State News

 

 

Catholic Hospice Names

Maylen Montoto Manager of Community Relations

 

Catholic Hospice has named Maylen Montoto Manager of the Community Relations Department. As Manager of Community Relations, Mrs. Montoto is responsible for the managerial functions associated with the planning, organization and implementation of various public relations activities designed to increase public awareness and understanding of hospice programs, services and policies, and to promote citizen participation and volunteerism for the organization. Mrs. Montoto will oversee the department's fundraising efforts and the coordination of all special events. She assumed her responsibilities on June 12, 2006.

 

Duties and responsibilities include acting as a public information officer, representing Catholic Hospice at various functions, planning and coordinating events, developing informational materials, preparing news releases, and responding to citizens' requests for hospice information.

Mrs. Montoto has extensive experience in the Public Relations, Fundraising and Special Events sector, most recently organizing special events for the YMCA of Greater Miami, America Online Latino and Museo del Hogar de Transito.  She has also worked on a variety of joint efforts with local non-profit organizations in the Miami-Dade County area.

 "Mrs. Montoto brings a wealth of experience to her new post and has ties to numerous organizations and leaders in our community," said Sister Elizabeth Anne Worley, SSJ," President and CEO of Catholic Hospice. "She has demonstrated the ability for bringing people together to serve common goals, build partnerships and collaborate with others. We are delighted that she is a part of our Catholic Hospice team."

Catholic Hospice Names

Patricia M. Gunn as Vice President, Finance and CFO

 

 

Catholic Hospice has named Patricia M. Gunn, as the Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the organization.  As Vice President,  Finance and CFO, Gunn is responsible for the overall functioning of the fiscal support services including budgetary control, strategic financial planning, and investment management. She assumed her responsibilities on June 26, 2006.

Ms. Gunn, who has expertise in financial and business management, comes from Memorial Regional Hospital, the flagship facility of Memorial Healthcare System, and one of the largest in Florida. While with Memorial Regional Hospital, she provided financial guidance and support for the Memorial Primary Care Centers and Memorial Practice Management, and developed the financial skills of mid level managers.

 "It is with great pleasure that we welcome Patricia M. Gunn. She will be an invaluable asset to the Catholic Hospice family and its leadership team," said Sister Elizabeth Anne Worley, SSJ, President and CEO of Catholic Hospice.

A seasoned financial manager with over fourteen years experience in the healthcare industry, Gunn has held management positions at large organizations including National Mentor, Inc. and United Health Group. Prior to receiving her M.B.A. from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business with focus on Finance and Statistics.

"I look forward to using my experience, knowledge and expertise to serve the South Florida Community through a solid organization like Catholic Hospice. Catholic Hospice was there for my father two years ago when he was terminally ill.  They were also a great source of spiritual support for him and our family during a time of hardship," said Ms. Gunn.

 

 

People on the Move:

Dale O. Knee presents at various healthcare conferences  

 

Dale O. Knee, president & CEO of Covenant Hospice, presented at the recent What’s Right in Health Care conference held in Atlanta by Studer Group.  More than 1,200 physicians and health care executives convened in Atlanta for this three-day annual conference.  What’s Right in Health Care is an intensive session aimed at bringing individuals together with a series of sessions providing tools, tips and techniques designed to make a difference in health care.

 

Knee will also present along with Quint Studer, founder of Studer Group, at a two-day Excellence in End-of-Life Care Institute August 17 – 18 at Hilton Sandestin Resort, located in Destin, Florida.  This Institute is the first for Covenant/Studer Alliance, which was formed between Covenant Hospice and Studer Group in November 2005.  The new alliance will provide leadership development and coaching services, develop new tools and teaching materials, and host training institutes. 

 

This two-day session will focus on this critical time in patient’s lives.  Attendees will learn to apply service, quality, people, financial and growth prescriptives and specific leadership principles to strategically improve the quality of end-of-life care in their community, adding life to your patient’s days when days can no longer be added to life.

 

Seating is limited and overnight accommodations should be made directly with the hotel 1-800-367-1271.  When calling, mention Studer Group for special conference rates.  To register online or for more information, visit www.studergroup.com/eol.

CELEBRATING INNOVATION IN PALLIATIVE

AND END-OF-LIFE CARE:

Covenant Hospice Recognized

 

Covenant Hospice today was named a Circle of Life Award Honoree.  Covenant Hospice was recognized for its innovative program that improves the care of patients near the end of life or with life-threatening conditions.

 

The Circle of Life Award celebrates programs across the nation that have made great strides in palliative and end-of-life care.  The awards are supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in Princeton, N.J and are sponsored by the American Hospital Association, the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, the American Medical Association and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.  Covenant Hospice is one of seven organizations honored this year by the Circle of Life Award Program.

Covenant Hospice, a not-for-profit organization, currently serves 35 counties throughout South Alabama, Northwest Florida and the Big Bend area of Florida.  In 2005, Covenant served over 5,000 terminally ill patients and their families.

