Bluegrass Care Navigators - Annual Report 2022

Annual Report 2022

From the President

2022 brought a sense of renewal to Bluegrass Care Navigators, as we emerged from the pandemic changed for the better. With adversity comes opportunity, and I am in awe of the vision and persistence of our BCN team. They’ve adapted our organization to one that will continue to meet the needs of our growing community now and in the future. We fully aligned our growth with our vision in 2022 through the care we provided to our patients, their families, and our healthcare partners.

In 2022, we positioned ourselves to serve our communities in a way that allows us to provide necessary care for decades to come with a focus on sustainability.

For us, sustainability means ensuring a balance between organizational growth and delivering safe, quality care. We have built a strong base that allows us to provide compassionate care while developing services that serve evolving patient needs and adapt to our changing communities. Moreover, our commitment to The BCN Way serves the foundation of our organization: Our People. Offering opportunities for our team members to develop professionally, we are now striving to provide programs and policies that promote work/life balance for our team, taking our cue from best practices in modern workstyles and even from our Integrative Medicine team. Through caring for the BCN team we empower and support them in providing compassionate care for

patients and families. Our team represents the core of what we do to help you and others in our community.

In serving our communities, we had the following expansions and successes in 2022:

• Bluegrass Care Navigators became the first in Kentucky to open Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). This innovative program aims to support aging and frail adults to stay safely independent and at home with an interdisciplinary team working in tandem. Governor Andy Beshear has saluted our PACE program in his Team Kentucky updates.

• We launched Bluegrass Home Health Care Services following the acquisition of an existing service provider and license, and are now providing valuable home-based services in Harrison, Scott, Bourbon, and Nicholas counties.

• Our team responded to the crisis of Eastern Kentucky’s devastating floods. Their dedication allowed us to maintain quality care above and beyond immediately and continued past the tragic event. Our care included everything from equipment to medication for displaced patients, even quick thinking that prevented a flood at our pharmacy location. Our Counseling and Integrative Medicine teams implemented the Hope Tables initiative, providing activities and counseling for displaced families in the area.

Liz Fowler, President & CEO Bluegrass Care Navigators

And as our team has excelled, so has our ranking in Best Places to Work, which rose from #9 in 2021 to #6 in 2022 in the large company category. This is a point of pride for the BCN team, treating ourselves and each other with the fairness, dignity, and respect that are the hallmarks of our patient care.

We remain committed to our vision to care for our communities sustainably through our lifetimes and beyond. 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

2022 Board of Directors

Richard Hopgood

Chair

David Brennen

Vice Chair

David Fogg

Secretary

Zachary Moore

Treasurer

Liz Fowler

MPH, President & CEO

Shannon Arvin

Past Chair

John Austin

Anne Bolton

Jenna Canning

Bo Cofield

Mark Day

Laura Feltner

Steve Fryman

Amanda Henson

Jeff Koonce

Rhonda Love

Jennifer Madden

Ellen Miller

Greg Milward

Zachary Murray

Ron Ring

Robert Rosenstein

David Royse

2022 Senior Leadership Team

Liz Fowler

MPH, President & CEO

David Butts

MA, CDE®, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer

Croswell Chambers

MBA, Chief Information & Security Officer

Todd Coté

MD, HMDC, FAAFP, FAAHPM, Chief Medical Officer

Monica Couch

RN, CHPN, CHPCA, Vice President & Chief Hospice Officer

Amy Doane

MHA, Vice President of Marketing

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

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 & Quality Improvement (CQI)

Turner West

MPH, MT, Assistant Vice President of Health Policy and Director of Palliative Care Leadership Center

Bluegrass Care Navigators Improved Ranking Among Kentucky’s Best Places to Work

For the second year in a row Bluegrass Care Navigators ranked in the top ten large companies as a Best Place to Work in Kentucky, as designated by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management, and ClearPath Mutual Insurance Company.

