Hospice of Palm Beach County’s Multicultural Outreach Committee, chaired by Supportive Care Director, Regina Di Pietro, set out this past year to better educate our staff – from clinical to administrative personnel – on the distinctions and cultural traditions of our diverse community. The committee is comprised of representatives from different departments who are committed to learning about various cultures and then disseminating this information throughout the organization for all to benefit.
"We want to offer staff educational tools and opportunities that prepare them to respond to our patients and families in the most respectful and compassionate manner possible," said Di Pietro. "To be accepted by the patient and family that you are caring for, you must have an understanding of their cultural and religious principles,” she added.
As an integral part of this program, our education department produced a comprehensive multicultural manual and self-study in-services, and made them available to all staff. In addition, they trained medical and clinical teams, as well as administrative staff, to use our Interpreter Language Line, which functions as a translation vehicle. “We went so far as to make personal contact with each employee to explain the method for using a trained interpreter via the language line. The use of this line has increased three-fold since we implemented the training this year,” said Vicki Jones, Director of Education.
“Our goal is to learn about as many cultures as possible and to create resources so our staff can interact with patients and families on all levels – from a medical level to a cultural level to comforting– and to serve them without judgment,” said Di Pietro. “This educational program can do that.”
For more information please contact Jennifer Martinez at jmartinez@hpbc.com or (561) 273-2194.
What a great way to describe our staff. When the world is asleep, most of our patients lie awake. Pondering life. Scared of what is to come. With worries of what will happen to their families after they are gone to some deeper fears, our night shift has the opportunity to provide a shoulder to cry on for our patients. “With less hustle and bustle than the daytime, our night shift staff really has the opportunity to connect with our patients,” said Bill Rascoe, Regional Manager – WPB Central Area. “They listen to them, as a friend, sometimes even sharing their own feelings. Most importantly though, they create a bond with a patient or family member that many are thankful for at such a difficult time in their lives.”
Virginia Marczak, RN, Annie Walker, RN, and Emma McMillian, CNA
Here at Hospice of Palm Beach County we are lucky to have some of the most incredible staff. We have the most compassionate, autonomous, empathetic nurses to care for our patients and families at the time of their greatest need. Whether it is just a small gesture like stopping by to say hello, or being somebody to talk to, every thing our staff does makes a huge impact on a patient’s well being and a family’s comfort at such a difficult time. And, as the rest of the world sleeps, our night shift keeps everything running smoothly. “We are incredibly lucky to have such great teams that work the night shifts,” said Cheri Larese, Inpatient Supervisor at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. “I really respect the work our night shift does. They have less resources to work with, yet they make sure everything is in perfect order.”
“I have worked the night shift for many years,” said Barbara Cameron, Charge Nurse at the Gerstenberg Inpatient Unit. “I feel it gives me a better opportunity to connect with my patients. Though we still have a lot of work to do, we don’t have to worry about meals or visitors. We really have the opportunity to have a conversation with our patients.”
Being a part of the night shift also gives staff the opportunity to serve as the eyes and ears for the rest of the care team. They can really monitor the patients while making them feel safe, feel cared for and feel like they truly have friends here. And, though everyone has a different perspective on how they can help, everyone does make a difference.
William Lazo, RN, Dora Berrio, RN, Yveline Jean Louis, CNA
“The Bethesda night team has been here for many years,” said John Panico, Patient Care Supervisor at the Bethesda Unit. “All of them truly love their jobs and know how to handle any situation. I am proud of the team I have in place. They are very autonomous. And, even though they have no supervisor on duty with them, they use their experience to troubleshoot and solve any problem that may arise.”
So, the next time you lie awake at night, unable to sleep, think of how great our after-hours staff is. They are an invaluable part of our team and we are incredibly lucky to have each and every one of them.
Below is an email from Michelle Pohlable, Hospice of Palm Beach County Music Therapist and Reservist in the U.S. Air Force. She was deployed to the Middle East in July and we have been supporting her with boxes of donated items.
