a practicum in school brought Jeff Meyer to us. He started interning with Hosparus Health in 2011, worked on our home teams as a social worker in 2012, and then shifted to grief counseling full-time in 2013. Jeff now serves our Central Louisville community. “Not only does Jeff excel in his A typical day for Jeff entails seeing several clients for individual counseling work with those we serve, he is sessions. Some weeks he facilitates grief support groups (such as Spouse Loss willing to share his knowledge and Homicide Loss). He also facilitates the Grief and Boundaries sections of and expertise internally and the new employee orientation, co-facilitates the caregiver support group for our externally. Jeff ’s skill sets are volunteers at the Kentucky State Reformatory, and assists with Camp Evergreen wide, vast and an asset to the in the summer. Grief Counseling Center.” - Supervisor, Candice Evans Although Jeff ’s practicum with Hosparus Health solidified his desire to do this line of work, his initial desire stemmed from experiencing his grandmother’s death. “She did not have a pleasant death, and I decided I wanted to do something to ensure others would not struggle the way that she had,” he says. He achieved his goal of becoming a grief counselor, exploring the clinical side of the work. Jeff states, “my work is terrifically fulfilling. I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad day at work at Hosparus.” Lynn, a coworker of Jeff ’s had this to say about him: “What I appreciate about Jeff is his passion for whatever it is he’s doing at the GCC, whether it’s new employee orientation, facilitating groups or working with individual clients. He makes a point of trying to connect with all of us at some point during the day. He can always make me laugh, although that’s not necessarily a hard thing to do..... but it’s always appreciated. “ Jeff is originally from Bardstown, and attended Western Kentucky for his bachelor’s degree. He started working in mental health initially, which is where he met his wife, Casey, who is also in the medical field. Outside of work, Jeff likes to spend time with his family. He has three children (two boys and a girl), with one due this month.
FUN FACTS
What did you want to be when you grew up? Originally a teacher. I still am passionate about education—of my own and of others. Favorite Color? Green, but I am colorblind. Grief Counseling event or group you look most forward to? No specific one, I just look forward to sitting with people and facilitating their healing process. What do you do in your spare time? Woodworking 8
H E R E TO H E L P
Employees
Launching Soon!
Merit Raises & 401(k) Increases We’ve finished this year’s performance evaluation cycle. We are pleased to announce that your merit increases have been reflected on our recent paycheck dated 4/19/19. Each full or part time employee receiving a merit increase will be receiving their Total Compensation Statement in the mail. The Total Compensation Statements will detail the merit percentage increase that you received and calculate your new salary for you. Additionally, the Total Compensation Statement will provide a snapshot of the total rewards investment (including base salary, TOPS, benefits, and retirement) that the organization made on your behalf in 2018. As a reminder, you can access your pay information and total compensation snapshot at any time using Ceridian Dayforce (under Earnings). One more thing to be aware of: our 401(k) automatic increases are effective on the 4/19/19 paycheck as well. The auto increase feature bumps your percentage contribution up by 1% each year, until you are contributing 10% of your pay. Not only will you be saving more towards your retirement, but Hosparus Health will match an additional 0.5% of your contribution. If you are contributing at least 3%, we will match 1.5%.
FREE Microsoft Training
The education department is excited to launch Microsoft Office education to all our staff! This optional, free, offering allows staff to learn new Microsoft Office skills, or brush up on what you have previously learned. Class space is limited, please RSVP to Stephanie Harwood at Sharwood@hosparus.org or 502-814-5405. Click here to view the spring/summer 2019 schedule.
If you have questions about merit increases, the information reflected on the Total Compensation Statement, or your 401(k) contributions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the HR Team for clarification.
How to Update your Email Signature & Profile Photo with Office 365 Please make sure your email signature on your computer AND all your mobile devices (it’s two separate signatures) are correct and follow brand standards. In addition to email signatures, Office 365 allows for ‘profile pictures’ for your accounts. This lets the person you are emailing see your photo, which is very helpful when working in different communities! Here are instructions on how to update your profile picture: Update Your Signature & Photo Need help? Contact Stephanie in Marketing, sgarvey@ hosparus.org.
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KEEPING YOU CONNECT ED
Community
Across Southern Indiana, Louisville, Central Kentucky, Green River and Barren River
Hosparus Health Featured on DocTalks
Dr. Bethany Snider recently participated in the Greater Louisville Medical Society (GLMS) Doc Talks to educate on end of life care. DocTalks is a medical education video series for patients. To watch the segment, click here, or on the video below.
