Heartbeat September 2019

S E P T E M B E R | 2019 NEWSLET TER

Heartbeat

S E P T E M B E R | 2019

Heartbeat From the CEO...

With so much momentum at Hosparus Health, the summer

Moments theme helps us remind our patients, families, and

to embrace the opportunities we have been working

am proud of the great work I see happening each and every

has flown by. As we say goodbye to summer, we begin

hard towards. As with any opportunity, we must choose to embrace some uncertainty while focusing on the big

communities of the value and mission of Hosparus Health. I day to make more moments a reality.

benefits we can achieve together.

As you know, Hosparus Health is tightly woven into each

Of course, our big push as an organization is adopting

pictures in this issue of the Heartbeat. We love to be a

HomeCare HomeBase. Physics teaches us the greater the momentum, the harder it is to stop. We’re almost

there! Maintaining our forward momentum with the HCHB implementation as we see the finish line will guarantee us

a strong finish. I am inspired as I witness everyone working together and toward the same mission. Thanks to each of you for putting in the extra time and effort to make the

transition successful for the organization and mission, and ultimately, our patients and families.

If you haven’t noticed, we’ve got a new look for the fall.

Our website launched last month with a new tagline:

Create More Moments. We feel that the Creating More

community we serve. This is clear as you look through

partner in the community and are proud of the alliances

you’ve helped to create. Thank you for all your efforts! I

want to again express my gratitude at the teamwork I see within Hosparus Health. Let’s continue to work together to further our mission for the

remainder of 2019 into 2020 and beyond.

Gratefully,

Phil Marshall

Brand Updates & HL Renovation Progress

Checkout our new website and see the status of the

Calendar and Gala Tickets

View upcoming events and get your tickets for the Gala

PAG E 5

It’s that Time of Year

Flu shots and license renewals

PAG E 8

Blog

The Happy Caregiver

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1000 building in Louisville

By: Bob Mueller

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S E P T E M B E R | 2019

Spreading the word.

CO R P O R AT E

HomeCare HomeBase Goes LIVE in Southern Indiana!

Congratulations to our staff at Hosparus Health Southern Indiana (HSI) and our support departments!

They completed all their training, couch visits, and work-flow in preparation for this major event.

Everyone involved has worked very hard, helped each other, and been excited and positive throughout the preparations. HSI was a great role model!

Our Kentucky communities have started their HomeCare HomeBase (HCHB) journey by completing the online training and

attending the in-person training. We are in the last big phase to move all KY patients from Suncoast into HCHB with the goal of completing training and migration by October 1. It has been over a year in the making and, because everyone is working

together, we are nearly at the finish line. Remember, we have a 24/7 HCHB support help line to provide the needed resource to make sure everything works properly.

Central Kentucky Kicks Off HCHB: Literally!

Lots of smiles proves this effort is being “tackled” with positive attitudes! Thank you HCK for taking the pass from HSI and running with the ball.

Renaissance Family Fun Park

On August 24th, Hosparus Health converged on the Renaissance Family Fun Park in Middletown. Approximately 600

employees and their families took part in laser tag, miniature golf, go-karts, arcade games and a taco bar (catered by Salsarita’s). The weather was perfect, and the comradery was amazing! Thanks for coming out and having fun!

H O S PA R U S H E A LT H N E W S L E T T E R | PAG E 3

S E P T E M B E R | 2019

Spreading the word.

CO R P O R AT E

Have You Seen Our New Look?

If you haven’t had a chance, here’s a glimpse! After nine months of

diligent planning and coordinating, the new look was unveiled with

the roll out of our updated website. The new website, commercial, and message convey what we strive to give our patients and their families

Caring Connections S U M M E R 2019 E D I T I O N

Click here to read Pickup a copy at your Hosparus Health office!

with our compassionate care…the ability to CREATE MORE MOMENTS. Checkout our new site: HosparusHealth.org.

Watch the new commercial!

Speaking of New Looks!