The organization ranked #6 overall among entities in the large company category with more than 500 employees, an improvement from 2021’s ranking of #9. The selection process, managed by Best Companies Group, is based on an assessment of the company’s employee policies and procedures and the results of an internal employee survey.

“Our work does not happen without the dedication of a team who lives our values every day, for every patient,” said CEO Liz Fowler. “We have earned this designation for another year because our team has built a culture of compassion, respect, dignity and teamwork.”

The employee survey covers many factors of workplace satisfaction including leadership and planning, relationships with supervisors, work environment, corporate culture and communication, role satisfaction, training and development, and pay and benefits.

“Feedback from our team is critically important to our organization’s success,” said Vice President of Human Resources Danita Ross.

“We want to know what their priorities are, what they need to feel successful at work, and what brings them satisfaction in their careers.”

2022 All Service Line Totals =

14,962

Total Patients Served

Hospice Care: 6,996

Palliative Care: 4,148

Transitional Care: 2,993

Grief Care: 550

Home Health Care: 242

Extra Care: 18

PACE: 17

PACE began seeing patients in August 2022.

2022 Total Income = $87,356,822

Patient Revenue: $74,740,406

Investment Income: $3,463,442

Excludes $11,482,002 of unrealized investment losses.

Philanthropy: $2,509,449

2022 Total Expenses = $90,112,802

Patient Services: $74,578,006

Admin & Programs: $14,838,682

Philanthropy: $696,114

This information consolidates accounts for Hospice of the Bluegrass, Inc. dba Bluegrass Care Navigators, Palliative Care Center of the Bluegrass, Inc. dba Bluegrass Palliative Care, and Hospice of the Bluegrass Foundation.

2022 Hospice Care Admissions by Location

7,227 Total Hospice Care Admissions

Lexington: 2,767

Hazard: 1,061

Barbourville: 839

Frankfort: 686

Pikeville: 672

Northern Kentucky: 613

Cynthiana: 589

2022 Palliative Care Location of Service

6,354 Total Palliative Patients Served

Hospital: 3,760

Primary Care: 880

Palliative Home: 1,069

Nursing Facility: 645

Hospice Patient Marries High School Sweetheart

Liana Craven did not know what the days and weeks ahead would hold for her as her cancer progressed, but she knew one thing for sure. She did not want to spend that time in the hospital.

Bluegrass Care Navigators made it possible to be where she wanted to be.

“I did not want to be stuck in the hospital with a limit on how many friends and family could visit me,” said Liana. “Without them, I don’t think I would be able to stay home like I have.”

With her hospice team, she tackled her bucket list. At the top of the list? Finally getting to marry her high school sweetheart of 21 years, Richard.

“He had already known before I was diagnosed that I wanted to be married. And he made it happen,” she said.

Liana’s family surprised her with a wedding ceremony on March 30. A best friend purchased a new dress for Liana while others arranged makeup and hairstyling, food and music at the family’s Kentucky home.

“It was special. It was precious. It was meaningful,” said Liana’s stepfather, Dennis Dio Parker. “I have no doubt in terms of a bucket list this becomes her crown-topping moment.”

As a newlywed, Liana was able to check other bucket list items off her list. She took a joy ride with her dad in his sports car. And she enjoyed a massage at home thanks to Bluegrass Care Navigator’s Integrative Medicine program, which provides therapies to patients and families that complement their medical care.

Most importantly, Liana enjoyed time with friends and family, especially her new husband and twin sister Melissa.

“I just thought that going home with hospice meant you’d be gone in a few days. I got married March 30 and I just feel like, I can do this,” said Liana. “Hospice is not just the end of the line. Sometimes it’s making things you’ve been waiting 21 years for happen faster.”

BCN’s Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief

The night of July 27th saw sudden and catastrophic flooding throughout much of our service area in Eastern Kentucky. As flood waters began to rise, the immediate threat was felt by our 250 team members and nearly 500 patients in this area. By morning, homes were washed away and roads had crumbled with the ground underneath them. Whole towns were swallowed by flood waters, and thousands of individuals lost everything. The homes of more than 20 BCN team members were damaged or destroyed. Many of our nearly 500 patients in Eastern Kentucky encountered the same – while also dealing with serious illness.

