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For immediate release:  May 3, 2007 (Clyde, NC)

HRMC Hospice Volunteers Inspire by Example

Whether it is transporting medical papers to and from doctors’ offices or cutting patients’ hair in the comfort of their own home, hospice volunteers are making a difference. On Tuesday, April 24th, thirty-two volunteers with Haywood Regional Medical Center Hospice were recognized at a hospice volunteer appreciation luncheon and thanked for the service they provide to patients and families.

Robert Allen received the Elizabeth Haile Award for excellence in administrative support. Juli Trantham received the Jack Strong Award for excellence in direct service to patients and families.

Other awards for 2006 included:
100 or more hours: Mary Jane Allen, Robert Allen, Riley Covin, Bonnie Gill, Carol Hammock, Jackie Harris, Herb Nelson, and Juli Trantham.
Most visits: Jim Trice
Fifth anniversary of service: Jackie Harris, Ann Wright, and Roma Wyatt.

Events that day also included welcoming thirteen new volunteers, the debut of a new hospice song by music therapist Craig Summers, and a keynote speech by social worker, counselor, teacher, and professional bereavement volunteer John Stoeckel. In addition, Bob Armstrong and Mary Anne Yurko shared heart warming as well as humorous anecdotes about the interesting patients they’ve met while making in-home hospice patient visits.

Hospice volunteers provide a wide variety of services such as companionship visits, respite care, running errands, rose delivery, chaplaincy support, bereavement care, and planning special events for fundraising and community awareness. Volunteers find their own special niche and become an important part of the hospice team.

“Hospice isn’t about giving up hope. It is finding yourself supported by volunteers who are like good neighbors and by professional staff—all who know how to help,” said Miles Smith, the Support Services Coordinator. The purpose of Hospice is to provide quality end-of-life services, promoting comfort and dignity for those living with terminal illnesses in our community. Spring hospice volunteer training will begin May 14th. Call Miles Smith at 452-8696 for more information or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer with HRMC Hospice.

Haywood Regional Medical Center Hospice volunteer Robert Allen received the Elizabeth Haile Award for excellence in administrative support at the Hospice Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on April 24.