T H E P R O G R E S S O N T H E 3 R D F LO O R O F T H E 10 0 0 B U I L D I N G I S LO O K I N G G O O D!

We have just about finished the demolition phase. We want to thank everyone for their continued patience

and flexibility with any changes and disruptions in the building. We also wanted to let you know that the

Northeast team has relocated to the

lower level, next to

Central Louisville, in the 1000 building.

Check back next month for more updates on this project.

Over the next 6 months, you will see many new faces coming and going throughout this project, however, one face that will remain

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is our wonderful Superintendent, Cletus Bennett, with LBM construction. Please say hello if you see him around!

S E P T E M B E R | 2019

Connecting you to events.

C A L E N DA R O C TO B E R

O C TO B E R 20 -26

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Pastoral Care Week

O C TO B E R 1 & 2

N OV E M B E R

Midland Trail Auction & Golf Tournament

National Hospice and Palliative Care Month

O C TO B E R 2

National Family Caregivers Month

Volunteer Training So. Indiana

Contact Vonya Gresham for more information,

N OV E M B E R 11

vgresham@hosparus.org.

Veteran’s Day

O C TO B E R 5

N OV E M B E R 15

HGR Gerald Mattingly Golf Tournament O C TO B E R 13

World Hospice & Palliative Care Day O C TO B E R 15

Children’s Grief Awareness Day N OV E M B E R 16

Hosparus Health Candle Glow Gala & Lounge Louisville Marriott Downtown

Contact Carrie Truitt for more information,

GAL A EMPLOYEE TICKETS: $135 per ticket (two for one) Limit two per employee.

O C TO B E R 22

LOUNGE EMPLOYEE TICKETS: $75 per ticket ($10 discount) Limit two per employee.

Volunteer Training Campbellsville Thrift Shoppe ctruitt@hosparus.org.

Volunteer Training Louisville

Contact Sky Yeasayer for more information,

syeasayer@hosparus.org.

O C TO B E R 22

For tickets, text GalaEmployee19 to 41444.

Sales end on October 19.

Or click here: igfn.us/f/2div/n

Join the Facebook event here for updates!

Volunteer Training Elizabethtown Thrift Shoppe

Contact Annette Jones for more information,

ajones@hosparus.org.

O C TO B E R 24

HBR Holiday Bash Fundraiser

O CC U PAT I O N A L H E A LT H C A L E N DA R

See more events & programs on our website.

Show your interest and share our events with your friends & family!

H O S PA R U S H E A LT H N E W S L E T T E R | PAG E 5

S E P T E M B E R | 2019

Funding the mission.

D E V E LO P M E N T

Gifts

Our Development department often works unconventional hours to cover a variety of

responsibilities: from preparing and hosting events,

meeting with potential donors, writing grants, picking up auction items or donations, and making phone

calls to donors. Below are just a few of the notable

accomplishments our development department has achieved.

• • •

$5,000 grant from the Mildred V. Horn Foundation for our pink roses fund that provides flowers for patients on special occasions.

Dancing With Our Southern Indiana Stars Recap It was another great year at the Dancing with Our Southern Indiana Stars event at Huber’s Orchard & Winery! The event hosted 650

guests as they bid on silent auctions and watched eight celebrity

dancers compete and raise money for Hosparus Health. The event raised nearly $250,000! The winner was Missy Hillock, Owner/

Innkeeper, Chateau Bourbon, raising over $33,000! Thank you to

all staff and volunteers that helped make the event possible, and to everyone who attended in support of our mission.

View all the photos here

$10,000 from the Brown-Forman Corporation for grief counseling programs.

Great news we are a finalist for Impact 100 grant of $106,000! If chosen this would go to Heart

Connection for Women in Southern Indiana. The

pilot saw patients enrolled in the program live twice as long as those not enrolled and with only a 3%

hospital readmission rate. Heart Connection teams watched patients’ health improve so they could

achieve goals such making amends with loved ones, attending weddings and graduations, and carving

out more moments to do the things they love such

as gardening or caring for pets. We are one of three finalists for the grant, with Home of the Innocents

and Makers 13. The winner will be decided by a vote

by Impact 100 members the night of the event.