Casey Stallsmith Completes Ignite Louisville Casey Stallsmith, Project Manager, participated in Leadership Louisville’s Ignite Louisville program graduating on April 10th. Casey was part of team ‘Ignite the Fight’, one of six teams paired with local nonprofits, providing her expertise to push forward the initiative of Smoketown Family Wellness Center (SFWC). Over 380 hours were dedicated to the project, with $24,700 in value delivered to the nonprofit organization. Thank you for helping your community Casey!
Media Spotlight TV, Radio, & News Appearances
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Today’s Family: With a Mission For the Chronically Ill (Kourageous Kids Story)
The News-Enterprise: Managing volunteers of Hosparus Health
Louisville Medicine: Coming Full Circle: Home-based Palliative Care as an Innovation in Aging, by Lori Earnshaw
Insider Louisville: Storyteller event to highlight end-of-life topics and advanced decisionmaking
Medical News: Healthcare companies and strategic planning, by Scott Herrmann
The News-Enterprise: Hosparus packs Pritchard with annual fundraiser
KE E P I N G Y O U C O NNECT ED
Community
Across Southern Indiana, Louisville, Central Kentucky, Green River and Barren River
2019 Celebration of Women with Oldham County Chamber of Commerce Hosparus Health volunteers and staff attended a luncheon that honored women in military service and first responders. Doug, US Army veteran, and Steve, US Marine Corps veteran, both do veteran recognition visits and were invited to attend the luncheon to talk with other attendees about being military veterans and Hosparus Health volunteers. Pictured with Doug and Steve (clockwise) are Hosparus Health Volunteer Managers Susan Norsworthy and Caitlin Gearhart; Tammy Quetot, Support Coordinator for Army Community Service Survivor Outreach Services; and Hosparus Health Outreach Manager Kenya Whitfield and Jason Parocco.
Candle Lighting Memorial for Colonial Center Residents Hosparus Health Barren River recently provided a candle lighting memorial service for residents of Colonial Center in Bowling Green, Ky. The ceremony was for residents who may not have been able to attend the funerals of fellow residents, friends and neighbors. This event provided a moment of reflection and time to honor. Pictured are Hosparus Health Barren River’s grief counselor Patricia Brown, LCSW, and Chaplain William Sofield who presented the ceremony.
Welcome Baby Snider! Dr. Bethany Snider & husband John welcomed their baby girl, Elizabeth Jean, on Saturday, April 13th!
Educating in Elizabethtown Thank you Annette Jones and Jamie Disselkamp for presenting at Elizabethtown Baptist Church about Hosparus Health 101 and volunteer opportunities! We love sharing our compassion and services with the community.
She weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce, and everyone is doing well! Dr. Snider will be on maternity leave until midJuly.
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HE L P I NG NAV I G AT E T HE G RI E V I NG P RO C E S S
Grief Counseling Reiki Share Event for Employees The Hosparus Health Integrative Therapies Committee is proud to offer Reiki Share to all Hosparus Health staff and volunteers. Reiki share is a great way to learn & experience Reiki. See more information about the practice below. This occasion will be a time of nurture and self-care, as well as an opportunity to learn as we strive to find ways to integrate non-medical therapies into our compassionate and holistic care of our patients and families. When: May 10th between 11AM and 2PM Where: Lower Level of the Grief Counseling Center Louisville What: Four staff/volunteers who are trained Reiki practitioners will offer free 10 minute Reiki sessions. During the 10 minute session, you will lie down on a massage table, fully clothed. The room will be quiet, calm and serene. **You will have the opportunity to experience the positive effects of essential oils during your visit as well. Light refreshments will also be served. Why: Although some staff are trained in Reiki and utilize this technique with our patients, many do not know what Reiki is. By experiencing it yourself you will better understand it and possibly benefit from it. The benefits include decreasing stress and increasing overall well-being. If you have an interest in learning how to use Reiki in your practice, we will offer future trainings that you can use in your patient care. To sign up please email Amyhill@hosparus.org what time you will be stopping by the GCC from 11AM - 2PM. You should plan on around 20-30 minutes total time commitment for each session.