We are so proud of all our BCN Heroes who were selfless and creative in their dedication to providing the expert care our patients needed. Our Eastern Kentucky team sprang into action to ensure that the medications and expert care we provide the seriously ill in these

communities was not disrupted – wading through muck to visit patients and delivering necessary medical care via kayaks and ATVs when roads were not traversable.

One team member rushed to pump water out of our pharmacy as it was flooding overnight. Others immediately began calling on patients to ensure their safety and assess their needs. Our Durable Medical Equipment (DME) team even helped the Red Cross deliver a bariatric bed and wheelchair to a gentleman in need at a temporary shelter, even though he was not a patient of ours.

Within days our Central and Northern Kentucky teams rallied together to collect cleaning supplies, rubber boots and bottled water and transported them to our Hazard and Pikeville Regional Offices.

As the cleanup and rebuilding of these communities continues, meeting patient needs remains a challenge – but

the determination and grit of our hospice team always finds a way. We continue to be uplifted by the outpouring of generosity from our Caring Community, who understand the challenges that these communities now face. Donations for Bluegrass Care Navigators and our Eastern Kentucky team and patients have come from across our Commonwealth and the country.

This kindness has helped provide relief for so many individuals immediately following the flood.

It will be a long recovery from this tragic event, but we continue to be encouraged by the dedication of our team, the resilience of our Eastern Kentucky neighbors, and the support of our Caring Community. Tomorrow, we will pick up again! A new patient will come to us. A family will face the final phase of their loved one’s care. But they won’t be alone, because we will be right there with them.

Donate to support our work

Hope Tables Help Families Process Emotions with Art Therapy

In the months since devastating floods disrupted life as normal for thousands of Eastern Kentuckians, Bluegrass Care Navigators has actively supported our own employees and patients in their first steps toward recovery. Yet even as they helped purchase supplies and coordinate support to teammates from the organization’s headquarters in Lexington, the agency’s counselors and therapists began to plan how to give love and care to the community at large.

“We know families will face many stressful days ahead as they live in alternative locations, navigate the complicated systems of relief aid, and deal with the grief and processing of loss,” said Dave Carper, Counseling Resource Officer for Bluegrass Care Navigators.

Carper and art therapist Whitney Clay took guidance from their teammates stationed in Hazard. Counselor Susan Houston and social worker Samantha Craft began working with community leaders on the first day of the flooding response. They wanted to provide a therapeutic activity that could be set up where families were seeking assistance,

and that would provide opportunities for distraction, reflection, and even a little bit of fun in the midst of so much stress.

With that goal in mind, Bluegrass Care Navigators began the “Hope Table” project. Counselors and chaplains from the organization set up Hope Tables at state parks and disaster recovery centers with activities and art projects to give children something to do while parents completed paperwork or to give families something new to do while living in an alternative setting. While participating in play and fun, counselors guided families through discussions about their emotions, if desired. Families were also invited to write or draw a message of hope and leave it behind as an inspiration to others.

“Art and play are such mindful activities, and they can be powerful tools for allowing emotions to come out in healthy ways,” said Whitney Clay, integrative medicine coordinator for Bluegrass Care Navigators. “We want to be present with families and give them the opportunity to process whatever feelings come forward at the Hope Table.”

Bluegrass Care Navigators Opens Kentucky’s first Program of AllInclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

Bluegrass Care Navigators is now enrolling patients for Kentucky’s first Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, also known as PACE, serving Fayette, Jessamine, Franklin, Woodford and Anderson counties.

PACE is an innovative healthcare program designed to help aging and frail adults stay independent, living at home for as long as safely possible. The program supports caregivers by managing the many healthcare needs and access challenges for its enrollees.

PACE 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 PACE services.

