November was the month to celebrate and honor our organization, mission, and staff
During the month of November, we celebrated National Hospice and Palliative Care month, a whole month dedicated to honoring and recognizing our mission and the meaningful impact we have on our communities. Hospice is a type of care provided to patients who are facing a terminal illness. Palliative care focuses on relieving the symptoms of a terminal illness. We also provide services for the whole family, such as bereavement, caregiver support groups, spiritual care, and special programs for coping with grief including the Kids Camp Forget-Me-Not. This month also serves as a reminder to express and write down our health care wishes, to encourage a better peace of mind for ourselves and our families by using the Five Wishes form.
As we celebrate our purpose, we must also celebrate the people behind it, those who work to provide our patients and families with the very best care. At Helios Care, we are nurses, social workers, volunteers, chaplains and administrators, united together in passion for delivering compassionate, high-quality care to those who need it most.
This month we highlighted some of our staff, including Paula Johnson, RN; Amber Dudley, RN; Beth Horton, Intake LPN; Soraya Mostert, Clinical Social Worker; and Kelly McGraw, Senior Director of Community Engagement & Growth. These different roles play a crucial part in our whole hospice team and help to bring excellent patient care to all who need it.
Kelly McGraw, who has been with Helios Care for 18 years, shares her perspective on the importance of our mission:
“It takes a special kind of person to work for Hospice.” I often hear this from people in the scores of community groups and individuals I’ve met with to talk about Hospice and Palliative Care services. I am proud to be associated with this special group of people they refer to — my Hospice colleagues. I share this pride while sharing the Hospice mission to help others understand the true nature of our work, which is to promote comfort and focus on quality of life.
“It must be so hard working for Hospice.” This, too, I often hear. A wise gentleman once told me the definition of fun is “engaging in something important to you.” So, to me, working for Hospice is not only hard, it’s “fun.” It is important to me that everyone has the right to the best possible end-of-life experience. It is important to me to foster positive and productive relationships with the people in our community who can help us protect this right, including our healthcare partners, Board Members, legislative decision-makers, community partners, faith leaders, as well as the families, friends, and caregivers of the seriously ill. I am inspired by those I meet, and energized by the relationships I’ve built.
I feel privileged to represent Hospice workers in our community. My work style is focused on service and collaboration. I cherish the ability to continually learn from my expert and professional colleagues throughout Helios Care, and I enjoy developing programs to support them in their important work.
While I enjoy the work, I also understand the unique challenges we Hospices face. As the Hospice community has grown over the years, the challenges, opportunities, regulations, and patients we serve have become increasingly complex. With a strong commitment to our mission, I strive to protect Hospice by strategically facing challenges and addressing opportunities to open up more pathways to the compassionate in-home support provided by the hospice team.
“I don’t know what we would have done if it weren’t for Hospice.” Many of the family caregiver stories I hear include such testimonials. It is hard to imagine what it would be like if Hospice wasn’t here for them. This fuels my passion for preserving access to the high-quality, end-of-life care that Helios Care is known for, for ALL who need us. Now and in the future.”
Paula Johnson & Amber Dudley:
We are sharing the story of two of our RNs, Paula Johnson and Amber Dudley. Paula began at Helios Care 3 ½ years ago and she even recruited her niece, Amber, to Helios Care. After going through nursing school together, Paula and Amber have continued to make a difference in the field and in the lives of our patients and families.
“The hugs I get from family members are precious.” Paula shares what a privilege it is to be a hospice nurse and how special it is to take care of a patient in their most vulnerable state. With her nursing degree, a Certification in Hospice Nursing, and a passion for providing care for others, we are blessed to have Paula as part of our team (and Amber!).
Beth Horton:
Meet Beth, one of our Intake LPNs, who works in our clinical access office. Beth just reached her 20th year with Helios Care and still shares the same passion for the work as she did when she began.
Hospice care significantly helped Beth’s mother when she was sick and ever since then, Beth has continued to work for hospice in honor of her mother. For Beth, it is more than a job. She continues to make a difference and be a resource everyday. We are so grateful to Beth for being a huge part of our organization and for her dedication, compassion, and knowledge.
Soraya Mostert:
Meet Soraya, one of our Licensed Clinical Social Workers! She has been a part of our Helios Care team for almost 15 years and also has an Advanced Certification for Hospice and Palliative Care. Soraya understands the vulnerability and challenges that each patient faces as they near end-of-life and experience the effects of a serious illness. Soraya not only helps the patient find comfort and peace, but also helps the whole family during one of life’s most difficult times.
Soraya’s work extends beyond medical contributions. In her role, she helps ensure that each patient’s wishes are being met and advocates for their wants and needs. This type of support could include making final arrangements, connecting with family members or other resources in the community to help them find comfort in their final days. Thank you, Soraya, for being such a valuable part of our team!