More information about Reiki: REIKI (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese word that means “universal” (rei) “life force” (ki). This system of energy healing was developed in Japan by Mikao Usui in the early 1900’s. Reiki is an evidence-based therapy. The primary benefits of Reiki Therapy for patients include a reduction in anxiety and pain and an overall increase in quality of life. It is based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. When this energy is low, we are more likely to feel stressed or get sick. When it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. The Reiki practitioner serves as a conduit for the life force energy to flow into the recipient’s body-through the hands of the practitioner-- with or without the use of light touch.
Sign-up for the grief counseling e-newsletter with new groups, tips, blog, and upcoming events.
Grief Counseling e-newsletter 12
Learn More About Camp Evergreen
Camp Evergreen is a family grief camp held annually since 1991. The weekend camp provides an opportunity where families come together, support each other, and learn how to take care of their grief and have fun – all at the same time. Click here to watch the video and learn more.
YOUR SPIRITUAL CONNECTION
Chaplain’s Corner
Do You Smell Like Dirt? I do. And I’m Thankful. By: Philip Duncan MS, MDiv, CpastC Chaplain, HCK and HGR
“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” – Margaret Atwood Spring offers so many experiences to delight the senses. Choruses of birds returning from their winter vacations help set the mood as we anticipate the renewal and growth of that which has been dormant for so many months. I am enjoying this spring like I have no other for several years. Traveling the winding, rural roads of central Kentucky every day provides a “ring-side seat” for the “greatest show on earth.” I am thankful for spring. I am also thankful for you. The reason I and others drive these roads, the reason others of us sit at our desks placing and receiving calls, the reason we crunch numbers, make plans, or respond to problems, is that we see a “garden” that needs attention; and, when coupled with a desire to “till a soil” in which others may only see despair and hopelessness, we set to work.
This garden is filled with people; people with beauty and worth, people who may need an encouraging word, a gentle touch or a warm smile as they struggle to blossom in a less than perfect world. Each of us in this organization has a unique personality. Our personalities are garnished with knowledge, abilities, skills, and talents, and when motivated by compassion, commitment, and a common focus, become powerful implements in cultivating the beauty and value within each human soul we serve. And when we are, we blossom with them. My hope is that at the end of every day, no matter the season, I will “smell like dirt.”
Counseling Awareness Month April is Counseling Awareness Month, established to raise awareness and promote advocacy for the counseling profession. Hosparus Health has counseling services for children, adolescents, adults and families coping with loss due to death. Here are a few other facts about counseling that you may not be aware of: 1. Common specialties within professional counseling include mental health counseling, school counseling, career counseling, addictions counseling, and couples and family counseling. 2. Many counselors are specifically trained to support individuals or groups in the aftermath of natural or man-made disasters. 3. Counselors do not prescribe medications. 4. The differences among counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists can be summarized by differences in education and focus: • Professional counselors have a graduate degree in counseling. A master’s degree is the entry-level requirement. • Counselors focus on client wellness, as opposed to psychopathology. • Psychologists have a graduate degree in psychology, and licensed psychologists typically have a degree in clinical, counseling, or school psychology. • Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have usually completed a residency in psychiatry. Their niche is prescribing psychotropic drugs.
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AT T HE CORE OF OUR WORK
Volunteers Join Us for a Veteran Coffee
Volunteer Donates Blankets in Honor of Husband & Veterans
Hosparus Health is looking for individuals with a military service history to assist us in honoring our Veteran patients by making one time patriotic care blanket/ recognition certificate deliveries.
Beverly Newell is a community partner who recently dropped off eight patriotic blankets. Beverly also has a personal connection to the veteran blankets. Her husband, an Air Force veteran and a United Methodist minister, was in our care in 2015. He had received a veteran blanket before he died. Beverly keeps that blanket on the back of a chair and uses it as inspiration for making the veteran quilts.
Are you a Veteran? We need your help!
When: Friday May 17th, 9:30AM Where: Community Room, Hosparus Health Louisville Main Building, Ephraim McDowell Drive Who: Individuals with a military service history. Staff that have a military connection are also being invited so they can learn more about this program from our veteran volunteers, and how they can assist. What: Please join us to meet some of our current veteran volunteers, learn how you can assist, and receive information you can share in an effort to help us recruit more veterans. Send RSVP and any questions to Susan Norsworthy, snorsworthy@hosparus.org.
DID YOU KNOW?!
In 2018 the volunteer department received 193 requests for veteran recognitions. So far in 2019, they have received 60 (12 in the month of April alone!)
