Let’s call him Joe.
Joe had lived alone, very alone, for a longtime. His home, if you could call it that,was down a long, dirt road, down along dirt driveway, behind a gate hekept locked at all times.
Joe’s history of erratic behavior, hisflashing anger and his unkempt ways hadalienated his family long ago and haddriven away anyone who tried to help.
When Joe was referred to hospice care,he was reluctant to accept the help, to saythe least. Literally no one had been nearhim or in his home for a very long time.It took a while for the staff to earn histrust, to get him to unlock the gate so thatthey could drive to his house, to get himto agree to their help with his pain andsymptoms. Because they never knew whatthey might find at Joe’s, and for their ownsafety, the Hospice staff always went inpairs, usually two nurses, sometimes anurse and a chaplain, always one of thema male. Very gradually, Joe softened a bit,
and most of the time he was receptiveand cooperative. The staff knew thatliving alone like that wasn’t the bestsituation for Joe, but it was okay fornow, the best anyone could do.
One day when nurses Alice and Brianarrived at Joe’s locked gate for theirregularly scheduled visit, they honkedthe car horn as they always did, signalingtheir arrival so that Joe would comedown the drive and let them in. No onecame out of the house. They honkedagain and then again, and finally Joecame onto the porch, keys to the gate inhand, but very unsteady on his feet. Hereached to steady himself, and then he fell.
Brian climbed the fence and ran to Joe,got him comfortable, then ran back toopen the gate for Alice and the medicinesand supplies they had in the car. Joe wasconscious, but suddenly he began to havea seizure, then another, then another.Brian called the Hospice office, reachedStacy, the chaplain, and asked him to geta doctor’s order and bring medicines that
Fall 2018
Sometimes you don’t know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.
HOSPICE OF EAST TEXAS
Down A Long Dirt Road
Because of you,we can provideour unique brandof extraordinaryend-of-life careto everyone whoneeds it.
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Continued on next page.
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could stop the seizures. Recognizing that Joecould not stay alone any longer, Brian called foran ambulance to transport him to HomePlace,Hospice of East Texas’ in-patient facility.
Alice and Brian and Stacy stayed with Joe,administering the medicines Stacy brought,doing what they could to comfort and soothehim while they waited for the ambulance. Ittook a long time, because medical transport of ahospice patient is not an emergency. Brian foundJoe’s daughter’s phone number in his records andshe came to his home, reluctantly. The Hospicenurses were able to explain to her that her fatherhad a brain tumor. Maybe he had had it for along time. Maybe it might explain the violenceand anger that had alienated him from everyone,even from those who once loved him. Maybe.
Once at HomePlace, the staff bathed and shavedJoe and he was clean, for the first time in a longwhile. They nestled him in a clean room, in cleanpajamas, in a bed with clean sheets. Though henever regained consciousness, Joe was quiet andcomfortable, pain free and at peace. He passedaway that night with his daughter by his side.
At Hospice of East Texas, one of our core beliefsis that every person deserves a peaceful, dignifieddeath, as free of pain and distress as modernmedicine and deeply compassionate people canmake possible. With your help, we give that giftto thousands of patients every year, to people inall kinds of circumstances. People whose Sundaydinner tables are filled with family, people withnot one friend. People who live in lavish homesand in travel trailers, to people who will not beremembered and people who will forever bemourned and missed.
With your help, Hospice of East Texas was able togive the gift of a peaceful, dignified death to Joe.With your help, we hope we also provided someclosure and healing for his daughter.
Thank you.
Continued from front page.
If you have a heart to serveHospice of East Texas, give us a call.Have we got a job for YOU!
Have We Got A Job For You!When you think of the term “Hospice volunteer,”what comes to mind? Probably you envision someonevisiting a hospice patient in their home or in a nursinghome, providing companionship and support to thepatient and their family. At Hospice of East Texas, we havemany volunteers who provide that valuable service. It canbe a Godsend to patients andfamilies, and it is a joy to thosevolunteers who serve in this way.
We also have volunteers whoserve in ways you mightnot imagine!
The “pick up crew” (top 2 photos)picks up donated items for theHospice shops in Henderson andNacogdoches. Their strong backsand hard work make it easy fordonors to contribute to the shopsand help make sure we have lotsof quality merchandise for sale.
Gin Ables (pictured at right) hasvolunteered for 13 years, doingmuch-needed paperwork inHuman Resources. Logging about16 hours each week, she gives theequivalent of a part-time salary toHospice of East Texas.
