JourneyTheJuly 2

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Tiffany Boyd Healthcare Hero

Making a Difference

Freedom

Meet Our Office

Volunteers

July 2012 The Journey1

CONTENTS

July 2012

A Dialogue with a HospicePhysician..........................................................2

Volunteer Services...................................2-4

Keep Seniors Safe in Summer Heat.......5

Freedom..........................................................6

Making a Difference................................7-8

Healthcare Heroes.................................9-11

Creative Arts Contest Entries...........12-14

Around Town.........................................15-16

Equine Therapy...........................................17

See Why Our CNAs Love Their Jobs......................................................18

Employees of the Month...................19-21

See the Puzzle Pieces that Make Us Who We Are.................................................22

Index:

A Benefi t for Hospice Dreams

at the Kankakee Country Club2011 Cobb Boulevard, Kankakee, IL 60901

Monday, September 24, 2012

11:00 am Check in & Registration | 12:00 pm Shotgun StartReception & Dinner immediately following

Silent Auction Prizes

Th e Dreams are Ageless Golf Outing is a major fundraising eff ort to support the work of Hospice Dreams. As a registered 501(c)3 charitable organization Hospice Dreams gives hospice patients the opportunity to live out a dream – a fi nal adventure – where they can spend a joy-fi lled day with loved ones creating memories of living.

Help others to live out their dream by participating in the Dreams are Ageless 2012 golf outing as a participant, sponsor or donor.

To register for the golf outing please call: (888) 741-9132For more information on sponsorship opportunities please call

Stacy Barclay at: (815) 953-2286To download a registration form, visit our golf outing website at:

HospiceDreams.Wordpress.com

www.HospiceDreams.org

Mission Statement: Hospice Dreams is a non-profit wish granting organization dedicated to fulfilling unmet wishes, decreasing stress and improving quality of life for adult hospice patients.

hospicedreams.wordpress.com

AdministratorMichael Gillman

Executive Medical DirectorRajiv Kandala, MDs

Social ServicesRoxxi Davis

Spiritual CareJoe Barefield

Clinical ServicesCarmen Velez

Physician ServicesChris Doyle

AdmissionsEmily O’Malley

PR and FoundationKansas Swain

Phone1-888-741-8985Toll-free

E-mailinfo@passageshospice.com

On the webwww.passageshospice.com

Connect with us!

JourneyThe

New VolunteersNorth ChicagolandGina ErbacciYoungeon Kim

Bloomington AreaCorine JacksonAlyssa “Skye” WheatleyArvind Jujare

South ChicagolandMargaret MayesChristine PattersonMeaghan PattersonDanielle Chiaramonte

Swansea AreaKeya WadlowAustin Ward

WELCOM

E

July 2012 The Journey 2

A Dialogue with a Hospice Physician

Click Here

Sneha Gaikwad

I decided I wanted to volunteer for Passages after my grandpa died. My whole family put aside everything they

had to do to be there for him. I wanted to be there for other people who maybe didn't have that same support.

From volunteering I have gained insight on aging and dying. I feel much more empathetic for the elderly now,

and I don't want them to feel forgotten. Before I volunteered I had never talked to anyone with dementia and now I can see how difficult it is and how much help these people need. I also feel less worried about getting

old and dying now because I know someone will be there to help me.

I'm a student at U of I Urbana-Champaign. I enjoy running, listening to music, going to concerts, making art,

journaling, reading autobiographies, being in nature, and baking. I also volunteer at PetSmart and love taking care of

the kittens and cats during the summer.

I have a strong sense of altruism and compassion along with a need to act. I've been charitable and participated in volunteer activities for different organizations' activities throughout my adult life, but I wanted to find a chance to give more regularly.

As an administrative volunteer, I've been so lucky to have the opportunity to work with fantastic, caring people across many areas of the Passages organization. I've enjoyed learning what it takes behind the scenes to make good on the promise of the company's mission, and to help make the patient care teams'

results possible.

I love spending time with my dogs, seeing movies with friends, and hiking and cycling now that summer is here. I also practice activities such as meditation, music, and art to help me enjoy

living in each perfect moment.

Marc Connolly

Meet Our Office Volunteers

July 2012 The Journey 5

Sneha Gaikwad

I'm working on my B.S. in Technical Management with a concentration in Health Services Management. I was

recently accepted into my school's Salute to Excellence event, which was the highest honor to me.

