Spring 2024 eNewsletter

Spring 2024 Newsletter

You live in the hearts of those you love Each year, Hospice of Dubuque hosts the Tree of Life Memorial Service. This is an opportunity for all members of our tri-state community to come together and remember those we hold in our hearts.

All are invited to gather on Tuesday, May 21, at 7:30 pm in Washington Park in downtown Dubuque. The evening will include prayer, music, readings, a guest speaker, and lighting of the tree display. Due to limited seating in the park, please bring a lawn chair or blanket. In the event of rain, the Tree of Life Memorial Service will be held at The Grand Opera House, 135 W 8th St, Dubuque.

To remember someone with a light on the Tree of Life display, send a tax-deductible gift of any amount, along with the name of the person(s) you would like remembered or honored, to Hospice of Dubuque, 1670 John F. Kennedy Rd, Dubuque, IA 52002 or visit our website at www.hospiceofdubuque.org. All memorials, not only those served

by Hospice of Dubuque, are welcome.

Names received by Friday, May 17, will be included in the Tree of Life program. Your gift supports the Hospice of Dubuque mission of providing compassionate care for the seriously ill and their loved ones, and helps fund the services that continue to make a difference in the lives of your tri-state neighbors.

Join your fellow community members in lighting the Tree of Life; then come witness the lights that surround this symbol of love. With each light representing someone special, we come together to celebrate those who remain in our hearts.

We extend appreciation to Behr’s Funeral Home for sponsoring this year’s Tree of Life Memorial Service.

563.582.1220 • hospiceofdubuque.org

Updated Mission Statement

By Lavonne Noel, Executive Director

According to Webster’s dictionary, a mission statement declares the “purpose or goal” of an organization. Since 1983, Hospice of Dubuque has been guided by and committed to fulfilling, a mission of providing compassionate care for the terminally ill and their loved ones. By stating that Hospice of Dubuque’s “compassionate care” was for both terminally ill persons and their loved ones, the mission statement encompassed both our hospice care and our bereavement services. However, the initiation of our palliative care consulting service a few years ago prompted the Hospice of Dubuque Board of Directors to consider updating the mission statement to also include this new service line.

PROVIDING COMPASSIONATE CARE FOR THE SERIOUSLY ILL AND THEIR LOVED ONES For the past 18 years, Hospice of Dubuque has followed the Iowa Principles and Practices for Charitable Nonprofit Excellence. Back in 2004, Governor Tom Vilsack appointed a Nonprofit Task Force to develop standards for Iowa nonprofit organizations. Representatives from the offices of the Secretary of State and Attorney General were part of the Task Force. The goal was to provide Iowa nonprofits with guidelines and education in management practices, ethical conduct, and public accountability.

The first edition of the Iowa Principles and Practices for Charitable Nonprofit Excellence was published in 2005. The following year, the State of Iowa joined with the Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center at the University of Iowa to offer members of the nonprofit community training on the recently published principles and practices. I attended one of these training sessions in June 2006.

Board of Directors, Members Bonnie Hancock, President Stasia Brannon, Vice President Sue Bushman, Secretary Mike Sinkey, Treasurer Tom Anderegg Greg Birkett Carole Carroll Paul Carty Vicki Dirksen Joe Kane Msgr. Daniel Knepper Rev. Jim Mehltretter Allen Meurer, MD Zac Scherrman Lois Schueller Bryson Winsky Troy Wright Jeremy Wulfekuhle

Medical Staff Brian Sullivan, MD, Medical Director Mark Hermann, MD, Hospice Physician Kate Hermsen, MSN, ARNP Sue Houselog, MSN, ARNP Jessica Steger, MSN, ARNP Foundation Board Dick Cody Bob Donovan Mike FitzPatrick Don Freymann Dave Ludovissy Bill Maiers Bruce Rehmke Mike Sinkey Community Education Diane Fasselius

Leadership Team Lavonne Noel, Executive Director Jackie Brehm, Director of Finance & Admin. Services Kate Hermsen, Director of Clinical Services Angela Nauman, Director of Compliance Lisa Patterson, Director of Social Services Megan Schmitt, Director of Nursing Betsy Barna, Clinical Services Coordinator Rose Guler-Ludowitz, Clinical Services Coordinator

Through the years, Hospice of Dubuque's daisy has remained a symbol of our compassionate care.