Allen Riley and Ellen Wallace(pictured at right) lead theLoss of Spouse Support Groupeach month (they were having a“beach” party when we took thisfun photo!), and Pam Ramsey(pictured at bottom right) putstogether mailings for theBereavement Department.
Hospice of East Texas’ resaleshops in Henderson andNacogdoches are staffed primarilyby volunteers, keeping overheadlow so that net proceeds cancontribute to our mission.
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From long ago and far away
A Letter From Marji
At Hospice of East Texas we don’t always knowwhat our care means to a family. This dear notereminded us that even with the passing of manyyears, our unique brand of extraordinary careis not forgotten.
For twenty years, Mrs. M has sent donations toHospice of East Texas in appreciation for the careher husband received, small gifts, and not everyyear, but gifts that obviously come from herheart and touch ours. Mrs. M lives far away fromEast Texas now, and her connection with us waslong ago, but she will never forget her husband,and she will never forget Hospice of East Texas.
I am so proud of the incredible staff andvolunteers who make Hospice of East Texas’unique brand of extraordinary care possible,and grateful to the boards of directors of Hospiceand the Hospice of East Texas Foundation whoinspire us. As a nonprofit organization, wedepend on your financial contributions to helpus fulfill our mission, and we are very gratefulfor the many ways you support our work.
Thank you!
Marji ReamPresident/CEO
A Good MatchFelicia Reese was so excited to become a volunteer for Hospice ofEast Texas, but she was a little nervous when she received her firstvolunteer assignment. Could she do this? Would she be helpful inany way?
Felicia needn’t have worried. When she walked in the door of herpatient’s home for the first time, the two recognized each other rightaway! Patient Doris Dorsey’s mother and Felicia’s great aunt hadbeen best friends for years and years. Felicia and Doris knew manyof each other’s friends and relatives and shared the same deep faith.
The two ladies soon settled into a comfortable routine. Each week,Felicia shares the Bible study from the weekly Sunday School lessonat church with Doris. As Doris is no longer able to attend churchservices, this is a special blessing for her and a connection to thecommunity of faith she misses. From time to time, Felicia alsopaints Doris’s nails, something perhaps not as meaningful as theSunday School lesson, but important for a lady, nonetheless.
Felicia and Doris are a good match, indeed!
I could never put in words for all you did formy husband. May the Lord bless all of you.Susan was so good to my husband. He passedaway 20 years ago the 24th of June.
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If you own an IRA and are at least70 1/2 years of age, the law requiresyou to take a minimum distributionfrom your IRA each year and payincome tax on the distribution.
If you want to support Hospice ofEast Texas, you may now do sothrough a gift that will satisfy thisminimum income distribution andnot be counted as taxable income.
You can give all or part of thedistribution from your IRA toHospice of East Texas, tax-free, andhave it count as all or part of yourrequired minimum distribution forthe year.
Consult with your professionaladvisor or call us at Hospice ofEast Texas to see if these benefitsmight be helpful to you:
• The amount of your gift is countedtowards your required minimumdistribution for the year
• The amount of your gift is excludedfrom your reported income forfederal tax purposes – your gift is100% tax free!
• Most importantly – your gift maybe used immediately to supportHospice of East Texas’ patientsand their families.
Contact Nancy Lamar, Vice Presidentof Community Relations, for moreinformation: [email protected]
Take advantage of theIRA Charitable Rollovertoday!
4T H E H O S P I C E O F E A S T T E X A S F O U N D A T I O N
Light Up A Life…In loving memory of a friend or relative
As a holiday gift in honor of family, friendsor business associates
In honor of someone who lights up your life
Each year, proceeds from Light Up A Life,Hospice of East Texas’ signature fundraiser, helpto ensure that our staff and volunteers are ableto serve each and every patient who needs the
extraordinary care, compassion and commitment forwhich Hospice of East Texas has always been known.
We hope you will consider a gift to Light Up A Life.What better way to give than to make a contribution
that will directly touch the lives of patients and their familiesat a time when they need it most?
Watch your mail for Light Up A Life materials, arriving in lateOctober or visit our website at www.hospiceofeasttexas.org.
5
It doesn’t seem like a big thing.
As a part of Hospice of East Texas’We Honor Veterans Program, everyveteran of our country’s armed serviceswho becomes a patient of Hospice of EastTexas is given a certificate of appreciationfor their service to our country.
It doesn’t seem like a big thing, but moreoften than not, it IS a big thing. A verybig thing.