The Good Stuff.

S U B M I T T E D BY PAT I E N T S & FA M I L I E S , T H I S I S T H E ‘ W H Y ’ B E H I N D W H AT W E D O. My family had the privilege of having the Hosparus of Southern Indiana team to care for my Mamaw the last month of her life. I can not thank them enough for the gentle, compassionate support they provided, even in the middle of the night in crisis. They enabled me to keep my promise that I would keep her out of pain and suffering.

I knew what Hosparus did, but I did not fully understand what ALL they could do for us! It took my understanding to a whole other level.

I also want to note the grief counseling has been phenomenal as well! THANK YOU! - Facebook comment

From Google: “I h ave a r e l a t i ve w h o i s a p a t i e n t t h e r e [H IC C]. T h e d o c t o r s a n d n u r s i n g s t a f f a r e wo n d e r f u l .

T h ey n o t o n l y c a r e a b o u t t h e p a t i e n t , t h ey c a r e a b o u t t h e fa m i l y a s we l l . T h ey t a ke t h e t i m e t o ex p l a i n t h i n g s a n d a n s we r q u e s t i o n s .”

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S E P T E M B E R | 2019

Debra Sampson Unit Secretary, HICC

D

ebra Sampson works as the 2nd Shift Unit Secretary at the Hosparus Inpatient Care Center at Norton Pavilion…aka “The HICC”. In Debra’s 5 years working for Hosparus Health, she has come to earn great appreciation from her coworkers, and is a valuable member of the HICC Team. “Debra embodies all that we are looking for at the HICC as a Unit Secretary. Every interaction she has over the phone or in person is “Debra is a great person to work professional, compassionate and considerate of that individual and their needs with. She gets things done in a timely in that moment. Debra is someone the HICC can count on to do her job to the manner, always has a smile on her face best of her abilities. She is a wonderful role model for staff and an absolute and is always willing to go the extra mile asset to the HICC and the patients/families that we serve.” Nicholas Ballardfor a patient, family or employee. She is Supervisor. definitely a huge asset to the HICC team!”

Debra's typical workday at the HICC is a busy one, and includes answering the -Coworker call lights and telephones, and keeping the paperwork caught up so the patient can get admitted to the HICC in a timely manner. “Mostly because we do end of life care, I wear my heart on my sleeve” Debra says. Before coming to work for Hosparus Health, Debra worked in a similar role for a local Allergy and Asthma practice. “I chose to work for Hosparus Health because at the end of the day it feels as if I helped someone.”

Outside of Hosparus Health, Debra is busy taking care of her family. She has been married for 33 years, she has 1 son who was born on her birthday, and a sweet Shih Tzu dog named Sassy. “I work second shift so I try to get things done at home early. I spend my off days running errands, taking care of things at home and making sure I fix a good dinner so that my husband gets a balanced meal as opposed to eating fast food. And my little Shih Tzu will stare at me until she gets her walk.” Debra's other interests include crafting and designing costume jewelry, and she is currently working on a dollhouse.

Favorite Holiday: Christmas, because it’s so magical

Favorite Music: I love Jazz music and Dave Kos (an American Saxophonist)

Favorite Vacation: Jamaica

Favorite Restaurant: Red Lobster

If I could learn to anything it would be: Another language

The most interesting thing about myself is that: I’m a girly girl but I love college basketball and would watch it every day if I could!

Places she has traveled: Bahamas, Cancun, Jamaica

Favorite thing to watch on TV: NATGEO Wild; I love animals, especially dogs

H O S PA R U S H E A LT H N E W S L E T T E R | PAG E 7

S E P T E M B E R | 2019

Here to help.

E M P LOY E E S Human Resources, Education and Occupational Health News

Can’t Remember Who to Send Your Documents To?