I began volunteering with Passages Hospice while I was enrolled in a sixteen-week Senior Project where I had to

implement a real project in a real work place. It was a great experience for me and helped to improve my

administrative skills. I acquired a vast amount of skills when working on my project: manipulating data in different software, exploring hospice policies, and understanding the importance

of thehospice volunteer program.

I was very pleased to work with Volunteer Coordinators Trish Thein and Nicole Brokaw on the project tasks. Both ladies were

extremely helpful, always there for me, and wanted me to succeed within their organization as well as my school.

I decided I wanted to volunteer for Passages after my grandpa died. My whole family put aside everything they

had to do to be there for him. I wanted to be there for other people who maybe didn't have that same support.

From volunteering I have gained insight on aging and dying. I feel much more empathetic for the elderly now,

and I don't want them to feel forgotten. Before I volunteered I had never talked to anyone with dementia and now I can see how difficult it is and how much help these people need. I also feel less worried about getting

old and dying now because I know someone will be there to help me.

I'm a student at U of I Urbana-Champaign. I enjoy running, listening to music, going to concerts, making art,

journaling, reading autobiographies, being in nature, and baking. I also volunteer at PetSmart and love taking care of

the kittens and cats during the summer.

Karolina Bys

Meet Our Office Volunteers

July 2012 The Journey5

As the summer heats up, seniors can be especially vulnerable to heat illness and dehydration. Temperatures in the 80s and 90s that seems tolerable to younger groups can be troublesome for older adults. Keep the seniors in your life safe and comfortable with a few tips: Fans help, but aren’t enough. If you can’t turn the air conditioner on, spend the day somewhere with AC. Many community centers, senior organizations and public buildings like libraries open their doors as a cooling center. If you’re outdoors, stay out of the sun. Shade, umbrellas and even hats offer protection both from sunburn and the dehydration. Wear lightweight, loose and light-colored clothing. Give your skin room to breathe and sweat. Sweat is the natural way your body cools itself. Take cool showers or splash water on yourself. Apply a cool, wet washcloth to places like your neck, wrists and ankles. Drink water constantly. Caffeinated, alcoholic or sugary beverages can make you dehydrated. Drink water in small amounts all throughout the day – it will do more good than downing a large amount of water all at once. Most importantly, check on seniors regularly throughout the day. Many older adults need help to stay safe in the heat. For more information and other health resources, contact your local senior resource organization.

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Keep seniors safe in summer heat

This time of year (near the 4th of July) most of us think of our country and reflect on the freedoms that we enjoy as citizens of the United States of America. And one of those freedoms that we enjoy is the freedom of religion to worship God in a way that we choose. So as we think about the freedom of religion that we all enjoy in this country, I thought it would be appropriate to ponder some statements made by some of our nation’s founding fathers: On July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, reflecting on what he had shared in Congress and, he declared the importance of this day: “The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.” As you may know, the decision of the Continental Congress to sever its ties with Great Britain came on July 2, 1776, and the Declaration of Independence was adopted two days later on July 4. President George Washington said, “It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible. Of all dispositions and habits that lead to political prosperity, our religion and morality are indispensable supporters.” Even today, almost every state constitution has references to God in it. Consider these words from the preamble to the Illinois Constitution: “We, the People of the State of Illinois - grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He has permitted us to enjoy and seeking His blessing upon our endeavors....do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of Illinois.”

Marlin Ludwig, Chaplain

Freedom

This July 4th, we celebrate the many freedoms we enjoy, and we recognize the sacrifices that others

have made in order for us to enjoy them.

E. E. Cummings

i carry your heart with me(i carry it inmy heart)i am never without it(anywherei go you go,my dear;and whatever is doneby only me is your doing,my darling)i fearno fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i wantno world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meantand whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows(here is the root of the root and the bud of the budand the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which growshigher than soul can hope or mind can hide)and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

Melissa shares this poem with families as a source of comfort.

July 2012 The Journey8

July 2012 The Journey 8

Making a Difference

Melissa Bundy, Social Worker

If there is such a things as a good death, I feel that it is one where the person passes peacefully and surrounded by love. When someone passes away peacefully and comfortably, we all know here at Passages that we have done our job and done it well. I began my career in hospice with my second-year field placement while I was finishing my master’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. I chose to do my final field placement at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Hospice and Bereavement. My role was mainly with bereavement: providing counseling to bereaved family members, caretakers, friends and some community members. This experience opened my eyes to a career path that I had not really even considered previously. I was surrounded by a cohesive system utilizing a holistic healthcare approach that really allowed the patient’s comfort, care and family to come first. I was “hooked”, so to say, and knew this was the right place for me.

