All in the UHR Family… - United Hospice of Rockland

11 Stokum Lane
New City, NY 10956
(845) 634-4974
Fax (845) 634-7549
www.hospiceofrockland.org
Fall/Winter 2012
When Time Matters Most
All in the UHR Family…
Welcome to David Chmielewski, MD, our new medical director, who joined the UHR family in July.
Dr. Chmielewski completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at NYU Medical Center/Bellevue Hospital Center and then completed his fellowship in Hospice & Palliative Medicine at
New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. Dr. Chmielewski has lectured in NYC as well as at the local, state, and national levels on the medical management of pain
and other physical symptoms, the medical management of emotional and psychosocial symptoms
in the seriously ill, provider-patient-family communication, biomedical ethics, and end-of-life care.
We are fortunate to welcome him into the Hospice fold!
As the Administrator of the Joe Raso Hospice Residence, Judi Peacock,
MPH,RN, comes to UHR with over thirty years of clinical and management experience in a wide range of specialties from pediatric critical care
to geriatric care. During her tenure at The Osborn in Rye, Judi worked
closely with the hospice team which furthered her interest in end-of-life
care. When asked what exceeded her expectations about the residence,
Judi said, “Our volunteers understand the residence is, first and foremost, a home. They do whatever it takes to be true to that vision.”
Welcome to our latest Board Member Stephen Grant, a Senior Analyst at DTCC Corp. who lives in
Thiells. Stephen, who won the “People’s Choice Award” at UHR’s “Dancing with our Stars Gala” in
October, came on the Board in November, joining 14 other members. The son of former UHR
Chair John T. Grant, Stephen is our first “2nd generation” board member!
Want to Join the Circle?
UHR honored key
donors at our annual Circles of Life
event in June.
Currently there are
more than 60
members who
qualified by contributing more than
$2500 this year.
(Pictured L to R:
Jim and Peg Murphy, Raselle
Fisher and Lisa
Schachter). For information on becoming a member of
UHR’s Circles of Life, call Lisa at 845-634-4974.
Raso Residence Review and Raves
Open just seven months (at press time), the Joe Raso
Hospice Residence has housed 98 patients, far more
than the 70-90 patients estimated for our first year. This
total includes 55 cancer patients,12 cardiac patients,
and 30 others with dementia and other illnesses. Patients stayed an average of 26 days at the Residence.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for the care
and support my grandmother received for her last days.
The staff at the residence was supportive, caring, and
not only took care of grandma, but my grandfather as
well.” Thank you from the McManus family.
Youth For Hospice in Action
Youth for Hospice (YFH) came back in full swing in September, and
we are busy gearing up for some exciting events. Many incoming
high school freshmen joined the group and another new satellite
group recently formed at North Rockland high school!
This fall, the teens participated in the Italian Feast in Blauvelt, promoting the group while selling YFH bracelets. They also helped out
at the Haunt for Hospice (see picture at left), formed a team at the
Coldwell Banker Walk for Hospice, made bracelets for our Africa
hospice partnership (picture below), organized a fundraiser for Hospice at Lu Lu’s Cafe in West Nyack and helped out at our Taste of
Africa fundraiser.
The spring promises to be busier than ever with our
annual Haircut-a-thon and Dance-a-thon (see calendar on back page). If you know a high-schooler who
would like to join YFH, please email Lisa at ldenburg@hospiceofrockland.org or have them join youth
for hospice on facebook.
Remember to “Like” Us on Facebook!
UHR Publishes Fourth Issue
Our fourth issue of Touching Lives magazine is now available! You can download it from our website or call UHR’s
Community Liaison Mimi Hoffman for a free copy at 845-634-4974. Articles in this issue include: how faith communities can lend a hand, when the time is right to choose hospice, what the dying teach us about life’s gifts, helping
veterans find peace and more.
Recent Grants/Gifts
Many thanks to:
¨ The Dignity Memorial Group for its $4500 grant to underwrite our Veterans Day Breakfast.
¨ Hudson Valley Bank and Barry Fixler of Barry’s Estate Jewelry for donating $2500 each toward our Veterans Day program.
¨ The Hospice Education Institute for its $1500 grant for a continuing education and training program for nurses.
¨ Amica Mutual Insurance for a $1450 grant secured by Hospice volunteer
Doreen Shepard.