We are happy to share we now have a dedicated HR email address for staff to use when sending in documents for processing!

Our goal is to have all of these documents coming into one email address to get them entered as quickly as

possible. The email address below is to be used

for sending in auto insurance renewals, CPR cards, licensure renewals, certifications, etc.

hrdocuments@hosparus.org

Safety Tip

How to safely lift an object or patient:

1. Stand close to object with a wide stance, feet

shoulder width apart, and toes naturally pointed outward.

2. Squat next to the object by bending at knees

and hips maintaining the back’s natural curve.

3. Pull the load close and grasp it firmly.

4. Tighten stomach to act as a back support and keep head up to help lift with the legs rather than the back.

5. Stand up using legs, keeping back straight, chin

Nurses Reminder:

raised while lifting to help the back maintain its natural curves

R E N E W YO U R L I C E N S E T H I S Y E A R !

Kentucky and Indiana RN licenses expire this year on 10/31/2019!

Don’t delay! Please complete your renewal and submit your license to hrdocuments@hosparus.org as soon as you can.

Don’t forget, Hosparus Health reimburses the cost of renewal for required secondary licenses.

• •

The Indiana renewal cycle opened 7/15/2019

The Kentucky renewal cycle opens 9/15/2019

In the event Indiana implements the new nurse compact prior to the end of the year, we will update everyone with dual licenses.

Flu Season is Fast Approaching!

Need Health Records?

flu vaccine by the end of October. Hosparus Health requires all

O CC U PAT I O N A L H E A LT H !

The CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older get a employees and volunteers to receive the annual flu vaccination. It

takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body to protect against flu virus infection.

Watch your email box for notifications from Occupational Health regarding flu vaccine arrival and flu clinics.

S E N D A R EQ U E S T TO

All records are now securely offsite to be scanned, which may add a slight delay in us accessing the file upon receiving a request.

If you need a copy of your past health records:

1. Notify Occupational Health 2. Allow at least 48 business hours to obtain records. While records are actively being processed, access may take longer.

3. Note: New and future health record documents will be readily available once received in the

Occupational Health office (e.g. annual TB tests PAG E 8 | H OS PA R U S H E A LT H N E W S L E T T E R

and vaccine boosters).

S E P T E M B E R | 2019

Here to help.

E M P LOY E E S Human Resources, Education and Occupational Health News

Hosparus Health Fairs The Health Fair is open to all employees, but the BIOMETRIC

Congratulations to these physicians who are newly certified Hospice Medical Directors (HMDC):

health insurance through Hosparus Health. We are using the

D R . D U S T I N D I L LO N

Please select the location and time you wish to have your

DR. RUTH SIMONS

Schedule Here

Congratulations to the following promoted employees:

CO M I N G TO A S I T E N E A R YO U

SCREENING is only open to employees that have Humana

same vendor as last year to provide our biometric screenings.

D R . LO R I E A R N S H AW

screening completed and get some cool giveaways!

Dates Available*:

Monday, October 7, HSI

Tuesday, October 8, HGR

Wednesday, October 9, HCK

M AG G I E S M I T H -

PAY R O L L A N A LY S T

Thursday, October 10, HBR Friday, October 11, HL

*If you cannot attend these dates, you may have a biometric

screening done at your doctor’s office or the Little Clinic (free) and provide proof with the linked document to HR.

Note: If you were hired this year (2019) and already completed a biometric screening, you DO NOT have to get another one this year.

Know Before You Go

• Fasting is recommended, not required.

• Fast for 8 hours and take any medication normally.

• A Biometric Screening takes approximately 10 minutes.

• Take your Health Assessment at Go365. com

• Please bring your Humana Member ID Card.

KELSI DEMPSTERD E V E LO P M E N T

M A N AG E R E V E N T S & S P EC I A L P R O J EC T S

2019 Medistar Awards, Hosparus Health Nominees: C E N T E R S TO N E H E A LT H C A R E A DVO C AC Y AWA R D: G W E N CO O P E R

N U R S E O F T H E Y E A R AWA R D: S T E P H A N I E A LV E Y B A N K S

The awards are set for October 29, 2019.