In the fall of 2006, the Hospice of Dubuque Board of Directors completed a comprehensive review of the Iowa Principles and Practices for Charitable Nonprofit Excellence to ensure Hospice of Dubuque was in compliance with these new standards. Once this review was completed, Hospice of Dubuque joined the Iowa Register of Accountability, which is maintained on the Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center website. This registry is a voluntary listing of charitable nonprofits that are committed to Iowa’s principles and practices, thus agreeing to adhere to the highest standards of efficiency, effectiveness, and ethics.

Each year since 2006, the Hospice of Dubuque Board of Directors has conducted an annual review of the Hospice of Dubuque mission statement. Such a review is recommended as best practice according to the Iowa Principles and Practices for Charitable Nonprofit Excellence. For the past few years, the Board has considered how to incorporate our palliative care program into the Hospice of Dubuque mission statement. They wanted to provide clarification, yet maintain a straightforward representation of our mission of compassionate care.

This winter, the Hospice of Dubuque Board of Directors concluded that simply changing the mission statement’s language from “terminally ill” to “seriously ill” would integrate palliative care, while remaining true to the original mission. Thus, effective February 16, 2024, the Hospice of Dubuque mission statement was amended to: Providing compassionate care for the seriously ill and their loved ones. Throughout the year, the community will begin seeing this updated mission statement in our publications and on our social media. It is a subtle yet representative change that now allows the mission statement to encompass our complete purpose.

For over 40 years, our mission-driven care has made a difference here in the tri-states, and that commitment continues. Hospice of Dubuque is here to provide you and those you love with the most compassionate and highest quality hospice, palliative, and bereavement services. For the care the tri-states has trusted for more than four decades, remember to ask for Hospice of Dubuque by name.

BOARD MEMBER CHANGES In January, we welcomed Tom Anderegg back to the Hospice of Dubuque Board of Directors. His previous board service was from 2012 through 2020. Tom received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from DePaul University in Chicago and practiced as a psychologist in Dubuque for many years. He is now retired. Tom and his wife, Jan, have two adult children. He enjoys golfing, biking, and reading.

At the end of 2023, we bid farewell to the following members of the Hospice of Dubuque Board of Directors: • Charlotte Halverson, who served from 2015 through 2023.

• Cindy Burdt, who served from 2004 through 2012, and from 2020 through 2023.

We thank Charlotte and Cindy for their many years of dedicated service on the Board.

BestFest 2024 Hospice of Dubuque and the BestFest Committee thank the community for joining us March 21 at the Grand River Center for BestFest 2024. An energetic crowd enjoyed a variety of samples from the winning businesses and helped make BestFest another huge success. Our sincere thanks to the businesses that participated in the event, the volunteers who worked the event, and those who voted and purchased tickets.

It was a pleasure to work with the dedicated members of the BestFest committee: Greg Birkett, The Dubuque Advertiser; Jim Bardon, Radio Dubuque; Thalia Cutsforth, OnMedia and Carole Carroll, Hospice of Dubuque Board Member and Volunteer.

Hospice of Dubuque is grateful to be the recipient of the proceeds from BestFest 2024, which totaled over $41,000. These funds ensure Hospice of Dubuque can continue to bring compassionate care to patients and families in the tri-state area.

PARTY BUS 2024 Brad Metcalf and friends were the lucky winners of the BestFest party bus for the second year in a row! The group traveled to BestFest via the Morgan Ann party bus courtesy of Robb Munter. The package also included 12 of the following: BestFest tickets with designated seating, National Mississippi River Museum passes, Phoenix Theater tickets, Kennedy Mall gift cards, and Miracle Car Wash certificates!

Gold Sponsors:

Silver Sponsors: Conlon Construction, Giese Companies, Honkamp & Co., MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center, Sedona Staffing Services

Bronze Sponsors: Biechler Electric Inc., Flexsteel Industries, Straka Johnson, Tri-State Shred, Access Systems

The Big Duffer Golf Outing

Saturday, July 20 ∙ Lacoma Golf Course, East Dubuque, IL Join us for a fun day of golf! Fill out the registration form below to participate.