¨ The Jewish Federation of Rockland for its $1400 for our spiritual care
program.
¨ The J.P. Morgan Chase Foundation for the $1000 grant from its Partners
in Community Volunteer Program in honor of UHR volunteer Elaine Kelter.
¨ The family of Harvey A. Pachter for their $1000 grant in his memory to
fund the annual Harvey A. Pachter Award for staff excellence.
¨ Orange & Rockland Utilities for its $1000 grant for our healing hearts bereavement program.
¨ Goldstein Lieberman for donating $1000 toward our Joe Raso Hospice
Residence.
¨ Walmart for donating $500 to Hospice for general purposes.
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Many thanks to Cadet Troop #40652
for building a lovely trellis, birdbath
and sign for UHR’s Healing Hearts
Garden. The troop also planted
mums and helped with mulching. (L
to R: Kirsten Byman, Grace Provenzano, UHR’s Sharami Kerr and Jill
Constanzo.)
Hospice Sweeps Up Awards
HARVEY PACHTER STAFF AWARD
.
Above: In December, the Rockland Development Council
awarded UHR Board member Vinnie Abbatecola Outstanding Corporate Leader for Abbey Ice at the Rockland
County Philanthropy Day breakfast.
Above: UHR Executive Director Amy Stern (on right) presents UHR RN Danielle Byrnes with the 2012 Harvey Pachter Staff Recognition Award in June.
RBA GREEN AWARD
.
Above: UHR took home a Green Award from the Rockland Business Association for its green initiatives at the Joe Raso Hospice Residence. Pictured left
(L to R): Michael Shilale, Architect and RBA Green Council Chair, Joanne
Morano for Blue Hill, Mike Franco for BioHiTech America, Amy Stern for
UHR, Supervisor Alex Gromack for Town of Clarkstown and Rosemarie
Monaco, Group M and Chair Green Marketing Committee.
This past summer, UHR nurses (L to R) Danielle Bynres, Ann Greenbaum and Debra Zenner received Certificates of Achievement from Senator David Carlucci
as part of the celebration recognizing the invaluable
work done by the Nurses of Rockland County.
For the New Year…Leave a Legacy with UHR
Good News! UHR recently received notice from a long-time supporter that she plans to leave a gift to Hospice in her
will. This is the most recent addition to UHR’s Legacy Society, currently made up of 22 individuals and estates.
The UHR Legacy Society honors individuals who, by including Hospice in their estate plans, are helping to ensure
the agency’s future. Planned giving options include: bequests, charitable trusts, gifts of appreciated stock and gifts of
retirement funds or life insurance. Tax benefits for you and your estate can add further incentive for making a
planned gift. Consult your attorney or financial planner (or Lanie Etkind, UHR Director of Development at 845-6344974) to learn more or mail this coupon to Lanie at 11 Stokum Lane, New City, NY 10956 and we’ll contact you with
more information.
O Yes! I have included Hospice in my will.
O I would like more information about how to include Hospice in my estate plans.
Name __________________________________________________Phone/Email________________________
Address_________________________________________________City/State/Zip_______________________
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Counseling Corner
UHR plans to hold its 20th annual teleconference in the Spring. This year’s topic will be “Caring
for Veterans at the End of Life.” For information on attending, call Eileen at 845-634-4974.
Spring 2013 Schedule of Support Groups
Spouse Loss Support Group — Meets 1st and 3rd Monday of month or Wednesday daytime
(11:30a.m.-1:00p.m.) or 2nd and 4th Monday or 1st and 3rd Tuesday evening (6:30-8:00p.m.)
Sibling/Parent Loss Support Group — Meets 1st and 3rd Tuesday of month (6:30-8:00p.m.)
Stepping Out — Social interaction for those who have lost spouses, the second Friday of each
UHR’s Eileen Schmidt,
month (7:00-10:00pm)
Director of
Child Loss Group — Meets the first Monday
Counseling
and third Thursday of each month (6:30–
Services
8:00p.m.)
Healing Hearts Family Bereavement Group — Meets the 1st and
3rd Wednesday of each month (5:30–7:15p.m.) for middles (ages 7-12 or
teens) or the second and fourth Wednesday of each month (5:30-7:15p.m.) for
littles (ages 4-6) and middles (ages 7-12). Intake interview required — there is
no fee for this program.