H O S PA R U S H E A LT H N E W S L E T T E R | PAG E 9

S E P T E M B E R | 2019

Welcome!

N E W E M P LOY E E S

Cassie Ashbaugh, Team Nurse- HCK Natalie Calhoun, CNA- HCL

Lanecia Ducksworth, Visit Nurse- HCL Yolanda Durrah, CNA- HCL

Alana Head, Unit Secretary- HICC

Jeffrey Kaldahl, Chaplain - Level II- HJI

Shareese Kimble, Scheduling Coordinator- HCL Lindsay Knies, PRN RN- HJI

Lesley Manley, Team Nurse- HSI

Pamela Murphy-Burgin, Scheduling Coordinator- Corp Danan Pelkey, Certified Social Worker- HLSE

Jennifer Richardson, Hospice & Palliative Medicine

Physician- HJI

Shari Seaton, CNA- HLSW

OTT 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, or complete

online. 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.

BARREN RIVER

LO U I S V I L L E S O U T H E A S T

LO U I S V I L L E - C O R P

Cynthia Manteris

Kierra Johnson

Abigail Cundiff

C E N T R A L LO U I S V I L L E

LO U I S V I L L E S O U T H W E S T

Alyssa Wilkins

Douglas Tribolet

Kelly Smith, 2

Nicole Akerley

Kristin Meador, 2 Pamela Hostetler

LO U I S V I L L E N O R T H E A S T Cindy Townsend, 2

GREEN RIVER

INDIANA

Larissa Marr

Jessica Konkler

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Anna Brown Clifford Meadows Eron Cummins Lori Friestrom Sarah Williams Sky Yeasayer Stephanie Garvey Stephanie Harwood

S E P T E M B E R | 2019

Here to help.

E M P LOY E E S Human Resources, Education and Occupational Health News

Welcome Dr. Christine Bridges!

N O R T H E A S T H O S P I C E & A D U LT PA L L I AT I V E C A R E T E A M Dr. Bridges was previously a

family medicine physician for

years before deciding to pursue a hospice/palliative medicine fellowship. As many of you

Our Jasper Office Coming Together The Jasper team posing in front of the

office. The ribbon cutting ceremony is September 25.

know, she served as one of our fellows last year through the

University of Louisville and we

are blessed to welcome her to

our team! She has tremendous experience and shows great

compassion with our patients and families.

Our Employees Are Powerful S H E P H E R DS H O S P I C E E M P LOY E E G I F T Our sister hospice in Sierra Leons, Shepherd’s Hospice, recently experienced a flood that caused structural damage around their building. Thankfully, our employee giving program came through to help by providing a donation to support them financially during their crisis.

“This donation came as an enormous relief and brought happiness. Thank you and the staff at Hosparus; I extend my profound gratitude to you and staff for supporting us financially in this crisis.”

- Gabriel Madiye, Shepherd’s Hospice Medical Director

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At the core of our work.

VO LU N T E E R S

Volunteer takes Donations as Birthday Gift

Kentucky State Fair Fun

celebrated her 85th

Team Members: volunteer

for family and friends. In

manager Rachel Kiger, and

“Please no gifts”, instead

Thomas.

Volunteer manager Sylvia

Betty Holzapfel-Smith

Johnson and Southwest

birthday with a big party

Glenn Goetzinger, clinical

her invitation she asked,

Nurse Practitioner Andrea

asking her guests to

donate to Hosparus Health.

Betty’s mother, sister,

and husband, Dr. Amory

Ed Plymale and Mike

care of Hosparus Health.

for Military Sunday with

compassionate care and concern touched Betty deeply.