Hospice social work allows me to work in a helping profession and really makes me feel that I am helping. It allows me to help my patients and families navigate the sometimes difficult and negative aspects of the healthcare world to access the care they deserve and the resources they need.

I absolutely believe that death teaches us so much about life, and I carry this with me daily. The work that I do translates to the life that I lead and the love that I have for my friends, family and fellow mankind. I am thankful to be in this position and look forward to all of the challenges, good times and sad moments that lie ahead. This is a poem I like to share with hospice family members when they lose a loved one and I feel it does a good job of capturing the feelings of pure love.

Social Scene

“Everyone deserves care and attention.”When Tiffany Boyd’s mother was diagnosed with cancer, she and her sister took it upon themselves to care for her. Tiffany became a Certified Nursing Assistant, helping her mother until the end of her life. A few years later, her sister also became a Certified Nursing Assistant.

“My sister’s my best friend,” says Tiffany. “We’re partners.”

Losing her mother gave Tiffany a deeper understanding of what families face at the end of a loved one’s life. She considers herself not only empathetic but passionate about helping other families on the journey she experienced.

Tiffany received a record number of nominations as a Healthcare Hero from her coworkers and staff at the facilities where she works.

Congratulations Healthcare HeroesTHANK YOU for submitting more than 150 nominations of Healthcare Heroes among our staff! We truly have some of the most

incredible caregivers, administrative and support staff of any hospice. Congratulations to our two top-nominated Heroes!

Congratulations Healthcare Heroes“I’m teaching my kids to care.”Jill Quiroz decided to be a CNA after she was in an accident and required a lot of care herself. Although it was hard to get used to, Jill realized that she needed the help - and that her nurses genuinely wanted to help her.

Now, with four children at home, Jill explains that she helps take care of sick people.

“I hope they learn that it’s okay to need help,” Jill says. “And that if someone else needs help, you should help them.”

Patience is a virtue as a CNA, Jill thinks. She enjoys being the ‘answer’ to a family’s questions or concerns.

“A lot of people don’t really understand hospice, but I try to make them comfortable.”

“You were the one who taught me,” he said. “I never looked at you without seeing the sweetness of the way the world goes together, or without sorrow

for its spoiling. I became a hero to serve you, and all that is like you.”- Peter S. Beagle, The Last Unicorn

THANK YOU for submitting more than 150 nominations of Healthcare Heroes among our staff! We truly have some of the most incredible caregivers, administrative and support staff of any hospice. Congratulations to our two top-nominated Heroes!

July 2012 The Journey11

Congratulations to everyone who was nominated

Aisa LopezAmanda ConnorAmy O’DeaAmy VoytkoAngel MuellerAngie UmstadttAshlee Heinzel AweBecky WilliamsBetty JohnkinsBianca CrossleyCarrie LamontCheon HackettCherie McCormickChrissy CataldoClaudia OngCorey TagueCris EslingerDana EllisDana Sellers

Debbie TidemanDena SawkaGerry BrownGrace RathekHeather GreerHeather MoslenerJeanette DickersonJill QuirozJo RoperJulie ThomasJulie WeishaarKaren PucilowskiKate PinnowKathryn DonmeyerKaylie NovakKiley BerlatskyKim GainesKim McCaslinKristen Kolwelter

Kristin PierceLaura SmithLeslie DusekLindsey SnyderLisa GrembaMaria CoulterMegan McDonoughMichelle BolandMichelle RickertMindy BurgeNatasha BoydNicole BrokawNicole McCoyPam MatzenRebecca PrattRicki KravatRosa MartinezSandra DominguezSandra Ralph

Sarah KehoeSeth GillmanShelly RoyStephanie LansfordSue CholewinskiTara ColemanTiffany BoydTiffany PilcherTilisha JonesTom ScharTomika McNealTrina DollisonTrina McGuireTrish ChristophersonTrish TheinTy LymanViolet Heller

Click Here

Our Heroes are inspired by their own life! Hear them explain their care in their own words.

Serenity

Director of Public Relations Kansas Swain took this photo on the campus of Notre Dame University during a family trip.

“I love this photo because it really shows how beautiful the end of something can be,” Kansas said. “The sun will set on everyone’s life, but we can appreciate and enjoy dusk, too.”

Photo Taken By: Kansas Swain

Serenity

Partnership

RN Laura Segelhorst submitted this photo to the NHPCO's Creative Arts contest as an example of Diversity in hospice care.