General Bereavement — Meets the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month from
11:00 to 12:30.
Lynn Kuropatkin teaches Taylor Moore
how to control a horse as part of HEAL: HosPre-registration required. Call Eileen at 845-634-4974.
pice Equine Assisted Loss Therapy program
during the summer.
Thanks to Our Supporters and Volunteers!
¨
¨
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Many thanks to Patti Beutel and Cathy Devisser for organizing Cradles of Kindness, a new program that provides items of comfort to
residents, family members and visitors at the Joe Raso Hospice
Residence. The two hope to solicit donations to create care packets
including chewing gum, mints, snack packs of almonds, pretzels,
granola bars, lip balms, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sample sizes of
hand cream, etc. If you are shopping and would like to pick up any
of these items, please drop them off in the blue bin in the lobby of
Hospice at 11 Stokum Lane.
Kudos to the Wireless Zone — they do more than just “cell”
phones! The company gives back to communities, and in particular, to UHR, for every new activation or upgrade. In fact,
since 2003, Wireless Zone has donated more than $129,000 to
Hospice. Check out participating locations at
www.hospiceofrockland.org under “ways to help” to find a store
near you or call 1-800-411-cell.
¨
Golf Outings Galore! In the fall, UHR was the recipient of proceeds from three golf outings: The Joseph "Hooker" Fiore Memorial Golf outing "In Memory Of John W. Aherne Sr. raised
$4,000, the Eggers Golf Outing raised $3,200 and North West
Hospice Ireland raised $10,000 for UHR!
¨
Thanks to TD Bank and the Clarkstown Pharmacy in New City
for organizing affinity programs for UHR. Open an account at
any branch of the bank or mention Hospice at the Clarkstown
Pharmacy and they will make a contribution to us!
Amy Stern, Executive Director of UHR and Chris
Cawley, Co-Chair of North West Hospice event.
Thanks to Coldwell Banker for raising $2,600 for UHR in
October from its 8th annual walk-a-thon at Clarkstown
South. (Pictured L to R: Coldwell Realtors Laura Magner,
Erica Sallahian, Grace Wong and Arlene Rottenstein).
Help for our Hospice Community
By Noell Goldberg, UHR’s
Coordinator of Volunteer
Support Services
WELCOME NEW VOLUNTEERS!
Elizabeth Ancin
Lucas Ancin
Emily Grant
Alice Churchwell
Ellen Snyder
Allix Fernandez
Matthew Josephs
Judith Fitzpatrick
Amanda Samudio
Sharon Mathews
Serena Mathews
Rebecca Bass
Madison Lewis
Riley Miller
Alexa Nutovits
Lexie Streitman
Chris Joong
Dan Garcia
Mary Brennan
Pat VanZandt
Maneesha Agrawal
Jisha Mathew
Ann Cheruvil
Christy Cheruvil
Janet Carosi
Ellen Spencer
Sophia Giglio
Juliette Nutovits
Abby Snyder
Harvey Wollner
Muriel Wollner
Doreen Shepard
Jim Nash
John McSweeney
Margo Zomback
Anita Conklin
Margaret Jurmark
Tina Costello
Agnes Eisenberger
Marjorie Lopez
Michelle Price
Kimberly Williams
Christina Yohannan
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I am always appreciative of the people who want to volunteer, those with the
gifts of time, energy, expertise, and the pure willingness to be of help. And sometimes,
those gifts make things possible that haven’t been possible before, such as fundraisers
organized and run by people with a special passion for swimming or motorcycles or dog
agility events, or those who want to help make gift baskets for patients and families or to
bring their therapy dog to a patient’s bedside. Out of these offerings, new traditions and
programs are born.
But sometimes, UHR has needs that are not spontaneously met by those already giving their time. Currently, our volunteer department has some specific requests
I am hoping you, or someone you know, might be able to assist with:
¨ We need someone to put together our volunteer newsletter, Volunteer Voices
and Visions. Our volunteers value its appearance but to make it regularly and
reliably available, help is needed. The volunteers and I provide the content.
What is needed is someone to put it all together.
¨ We continue to welcome donations for our patient and family gift baskets. New
soaps, lotions, bed socks, playing cards, teas, beautiful mugs, small inspirational books, etc, are needed to keep this program going. We probably have
enough empty baskets to last a good while.