Return the form with payment by July 5, 2024, to: Hospice of Dubuque, 1670 JFK Rd, Dubuque, IA 52002, or email cr@hospiceofdubuque.org.

2024 REGISTRATION FORM Name: _____________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________ Phone: _____________________________________________ Email: _____________________________________________ ☐ Tournament Participation or Dinner ☐ 9 holes with cart and dinner ($60) ☐ 18 holes with cart and dinner ($80) ☐ Steak dinner ($35) My team members are:

3:00 pm shotgun start 1:00 pm shotgun start 6:00 pm

1. ____________________________________________ 2. ____________________________________________ 3. ____________________________________________ Playing in memory of ____________________________ Hole Sponsorship ☐ $500 ☐ $250

☐ $100

Contact us at 563.582.1220 or cr@hospiceofdubuque.org for more information.

Hole sponsored by ___________________________________ In memory of _______________________________________ ☐ Prize Donation Will be used towards raffle or auction item Item description and value ________________________________ ☐ Gift card enclosed ☐ Please pick up donation ☐ Check Enclosed

☐ Please Invoice

☐ Credit Card # __________________________ Exp. Date _________ Sec. Code _________ Signature ________________________________ Total Donation $ ____________

Bereavement Outreach

For more information about the programs below, contact Mary Boots at 563.582.1220 or bootsm@hospiceofdubuque.org

Children's Grief Workshop Thursday, May 16, 2024 | 5:00-6:30 pm Families are invited to join us for an evening of grief centered conversations and kite flying. This event will be at Flora Park's blue roof pavilion or at Hospice of Dubuque in the case of rain.

Camp Kaleidoscope

Tuesday, August 6, 2024 | 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Hospice of Dubuque is excited to offer Camp Kaleidoscope, a free day camp for grieving children, ages 6-14 who have recently lost a loved one.

The camp focuses on the grieving process and encourages connections with others who have experienced similar losses. The camp is held at Swiss Valley Nature Center in Dubuque.

The camp is designed to normalize children’s feelings of loss, so they know they are not alone. Hospice of Dubuque’s trained staff members will facilitate activities to support enhanced coping skills. A combination of activity stations will incorporate fun and learning throughout the day.

Walking Through Grief Starting Wednesday May 22, 2024 | 9:00 - 10:00 am To support those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, the Hospice of Dubuque Bereavement Team hosts Walking through Grief. This drop-in support group is for any tri-state adult who has experienced a loss.

The sessions are held from May through September, and take place on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. No prior registration is needed. Participants may attend as many, or as few sessions as they would like.

Join us at the Bergfeld Recreation Area, 7600 Chavenelle Rd, Dubuque. The 0.8mile walking trail around Bergfeld Pond is paved and flat. Participants can walk at their desired pace.

The Importance of Planning Diane Fasselius, BA, RN Community Education Specialist

Death is not a question of if; rather, it is a question of when and how.

At a recent bereavement conference that I attended, the speaker stated that North Americans are the epitome of a death-defying, deathdenying society. I do believe that mindset is changing, but at a very slow pace.

When taking a loved one to the ER, most people believe that the doctors there will certainly save their loved one’s life. Unfortunately, saving lives is not always possible depending on the medical history and current status of the person’s health. When it is not possible, patients and their families most often are unprepared to make endof-life decisions. They have either never considered the possibility of death, or their physician has never discussed it with them.

We plan carefully for many things in life—births, education, career, living arrangements, weddings, and celebrations of all kinds. We even plan for the disposition of our possessions when we are no longer here. Just as important is the planning for how we want to live our life to the very last breath. That takes time, discussions with loved ones, understanding of the options or outcomes of proposed treatments or interventions, and a careful look at one’s personal values and goals for life.

The book, Saving Lives, Saving Dignity, takes a look at the challenges family members face when they bring their loved one into the ER and these issues have not previously been addressed. This creates anxiety and distress not only for the patient and family, but also for the medical staff. No one wants to make a patient’s final hours anything less than dignified, serene, and peaceful. This book helps us understand the importance of planning for this inescapable event in life.