Good luck, Laura!

July 2012 The Journey 15

This photo was taken on the beach in Mexico. There are two examples of diversity: in the American hands on Mexican soil and in the hand prints themselves. The hands are different not just because of the size or the gender, but who they came from.

One of the hand prints came from me, a Passages Hospice nurse. The hand that made that print has touched so many of our patients’ lives. The other hand print was from my husband. The hand that made that print has worked hard to provide for our family, allowing me to dedicate my time to my patients.

Diversity is only valuable if we overcome it and work together. These hand prints remind me of how different, but ultimately similar, everyone is.

July 2012 The Journey16

Our team in the Chicago area celebrated summer with a picnic on June 21st in Naperville. An early storm couldn't keep the fun away!

Our Lisle office celebrated National Smile Month with a Send-a-Smile event! Staff could send an encouraging message to a co-worker, and it was hand-delivered with a smile. Billing Specialist Jennifer Cwiak won a giftcard to Culvers for sending the most Smiles, and our IT team, Tom Schar and Mike Frye won cookies from a local bakery for receiving the most Smiles! Public Relations Coordinator Kristine Borcz even painted a celebratory plaque for the winners.

A group of RNs and CNAs wait anxiously for food CNAs Paul Chae and Jesse Fettinger man the hotdogs

Chaplain David Weiss and LPN Irma Trujillo

CelebrateAround the Town

July 2012 The Journey 17

We were proud to support the Swedish Covenant Hospital Associates' Board event at U.S. Cellular Field on June 22nd. Passages Hospice sponsored the 5th inning, and we had a great time getting to know the people that do such great work at SCH.

Chaplain David Weiss and LPN Irma Trujillo

Celebrate

Regular SeasonJuly 6thJuly 12thJuly 20th

Championship TournamentJuly 27thAugust 3rd

The Passages Hospice team in the Streator Women's Softball League is 4-1! Good luck for

your remaining games!

Our Volunteer Services team enjoyed a well-deserved day off when they took in a Chicago Cubs game last month! L-R: Amy O’Dea (Rockford area), Nicole Brokaw (Volunteer Information Coordinator), Darla Watkins (Swansea area) and Sue Cholewinski (Chicago area).

July 2012 The Journey

Our equine therapy program was featured in the Northwest Herald on June 14th. One of our patients, Ruth, has been using equine therapy to

improve her quality of life.

July 2012 The Journey17

July 2012 The Journey19

We asked our CNAs why they love their job!

I love being a CNA because it makes me feel good

when someone tells “You are the best.” -

April Roach

The love and attention that I give to

the residents and what I get in return

from them is priceless. - Jennifer Se

dlock

When I walk into a patient’s room and they see my face and smile,

nothing feels better! - Natasha Boyd

I love being a CNA because it’s a

n opportunity to be a blessing to

Gods

children. - Yadira Richardson

I love being a CNA I get to love on people

who sometimes think

they’re unlovable. - Shamica Weatherby

I love being a CNA because what we do improves the quality of life. We

are all that some of our patients have to depend on. - Tiffany Boyd

My job as a CNA is to give those

that I care for a better day and

a smile on their face! - Kim Ber

latsky

I love being a CNA because the elders I take care of are my second family.

I take pride and compassion when caring for my patients. - Meghan Switzer

I love being a CNA because I love meeting new people, taking care of them

and knowing that I made a difference in some one’s life. - Kandy Gibson

Here are just a few of their answers:

Employee of the Month

Kaitlyn has great team work and always makes time to help others.

Kaitlyn Henderson

Joe gave extra support to the clinical team during our routine review from the Illinois Department of Health.

Joe Barefield

Melissa shows great team work, efficiency, excellence, and a great attitude.

Melissa Weber

Wanda worked closely with a family to ensure a patient’s DNR form was signed and filed correctly. Her extra effort meant better care for the patient.

Wanda Rohl

Emily made several phone calls to her staff to ensure a coworker had the support she needed with a patient, even though it wasn’t her job.

Emily Chance

July 2012 The Journey 21

Employee of the Month

Jessey is always willing to drive the van for patient transports, and goes above-and-beyond by getting the oil changed.

Jesse Fettinger

Ricki always has a positive attitude and keeps her coworkers laughing. She’s a great team player and is always willing to help.

Ricki Kravat

Melissa was very quick to respond to requests for help from other departments.

Melissa Haney

Xinmei was exceptionally attentive and helpful during a patient’s outing with her family.