Hi Van! I received your first box yesterday, thank you so much for sending it! I know many people will benefit from the sunscreen and shampoo. :) Things are going really well over here, aside from the intense heat. We've been busy playing lots of concerts and the troops are so responsive! We've had guys up on stage either playing an instrument or singing with us at almost every concert, and if they're not up on stage with us, they're in the audience singing or playing a tambourine or cowbell. It's incredible to see them enjoying themselves and the music and knowing that we're able to give them a few moments of joy.
I've been asked by my commander here to request that you not send any boxes after August 20th because I will very likely not receive them before I leave. If you continue collecting things, please feel free to donate them to the USO! I know there are many service members over here who will benefit greatly from everything that the employees of HPBC are collecting, and I can only reach a very few of them. Thank you so much for everything you've done and are continuing to do to support me and everyone else who is serving our country! :)
I miss everyone at HPBC and look forward to coming back and telling you all what I've been doing over here.
Thank you again for all of your support! It means so much to me and everyone in my unit and my commander over here are so surprised and thankful for the support I'm receiving from my employer. :) You all rock!
Michelle
Michelle Pohlable, MT-BC Music Therapist Hospice of Palm Beach County
Last week, we received a note from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) that letters about the importance of healthcare funding from our staff members reached the hands of President Obama! Regina Di Pietro's letter, which can be read here, as well as Joe McNett's letter was not only read by the President, they are being shared with other NHPCO members and supporters through their website and publications.
As you can see, our letters do get read and they do make a difference. If you want to fight back against these healthcare reform budget cuts follow this link - 4 things that you can do today. You can also type your zip code at the top of this page to view and edit a sample letter.
By fighting together, we can make sure our message is heard.
Today is the Day: The Hospice Community is hitting the halls of Congress...by phone and by email. For more than a year, Hospice Advocates from all over the nation have been fighting the previous Administration's regulatory rate cuts, which threaten the compassionate and high-quality care to America's most vulnerable population. Last week, we learned that the hospice community was being asked to undergo additional Medicare cuts as part of the effort to pay for overhauling the health care system. Without intervention, the combined impact of the two cuts will be an average 6.4% loss to hospices beginning on October 1st of this year - and an average impact of more than 7% in FY 2011. Hospice is already a good steward of Medicare dollars - with average margins of 3.4%.
Cuts on top of cuts?
We're willing to do our part to expand health care coverage, but the combined cuts are paving the way for a crisis in hospice care.
But, we can fight back.
Call and write your Representatives and Senators today to ask them to stand with the hospice community. Let them know that hospice is already part of the solution, for patients and families and as a high-quality and cost-efficient model of health care reform. Let them know that their immediate action is necessary to protect hospice for future generations.
First, write them a letter. By taking action on this message, you will be able to customize pre-written text that makes it quick and easy to contact your representatives in writing. In less than 5 minutes, you can tell your story and hit send...and most importantly, fight to protect hospice for the 1.4 million patients, and their families, who depend on us each year.
Then, contact your Congressional offices by phone. This will reinforce your letter and get their attention immediately. By using our Click2Call tool, calling Congress is free, fast and we give you all the information and talking points that you will need. Most Congressional offices are open from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm EST. Visit Call to Stop Cuts-on-Top-of-Cuts to contact your representatives today!
Finally, spread the word! Make sure that your friends, families, neighbors, your kids' teachers and the guy that grooms your dog all join you in the fight to protect hospice. Just forward them this information or use our Tell-a-Friend feature.
HospiceCars is proud to announce they have received an extremely generous donation of an RV and truck from Anita and Ralph LaFollette! This donation helps to raise funds for ongoing services and programs at Hospice of Palm Beach County. To learn more about how you can donate to HospiceCars, please call (888)850-9898.