Book Suggestion: Saving Lives, Saving Dignity, by Alan Molk, MD, & Robert Shapiro, MD, offers a unique end-of-life perspective from two emergency physicians.

Consider the following scenario. The doctor approaches you and says, “Your mother is seriously ill and we have to put her on a ventilator to keep her alive. Do you want us to do everything?” Of course, your answer is, “Yes, I want you to do everything.” You think, “Why is he asking me this question?” You assume that by doing everything, your mother will be saved. What you may not realize, however, is that this decision may subject your loved one to a great deal of suffering without changing the outcome.

Modern medical technology allows us to prolong life, but often in a way that directly contradicts what a patient wants at the end of life. When asked, most people say they would like to spend the last part of their life at home, surrounded by their loved ones, in a comfortable environment with optimal quality of life. Sadly, without planning and conversations, a person’s wishes might not be followed. In this book, Dr. Molk and Dr. Shapiro guide readers through these crucial considerations.

Honorariums and Memorials

Gifts received from January 1 through March 31.

Honorariums Wallace Brown Cindy Burdt-Theisen Supply retiree Kelli Decker Cristi Fitzgerald Matt Fitzgerald Mike Fitzgerald Katie Ganter Jim & Judy Kluesner Family Jennie Schwartz Betty Takes Cortini Walen Memorials Clem Ahmann Mary Jane Ahmann Michael “Mick” Allendorf Marilyn Althoff Henry Andrucki Charles "Mike" Ansel Daniel H. Arling, Sr. Joseph P. Bahl Robert Balk Dennis Ball Jackie Bardon Al & Rita Barry David Bassler Gene & Genevieve Bassler William Baum Bernice Behnke Irene Behnke Shirley Berens Ivan “Ike” Berger Louis & Rita Berning Margaret Bertling Roxanne Besler Barry Blair Bruce Bockenstedt James Bolger Jannell Borgstahl Norman "Dean" Boyes Tom "Slim" Boyle Robert Brehm Kenneth Bries Carol Brimeyer Steve Burgess Dan Burke Helene M. Byrne Mary & Robert Capesius Jan Carroll You have received the HOD newsletter because you or a family member have used Hospice of Dubuque services, donated, or volunteered. We never disclose our mailing list. We are committed to respecting your privacy. To have your name removed or to receive the newsletter by email, please contact us at cr@hospiceofdubuque.org or 563.582.1220.

Betty Clemen Karen E. Clemens Michael J. Conlon Mary Ruth Connolly Barbara Cook Deanna Sue Cording Lois Corken Al Coulson Mary Crispo Shirley Daack Catherine Daly Harold Daniels Charlotte Danner Randy DeMoss John Denlinger Dan Didesch David R. Dolter Cathy Donovan Norman Dorst Terry Driscoll Rita Duve Jack Arthur Edens Paul Ehrlich Mary Eiffes Sherry Eiffes Leon Einsweiler Scott T. Ensign Michael Erickson Sharon Euell James Alexander Feehan Tom Feipel Jerome H. Feldman Joan & Les Feldmann Helen Feyen Mary Fitzgerald Lee Foecking Gerald "Jerry" Foht Adam Gassman Tom Gassman Bart Germaine Josef C. Gindorff Mary Glennon Henry Goldstein Karl Goodfellow Marge Gothard Rev. Jo Green Steve Green Mary Sanders Habel Sharon Hamel Jean Hammel Tom Hammel Gary “Poncho” Hancock Janaan Hancock Christian Harris Joseph Hartman Marjorie Havertape Charles "Chuck" Hawkins Jim Heavens Danielle Heck-Lonning Louis Heims Gloria & Norm Hein LeRoy Helle Alan Henricks Sandra Henry