Bluegrass PACE Care, offered through Bluegrass Care Navigators, provides the entire continuum of medical care, social care, and long-term services and support needed by frail and elderly adults. Upon enrollment in PACE, participants and their caregivers meet with an interdisciplinary team that includes doctors, nurses, therapists, social workers, dietitians, personal care aides, transportation providers and others. An individualized care plan is developed to respond to all the participant’s needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

home, including skilled care, personal care, and equipment management including ramps, grab bars and other tools needed for safety.

“Our interdisciplinary team is directly involved in the participant’s care, interacting with them at the PACE Center and in their homes frequently,” explained Liz Fowler, CEO of Bluegrass Care Navigators. “This allows us to quickly take notice of any changes to our enrollees’ physical, mental and physiological conditions, and quickly adjust their care plan to meet their changing needs.”

The PACE program serves as both the healthcare provider and the healthcare plan for its enrollees. This means that the PACE doctor works directly with patients to make decisions for their necessary care. Bluegrass PACE Care has created a high-quality network of providers to support PACE participants and is responsible for the quality and cost of all care provided, including specialist and hospital services.

Many services take place at the Bluegrass PACE Center, with a convenient location in Lexington and another in development in Frankfort.

Transportation is provided by the 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, socialization and personal care. Additional services are provided at

Individuals enrolled in PACE have no copays or deductibles for services provided by the program within the PACE provider network. PACE covers the cost of all care and services normally covered by Medicare and Medicaid, as well as medically necessary care authorized by the participant’s care team that may not normally be covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Participants who are only covered by Medicare (and not Medicaid) have a monthly premium that is discussed upon enrollment in the PACE program. Individuals enrolled in PACE have no copays or deductibles for services provided by the program within the PACE provider network.

Hospice Volunteer Gave 20+ Years of Caring to Patients and Families

“I truly believe in what hospice does for people and everyone should do something.” As a volunteer with Bluegrass Care Navigators, Mary Ann Perrault understood why hospice volunteers are so important. For over 20 years, Mary Ann was a volunteer in the Cynthiana area. As a former nurse, she saw firsthand how hospice can be a valuable resource for patients living with a serious illness. For many of those years, she visited patients in their homes providing companionship, respite care for their caregivers and 11th hour visits.

“I visited patients weekly for many, many months. Some visits were much more to help the caregiver than the patient,” said Mary Ann. “So often the caregiver just needs someone to talk to, to connect with, and that’s what I try to give. I try to help them find peace.”

Mary Ann recalled one special patient. “We connected because he was from New York, and that is where I am from. I used to sit with him while his wife went to work or went shopping. He was the nicest gentleman. Most of the time he slept, but we would talk occasionally. I told him he didn’t have to wake up.”

“One day, his nurse called me to say he was dying and not going to make it. I drove out there, and he had been nonresponsive. I walked into the house, and when he heard my voice, he sat up in bed and said ‘Mary Ann, come give me a hug,’” she said. “He raised up, said hi and gave me a big hug. He passed a couple of days later. He was a sweet man and I really liked him.”

Hospice volunteers are a valuable part of the patient care team. Volunteers work with a clinical team of a doctor, nurse, aide, chaplain and social worker. Because they spend time with the patient, volunteers who provide direct patient care can often give the team valuable feedback about issues that arise during their visits.

“I admired Mary Ann a great deal for many years and for a multitude of reasons,” Amy Cox, Executive Director of the Cynthiana Office, said. “I respected her first because of her knowledge and dedication to

Mary Ann Perrault & Amy Cox

the profession of nursing and later for her compassion for others and commitment to her faith. Mary Ann had an amazing work ethic whether she was gardening, cooking or exercising, and she also knew the value of her work as a volunteer and how her work, talent and skills benefited others. She was genuine in her concern and support and our families could sense that.”

BCN

had 12,488 Volunteer Hours IN 2022

Medicare-certified hospice programs require providers to use volunteers for at least five percent of their patient care hours. Volunteers are required to undergo training to gain understanding of the goals for hospice care and their role and function as a volunteer.

