Here in the tri-states, Hospice of Dubuque is represented by the colors green and blue. Since 2009, our hospice staff has worn light green shirts. Green is considered a relaxing color that represents life, harmony, hope, and safety. This color has been present in the Hospice of Dubuque logo since the organization began in 1983. Our tri-state community has always appreciated the comprehensive, professional, and compassionate endof-life care our Hospice of Dubuque team provides, and, for the past 15 years, they have come to expect we will be dressed in green.
A relative newcomer to the Hospice of Dubuque color palette has been the addition of royal blue to represent our palliative care program. Since 2019, the clinicians in Hospice of Dubuque’s Palliative Care Consulting service have worn blue to differentiate their role. Blue is considered a calming color that represents peace, trust, honesty, and security. For the past five years, community members have welcomed our palliative care providers, dressed in royal blue tops, to help manage their illness.
Remember, here in the tri-states, Hospice of Dubuque’s green team is available to journey with you and your loved ones when facing serious, end-stage illness. Hospice of Dubuque’s palliative care program, in royal blue, is available to provide a consultative service for coping with serious, chronic illness. Both are committed to the Hospice of Dubuque mission of providing compassionate care for the seriously ill and their loved ones.
For information about the differences between hospice and palliative care, please visit our website: https://hospiceofdubuque.org/palliative-care
Caveat Emptor - Let the Buyer Beware!
Lavonne Noel, Executive Director
My mother and mother-in-law both attended high school in the late 1930’s; the former at St. Mary’s High School in Cascade (IA), and the latter at Immaculate Conception Academy in Dubuque. As high school students, both studied Latin. Even in their later years, they sang the praises of this ancient language. They maintained that Latin had helped them expand their vocabularies and correctly follow the grammatical rules of the English language.
I never studied Latin. Much to my mom’s disappointment, by the time I went to high school in the 1970’s, this language was no longer part of the curriculum. Therefore, I only know a few Latin phrases that I have picked up over time. Some of these phrases are used in my administrative role here at Hospice of Dubuque. We have “ad hoc” committees that focus on a specific purpose, and we discuss the “status quo” when we are working on projects. Another popular Latin phrase is “carpe diem,” which translates to “seize the day.” Hospice of Dubuque’s services enable patients and families to live as fully as possible and enjoy the day, which is the very definition of this term!
Today, I want to focus on “caveat emptor,” which translates to “let the buyer beware.” You may be wondering—how does this Latin phrase apply to hospice care? As a nonprofit organization, Hospice of Dubuque is committed to a mission of compassionate care. Unfortunately, many for-profit hospice businesses view hospice as purely a money-making venture. According to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), the proportion of for-profit hospices in the United States increased from 30% of all hospices in 2000 to 75% in 2021. With an increased focus on profit, there has also been increased incidents of fraud and abuse with the Medicare Hospice Benefit.
Last summer, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rolled out enhanced oversight activity, which was focused primarily on new hospices in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas. This scrutiny was in response to numerous reports of hospice fraud, waste, and abuse, and concerns with market oversaturation. These four states in particular have seen a significant increase in for-profit hospices in recent years. Some of these hospice companies were obtaining hospice licenses and Medicare certification to then sell the business for a quick profit. Some were providing substandard care or care that was inconsistent with the hospice benefit, such as a periodic cleaning service but no provision of medical care. Many were found to enroll Medicare beneficiaries who were not medically eligible for hospice services. Others were found to be falsely billing Medicare for beneficiaries that had never been enrolled in hospice care.
Lavonne (Reiter) Noel, 1979
Mary (Trumm) Reiter, 1939
In 2023, the State of California suspended the licensing of new hospice programs in an effort to curb the fraudulent activity. Also, in California this spring, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested five people in connection with a $15 million hospice fraud and money laundering scheme. In May of this year, the FBI issued a public warning in Houston, Texas, noting that individuals had been enrolled in hospice without their knowledge, with the hospice companies falsely billing millions of dollars to Medicare. Some Houston area Medicare beneficiaries reported a scam in which hospice company recruiters had called to sell them hospice care.
