On Feb. 13, Hospice of the Red River Valley participated in Dakota Medical Foundation’s (DMF) and Impact Foundation’s 2014 Giving Hearts Day. During the 24-hour online fundraising event, donors gave $30,256 to Hospice of the Red River Valley. Donations will also be multiplied by matched dollars from TEAM Industries.
Shaun Seibold, RN, CHPN, has successfully completed the Hospice and Palliative Nurse Certification through the National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses (NBCHPN). Seibold works as a registered nurse for Hospice of the Red River Valley. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Concordia College and a bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Montana.
The purpose of certification is to promote delivery of comprehensive palliative nursing care through the certification of qualified hospice and palliative professionals. Certification in hospice and palliative care is highly valued and provides formal recognition of hospice and palliative nursing or administration knowledge.
Brittany Sprecher, LSW, CT, has successfully obtained Thanatology Certification through the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC). Sprecher is a licensed social worker at Hospice of the Red River Valley, and has worked at the organization for more than 18 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Tammy Baehler, LSW, CT, has also successfully obtained certification in Thanatology through the ADEC. For the past 16 years, Baehler has worked as a licensed social worker at Hospice of the Red River Valley. She earned her degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
The purpose of the certification in Thanatology is to enhance professionals with an educational background in dying, death and bereavement.
Hospice of the Red River Valley invites health care professionals to its January Lunch and Learn as we explore various topics related to end-of-life care.
The next Lunch and Learn will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014, from noon – 1 p.m. Cheryl Simpson, RN, BSN, director of patient service at Sanford Health, will present, “Healing Touch.” In her presentation, Cheryl will share the history and development of Healing Touch and differentiate between healing and cure. Attendees will also learn the basics of Healing Touch and energy work, and identify the aspects of the human energy system.
Hospice of the Red River Valley is an approved provider of continuing education for social workers in North Dakota. This program has been approved for 1 contact hour for social workers.
For your convenience, Lunch and Learns will be held at four Hospice of the Red River Valley locations:
Fargo – 1701 38th St. SW, Fargo, N.D.
Lisbon – 415 Main Street, Lisbon, N.D.
Valley City – 1240 W Main Street, Valley City, N.D.
Detroit Lakes – 1102 West River Road, Detroit Lakes, Minn.
The Lisbon, Valley City and Detroit Lakes office locations will be connected via video conference to the Fargo office where the live presentation will take place.
Space is limited; pre-registration is required. Contact Missy at melissa.haut@hrrv.org or 701-356-1563 one week prior to the lunch and learn and indicate which location you will be attending. Participants may bring their own lunches; coffee and water will be provided.
Lunch and Learns are free and open to all health care professionals. They will be held on an ongoing basis every other month (January, March, May, July, September and November) on the third Tuesday of the month from noon – 1 p.m. Specific topics and descriptions will be shared closer to each date.
Employees and retirees of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety and Driver & Vehicle Services in Detroit Lakes held their 19th annual employee holiday potluck and fundraiser for Hospice on December 17.
Each December, these agencies transform their lunchroom into a workshop of handcrafted and home-cooked items. Proceeds from the potluck have raised a total of $22,115 for Hospice of the Red River Valley since the event’s inception in 1995.
Dana Hanson, Trudy Kordosky and Keven Meacham organize the annual event. Current and former employees donate a variety of items for the potluck and drawing, many of them handmade. This year’s treasures included homemade salsas, pickles, cookies and caramel rolls, an antler wreath, poinsettia stained glass wall hanging, beaded jewelry, and afghans. Also, local merchants Webber Family Motors and KLN Family Brands donated oil changes and candy gift baskets as door prizes.
Each year, the most highly coveted items are handmade memorial quilts. Bruce Bryngelson won the quilt made by Teresa Elkin in memory of her father-in-law, E. E. Elkin. Jane Butzer won the quilt made by Anna Boen in memory of her father, Eugene J. Meyer.
Hospice of the Red River Valley has promoted Deb Gemar to director of community relations.
Gemar, previously a development officer for the organization, now oversees fundraising and marketing initiatives at Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Originally from Oakes, N.D., Gemar is a graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead. She joined the organization in 2010. She and her husband, Dave, live in Fargo and have two daughters.
“Deb brings a wealth of knowledge in marketing and development,” shares Kevin Provost, executive director of Hospice of the Red River Valley. “I’m confident her skill-set and passion for hospice care will serve us well in achieving our future goals.”
The employees of Border State Bank raised $1,200 for Hospice of the Red River Valley.
The Thief River Falls branch of Border State Bank has 18 employees who raise money throughout the year through various activities. This is the fourth year Border State Bank has chosen Hospice as the recipient. The donation will be used to provide compassionate end-of-life care to those in Thief River Falls and surrounding communities.
Jessica Porter, Consumer LSS at Border State Bank, said they chose Hospice of the Red River Valley as the beneficiary because of the organization’s impact on their community. “Hospice touches so many lives. We support Hospice so they can continue serving our region,” Porter said.