¨ Our volunteers at the Joe Raso Hospice Residence have found that books with
lots of pictures can engage patients who otherwise might be hard to reach.
Books of cats, dogs, countries (Ireland and Israel are big hits), antique cars and
watches and cameras, landscapes, art, etc, have been used by Residence volunteers to facilitate life review and bring back significant memories.
Anyone interested in the above should contact Noell Goldberg, Coordinator of
Volunteer Support Services at 845 634 4974. As always, your help is deeply appreciated.
In addition, the development office could use help with:
¨ Coordinating a new thrift shop initiative
¨ Spearheading a stickball tournament
¨ Advising a new youth for hospice teen group
¨ Someone to recruit, coordinate and motivate walking and running teams for the
Walk to Remember.
Anyone interested in helping fundraising in the above, or other areas, should
contact Lanie Etkind, Director of Development at 845 634 4974.
Blanket Bounty
Emily Stepper, President and
Founder of the Nyack Knitting
Indians, holds up blankets her
group made for the Raso Residence in honor of Joe Raso,
class of 1944 Nyack High.
Many thanks to the Sew Be It Group of Germonds
Presbyterian Church for making beautiful blankets
treasured by our patients and their families. (L to R):
Mimi Hoffman and Maureen Caunitz, UHR staff,
accept blankets from Barbara Montazella, Germonds Church in Society Chair and Sue Ternquist,
Sew Be It Coordinator.
Page 6
UHR’s Community Supporters are the Best!
Ce
leb
rat
in
g
Na
Second Generation Motorcycle Association’s 9th Annual
Dice Run to benefit UHR in July. The event brought in
$5,000 for Hospice. From L to R: UHR employees
Robyn Morse, LPN, Amy Stern, Executive Director, Kim
Cangro, RN and Steve Mabry, Facilities Manager.
UHR’s 12th Annual Golf Outing at Paramount Country Club
sponsored by Dr. Edward and Raselle Fisher and Dr. Varsha Reddy in June raised a record $102,000 for Hospice.
L to R: “Scratch Golfers” Michael Maresca, Scott Haber,
Max Crisp and Chris Cima.
Katie Leccese (pictured with her father Frank) at the Swim
Across America event in July at Germonds pool. The 2nd
annual event raised $10,000, a portion of which will benefit
UHR.
Many thanks to Marie “Cookie” Muggeo and Kristine Dana
of Dana Pest Control (pictured left to right) for bringing in
$7,000 from the third annual Haunted House in Tomkins
Cove in October to benefit UHR, held in memory of their
dear friend Joan Bender who was served by Hospice.
Along with John Bender and Barbara Honsch, the dynamic duo also organized a Vampire Blood Drive and a
Monster Mash in conjunction with the Haunt.
**DON’T FORGET TO ASK YOUR EMPLOYER ABOUT ITS “MATCHING GIFT” POLICY FOR DONATIONS!
**SEND US YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AT (LDENBURG@HOSPICEOFROCKLAND.ORG)TO KEEP ABREAST OF
THE LATEST HOSPICE NEWS!
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Celebrating National Hospice Month
In observation of National Hospice Month in November, UHR hosted several
events in the community to promote awareness of our mission and others
jumped on board as well:
¨ Ravi restaurant in Suffern donated 20% of all checks on any Sunday in
November to UHR in honor of National Hospice month.
¨
Thanks to Cora Bodkin for organizing a fundraiser for UHR at the New
City Library, where she showcased her unique, hand-made dolls clothing
in November with proceeds going to Hospice.
¨
Veteran’s Day Breakfast — held at the Crowne Plaza on November 13 to
honor and recognize more than 400 local veterans for their invaluable service to our country. UHR staff and volunteers led the pinning ceremony
with a special “Hospice Salutes Vets” pin for all new attendees. Special
thanks to event sponsors Dignity Memorial Group, Barry Fixler of Barry’s
Estate Jewelry and the Hudson Valley Bank.
¨
Hospice Heroes Breakfast — held at Paramount Country Club on November 9th. UHR recognized 60 “Hospice Heroes” for their efforts in going
above and beyond to help Hospice. From choreographing a dance at the
Gala to organizing a golf outing to benefit Hospice, these are true Heroes!
For a complete listing, go to www.hospiceofrockland.org and look under
“Giving.”