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization has developed guidance for choosing a hospice provider. This document can be found on the Hospice of Dubuque website under the Resources tab. Another great resource is Medicare’s Care Compare website which provides a wealth of quality data so healthcare consumers can evaluate and compare hospice providers. Visit www.medicare.gov/care-compare/ and click on “Hospice Care.”
Remember, not all hospices are the same, so ask for Hospice of Dubuque by name. We are your local, non-profit hospice with over 41 years of service to the tri-state community and a 5-star rating from Medicare. For the care you and your loved ones deserve, choose Hospice of Dubuque. Caveat emptor.
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
Nanci Friedmann Director of Palliative Care & Clinical Informatics Specialist
Tree of Life Memorial Service
Tree of Life Memorial Service
The annual Tree of Life Memorial Service was held on Wednesday, May 22 in Washington Park. Postponing the event one night brought a beautiful evening for Megan Gloss to share her grief journey. Laura Seibert and Lexi Healey provided lovely music to accompany Megan’s story. The end of the evening brought the lighting of our Katsura tree with over 3,000 lights honoring those we hold in our hearts.
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our event. We are grateful to Greg Birkett, our emcee for the evening, and Dianne Grace for guiding our prayer. Special thanks to Biechler Electric, Inc. for lighting our tree and Behr’s Funeral Home, our advertising sponsor. Heartfelt thanks to our generous donors and the community for their continued support of Hospice of Dubuque. This year’s event resulted in over $36,000 to support our mission of compassionate care.
To view the Tree of Life Memorial Service video and memorial list, please visit www.hospiceofdubuque.org.
Healing Conversations
Diane Fasselius, BA, RN Community Education Specialist
There are many things in life that are out of our control. Life brings many challenges, and one of the challenges we experience throughout life is loss. At birth, we leave the warm, safe, comfort of the womb. Different kinds and degrees of loss continue throughout life. It may be the loss of childhood and adolescence as we grow, changing jobs, moving to a different residence, change in a relationship, health issues, or a new illness or diagnosis. Whatever the change or transition, it can be difficult to know how to respond and support those we care about who are going through this.
Change and transitions occur in our home life, our work, and our community. In today’s world we are increasingly faced with uncomfortable situations where we don’t know what to say, yet we feel the need to respond. We may flounder in conversation, avoid contact, or simply not respond at all. We may walk away perplexed, thinking we have done a poor job of being a support to our family, friends, or acquaintances.
How do we take in the sad or unexpected news? What do we say when we are at a loss for words? From where do we draw the wisdom, courage, and strength to respond with a kind, understanding heart? How do we convey genuine interest, concern, and compassion that honors the individual’s wishes to share, or not to share, personal information? It can be challenging to pause, actively listen, and offer support in a way that respects another person. It’s so important to listen, keep your own emotions in check, and truly be present. An understanding smile, a held hand, and the words, “I’m here for you,” can be the beginning of a healing conversation.
Book Suggestion: Healing Conversations: What to Say When
You Don’t Know What to Say, by Nance Guilmartin. This book enables us to provide, or ask for, a new level of support when facing life’s inevitable challenges, transitions, and losses. It offers guidance in finding appropriate and caring things to say when we are at a loss for words. It also teaches us that listening is the most important thing in a healing conversation. This can be very difficult because our own emotions can run away when we are with someone in pain. We get scared or angry, and we want to make the problem go away by offering advice or changing the subject.
Filled with touching stories, this practical guide helps us step into someone else’s shoes so we can empathetically learn how to respond in times of need. It offers short reflections at the end of each chapter to help readers become more comfortable and effective when offering or accepting comfort.