“Border State Bank has demonstrated a wonderful commitment to ensuring hospice care continues long into the future,” shares Hospice of the Red River Valley Development Officer Jane Bartholomay. “We are so appreciative of their efforts and gift.”
Hospice of the Red River Valley’s grief support group, Grief Journeys for Adults, has moved to a new location. Beginning in January, our grief support group will be held:
When: The first Tuesday of each month from 1-2:30 p.m.
Where: Hospice of the Red River Valley, 1845 Highway 59 S, Thief River Falls, MN 56701
This support group is free and open to any adult who has experienced a loss through death. For more information, please contact Jennifer Messelt, bereavement specialist at Hospice of the Red River Valley, at (701) 740-5217 or (800) 237-4629 or Jennifer.messelt@hrrv.org.
Hospice of the Red River Valley is pleased to offer, “Season of Sorrow, Season of Joy: Facing Loss During the Holiday Season.” This free presentation will be held on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 2:30 p.m. at Hospice of the Red River Valley, 415 Main Street, Lisbon.
This presentation will explore strategies to help you cope with loss and discuss how to channel your individual strengths into “active grieving.” The presenter will also discuss how one can move forward in their grief yet continue to carry the memories of a loved one in meaningful ways.
Prior to the grief presentation, the Lisbon office will host an Open House; the public is invited to enjoy refreshments and conversation with Hospice staff, including our new physician, Dr. Lisa Henry. The Open House begins at 1 p.m.
“This year marks 17 years of providing care in Lisbon and the surrounding communities,” shares Kimberly Rud, patient care manager for the Lisbon office of Hospice of the Red River Valley. “We know the holiday season can be particularly difficult for those who are grieving, and are so pleased to offer this information. Please join us.”
Hospice of the Red River Valley invites health care professionals to its November Lunch and Learn as we continue to explore various topics related to end-of-life care.
The next Lunch and Learn will take place on Tuesday, November 19, 2013, from noon – 1 p.m. Brenda Munson, project coordinator from North Dakota Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), will present, “Medicare Scams and the Elderly.” Attendees will learn how seniors can be empowered to prevent health care fraud, protect themselves from health care fraud and identify Medicare scams and identity theft.
Hospice of the Red River Valley is an approved provider of continuing education for social workers in North Dakota. This program has been approved for 1 contact hour for social workers.
For your convenience, Lunch and Learns will be held at four Hospice of the Red River Valley locations:
Fargo – 1701 38th St. SW, Fargo, N.D.;
Lisbon – 415 Main Street, Lisbon, N.D.;
Valley City – 1240 W Main Street, Valley City, N.D; or
Detroit Lakes – 1102 West River Road, Detroit Lakes, Minn.
The Lisbon, Valley City and Detroit Lakes office locations will be connected via video conference to the Fargo office where the live presentation will take place.
Space is limited; pre-registration is required. Contact Missy at melissa.haut@hrrv.org or 701-356-1563 prior to the lunch and learn and indicate which location you will be attending. Participants may bring their own lunches; coffee and water will be provided.
Lunch and Learns are free and open to all health care professionals. They will be held on an ongoing basis every other month (January, March, May, July, September and November) on the third Tuesday of the month from noon – 1 p.m. Specific topics and descriptions will be shared closer to each date.
For more than 30 years, Hospice of the Red River Valley has been providing compassionate care to individuals and families as they navigate life’s final journey. Despite our longevity and reputation for exceptional care, year after year, one of the most common sentiments we hear is, “We wish we had known about hospice sooner.”
November is National Hospice Month—a time to learn about hospice care, and celebrate this end-of-life care option.
Most people have heard about hospice, but don’t fully understand the depth of care. At the end of life, people are often encouraged to seek continuous medical treatments in an attempt to lengthen their number of days with little focus on their quality of life. And, too often, families wait until a medical crisis before learning of this option.
Hospice care is not intended to be a last resort.
“Hospice is not brink-of-death care intended for the last days of life only,” stresses Dr. Don Schumacher, CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. “Hospice care is most effective for patients and families in the final months of life when families can take full advantage of the range of services hospice provides.”
Considered the gold standard for end of life care, hospice care is intensive comfort care for those faced with a life-limiting illness and a prognosis of six months or less. Hospice care is delivered by a team of experts, and addresses an individual’s medical, emotional and spiritual needs. Additionally, the family receives grief support after a death. All care is expressly tailored to each patient and family.
The concept of hospice was founded in the belief that each of us has the right to die pain-free and with dignity, and our loved ones will receive the necessary support to allow us to do so. Day in and day out, that’s what we do; Hospice of the Red River Valley offers comfort, dignity and support. We rally around families during one of life’s most significant experiences.
It’s never too early to learn about Hospice of the Red River Valley’s compassionate care.
Kevin Provost, Executive Director
Hospice of the Red River Valley