The day after “Steve” was admitted toHomePlace, Kim Reel, the volunteercoordinator, went to his room to presenthis certificate. When she explained thathonoring veterans is important toHospice and that she was going to put aspecial marker on the door to his room so that everyone would know an honoredveteran was inside, “Steve” began to cry.
“You don’t understand,” he said. “Vietnamwas my war. No one has ever honored me.”Kim and Steve had a long talk and a longcry while he shared his memories and thepain of all those turbulent and troubledyears. He was so pleased and so very, verygrateful, saying he couldn’t wait to sharehis certificate with his family.
Two days later, Steve passed away. Whatdidn’t seem like a big thing, just a pieceof paper and a word of appreciation, wasindeed a very big thing. On behalf of agrateful nation, Hospice of East Texas wasable to thank a man for his service andhis sacrifice and bring a little healing tothe wounds of war which still lingered,decades later. Steve’s “We Honor Veterans”certificate is now a treasure to his family,tangible evidence of what he meant tohis country, a remembrance of the giftof his service.
It is a great honor for Hospice of EastTexas to re-dedicate the Walk of Friendsin Nacogdoches in memory of one ofHospice’s dearest friends and supporters,Martha Jo Price.
Partnering with the City of Nacogdochesand the Nacogdoches County MasterGardeners, Hospice of East Texas createdthe walkway as a way to offer a space toremember friends and loved ones.Bricks on the walkway are etched with
lasting memories, joyful tributes andfond farewells.
At the recent dedication ceremony,family and friends of Martha Jo Price,and families who had purchased a brickon the walkway, gathered for a time ofremembrance and celebration.
For information on purchasinga brick, visit our website atwww.hospiceofeasttexas.org.
We Honor Veterans
The Martha Jo Price Walk of Friends
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Mr. Kennedy is very grateful to Hospice ofEast Texas for the care Hospice provided tohis beloved wife, June. With the help ofwhat he calls “Team Blue,” Mr. Kennedywas able to honor his promise to Junethat she remain in their home until shedied. Those last months, in the belovedretirement home they built together,were very special to the couple who hadshared more than 60 years of marriage.Since June’s passing in 2015, Mr. Kennedyhas expressed his gratitude to Hospice ofEast Texas by being a regular and generousannual donor.
Recently Mr. Kennedy notified Hospiceof East Texas that he plans to make a giftto our mission through his will. ForMr. Kennedy, this gift is the “ultimate”gift, not only because it is the last financialgift he will be able to make, but because itis a gift that is very important to him. Itreflects his devotion to Hospice of EastTexas’ mission and his desire that otherpatients and families receive the sameextraordinary care that his wife received.
Mr. Kennedy has not told us the amount
of his gift, and that is just fine. He prefersthat the other friends of Hospice of EastTexas not know his real name, which is fineas well. (We made up a name for him forthis article.) Mr. Kennedy is proud of whathe is planning to do, but he is also ahumble man and just wants to remainanonymous to most people.
Though we don’t know how muchMr. Kennedy’s gift will be one day, we doknow something very important about it.We know that this “ultimate” gift means agreat deal to him, and we also know that itmeans a great deal to Hospice of East Texas.We are so glad that he told us about hisplans so that we can thank him in personnow and can share with him the ways giftslike his will help us provide extraordinarycare for years and years to come.
Thank you, Mr. Kennedy, and many thanksto others of you who have made similarplans to include a gift to Hospice of EastTexas in your wills. We understand if youwish to remain anonymous at this time, butif you would like to share your plans withus, we would be so honored.
For Mr. Kennedy,this gift is the“ultimate” gift,not only becauseit is the lastfinancial gift hewill be able tomake, but becauseit is a gift that isvery importantto him.
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When you make a gift to Hospice of East Texasin your will, like Mr. Kennedy is planning to do,you will be leaving a legacy that is more thanmonetary. You will be creating a legacy ofproviding extraordinary hospice care for peoplein our community for years and years to come.
Often families express their desire to “give back”to Hospice of East Texas in a meaningful way.A simple bequest to Hospice of East Texas inyour will is a wonderful way to do that andcould be the most important charitable gift youever make. You may designate a specific dollaramount, a particular asset such as securitiesor real estate, a fixed percentage of your entireestate, or leave your residuary estate after youhave provided for loved ones.
We encourage you to speak with your attorney,accountant or estate planning advisor about
ways to take care of your family and meetyour individual goals while helping to supporta cause you care about – the mission ofHospice of East Texas.