PINEAPPLE can fade FINGERPRINTS
WATERMELON is over 90% WATER
THE LARGEST ICE CREAM SCOOP weighed 3010 POUNDS
SUMMER SUMMER FACTS FACTS
THE EIFFEL TOWER grows taller in SUMMER
THE FRISBIE started as a PLATE
AUGUST IS the most popular BIRTHDAY MONTH
Welcome to ...
Nanci Friedmann, Director of Palliative Care and Clinical Informatics Specialist, who joined the team in May. She graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Nanci has over 40 years of nursing experience in hospice and palliative care. She is married to Jeff, has three children, Jed, Roxanne, and Adam, and a cat, Simba “Doodle”. Nanci enjoys needlework, nature, Hawkeye football, and day trips with her husband.
Rachel Offerman, temporary Hospice
Aide, who joined the team this summer as a part-time certified nursing assistant (CNA). During the school year, Rachel is a student at the University of Iowa. She was interested in working with Hospice of Dubuque after her grandmother received our services last year. Rachel enjoys skiing, walking her dog, Teddi, and rollerblading.
Sympathy
to ...
Hospice of Dubuque Staff
Michelle Coen, our new Hospice Social Worker, who joined the team in May. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in social work. Michelle has 24 years of social work exerience. She has a son, Eli, and daughter, Emeri. Michelle enjoys spending time with family and friends, fishing, kayaking, hiking, and shopping.
Casey Thein, Hospice Nurse Case Manager, who joined the team in May. She graduated from Mount Mercy University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Casey has 25 years of nursing experience in Dubuque, Iowa City, and Des Moines. She has a daughter, Peyton, and three cats, Gladys, Abner, and Kemba. Casey enjoys shopping and traveling.
• Jen Fondell, on the death of her grandmother, Gloria Pline, on April 11.
• Rose Guler-Ludowitz, on the death of her son, Nicholas Guler, on April 29.
• Carrie Hruska, on the death of her grandmother, Agnes Fayfar, on June 19.
The Families of Hospice of Dubuque Volunteers
• Annabelle “Ann” Jantsch, who died on April 30.
• Shirley Maiers, who died on May 23.
Barb Gassman died on April 2. Barb was a nurse with Hospice of Dubuque from November 1994 through May 1998, at which time she moved to South Dakota to work as a hospice nurse on the Pine Ridge Reservation. After one year of this ministry, Barb returned to Hospice of Dubuque. She then worked on our team from June 1999 through October 2003 when she moved to the Madison, Wisconsin, area. Barb was an incredible nurse and hospice advocate. We extend sympathy to her family.
August 6, 2024 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Swiss Valley Nature Center, 13606 Swiss Valley Rd
Camp Kaleidoscope, a free camp for grieving children, is made possible by generous contributions from Hospice of Dubuque donors. Your involvement can make a lasting impact and transform a child’s life forever.
If you would like to support this meaningful program, select your giving level below. Return this page to Hospice of Dubuque using the donation envelope provided in this newsletter.
☐ $ 500 Camp Kaleidoscope summer program
☐ $ 400 Lunch for campers and volunteers
☐ $ 250 One-of-a-kind memorial service
☐ $ 200 Memory box station
☐ $ 150 Aromatherapy station
☐ $ 100 Journaling station
☐ $ 75 Nature immersion station
☐ $ 50 One-of-a kind day camp experience
Name/Business
Address
City/State/Zipcode
Phone
Email
Camp Kaleidoscope is a free camp for grieving children ages 5-13 who have recently experienced the death of a loved one.
Hospice of Dubuque’s staff and volunteers will facilitate a variety of activities to educate, empower, and equip children with healthy grief and coping skills.