The organization joined

wanted to give as much time and energy as she could to

Heritage Hall to talk

reads to, prays with, and listens to her patients as they share

In recognition of their

C. Smith, were all in the

Huff, volunteers, present

Seeing the professional staff and volunteers giving their

Honor Flight Bluegrass.

After learning what a volunteer can do, Betty decided she

Hosparus Health in

Hosparus Health and has volunteered for 4 years now. Betty

about their program.

their life stories during her visits.

service, Ed and Mike presented a quilted care blanket flag to WWII veterans Jack Mooney and Pedro Carrillo.

When asked why she would like donations to be given to Hosparus Health in lieu of gifts she said, “I don’t need a

thing. I think giving a donation makes people more aware of the services that are available and is a small way to

Did You Know?

community.”

Services require that at least 5% of

contribute. Hosparus Health thrives on the generosity of the

The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare

Betty is pictured above with Darsh the magician.

all patient care time be provided by

National Thrift Shoppe Day

HCK Community Board Member Stan Mullins hosted a

cook-out for the shoppers, volunteers, staff and donors at the Elizabethtown Hosparus Health Thrift Shoppe to

celebrate National Thrift Shop Day on August 17th. He served about 150 guests during the lunch hour in appreciation

for the loyal support of our

shoppers and donors. Stan-we appreciate you!

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volunteers?

At Hosparus Health, we know volunteer service is not just required, volunteers

add a layer of compassionate care that can only come from someone who is

specifically trained to provide presence

and support. Volunteers are considered

staff members and are an integral part of the interdisciplinary team.

As of today, Hosparus Health has 712

volunteers as a part of our care team!

S E P T E M B E R | 2019

At the core of our work.

VO LU N T E E R S

Volunteers Honored in the Community

Showing Appreciation to Our Volunteers

was recognized recently as Hardin County School’s

celebrating volunteers with their

Milton Skeeters, one of HCK’s newest volunteers,

‘Distinguished Alumnus.’ Skeeters was one of five Hardin County Schools alumni honored at the district’s annual

Our communities have been annual recognition dinners.

Distinguished Alumni Awards luncheon.

HCK hosted their volunteers at the

He and his wife recently trained to work at the Thrift Shoppe,

dinner and a barbershop quartet.

and Milton is planning to take patient support training soon.

Congratulations Mr. Skeeters! We are honored to have you.

Pritchard Community Center with

Debbie Marks celebrated her 35th year volunteering, and said:

“Hosparus, thanks so much for the gift, given to me in celebration of my 35th year as a Hosparus volunteer. The kinds words said about me were so very nice and they meant more than words can express!

I always tell everyone that Hosparus staff and volunteers are among the best people in the world! You all are my second family and you all hold a “special place” in my heart!”

Louisville hosted their dinner

at St. Matthews Baptist Church, and presented the Pat Webb

award to Karyn Cooper; Karyn’s

family appeared as a surprise for her to receive the award.

At the University of Louisville Trager Institute’s Optimal Aging Luncheon, our incredible volunteer, Peg Snyder,

was honored. She has been a dedicated, compassionate volunteer of Hosparus Health for 13 years!

Congratulations, Peg!

The Indiana Volunteer Appreciation Dinner was full of games and

worldly decor to coincide with the “Volunteers Change the World” theme. Volunteer Manager, Vonya Gresham, and community

staff enjoyed the fun and competition the group brought at the gathering.

View all volunteer dinner photos here H O S PA R U S H E A LT H N E W S L E T T E R | PAG E 13

S E P T E M B E R | 2019

Keeping you connected.

CO M M U N I T Y Across Southern Indiana, Louisville, Central Kentucky, Green River and Barren River

Kentucky State Fair Activities Hosparus Health sponsored the Heritage Hall Senior Room in the South Wing and hosted a booth in Health Horizons of the

Kentucky State Fair this year. A variety of activities were provided, including: Kentucky Stumpers Trivia, chair yoga with Thrive

Center, panel discussions with Hosparus medical experts, advance directives help, WAGS pet therapy dogs, and a meet and greet with veterans.