Covenant Hospice was chosen by a selection committee made up of leaders from medicine, nursing, social work, and health administration.  The committee focused on innovative programs that respect patient goals and preferences, provide comprehensive care, acknowledge and address the family or caregivers’ concerns and needs, and build systems and mechanisms of support to continue the program for future patients and caregivers.

 

“It’s a privilege to be recognized for the work and ideas we feel are so important to our community.  This is an award for everyone involved with Covenant Hospice, and we hope the success of our program helps inspire others in this area,” said Dale O. Knee, President & CEO of Covenant Hospice.

 

This is the seventh year for the Circle of Life Award.  For more information on the Circle of Life Award, visit www.aha.org/circleoflife.

 

Hospice of Marion County and its Affiliated Companies

Named One of the Best Places to Work in the U.S.

SHRM and GPTW List Top 25

"Best Medium Companies to Work for in America"

 

 

For the third year in a row, Hospice of Marion County, Inc. and its Affiliated Companies, have been named among the top 25 Best Medium-Sized Companies to Work for in America. Hospice of Marion County, Inc. serves end-of-life residents, mostly in their homes, but also in the agency’s four hospices houses, which are open to patients in the tri-county area and beyond. Florida Palliative Home Care of Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties, is a home health care provider; Accent Medical is a home medical equipment company with coverage in Lake, Marion, Sumter, Citrus and Levy Counties; and Summerfield Suites is an assisted living facility, located just north of The Villages. Together, Hospice of Marion County and its Affiliated Companies employ 400 professionals and have 450 volunteers who serve nearly 1,000 patients every day.

The announcement was made on June 26 before an audience of more than 15,000 at the Society for Human Resource Management's 58th Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. The list ranks the top 25 medium-sized companies in America that use smart people management strategies to develop successful organizations with highly productive and satisfied workforces. The organizations were announced by the Society and ranked by the Great Place to Work® Institute, which uses the same criteria to compile Fortune Magazine's well-known "100 Best Companies to Work For"® in America. 

Hospice of Marion County, Inc., has served area residents with end-of-life comfort care since 1983. Since its inception, Hospice has striven for excellence in quality care for patients and their families, as well as providing its employees with a supportive work environment. In recent years, its affiliated non-profit companies have set the same standards of excellence, which are reflected in this national recognition.

 

“Each of these companies is founded on this basic premise. Each and every day, our focus is respect and team support, a standard of excellence that is transferred to our customers, whether they are our clients, our customers or each other,” says Alice J. Privett, President/ CEO, Hospice of Marion County, and LLC Manager of the Affiliated Companies. The corporate culture includes such employee benefits as free massage therapy, participation in Leadership Team meetings and 70% of Hospice’s employees have completed Stephen Covey’s “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.” Two-thirds of the scoring based on the Great Place to Work index comes from an anonymous employee survey that evaluates five key areas:  management credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie. The other one-third is based on an overall corporate culture questionnaire.

 

“Because of our companies’ stringent screening requirements for applicants, extensive orientation and training of new employees, and continuing staff development of all employees,” says Roy Hoxworth, director of Human Resources for Hospice, “our turnover rate is about 12%, which is only a-third of the national healthcare average. Because we hire the best, employees know that they are, without a doubt, our number one asset.”

 

Hospice of Marion County, Inc. To Open the Tuscany House near The Villages Community

Grand Opening – August 18, 4-7 pm.

 

Hospice of Marion County continues to fulfill its destiny by expanding its services of compassionate end-of-life care to more and more people. Come August, the 23-year-old agency will open a brand-new, state-of-the-art Hospice House, just a mile north of The Villages. The Tuscany House is a completely renovated building where Summerfield Suites’ Memory Care Center once stood off Hwy. 441.

“The Tuscany House has been meticulously designed to make it not only one of the most elegant, but the most efficient of Hospice Houses,” says Alice J. Privett, President/CEO of Hospice of Marion County. “Because we renovated an existing facility, we were able to create great savings while providing our patients and families with top-of-the-line care in an exquisite environment.” While other new hospice houses cost from three to seven million dollars, Hospice of Marion County was able to refurbish the building for under a million dollars. Furnishings added another $500.000 to the project.

 

The Tuscany House’s authentic Italian theme is carried throughout the nearly 20,000-square-foot facility, which has comfortable rooms and large suites with a total of 24 beds, all with beautiful wooden headboards and matching side tables. The ten suites include kitchen and sitting areas. Over each bed is a patient-controlled lighted ceiling painting of a garden scene—just one of Tuscany’s many amenities. Every room is also equipped with a wireless nurse call system, Plasma TV/DVDs, laptop availability and video conferencing, so patients can communicate with family and friends via live pictures and audio, anywhere in the world.