For more information, contact Mary at 563.582.1220 or email bootsm@ hospiceofdubuque.org
VOLUNTEER IN-SERVICE CALENDAR
Thursday, September 26
Volunteer Roundtable Discussion
4:30 - 5:30 pm
Thursday, October 24
Guest Speakers from Hospice of Dubuque
Laura Seibert, Music Therapist
Sara Lynch, Massage Therapist
4:30 - 5:30 pm
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
On Thursday, April 25, an appreciation luncheon was held for Hospice of Dubuque volunteers at the Dubuque Best Western Plus. We were happy that many volunteers were able to join us for this special event. Please know that the Hospice of Dubuque staff appreciates all of our dedicated volunteers.
Volunteer Spotlight
Sara Hildebrand Hospice of Dubuque Volunteer
Meet Sara Hildebrand, Hospice of Dubuque Volunteer from our February 2024 class. Sara joined our volunteer group to provide companionship to patients and their families, as her family received when her grandparents were in hospice care. She enjoys hearing others’ stories and wants to ensure patients are living their best life.
Sara was born and raised in Dubuque, and she embraces the work ethic and willingness to help others that was passed from her parents. This influence led her to volunteer at local shelters, food banks, events, and now Hospice of Dubuque.
She married her high school sweetheart, Caleb, and they have two children. Sara enjoys shopping, spending time with friends, playing games with family, and Sunday night dinners followed by golf cart rides.
Thank you, Sara, for joining our dedicated group of volunteers. We are blessed to have you as part of the Hospice of Dubuque team.
Honorariums and Memorials
Gifts received from April 1 through June 30
Honorariums
Hospice of Dubuque Staff
Carrie Peppmeier
Jim & Jean Steil
George Sztajer
Jim Theisen
Memorials
Clem Ahmann
Mary Jane Ahmann
Ray Allbee
Rosa Tejada Andrade
Henry Andrucki
Carole Baranski
Susan Bausch
Jodi Bausman
Marlyn Bausman
Margaret Beaves
Irene Behnke
Ivan “Ike” Berger
Doris Biermann
Phyllis Blichmann
Toots Bockenstedt
Roxann Boyes
Thomas “Slim” Boyle
Beverly Brandt
Robert F. Brehm
Lucille Brimeyer
Robert “Bob” Briscoe
Wally Brown
Pat Brzycki
Pam Burns
Barbara Burroughs
Elizabeth “Betty” Christ
Greg Cigrand
Margaret Clayton
Karen E. Clemens
Marian Clemens
Larry Collins
Barb Cooley
James Cosley
Al Coulson
Lorena & Reynold Cummer
Harold Daniels
Duane Datisman
Kaylee Datisman
Jim Demmer
Dorothy Digmann
Marjorie Dolan
Rosalee Donahue
Dennis Donovan
Norman Dorst
Harlan Doty
Patricia Dougherty
Jack Edens
Dave Ehlinger
Robert Eigenberger
Lois Ellwanger
Marilyn J. Engling
Scott T. Ensign
Deryl Ernster
Joe Erschen
Mary Agnes Feltes
Tillie Filipiak
Shirley Fisher
Orv Fleckenstein
Jan Ford
Joyce Freiburger
Jerry Gaul
Becky Gessner
John & Mary Gette
George Giannakouros
Mary Glennon
Dave Gogel
Mary J. Greenawalt
Daryl Griffith
Terry Gross
Nick Guler
Deanna Gulyash
Daniel Guzzle, Sr.