A commitment you make today can influencethe future of Hospice of East Texas with no effecton your resources during your lifetime. You willbe helping to ensure that East Texans in thefuture will have the same extraordinary care andcompassionate support that Hospice of EastTexas has provided for more than three decades.
If you would like more information aboutwhat a difference your legacy can make,please contact us. Visit our website:www.hospiceofeasttexas.org,email: [email protected],or call us at 903.266.3402.
Provide supplies for WINGS camp forgrieving children. The WINGS programalways needs craft supplies for its camps andworkshops. Contact Chantel Longino, ChildrensBereavement Specialist, at 903-266-3400 tosee what’s needed, or purchase a gift card atWalmart, Hobby Lobby or Michaels.
Hold a “coffee drive.”Yes, a “coffee drive,” not a “food drive!”One of the special touches at HomePlace is“the coffee that’s always there” for families andguests. A little thing like free coffee can meana lot, but to have free coffee at HomePlacearound-the-clock for thousands of families eachyear adds up to quite an expense. If your group
or organization is looking for a service project,why not host a “coffee drive” to help Hospiceof East Texas provide this small gesture of comfort?Ground coffee, any brand, caffeinated ordecaffeinated, all are welcome.
Invite us to speak. Just the word “hospice” canbe frightening, until you know something abouthow extraordinary our care can be and what ablessing it is to patients and families. Perhapsyour civic club or Sunday School class would likean interesting, informative, thought-provokingpresentation about hospice care in general andHospice of East Texas in particular. We areavailable to speak throughout East Texas!
Remember the Hospice Shops. The Hospiceresale shops in Henderson and Nacogdoches areimportant sources of revenue for the mission ofHospice. You may drop items at the shops, bringthem to the Tyler office, or if you have a large load,we can come and pick up. Call Wendy Frizzell at903-266-3400 ext.140 for information.
To inquire about any of these opportunities,contact Jamie Benson at 903-266-3400.
The Ultimate Gifts
Looking for a way to help Hospice of East Texasserve patients and families? Here are some ideas!
Jeb JonesChairman
Scott MyersVice Chairman
Bob RosemanTreasurer
Kristen SeeberSecretary
Nancy AbernathyPrice ArredondoBob BondurantGillian Brasfield
Garnett BrookshireShelley Brophy
Tom BrownRev. Ralph Caraway
Twinkle DuncanSherry Dunn
Jonna FitzgeraldJohnna Fullen
Rev. Reginald GarrettEddie Howard
Rick Jett (Ex-Officio)Jim Mazzu
Milton McGee, Jr.Jason ProctorPeggy Smith
Linda ThomasKasha Williams
Joseph Woelkers
HOSPICE OF EAST TEXAS
2018 Board of Directors
Dawn FranksChairman
Robert BailesChairman-Elect
Rick RayfordTreasurer
Craig AdamsSecretary
Rick Allen, ex-officioBobby Curtis
Bob DyerSharon HowellBob Hughes
Rick Jett (Ex-Officio)Jeb JonesNeal Katz
Mel LoveladyDavid NelsonRick Rayford
Marjorie Ream (Ex-Officio)Whit Riter
HOSPICE OF EAST TEXAS FOUNDATION
2018 Board of Directors
Marjorie Ream, RN, MNPresident/CEO
Tom Beets, MDMedical Director
Linda Navarro, CPACompliance Officer
Christi BaggettVice President of Operations and Innovation
Nancy Lamar, MSSWVice President of Community Relations
Shaune Martinez, MSHRDVice President of People
Kristy Morris, RN, BSN, CHPNVice President of Clinical Affairs
Wes Bynum, BS, ChpDirector of Care Support
Jennifer Brashear, RN, CHPNDirector of Outpatient Care
Carol Hemken, RN, BSN, CHPPNDirector of Inpatient Care
Jessica Henderson, LBSWDirector of Operations – Nacogdoches
Kurt Lorenz, PharmDDirector of Pharmacy
HOSPICE OF EAST TEXAS
2018 Leadership Team
4111 University BlvdTyler, Texas 75701
903-266-3400 | 800-777-9860
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Newsletter Editor • Nancy LamarNewsletter Design • Autry Design
Contributors • Wendy Frizzell,Courtney Waggener, Denise Smith
If you would prefer not to receive mailings from Hospice of East TexasFoundation, please email us at [email protected]
or call us at 903.266.3400 ext 140 (1.800.777.9860.)