Ralph and Anita LaFollette
Truck and RV Ralph and Anita LaFollette donated to HospiceCars
“It’s really wonderful to have an organization like Hospice of Palm Beach County available to us and to those in the community who need their help. The moments that we spent with the team made me so glad and grateful during a time when I didn’t think I could have those feelings. That’s special.” - Margi Rendina
“Most importantly, they helped me say good-bye to my dad the way that I wanted to say good-bye to him, and that was invaluable.” - Michael Rendina
Another Inspiring Tale The Rendina Family Foundation Gives Back
Bruce Rendina revolutionized the national landscape of healthcare real estate by partnering with hospitals and physicians to develop medical facilities. He turned his initiative into a successful career, and in 1997, he created the Rendina Family Foundation in order to give back and help our community.
Years later Bruce became ill and he needed help. His wife Margi took the advice of her mother and reached out to Hospice of Palm Beach County. “I was not familiar with hospice care but my mother knew it was the best thing for us,” said Margi. “Before we contacted Hospice of Palm Beach County I was Bruce’s main caregiver; I monitored his sickness, gave him medication and checked his blood pressure. It was difficult, especially when Bruce’s condition worsened and he became seriously ill.”
When the Hospice of Palm Beach County team arrived it was a huge relief. Margi sensed right away that they would become a part of the family, meeting Bruce’s every need 24-hours a day. “They gave us an ongoing high-spirited lift,” said Margi. Yet, Bruce was a private man and not always a willing patient. One nurse in particular, Michael Belenger, understood Bruce and made a deep connection with him. “He clicked with Bruce,” explained Margi. “He went above and beyond his regular duty to make Bruce comfortable, and that was incredibly important to us. Michael was authentic. The whole Hospice of Palm Beach County team was wonderful but Michael and Bruce had a special bond.”
Michael Rendina shared his mom’s original lack of knowledge when it came to what hospice care can offer to patients and families. “Like too many people I didn’t know what hospice was or what kind of aid they could bring to a family,” said Michael. But he did know that the family could benefit from some extra support. “My dad needed more assistance and we as a family required help emotionally and physically,” he said. “We had been caring for him for around 18 months and we were drained.”
Michael immediately noticed a difference once the Hospice of Palm Beach County team went to work. They not only did the physical labor to assist Bruce, they committed themselves to the family’s emotional and spiritual wellbeing. “They guided us and taught us what to do and how to help my dad let go and be happy,” said Michael. “They told us what to say, how to comfort him and prepared us for the inevitable. Most importantly, they helped me say good-bye to my dad the way that I wanted to say good-bye to him, and that was invaluable.”
Michael’s brother, Robert, experienced many of the same feelings. “The Hospice of Palm Beach County team was always there for my dad and for us,” noted Robert. “During such a difficult time it was reassuring to see them care for my dad. They were totally committed to us and they were a guiding light and a calming force.”
Giving Back
The Rendina Family Foundation has been funding organizations, hospitals and biotechnology companies for over ten years, and they always make certain that those in the communities that their foundation is involved with are aware of the services available to them, like those provided by Hospice of Palm Beach County. This year, they are presenting sponsor of the Hospice of Palm Beach County Horizon’s Fishing Tournament. This great summer event benefits the Children’s Programs of the John J. Brogan Bereavement Center, which offers grief counseling, county-wide support programs and Camp SeaStar, a summertime weekend outing for children and teens who have received services through Hospice of Palm Beach County.
“The driving reason why we decided to support Hospice of Palm Beach County was because of the quality of care my dad received,” explained Michael. “We also want to spread the word about Hospice of Palm Beach County and shed a positive light on hospice care in general. It’s also a way of having fun and celebrating the lives of our loved ones.”
“It’s really wonderful to have an organization like Hospice of Palm Beach County available to us and to those in the community who need their help. The moments that we spent with the team made me so glad and grateful during a time when I didn’t think I could have those feelings. That’s special.” - Margi Rendina
Hospice of Palm Beach County’s Multicultural Outreach Committee, chaired by Supportive Care Director, Regina Di Pietro, set out this past year to better educate our staff – from clinical to administrative personnel – on the distinctions and cultural traditions of our diverse community. The committee is comprised of representatives from different departments who are committed to learning about various cultures and then disseminating this information throughout the organization for all to benefit.
