Jana Shiffert, Social Worker - You are a part of our family

Jana noticed that a patient she was caring for was showing symptoms that could become harmful to her if she stayed alone in her home for much longer. The patient, unwilling to move to an inpatient care center, confided to Jana that she was scared and nervous about leaving her home. Jana consoled her and reassured her that everything was going to be okay. She explained to her that the move would be better for her and that once she got better she could return home. The patient trusted Jana and finally agreed to be admitted. Jana then alerted the patient’s doctors and arranged for transport. While they waited, Jana helped the woman clean her house, and herself, so she would be more comfortable. Jana did for the patient what a family member would do. She did the dishes in the sink, helped dress the patient and acted as her “legs” because the woman was having a hard time walking. All the while Jana eased the woman’s nerves and made her feel relaxed. When the transport picked the patient up Jana locked up the house so it would be secure and ready for the patient when she arrived back home.

Marvis Morris – CNA, Help for everyone in need

Marvis Morris, CNA on our Gold team, was sitting in her car preparing to enter a facility in which patients of hers resided when she witnessed an elderly woman in an automobile accident that landed her vehicle in a retention pond. Seeing that the woman was trapped, Marvis – without hesitation - jumped in the water and pulled the woman out. Her quick thinking and actions saved the elderly woman’s life.

Carol Stoltz, RN – 21 years of service to the Western Communities - Service wherever you reside

Carol Stoltz, also known as “Carol of the Glades” has taken care of generations of families in the western communities of Palm Beach County. When taking a walk with Carol through the hospital parking lot people call to her fondly. They are family members of former patients -- daughters and sons, cousins and grandchildren -- and they are also family members of patients Carol is caring for now. They hug her, shake her hand and give blessings that Carol is there for them. No matter how difficult the situation, Carol can be counted on to persevere, to give everything she has to the patient and family. This is a poor area and Carol shows no judgment, she rolls up her sleeves and gets to work helping the family and patient with their daily tasks. There is nothing Carol wouldn’t do for the people of the western communities, and they show their love for her every time she visits.

Sewing Shop Fundraiser

Each year, Laura and Dave Jordan host a fundraiser at their sewing and vacuum repair shop in North Palm Beach. The benefiting charity changes each year and in 2010, Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation was the lucky recipient. The couple asked their customers to help them in making a donation to Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation by donating one dollar into a jar at the shop. They were amazed at the outpouring of support! While they had only requested a one-dollar donation, some customers donated more than one hundred dollars! When they arrived to deliver the gift, they were thrilled to donate more than $1,350 - which is more than they had ever raised before! Both Laura and Dave have personal experiences with Hospice and were happy that the proceeds of their fundraiser would go to a charity near and dear to their hearts.

Cheri Haynie – CNA, Caring for every family member

While working with a patient, Cheri learned that the man didn’t have any family except for his dog. The dog meant the world to the man, but he was disabled and couldn’t care properly for it. Cheri drove on her own time to the only store in the area that carried the specific dog food that the man used. She would purchase the food, bring it back to the house, place it in the container where the man kept it and feed the dog. Cheri made certain that the dog was well cared for. This eased the man’s mind so he wouldn’t worry about the most important part of his life and his only family – his dog.

Kim Daughtry, Volunteer Coordinator - Making wishes come true

Two years ago Kim was helping to care for a 93 year old patient with Alzheimer's who had been a private pilot and who also sky-dived on her 85th birthday. Her Hospice of Palm Beach County volunteer said that every time she took the patient outside in her wheelchair she would look up at the planes flying and would say that she wanted to sky-dive again. The volunteer went back to the team and asked if that could be done, the team Physician said no -- but, she could go for a plane ride. The Volunteer Manager called Kim because she knew Kim had been involved in aviation and asked if she could help with a plan. At the time of the call Kim was driving in her car and decided to immediately go straight to the Lantana Airport. She told the Airport Manager about their plan and asked if he could help. Before she could get everything out the manager said, "You have a plane and a pilot; let me know when you want to do this, and by the way there’s no charge." The patient got to fly in the Captain's seat accompanied by the team Chaplain and Nurse. She loved it! The plane ride brought back wonderful memories for her. Kim and the others took pictures and they had an 8x10 photograph made for the patient sitting in the plane. The volunteer hung it on the wall at the patient's nursing home. And what is Kim’s response to such a fantastic gift? "That's why I come to work every day!"

Sherry Pelchen – RN, We deliver

Sherry was helping to treat a young patient who was very sick. Early one morning Sherry picked up the morphine bag for this patient and was going to bring it to her house so her husband could hook it up to the morphine drip she used on a daily basis. Before Sherry could get to the house the husband called. He said his wifewas having a “good day” and she had decided to go to the mall to enjoy it with her close friend. While the patient was at the mall her morphine pump started to beep, a warning that the morphine was almost gone. Her husband was panicked because he didn’t want the morphine to run out and he didn’t want to have to pick up his wife early; she was finally having fun. Sherry said that she would immediately go and meet the husband at the mall to deliver the bag personally. She made it to the mall and the patient’s husband was able to replace the bag before she experienced any discomfort. The patient continued with her friend and had a wonderful day. It just so happened that it was the last time she was able to visit the mall.