“After my husband Albert passed away around 2006, I wasn’t able to continue visiting patients, but I really miss it. I started then doing bereavement and care calls. I try to do anything I can,” said Mary Ann.

Pam Rowe, in her former role as Community Engagement Coordinator for the BCN Cynthiana office, recruited, trained and matched volunteers with organizational needs. “Mary Ann was always willing to take the time to provide much needed support care and compassion to patients and their families,” said Rowe, who now works as an Intake Specialist with Bluegrass Care Navigators.

In 2021 alone, Mary Ann volunteered over 120 hours. This included over 800 care calls to patients as well as over 300 bereavement calls to family members who lost their loved one. She even took the time to learn how to use an iPhone to be able to reach more patients through care calls from home.

Mary Ann said, “If there’s something I can help with, I want to do it. I have always approached each day and each volunteer activity with the mindset that it is in the hands of the Lord. I will start each day and pray, ‘help me help someone today.’”

U.S. WWII Veteran Maxine Handziak Honored for Military Service

Maxine Hamon Handziak volunteered for the Women’s Reserve in the U.S. Navy (WAVES) in 1943. One evening after WAVES training, she met her future husband Edward at a chance encounter at a roller rink. Edward fell for her, literally, and the two corresponded throughout the war. Afterwards, he proposed, and they were married for over 70 years. On September 1, 2022, Bluegrass Care Navigators (BCN) honored her for her service with a Veteran’s Pinning Ceremony.

“It’s rare that you have a WWII vet that can still story tell with you,” Kristin Jones, social worker in the Cynthiana office, said. “Her love story was unique, and she had a sweet, pleasant and joy-filled personality, in spite of being bedbound.”

The pinning ceremony is a powerful moment for veterans and their families. Volunteer Neal Riggs, also a veteran, performs the ceremony, thanking the patient for their service and giving a certificate, blanket and flag pin in appreciation. The service concludes with a prayer, if desired, and Neal salutes the veteran.

As part of Maxine’s ceremony, her family set up a table display with photos and memorabilia of her and Edward’s life together. This included pictures, newspaper clippings and Maxine’s military cap.

“Although she couldn’t remember a lot of stuff on that table, when Neal did the salute, her tiny, frail hand came up, and she returned his salute,” Esther Sapp, Maxine’s Chaplain who attended the ceremony, said. “Due to her hearing loss, I’m not sure what she heard, but she definitely felt honored and appreciated, and her sense of humor came out.”

Sapp described Maxine as someone who had learned to live in the present. When Neal presented Maxine with her blanket, she felt it and fiddled with the knotted ties. One of her kids approached her for a closer look. Maxine’s sense of humor shone through as she teased, “Don’t try to take my blanket!”

Upon intake, patients and families are invited to share patient care goals and are made aware of a variety of volunteer services that include veteran pinning.

Camp Hope Helps Kids Struggling with Loss

In September, Bluegrass Care Navigators hosted our annual Camp Hope, a free one-day children’s bereavement camp that is geared toward meeting the grief-care needs of children and youth who are struggling with the loss of a loved one. Camp Hope is designed to help children express their grief in a positive and supportive environment; develop healthy and effective coping strategies in a fun, safe, and supportive setting; and receive the training and tools they need to deal with their loss now and well into the future.

2022 Camp Hope took place in Beattyville at the Kentucky Mountain Mission Youth Haven Camp. Thirty-four children and their guardians from all over Kentucky participated in camp this year. For the first time in two years, we were excited to hold Camp Hope in-person, where kids participated in activities together that included music, memorial rock painting, expressing emotions through art, emoji games to identify feelings, and a memorial campfire to cap off a spectacular day.

Children participating in Camp Hope are supported by a team of caring adults who have years of experience with children’s bereavement. The camp provides a safe place and supportive environment and gives children a healthy start on their journey of bereavement. BCN team members and volunteers enjoyed watching the young campers bond over shared experiences and develop new friendships.