Ollie Herbst Jeanne M. Herkes Paul Herrig Tony Hilvers David Hoefler Wilma Hogan Roger Holdridge Marge Hrynkow Mary L. Hubbard Margaret Mary Huber Bob Hubert Marilyn Hughes Ron & Eileen Hughes Eulaine Hutchcroft Margaret Jahn Jay Jellison Mary Ellyn Jensen Jeff Johnson Sharon A. Johnston W.J. Kauder, Jr. Wm. Kauder III James G. Kennedy James Kieffer Earl & Rita Kintzle Irma Kintzle Marina Klein Patrick “Pat” Klein Barbara Knepper Vincent Kotz Eugene Krapfl Roger Krepfle Bernard Kruser Family Ruth Kruser Beverly Kubesheski Merlyn Kuehl Ginger Kuntz Clarence & Irene Kutsch Diane Lahr David R. Lampe Arnold Langkamp Philip W. Larsen Gary Latham Jeanette Laufenberg A.J. Lechner Elva Lechner Becki LeClere Nancy Leibfried David W. Leifker Eileen Leland Nancy Leslein Dan Levens Wayne Lewis Lois Lex Diane M. Loeffelholz Thomas C. Maas Ronald N. Maiers Vicki Maiers Charles Malone Sharon Mangler Lois A. Manternach Diann Marsh Jane Martin Duane Matt Nell Matt

Mary Sue McAllister Phoebe McCrea Myrtle "Jean" McCubbin Dorothy McDermott Dr. Brenda McKinney Monica Meissner William Meissner Delores Merritt Celestine Meyer Pauline M. Meyer Dennis Meyerhofer Alice E. Meyers Alice Miller Berdena “Birdie” Miller Rita Mohr Debra Morgan Bernita M. Moser Linda Mushrush Merlin Nauman Pat Nauman Fred Neiers Fr. Mark Nemmers Deb Nesteby Robert Nesteby Dave Neuhaus Mary Noonan Eleanor (Kohn) Nunez Elmer Oberbroeckling Delores O’Brien Ann O’Hea Bill & Barbara O'Rourke Deb Ostwinkle Ernest & Del Rose Ostwinkle Juanita Ostwinkle Ron Ostwinkle Sandy Ostwinkle Ken & Monica Pancratz Richard Peterson Clarence Pfab Lyal Pfeiler Michael "Mike" Pickel Shirley Pins John & Rita Pothoff Bob Powers Donald Price Florence Puls Elaine Rapp Herb Recker Mildred Recker Jimmy Redfearn Wayne Reicher

Gloria Reiter Jean Reiter Dewayne "Bama" Revis Rosemary Richman Laura Riedl Joe Riesselman Mark Ring Mary Roddy Fred & Virginia Rohner Dave Rossman Geraldine R. Roth Keith Roth Peter Roth Wayne Roth William & Jean Runde George & Kaye Running Del Scales Harry Schiffman Family Marlene Schlarmann David Schleicher Janet Schmitt Gerry Schnieders John A. Schoen Helene Schoenhard Gerald F. Schwartz Paul Shanahan James Sheehy Edward Small Sarah Smith Joe Spark Ron Spillane Rose M. Spillane Robert A. Spoerre Bob & Lu Stecher Lillian Steger Janice Stierman Eleanor Stocke Mary C. Stoffel Sr. Clara Streng Albert Stuart Jerold Stumpner Jim Sysko John Taylor Benedict & Luella Tekippe Florence "Pat" Thill Iva Ungs Rosemary Uthe Mary Jane Vaassen Doris Virtue Claudette Dawn vonKeltz Dorothy Vorwald

Richard Wachter Don Wasmundt Barb Weber Kathern Wedig Donald "Donnie" Welsh Brad Welter Margaret & Norbert Welter Ed Welu Daniel Wessels Henry J. Wilhelm Joanna Wolbers Patricia Woodard Arden Woodrum Mary Catherine Zapf Businesses, Groups, and Matching Gifts Andersen Corp.

Asbury Fire Dept.

A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Charitable Fund Barry & Kathy Bromberg Endowment Fund Cody Family Fund Danaher Corp Hartig Drug Customers of Galena Home+Floor Show Iowa Fields of Opportunities Randall W. Lengeling Fund Jim & Jane Meyer Charitable Gift Foundation Constance Norby Gift Fund Principal Financial Runde Chevrolet, Inc. Philip & Thelma Schlueter Family Endowment Fund Sisters of Charity BVM Sisters of St. Francis Theisen Supply, Inc. Bob & Donna Wahlert Donor Advised Fund In Kind and Loan Closet Best Western Dean Burkle Nancy Diehm James & Linda Erpelding GSEIWI Hills & Dales Seton Catholic School

Sympathy to...