¨
Hugs for Hospice Campaign — held in stores and businesses across
the county throughout the month of November, with the leadership of huggable Dr. Ed Fisher, “Ambassador of Hugs.” For a complete list of participants, go to “event recaps” at hospiceofrockland.org.
Dancing with our Stars
UHR’s 2012 Gala honoring Dr. Edward and Raselle Fisher,
proved to be a major success this year, bringing in a record
$160,000. (Pictured below: Cowado Jasmin and Robyn Haber, the
People’s Choice winners of this year’s Dancing with our Stars
Competition.)
Vets Day Breakfast 2012
CHARITABLE GIVING INCENTIVES
Many experts are betting that before yearend, Congress will revive the Charitable IRA
provision first enacted in 2006 that allows
individuals 70 years of age and older to give
up to $100,000 of their retirement savings
directly to charity, bypassing income tax!
This law provides an advantage to individuals who wish to support their favorite charities — we hope we are one of them! Contact
your financial advisor or Lanie Etkind, UHR’s
Director of Development, for more information at 845-634-4974.
Calling All
Teams!!
4th Annual
Walk to
Remember
April 21, 2013
We’re looking for teams to participate in this year’s Spring
Walkathon at Rockland Lake on April 21st. Get a team together from your office, or if you’re a Hospice family member,
form a team with your relatives or friends to show your support! Call Laurie at 845-634-4974 for more information or to
register your team. Refreshments, tshirts and great fun for all
participants.
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Save the Dates…
¨
Wed., Dec. 12, 7:30pm — UHR’s Annual Tree Lighting ceremony presented by The Wireless Zone at the Palisades Center (lower level next to Banana Republic) featuring entertainment by the Lower Hudson Valley Youth
Chorus as well as complimentary refreshments. (Snowdate Dec. 13)
¨ Sun., Jan. 13 — Hair-cut-a thon to benefit Hospice. Stop by Chanel Douglas, Salon Allure, Salon FX or Super
Cuts in New City for a great new haircut and they will all donate their proceeds to UHR! (List in formation)
¨ Sun., Feb 10, 11am — Zumba for Hospice at Z Lifestyle Fitness Studio. Call Eileen to register at 845-942-2736.
Your $25 donation will go directly to UHR.
¨ Fri., Apr. 5 — Youth for Hospice Dance-a-thon at Albertus Magnus High School. Open to all high schoolers.
Email ldenburg@hospiceofrockland.org for more information.
¨ Sun., Apr. 21 — Rockland Road Runners George Wodicka Hook Mountain Half Marathon and 5k Run and
Walk to Remember to benefit Hospice at Rockland Lake. To register, go to www.hospiceofrockland.org/walk or
rocklandroadrunners.org
¨ Mon., Jun. 10 — 13th Annual Golf Outing sponsored by Dr. Edward and Raselle Fisher/Dr. Varsha Reddy at
Paramount Country Club to benefit UHR. To request an invite, call Laurie at 845-634-4974.
Check our website, www.hospiceofrockland.org for up-to-date information on UHR programs and events or
call Laurie Bandremer, UHR’s Special Events Coordinator, at 845-634-4974.
UHR Visits Choice Trust in South Africa
Recent Grants/Gifts
¨
Lydia and her baby are both being
treated for HIV by Choice Trust.
UHR staff visited our African hospice partner CHOICE TRUST in August
and brought supplies. During the trip, we heard many stories about how
CHOICE TRUST is indispensible to thousands of families who have
been challenged by HIV. While many get retroviral medication from the
community clinics, it is the friendship, counsel, assessments and personal care provided by CHOICE TRUST’s caregivers and palliative care
nurses that give the elders the courage and faith to instill the next generation with hope and self-discipline. Visiting CHOICE TRUST were:
Marcia Vetter, UHR Clinical Director; Sarah Styles, UHR Nurse; Mimi
Hoffman, UHR Community Liaison; Holly Friedberg and Yolanda Isom,
RCC Nursing Students.
The UHR newsletter is published twice annually.
Please help us keep our mailing list current. Kindly alert us to
any name misspellings, incorrect addresses or duplications.
Many thanks to:
¨ The Dignity
Memorial
Group for
its $4500
Address Service Requested
11 Stokum Lane
New City, New York 10956
www.hospiceofrockland.org
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
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PERMIT #9161
MONSEY, NY
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