John & Joan Hamilton
Jean Hammel
Tom Hammel
Gary “Poncho” Hancock
Ronnie Hayes
Lorraine F. Hefel
Marilyn Hefel
Edward Heiderscheit
Deborah Heitmann
Dick & Arlene Henneberry
Joan Herrig
Norman Hoerstmann
James R. Holman
Bruce Howes
Margaret Huber
Jim Hurley
Kermit Jackson
Annabelle “Ann” Jantsch
Mary R. Johnson
Thomas “Tom” Kane
Walter Kennedy
Cy Kiernan
Del Klein
Phil Klein
James L. Kluesner
Darrell Kramer
David J. A. Kramer
Gail Kublie
Fr. Eugene Kutsch
Kenneth F. Kutsch
Edith Lammers
David R. Lampe
Harold J. Lange
David W. Leifker
Vincent Leisen
Eileen Leland
Norman & JoAnn Link
Sue Link
Rosalie Loes
Shirley Maiers
Ralph Manternach
Sharon Manternach
Urban Manternach
Vern & Vi Markus
Mike A. Martin
Mary Sue McAllister
Paul McAndrews
Hugh & Dorothy McCarron
Tania McClain
Merlin “Whiskers” McDermott
Rosemary McNett
Monica Meissner
William Meissner
Patti Melin
Celestine Meyer
Donnie C. Miller
Shirley Moody
Robert Mosby
Phyllis E. Moser
Toni Mulert
Linda K. Mushrush
Gordon “Gordy” Neumann
Donette Newhouse
Kathleen Noel
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 through email, please contact us at 563.582.1220 or cr@hospiceofdubuque.org
Edna “Betty” Noonan
Eleanor Nunez
Carol O’Neill
Brian Osterhaus
Jerry Otting
Gary “Rock” Pancratz
Kim Pins
Steve Podnar
Richard “Dick” Polfer
Richard & Joyce Potter
James W. Powers
Donald C. Progar
Franziska “Sissy” Redmond
Pat Regan
Jean Richardson
Mary Roddy
Rosemary Hahn
Rondinelli
Jodi Roth
Peter Roth
Nicholas Rozinek
Eldon Ruden
Jane Ruden
Jeff Ruden
Andy Ryan
Frank Sarazin
David Schleicher
Erna Schmidt
Gerry Schnieders
Gladys M. Schnieders
David Otto Schroeder
Bernice Schubert
Coletta Schultz
Donald L. Schultz
Quent Schumacher
Marilyn “Jayne” Siegert
Char Simon
Christina “Tina” Simon
William Spiegel
Ron Spillane
Robert A. Spoerre
Sondra Spoerre
Cindy Stecher
Karla Steger
Susan Stewart
Albert Stuart
Donald Stouse
Mervin Theill
Marjorie Thillman
Almer Tidwell
John “Jac” Tilton
Alfred Timmerman
Ken Townsend
Tony Tri
Marge Tuthill
Mona Udelhofen
John P. Ungs
Paul Vaassen
Velma Van Ostrand
Doris Virtue
Bob Wahlert
Janet Walker
Eldon Weber
Mike Weeber
Roger Weis
James Welbes
David Wertz
George “Ed”
Wheelwright
Rose Wolf
Betty Zimmer
In Kind and Loan Closet
Karen Langas
Luther Manor
Molly Nordhues
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Origin Design
Businesses, Groups, and Matching Gifts
Andersen Corp.
A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Charitable Fund
Boyd Gaming
Center Grove Methodist Church
Common Cents Resale
Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa
Sharon Gaul, Exit Realty
Hawkeye Motorcycle Club
Iowa Fields of Opportunities
Steve & Tracy Launspach Family Endowment Fund
Randall W. Lengeling Fund
Luther Manor Residences
Club House
Jim & Jane Meyer Charitable Gift Foundation
James R. & Venice B. Richardson Fund
Mike Strub Construction, Inc.
Donna Wahlert Donor Advised Fund
YourCause
Thank you for your support of Hospice of Dubuque during Great Give Day on May 15. Over $1,800 was raised through this online giving program. Donations during this event, hosted by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, assist us in continuing our mission of providing compassionate care for the seriously ill and their loved ones.
Reflection from a Hospice Nurse
Please remember that we are hospice nurses, but we are human. We know what is recommended, but we respect your decisions. We love you like our own but know we are not your family even though we start to feel like we are. We are professionals, but we are human. We leave a visit hoping we have done everything you need to care for your loved one. And then…we drive away, and find a space where we can grieve for you, cry for you, and pray for you. This is truly a calling, and I cannot imagine doing any other kind of nursing.
