hospiceofcharlescounty.org HOSPICE OF THE CHESAPEAKE FOUNDATION • HOSPICE OF CHARLES COUNTY NEWSLETTER | AUTUMN 2020
Leadership Letter Dear Friends,
I know you may have recently heard our exciting news, received a quick message from me or read about our plans in the media. Regardless, please let me be the �irst to of�icially announce to you that Hospice of Charles County has joined the Hospice of the Chesapeake organization.
After months of collaboration, in early June, both organizations signed a letter of intent. Then, in late September, we �inalized an acquisition agreement that begins the next exciting phase for the newly formed organization. Better together is our new motto. Hospice of the Chesapeake, just like Hospice of Charles County, has deep roots in our communities and was founded in the early days of the national hospice movement. We currently serve close to 580 hospice patients per day in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties.
First, I want to take a moment to thank the Hospice of Charles County Board of Directors, speci�ically Chris Becker and Delegate Edith Patterson, as well as the Leadership Team, for their vision and focus during this process. They kept their eye on the prize throughout the lengthy legal process. I can tell you �irsthand they had the patients and families who need hospice care at the center of their plans every step of the way. Throughout this merger, they worked to ensure greater access to care and envisioning, or dreaming, if you will, of a future that includes new, expanded programs and services, including palliative/supportive care, inpatient level of care, grief support and community education on a grand scale.
After a few months of initial integration, I am con�ident this new organization will begin delivering on those dreams. You can read more about Hospice of the Chesapeake and our plans on the following pages. Let me also thank each of you for your role in moving Hospice of Charles County forward to this pivotal point. Your donation of either time, talent, treasure, or all three, has proven to be a source of stability and strength. We hope you will continue this journey with us as we forge a new organization and bring to life the dreams of so many. We have committed to using all funds raised in Charles County in Charles County. We will use your donations to move forward expansion plans and a new vision for the future of care. We will strive to keep you updated on an on-going basis. We will have lots of good news to share! In closing, I hope you and your family are healthy, safe and well. Gratefully,
Michael Brady Acting Chief Executive Of�icer
The Journey of Caring for Life That Started 40 Years Ago Was the Beginning of a Never-Ending Story
Many in our community have heard over the years the story about an organization that began with a revolutionary idea in a Severna Park kitchen in 1979. As the story goes . . . two women decided to take in a lecture at Johns Hopkins University. The lecturer was psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, the author of “On Death and Dying.” They were so inspired by her message about how the medical �ield needed to focus on comfort for dying patients and that terminal patients deserved a path focused on comfort and peace, they could not stop talking about it. And then, they put it all into action. With the help of many others, they worked out of their homes and volunteered their time to found Arundel Hospice in 1979. This act of creating one of the state’s �irst hospice organizations was a declaration of their commitment to easing the physical and emotion pain of dying for their family members, their friends, and their neighbors. Care that would attend to the body, mind, and spirit. It began with four volunteers and four patients as Arundel Hospice and later became Hospice of the Chesapeake. Fast forward four decades, we have cared for more than 50,000 hospice patients and more family members than we could possibly count since those volunteers decided to change the world around them.
We often ask ourselves “Is today’s Hospice of the Chesapeake what they envisioned?” We hope it is bigger and better than what they dreamed was ever possible. If so, it is because of the thousands of people—volunteers, team members, donors, and community members—who have contributed to our growth in ways our founders might not have ever imagined.
What does today look like? Hospice of the Chesapeake is one of an elite group (.01%) of hospices in our country caring for more than 600 hospice patients per day and one of the largest organizations in the state of Maryland. We are caring for:
• More than 600 hospice patients and their families every day across our region
• Hundreds of patients living with advanced complex illness bene�iting from supportive care • Thousands of grievers, including children and teens, living with the loss of a loved one through illness or trauma
We are also growing in expertise and gladly sharing what we have learned about illness, grief, and end-of-life with everyone we can.
As we look toward the future, we wonder what the next 40 years will look like. If the last 40 years are a road map, we can con�idently say the future is very bright indeed. There will always be new ways to �ight pain, new interventions to ease grief, new ways to practice pain-free treatment of advanced, complex illness and more Marylanders who need our care. We will be there, every step of the way, when you need us.
Why Merger?
As the hospice andAs palliative the hospice industry and palliative matures and industry continues matures to experience and continues rapidtochanges experience in regulatory rapid changes compliance in regulatory as well as reimbursement, well as it reimbursement, has become increasingly it has become dif�icult increasingly for small non-for-pro�it dif�icult for small hospice non-for-pro�it organizations hospice to continue organization to expand and grow. to expand We believe andthe grow. bestWe course, believe not the only best forcourse, hospices notinonly Maryland for hospices but also in Maryland around thebut country, also around is to the c merge with other like-minded merge with other non-for-pro�it like-minded organizations non-for-pro�it that organizations have similar roots that have and values. similarThis rootsmerger and values. will allow This mer for signi�icant expansion for signi�icant in programs expansion and services in programs in theand coming services weeks in the andcoming monthsweeks to include: and months to include: •
Signi�icant increase in access to hospice care on a more accelerated timeline
•
Launch of Palliative/Supportive Care services for those living with advanced illness but not ready for hospice care
• • •
Enhanced expertise in inpatient level of care
Establishment of additional grief support services for children and teens living with the loss of a loved one, regardless of whether that loss was due to illness or trauma Expanded outreach and education for the community on topics surrounding end of life
Better together is our new motto!