Panel of experts fielding questions from the audience.

Attendance in the Senior Room.

Coloring contest winner: Asher of Georgetown, IN!

WHAS crew interviewing our team at the booth.

All the coloring contest entries. Contestants entered to win passes to Malibu Jacks in Louisville.

Media Spotlight

T V, R A D I O, & N E W S A P P E A R A N C E S 84 WHAS RADIO

Hosparus Health at the Fair with Tony Vanetti and Gwen Cooper NEWS AND TRIBUNE

Making a lasting impact in Southern Indiana WDRB

Hosparus Health seeking volunteers to help support community members PAG E 14 | H OS PA R U S H E A LT H N E W S L E T T E R

D U B O I S CO U N T Y F R E E P R E S S

Volunteers sought by regional organization that helps care for terminal or palliative patients TO P S LO U I S V I L L E

Taco Open held at Oxmoor Country Club YO U T U B E

Create More Moments Commercial

S E P T E M B E R | 2019

Keeping you connected.

CO M M U N I T Y Across Southern Indiana, Louisville, Central Kentucky, Green River and Barren River

Community Grass Roots Efforts Visits at Peggy’s Place

Hosparus Health Southern Indiana Community Outreach Manager

Lindsey Fleming and Volunteer Carol Crady created this canvas flag with participants at Peggy’s Place Adult Life Center in New Albany, Indiana.

Lindsey will be visiting Peggy’s Place monthly as she continues to build the relationship with the Southern Indiana community. Great job Lindsey!

Green County Health Fair

Our awesome CNAs, Tammy Tedrow and Stacy Matney, represented HGR at the Green County Health Fair.

Support from the Community

Recently the HICC received what seemed like a truck load of food donations from Rock Bottom Wholesale, and Blake &

Casey Gordon. This is not the first time Rock Bottom Wholesale has donated food and probably won’t be the last! We are

so appreciative of these donations because it allows us to offer our patient’s families something to eat as they stay bedside with their loved one. A heartfelt thank you to Rock Bottom Wholesale, and Blake & Casey Gordon!

H O S PA R U S H E A LT H N E W S L E T T E R | PAG E 15

S E P T E M B E R | 2019

You’re the expert.

B LO G

The Happy Caregiver BY: B O B M U E L L E R

I saw a happy woman today – someone who was vibrant with life. She was on television. She was so luminous with vitality that she seemed to leap right off the screen.

She said she had the greatest job in the world, and just looking at her, you couldn’t doubt it. She was a hospice caregiver, one who had just come off a long day and night dealing with her patients in serious conditions.

“We love what we do!” She was enthusing to the reporter, plainly proud and rightfully so. “We’re the ones who are running in while everybody else doesn’t know what to do.” I was struck by that expression, and by the joy she reflected when she said it.

That takes courage. Courage, they say, is not the lack of fear, but the ability to take action in spite of it. But where does that ability come from? What power grants the strength to overcome the sick, shaky feeling of fear?

Only one power is that strong – LOVE. In the ultimate analysis, human beings have only two essential primal feelings: fear and love. Fear impels us to survive, and love enables us to thrive. This complementary pair of feelings has been the driving force of human history. In the struggle for happiness, however, there is only one special quality of love that really matters.

That element of love is appreciation.

Appreciation is the highest, purest form of love. People who truly appreciate feel the same about the object of their appreciation whether it is present or absent. They appreciate it even if it is, by objective standards, not worthy of their appreciation.

When you enter into the active condition of appreciation – whether over something as common as a sunrise or sunset or as profound as the love in your child’s eyes or the love of a caregiver for a patient – your normal world stops, and a state of grace begins. During active appreciation, your brain, your heart and endocrine system work in synchrony and heal in harmony.

It was clear the happy woman I saw was full of love, fueling her job as a caregiver with enthusiasm, despite the long day she had doing the job that not many accept.

PAG E 16 | H O S PA R U S H E A LT H N E W S L E T T E R