“I felt I was safe from judgment and could be myself.”

“I felt free after the campfire.”

Not only are they guided by the adult camp leaders, but the children participating in Camp Hope have opportunities to help each other through facilitated activities that engage them in supporting their peers who have a shared common experience. Similarly, the adult parents and guardians who attend Camp Hope with their children are able to engage in conversations with each other while learning ways to support their families through the grieving process.

Camp Hope would not be possible without the generous support of our Caring Community and Sponsors. It is because of this generosity that we are able to offer this amazing opportunity at no charge to campers or their guardians. We are truly grateful for the community’s commitment to helping us provide the resources and skills these kids need for the future.

Bluegrass Care Navigators Begins Bluegrass Home Health Care Services

Bluegrass Care Navigators purchased WEDCO Health Department’s home health services and assumed ownership of the license and provision of care to patients on July 1, 2022, under the name Bluegrass Home Health Care. Bluegrass Home Health Care now provides services in Harrison, Scott, Bourbon and Nicholas counties.

Patients previously cared for by WEDCO’s home health program had the opportunity to transition their care to Bluegrass Home Health Care or choose another home health provider, according to Bluegrass Care Navigators. Bluegrass Care Navigators has served Harrison, Scott, Bourbon and Nicholas counties for more than 30 years as the local provider of hospice care, with a regional office located in Cynthiana.

“As a local, community-based healthcare organization providing care wherever patients call home, we know how valuable home-based services are in the communities we serve,” said CEO Liz Fowler. “We are honored to expand our services in these counties and ensure continuity of care for patients and families cared for by WEDCO’s home health program.”

“We are pleased to have found a partner in Bluegrass Care Navigators in the sale of our home health license,” said WEDCO director Crystal Miller. “We have found a purchaser who shares our values and commitment in serving our community and are confident that they will continue providing excellent care to those who seek home health services.” Patients who transitioned to BCN experienced little change in their care providers, as many of the home health team continued serving the community as employees of Bluegrass Care Navigators.

“I made a friend. I don’t feel alone anymore.”

Blue and Blaze: A Pet Peace of Mind Success Story

by Andrea Tackett, Chaplain

Meet Blaze and Blue. These feline siblings always lived with the same family and had never been separated. When their owner came under the care of Bluegrass Hospice, she made it clear how highly she valued her cats. They were family to her. Her primary caregiver shared concerns about where the cats would live following patient’s passing.

When the patient passed, one of the highest priorities of the caregiver was that these siblings be rehomed together. Adopting cats can be a tricky process and guaranteeing that two are adopted together is even more complicated. Chaplain Andrea, a team member dedicated to supporting and growing BCN’s Pet Peace of Mind program, worked with the caregiver to rehome the patient’s cats. Laura, a nurse and strong advocate for the Pet Peace of Mind program, shared a rescue contact who connected Chaplain Andrea to Aspire Appalachia, a rescue group supporting animals (and humans) in need. Aspire Appalachia provided loving care for them in their transition environment.

Soon, these country cats traveled to the city for their new home in Chicago. Typically, pets are fostered

prior to being adopted; however, their foster decided both cats were perfect for her home and requested to adopt them herself. Blue and Blaze are now happily rehomed. The patient’s caregiver has been able to communicate with the new owner and receive photos and videos, which has brought her comfort through the difficult transition.

Bluegrass Hospice Care understands that it is important that patients care for their pets, and recognizes the level of comfort and peace they bring. When life is limited, a patient should not need to worry about how they are going to provide care for their pets. Having the Pet Peace of Mind program available allows patients and families the peace to focus on spending time with those who matter most and taking care of themselves.

When patients say, “My pets are my family,” we as healthcare agents must take it to heart. Including pets in a patient’s final wishes can be vital to a patient’s (and family’s) peace of mind. Through the Pet Peace of Mind program, we have a unique opportunity to provide comfort and support this need.