Who Who are We? are We?
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y, CPA, Michael ActingBrady, CEO/Chief CPA, Acting Financial CEO/Chief Of�icer joined Financial the Of�icer organization joinedinthe organization in 7 and December is primarily 2017 responsible and is primarily for theresponsible �inancial, information for the �inancial, systems information and systems and gement facilities of themanagement organization.of Brady the organization. will lead a team Brady dedicated will leadtoa team increasing dedicated to increasing educing productivity, organizational reducing expenses, organizational improving expenses, utilization improving of technology, utilization and of technology, and nancial growing strength the of �inancial the non-pro�it strengthorganization. of the non-pro�it Brady organization. joined us after Brady 19 years joined us after 19 years nal Lutheran with the National Communities Lutheran and Services. Communities He holds and Services. a Bachelor Heofholds Business a Bachelor of Business n from Administration St. Bonaventure from University St. Bonaventure and is aUniversity Certi�ied Public and isAccountant. a Certi�ied Public Accountant. Regina Moody, RN, Regina BSN, Chief Moody, Operating RN, BSN,Of�icer, Chief Operating joined ourOf�icer, team injoined February our2017 teamas in the February 2017 as the Director of ClinicalDirector Servicesofand Clinical was promoted Services and to Chief was promoted Operating to Of�icer Chiefin Operating December Of�icer 2017.in December 2017. In this role, MoodyIn will this provide role, Moody strategic willleadership provide strategic for all clinical leadership elements for allofclinical the elements of the organization. Moody’s organization. previous experience Moody’s previous spans the experience last 13 years spansinthe thelast D.C.,13Virginia years inand the D.C., Virginia and Maryland area with Maryland Holy Cross area Home withCare Holyand Cross Hospice, Home Alexandria Care and Hospice, Neighborhood Alexandria Health Neighborhood Health Services, Inova VNA Services, Home Health, Inova VNA Professional Home Health, HealthProfessional Care Resources Health and Care Amedisys Resources Home and Amedisys Home Health. Moody holds Health. a Bachelor Moodyofholds Science a Bachelor in Nursing of Science and a Master in Nursing of Science and a in Master Community of Science in Community Health Education from Health New Education Jersey City from University. New Jersey City University.
D., RPh, EricMBA, Bush,Chief M.D.,Medical RPh, MBA, Of�icer, ChiefisMedical a board-certi�ied Of�icer, isHospice a board-certi�ied and Hospice and icinePalliative physicianMedicine who joined physician our team who injoined September our team 2016. inIn September this role, Dr. 2016. Bush In this role, Dr. Bush egic provides leadership strategic for the care leadership of all patients for the care to the ofmedical all patients team toincluding the medical team including d Nurse Physicians Practitioners. and Nurse Having Practitioners. served as aHaving Licensed served Practical as a Licensed Nurse in the Practical U.S. Nurse in the U.S. a Pharmacist Army Reserve, and aaPhysician, Pharmacist Dr.and Bush a Physician, brings a unique Dr. Bush perspective brings a unique on perspective on e. Dr.end-of-life Bush holds care. a Bachelor Dr. Bushofholds Science a Bachelor in Pharmacy, of Science a Master in Pharmacy, of Business a Master of Business n, and Administration, his Medical Degree, and his allMedical from State Degree, University all from ofState New University York. of New York. Shauna A.S. Chabot, Shauna MBA,A.S. CFRE, Chabot, Chief MBA, Advancement CFRE, Chief Of�icer Advancement joined the Of�icer organization joinedinthe organization in January 2011 as Chief January Advancement 2011 as Chief Of�icer. Advancement Chabot is responsible Of�icer. Chabot for all is responsible aspects of the for all aspects of the Hospice of the Chesapeake Hospice of Foundation the Chesapeake and leads Foundation a team ofand professionals leads a team in of the professionals achievementin the achievement of the fundraising and of the communications fundraising andgoals. communications She served as goals. the Director She served of Development as the Director forof Development for Anne Arundel Community Anne Arundel CollegeCommunity and Associate College Managing and Associate DirectorManaging with Brakeley Director Briscoe, with Brakeley Briscoe, Inc. She holds a bachelor’s Inc. She holds degreea from bachelor’s the University degree from of Toronto the University and a Master of Toronto of Business and a Master of Business Administration from Administration York University. from She York is also University. a Certi�ied SheFundraising is also a Certi�ied Executive. Fundraising Executive.