Hospice of Dubuque Staff Angelia Henslee on the death of her husband's grandmother, Jeanette Laufenberg, on January 10.

Hospice of Dubuque Volunteer Families • Charles E. "Chuck" Hawkins, who died January 6.

• Mary Catherine Zapf, who died January 17.

• Rev. Josephine "Jo" Green, who died March 1.

Hospice of Dubuque Welcomes Andrew Rang, Hospice Nurse Case Manager, who joined the team in February. He received his associate's degree from NICC and graduated from Grand Canyon Univeristy with a bachelor's degree in nursing. Andrew has 11 years of nursing experience.

He is married to Christie and has two children, Lincoln and Arya.

Together, they enjoy playing video games and hiking.

Sasha Merfeld, Hospice Nurse Case Manager, who joined the team in March. She graduated from Clarke University with a bachelor's degree in nursing and has over 7 years of experience in nursing and psychology. Sasha is married to Eli and has three children, Sophia, Brayden, and Easton. She enjoys traveling with her family and altering dance costumes in her free time.

Teresa Cline, Bereavement Associate, who joined the team in April. She graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a bachelor's degree in child and family studies/gerontology.

Teresa is married to DJ, has two children, Ashlyn and Elijah, and three cats. Together, they enjoy listening to music and watching football and hockey.

Congratulations to...

Hospice of Dubuque Staff

Hillary Wilson and her husband, Jacob, on the birth of their daughter, Lillian Elizabeth Wilson, on March 20.

Hospice of Dubuque is once again participating in Great Give Day, which is organized each year by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. This online charitable event will be on Wednesday, May 15, from midnight to midnight. A gift of $10 or more qualifies Hospice of Dubuque for matching gifts. Mark your calendar to support your local nonprofit hospice!

Hospice of Dubuque - Your 5-Star Hospice!

Visit www.medicare.gov/care-compare

On February 21, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updated its Care Compare website with the most recent eight quarters of data. Hospice of Dubuque, your local, nonprofit hospice, continues with the highest rating possible, which is five stars!

CMS first began publishing star ratings for hospice providers in August 2022, based upon responses to the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Hospice Survey. This survey is completed by family members following the death of their loved one to assess satisfaction with the hospice services they and their loved one received.

The survey data is used to update the star ratings each quarter. Hospice of Dubuque has consecutively received a 5-star rating from the start!

HOSPICE OF DUBUQUE HAS RECEIVED A 5-STAR RATING FROM THE START Only 253 of 2,024 hospices in the United States currently have a 5-star rating. This places Hospice of Dubuque among the top 13% of hospices in the country! We are proud of the high quality care our tri-state community receives from its local, nonprofit hospice!

Volunteer Spotlight

Anna Ranaldi, Hospice of Dubuque Volunteer

Anna grew up in an Italian-American neighborhood west of Chicago and was amazed by the hospice care and support her parents and in-laws received. When she moved to Galena, she heard wonderful things about our non-profit hospice and wanted to use her time and talent to give back through volunteering.

Integrity, resiliency, a strong work ethic, responsibility, and "charity in your heart" are talents Anna learned from her mother. Anna’s mother also modeled how to give freely to people who are in need, especially the elderly. Anna embraces time with hospice patients, listening to their life stories. She also enjoys reading historical fiction and cooking for family and friends.

Anna has a Bachelor's degree in international business and foreign language, and she spent 35 years with Northern Trust Bank holding various leadership positions until her retirement in 2021.

Thank you, Anna, for joining our dedicated group of volunteers.

We are blessed to have you as part of the Hospice of Dubuque team.

LOCAL Compassionate CARE

Spring 2024 Newsletter | Volume 37, Number 1

A quarterly publication of Hospice of Dubuque

Children's Grief Workshop Tree of Life Memorial Service Big Duffer Golf Outing

Thursday, May 16: Tuesday, May 21: Saturday, July 20:

For more information on events, visit hospiceofdubuque.org or contact cr@hospiceofdubuque.org

Great Give Day

Wednesday, May 15:

Mark Your Calendar!

1670 JFK Road Dubuque, IA 52002