Donate to Pet Peace of Mind

Kentucky Grandpa

Some of the most rewarding moments we share at Bluegrass Care Navigators involve hearing family members express their sincere appreciation for the care that their loved ones receive.

Recently, we heard from Cheri, whose father, Joe, was in our care. She spoke about the compassionate and professional service that was provided to her family—but also how a special bond formed between her father and his nurse Anja, that can only be described as “family”.

Cheri recalled being impressed from the start, not only with Anja’s expertise and skill as a nurse, but by the warmth and compassion shown to her father and mother. “My father looked forward to each of Anja’s visits as she would engage him in thoughtful conversation, laugh at his jokes, and show a genuine appreciation for his many stories and songs.”

When Anja began caring for Joe, she had recently moved to Kentucky from Texas. “Joe had the sweetest soul and a jovial personality with the voice of a radio spokesperson. He and his wife Mary made me feel very welcome in their home,” she remembers.

With each visit, Joe and Anja continued to develop a special connection to one another. “Anja told me that she thought of him as her ‘Kentucky Grandpa’, and I believe he considered her to be like family too,” Cheri told us.

For Anja, being a hospice nurse isn’t just about providing care. “The most rewarding part for me is forming relationships with those I care for,” she said. “As time went on, Joe became someone who brought happiness and laughter into my life, although I was supposed to be the one uplifting him.”

Cheri’s experience is exactly why our mission is so important. “Because of the care that Dad received, his quality of life remained high until the end. Anja gave the entire family emotional support and comfort and helped make a difficult transition something of beauty and peace.”

Whether it’s spending more quality time with loved ones, creating lasting memories together, or grieving after a loved one is gone—Bluegrass Care Navigators is here to stand alongside all of it, like family.

President’s Award Winners

Amanda Martin, LPN, an Intake Specialist from Hazard, and Angel Dixon, a HIM Tech in Lexington, were presented with the President’s Award for 2022! The President’s Award recognizes and celebrates one outstanding team members for their commitment to our organizational core values. Due to a generous donation from a member of our Caring Community, this year’s award winners each received a one-week stay in a vacation condominium. Below are the anonymous nominations from other staff members.

Amanda Martin:

“Amanda goes above and beyond every day for her job, and is a true joy to be around. She had to overcome major changes in Intake moving under the Support Center, specifically in that she also assists with Triage support on weekends and for overflow during the week. She persevered through a change in others assisting in Intake after hours/weekends. In efforts to help that transition, she created a “how to” reference guide for Intake new members and worked hard to cross-train, as well as to continue to coach our members that assist after hours to keep consistency and accuracy high. Amanda has the best attitude, is caring, has the patience of a saint and overall is very dependable. She is emerging as a true leader, and I have seen her grow exponentially throughout this year. I am thankful beyond words for her contributions day in and out professionally. She personally assisted many families through volunteering in her hometown of Hazard during the floods. She took her own PTO to help clean and deliver supplies, modeling servant leadership to her two young sons; all while her husband, the fire chief, was out for days at a time. The balance she struck and the caring nature that is innate to Amanda is heartwarming. Her community and our team at BCN are the better because of people like her.”

Angel Dixon:

“I believe Angel deserves this award due to her dedication and her hard work. She is quick to respond to emails and handles a lot of records requests. Angel works quickly and is always there to give a helping hand. She is an outstanding team member.”

Congratulations to the other 2022 Nominees for the BCN President’s Award:

Elyse Timmons, BSN, RN – PACE Care Center | Harry Jones – Facilities Maintenance Technician

Jackie Foster – Accounts Receivable Specialist | Samantha Craft, MSW, LCSW, APHSW-C – Social Worker

#TEAMBCN members are encouraged to nominate their teammates for the President’s Award. Winners are announced in December, and they receive a plaque and a prize. Nominations and comments are anonymous.

Monica Couch, Amanda Martin & Sallie Kenney

Liz Fowler, Angel Dixon & Jenny Jones