This Is What
Commitment
Looks Like By Gladys Aguirre
As many of you know, we suspended all in-person volunteer activities in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While this was a necessary decision, it was not an easy one. Like so many decisions in 2020, we had to put the health and safety of our Volunteers, our hospice team and the patients and families we care for at the forefront of our decision making. This decision had a tremendous impact because we recognize the intense value our Volunteers bring to the care we provide. It has been a guiding principle for our team since the inception of hospice in the late 1970s.
While most, if not all, in-person tasks were unable to be completed, many Volunteers stepped up to offer additional services to help support the hospice professional team during what was a challenging time for everyone in our community. These committed Volunteers made supporting hospice a priority.
Rita Trapani, Administrative Volunteer, supports our care teams.
Below are a few “physically distant” ways Volunteers continued to live our mission in 2020: • Performing administrative duties helping us to prepare for our quality care audit
• Making monthly bereavement calls reaching out to those who have lost a loved one by phone • Supporting our bereavement outreach program
• Calling patients each week to ensure they have everything they need • Staf�ing our security and check-in desk on weekends
• Supporting upcoming fundraising events, including delivery 5K run materials to participants
Stephanie Buck delivers handmade masks from Southern Maryland Masks Makers.
• Making and donating masks and hand sanitizer to support our care teams
We are incredibly grateful for the commitment and generosity of our Volunteers who have continued even during a global pandemic to reach out and ask, “How can I help you?’ We continue to ask ourselves “When is the right time to return to in-person volunteers visits?” and we are hopeful that day will come soon. Until then we know you will be there when we need you.
Walker Dunbar of BlueDyer Distilling Co. shares the delivery of hand sanitizer to support our care teams.
This Is What
Generosity
Looks Like By Gwen Russell
The last 12 months have shown the strength of community and the pride of Charles County as well as the value it places on our mission. When we look back, we see evidence of their commitment even during the challenges of a pandemic and an economic uncertainty. Our desire to bridge the gap between public-private funding and community involvement has proven to be inspiring. The trust our partners, friends, and families have placed in us has renewed us.
Our year started with the announcement of support from a new community partner, Cedar Point Federal Credit Union. Their gift of $10,000 to the Hospice 5K Run/Walk ensured that our efforts would produce much-needed support for our patients and families. Several returning sponsors joined including SMECO, Omni Business Solutions, the Thiel Family, and State Farm.
When COVID-19 hit, our community responded to our direct mail campaign at a level that resulted in over $20,000. These efforts go on record as the highest level of donations we ever received from a direct mail campaign. But it did not stop there. Our local business, social and religious communities connected with us in a powerful way by providing additional �inancial and in-kind support. These generous donations helped to defray the �inancial burden caused by the pandemic and provided protection to our frontline healthcare workers. We were moved by how much support we received from Maryland Mask Makers, TJ Maxx Foundation, our volunteers, and community leaders. We also received private foundation grants to offset COVID related costs. We received iPads donated on-behalf of the Charles County Education Department allowing our nursing team to stay connected to health updates. Local businesses stepped up to support us, such as BlueDyer Distillery who provided hand sanitizer for our care teams.
This past spring, as we celebrated National Nurses Week, daily our community leaders provided unique gifts and tributes to our incredible Nurses. Our community leaders went beyond the call of duty to show their support, including Board Chair Edith Patterson and local business owner, Dyson's Crab Cakes, as well as business partners like Foster’s Grille, Carraba’s, Popeyes, Ledo Pizza, Chick-�il-A, and so many others. Each gift serves as a testament to the connection and value that our community has placed in the care we provide. Waldorf Toyota will once again serve as the underwriter for our Teddy Bear Project with a $15,000 donation. Each Teddy Bear comes with a recording device that is safely tucked into its paw, which can be listened to at any time. We are grateful to Toyota USA-Toyota Waldorf for providing this precious gift to our families.
Our community has shown support with an increase in donations to our Memorials and plaque purchases, all to serve the memories of their loved ones. These funds total over $30,000, which goes directly to underwrite support for our charitable care. We are tremendously grateful to the Charles County community for their support this year proving you are there when we need you.
We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of Waldorf Toyota.
Volunteers receiving donations during National Nurses Week from Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Employees showcase swag from the 5K Walk/Run
THE GIFT OF
GROWTH
Support Our Hospice Heroes Give dignity and compassion for patients at end of life. Offer comfort to loved ones who grieve. Build a caring community. Your care is needed now, more than ever, during COVID-19 and beyond.
Learn more about individual gifts, monthly giving, bequests, sponsorships, and other ways to make a difference in the lives of others. To make a gift today or learn more visit hospiceofcharlescounty.org and click on "How Can I Help" or call 301.861.5300 to give by phone.
Thanks to you, so much is possible for patients, families, and our community.
hospiceofcharlescounty.org