Xinmei Liu

Nicole Brokaw rescheduled her day to assist the clinical department during its routine review from the Illinois Department of Health.

Nicole Brokaw

July 2012 The Journey22

Yesi helped during a patient’s outing and took care of all concerns the family had.

Yesi Lizama

Gina’s charting was extremely clear and complete and helped ensure excellent patient care.

Gina Theis

Bethany works far away from her local office, but takes care of everything. She always gets positive reviews from her patients and families.

Bethany Norris

Employees of the month are chosen by their co-workers for going above-and-beyond in their work. Join us in celebrating these dedicated staff members for their efficiency, excellence, creativity, positive attitude and team work. You are what makes Passages Hospice great!

Michelle rearranged her day on short notice to help with another department’s project. She helped keep the patient calm and happy.

Michelle Rickert

These Are the Puzzle Pieces that Make Us Who We Are:

Thank you to all who cared for my very sweet

special friend who passed today. You are all angels!

- Crystal Woodward

Thank you very much... you ALL are awesome and I appreciate the

follow up calls after their passing to check on our

families...you rock :)- Glenda Farmer

Thank you for allowing my mother to leave comfortably

and with dignity. – Stephanie Strickland

and FamilyI appreciate all the wonderful care my mother received from all of you. Linda, Sarah, Tracy,

and Steve to name a few. Thank you so much for making this experience easier to handle.

– Cathy Neumann

Thank you all for your sincere help and kindness

shown to our family. – The Dellinger Family

My sincere thanks for all you have done during my mom

and dad’s illnesses. The plant was beautiful and Kip and

Jeanette’s presence at mom and dad’s funerals meant the

world to me. You are all special people and we are blessed to

have you here on earth. – Monica Threlkeld

Everyone with Passages was wonderful. They really helped

make a di�cult time a little easier. Thank you.

- Carol Smith

Thank you for the wonderful care you gave my mother during her last days at Blu

Fountain Manor. I felt like I had angels helping me deal with all that was going on. I will never

forget all the kindness from each of you.

– Janet Blakely and Family

Thank you for the wonderful care given to my husband

while he was at Alton Rehab and Nursing Center under hospice. Kathy, Lisa, Tonya, and Kirsten are top in my

book of caregivers. – Louis Runyan and Family

May God bless each and every one of you. It takes special

people like you to help families through di�cult times as we

just went through. - The sisters of Judith

A very special thank you to the Passages Hospice sta� who

helped with our mother, Elizabeth Betty Krieg. She

loved all of you and you made it special for her journey home

to our Lord..- The family of Betty

Thank you for your great care of Angelo and all those you

help each day. - Patricia Donohoe and Elinore

Davis

We appreciate these kind words from families!

Passages Hospice

We are dedicated to enhancing quality of life by promoting superior end of life care, easing the suffering, and providing continued compassion for the sick and dying in a way that ensures dignity and respect.

We are dedicated to promoting realistic outcomes.

We are dedicated to working with professionals who follow the highest values of excellence to establish an individualized plan of care offering personal choices and decisions while still maintaining each patient’s uniqueness.

We are dedicated to being receptive to each patient and family’s social, emotional, intellectual, safety and physical needs.

We are dedicated to a level of care that encourages the safe and cost-effective delivery of hospice care.

We are dedicated to the human spirit.

Your passage to care and comfort.

Bloomington, IL 404 N. Hershey Road, Ste. A Bloomington, IL 61704 Phone: 309.828.8139 Fax: 309.827.4878 Carbondale, IL 120 North Tower Rd., Ste. A Carbondale, IL 62901 Phone: 618.490.1040

Lisle, IL 515 Warrenville Road Lisle, IL 60532 Phone: 630.824.0400 Fax: 630.395.9235

Rockford, IL 929 S. Alpine Road, Ste. 202 Rockford, IL 61108 Phone: 815.226.7785 Fax: 815.226.7786

Swansea, IL 16 Bronze Pointe Blvd. Swansea, IL 62226 Phone: 618.234.7078 Fax: 618.257.7266

Livonia, MI 38099 Schoolcraft RoadLivonia, MI 48150Phone: 734-744-5091Fax: 734-744-5092

Providing Quality Care In:

www.passageshospice.com info@passageshospice.com

Anonymous Compliance Hotline (866) 842-7093

As part of our continuing commitment to compliance we are encouraging facilities and other partners to use this number if they have a concern.

New locations coming soon!