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She believes that it is an honor to recognize those who served so she can be free to sew if that’s what she chooses to do, or for the freedom that we all have and enjoy. Beverly has spent an estimated 160 hours and purchased all the supplies for the 20 veteran quilts that she has provided since February. Thank you Beverly!
WWII Pilot receives recognition Hosparus Health volunteer Renee Finnegan, a retired U.S. Army Colonel, visits with WWII veteran and patient James Standlee and family. Mr. Standlee was an engineer and pilot, serving from 1941 to 1946. Renee presented Mr. Standlee a veterans recognition certificate and quilt made by one of our community partners. They had a great visit together, with Mr. Standlee sharing about his military experience and his life afterwards as a fur farmer.
Y O U ’ R E T H E E XPERT
Blog
Louisville’s Justin Magnuson Wants you to “Die Wisely” By: Stephanie Garvey, Marketing Coordinator
If you know Justin Magnuson, you may know him as the founder of the Before I Die Festival Louisville, or for his career at Louisville Trager Family Institute for Optimal Aging (formerly The University of Louisville’s Institute for Sustainable Health and Optimal Aging). At Hosparus Health, we know him as a faithful volunteer. It’s easy to recognize his passion for the end of life. But what you may not know about Justin is just how involved in this activism he is, or how he became involved. Like many of us, Justin’s only experience with death growing up was through the passing of a few family members who had “typical deaths,” from accidents or medical emergencies. But when his grandmother became sick at age 80 and he was just 25, Justin experienced a different type of death, with him in a different role. He became his grandmother’s healthcare surrogate, which is the adult appointed to make healthcare decisions for you when you become unable to make them for yourself. “I knew when she was hospitalized something was very wrong. We ate lunch the day she drove herself there. She literally went from living independently and lucid to being delirious,” he says. “She had told me I was her healthcare surrogate, where the checkbook was, and that she was DNR.” That was the only information he was armed with when he received the news and proceeded to navigate her care up until her death five weeks later. In addition to his personal experience, Justin realized something needed to change for the better through community education. “The first light bulb went off in a health communication class at UofL, where I learned how we talk about health issues can have a dramatic effect on patients and their caregivers. Several years later, after I started volunteering for Hosparus Health, I was in a workshop and mentioned at lunch that people treated me like I was special when they found out I was a hospice volunteer, everyone laughed. About a month later I heard an interview with Lizzie Miles. She first brought Death Café to America on NPR, and that brought our cultural death phobia into focus for me.”
2016, where he and Hosparus Health’s Ellen Green spent months planning for an event that only brought in a few people. He didn’t let that slow him down, though. “I knew the topic was important, but that hosting an event to simply signing advance directives wasn’t going to motivate people to come out.” Then came the birth of Before I Die Festival. “Around the time of NHDD, I met two people passionate about changing our culture’s death phobia, Kel McBride and Deb Tuggle. In May, we discussed the idea of hosting some events, and the first Before I Die Fest happened in October.” The first festival included 20 events (art, music, poetry, movies, talks, etc.) and reached over 700 community members. NHDD Louisville now includes a partnership of local organizations that collaborate to host various events, educational opportunities, and conversations throughout the month of April every year. The events reach hundreds of community members, with the hope that people will take action to make their healthcare decisions known, and plan for that last chapter in life. Hosparus Health is one of the collaborators and is proud to assist the community with healthcare decisions and care at the end of life. Thanks in large part to Justin, NHDD has come a long way from a few people showing up at the library to complete advance directive forms. He continues to lead efforts in advocating for end-of-life decisions, while also collaborating with national movements surrounding the subject. “Unfortunately, humans aren’t good at making decisions to avoid future pain. In fact, it took taxes for people to stop smoking, not the strong evidence of negative health consequences. The author Stephen Jenkinson articulates that how we die, what he calls ‘dying wisely,’ can be a gift to our loved ones. I want to echo those sentiments to people and their family members; that leaning into the discomfort of conversations and decisions early will help the patient, caregivers, and their providers have a much better experience.”
Justin’s journey in advocating for end-of-life decision-making brought him to Hosparus Health initially as a massage therapy volunteer in 2011. A friend of his worked in our Grief Counseling Center, and after talking to each other about our other services and hospice care, he was inspired to volunteer. That was just the catalyst for his contribution. His passion eventually led to the creation of National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) Louisville. The first NHDD event was in
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