 

Amid the elegant atmosphere, Hospice of Marion County never loses sight of its main focus to meet the growing need in the tri-county area for more Hospice beds. Hospice and its nonprofit affiliated companies employ 400 professionals with 450 volunteers, which serve nearly 1,000 patients a day. The Tuscany House was constructed with that mission in mind. Each eight-bed wing has its own nursing station to ensure excellent and attentive patient care. Adjacent the spacious seating and fireplace in the lobby is a bereavement room for private family times. An inside courtyard and fountain continues the Tuscan feel, along with the landscaping of the back courtyard with its 22-foot bronze statue and lined by a memorial walkway. “The angels have a unique history,” says Suzanne Reynolds, Development Director. “The magnificent bronze sculpture of two angels with a torch was donated by John Ford, whose wife, Elaine, died at Estelle’s Hospice House in 2001. He found the art piece in New England, but on a trip to Europe, Mr. Ford came across an identical replica of the statute, which he promptly purchased and shipped to Hospice. It has been placed permanently at The Tuscany House, where many people will be able to appreciate the beauty and tranquility they represent.”

Community Hospice Announces New Board Members

Community Hospice of Northeast Florida announces the following additions to its Board of Directors:

Jill K. Buie is community relations manager for Orange Park Medical Center where she promotes wellness programs to local businesses and the community through health education seminars and screenings.  Buie is active in many community service projects.  She has maintained memberships and board positions in several organizations, including Clay Women in Business, the Clay County Health Department’s Healthy Family/Healthy Kids program, First Coast Family and Shepherd’s Center of Orange Park.  Buie has served as president of the Wellness Council of Florida, chair of the Health Academy at Orange Park High School and chair of the Healthy Clay County Initiative.  She is active in the Clay County Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Council.  In 2003, Buie was honored with the American Cancer Society – Clay Division’s Hope Award for her community work with cancer prevention education.  She received a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the University of South Florida.  Buie and her husband live in Mandarin.

Vera Cruse is a retired registered nurse.  Cruse is actively involved in several community service projects for Shands/UF both past and present.  She served on the Institutional Review Board and presently serves on the Jacksonville Community Advisory Committee for Shands/UF.  Cruse also participates in Shands/UF’s Shop Talk Program as a nurse educator, where she regularly visits Jacksonville beauty shops to share information with the owners and clients to increase breast cancer awareness.  She was past president of the Jacksonville Chapter of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. and is the current president of the Brewster and Community Nurses Alumni Association.  She holds the title of the “First Black Graduate Registered Professional Nurse” in Live Oak, Suwannee County.  Cruse and her husband make their home on the north side of Jacksonville.

Cal Jackson is a NTL certified diversity practitioner at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida where he provides training and consultation to offices throughout the state.  Jackson also serves as a facilitator for the Jacksonville Human Rights Commissions’ Study Circle Initiative.  He has held several leadership positions in fields such as television news, public relations, community affairs, telecommunications, financial services and city government.  Jackson received his bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Georgia State University.  Originally from Dublin, Georgia, Jackson made Jacksonville his home six years ago.  He lives in Mandarin.

Teala Milton is chief public affairs officer for JEA.  Milton started her career as senior vice president of public affairs for Florida National Bank in Jacksonville, now a part of Wachovia Bank.  She also served as vice president of law and government affairs of AT&T Universal Card Services in Jacksonville before the company was sold to Citigroup Inc.  Active in community service, Milton has been on the board of directors for various civic organizations and trade associations.  Most recently, she was elected chair for Leadership Florida, president of the Municipal Electric Association and chair of the Florida Community College Foundation.  Milton holds an associate’s degree in political science from Florida Community College at Jacksonville and a certificate from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Senior Managers in Government Program at Harvard University.  She lives in San Jose.

Community Hospice Celebrates Works and Deeds

at Living Through Giving

 

Community Hospice of Northeast Florida will present the inaugural Living Through Giving celebration on Saturday, September 9, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ritz Theatre and LaVilla Museum in downtown Jacksonville. Keynote speaker will be Connie Payton, widow of football great Walter Payton.

 

Living Through Giving is a community-based event supporting the African American community and recognizing those members who, through their actions and accomplishments, have enhanced the quality of life throughout the community. “Those recognized will represent various fields — medicine and health care, education, media and communications, community service and involvement, business and athletics,” said Marietta LeBlanc, community education manager for Community Hospice. “We expect Living Through Giving to be an annual event and scholarship opportunity,” she added.

 

The Living Through Giving Planning Committee assisted in the planning of the gala, as well as developing the scholarship criteria. The members included: Linnie Finley, director of community development, Jacksonville Urban League; Lois Gibson, Ed.D, retired dean of health services at Florida Community College at Jacksonville; Karen Kincade, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; Flora Feggins Peterson, community activist and retired from BellSouth; Patricia Sampson, executive director, Northwest Behavioral Health Services, Inc.; B. Juliette Thayer, social worker, Duval County Public Schools; Joanne Thayer, president, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; Shelly Thompson, M.D., Northeast Florida Medical Society.

 

Other people working with the committee were:  S.L. Badger, III, retired, Florida Community College; Joseph N. Henry, retired under sheriff, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and Cheryl Riddick, vice president of grantmaking services, Community Foundation of Jacksonville.

 

“Our mission at Community Hospice is to improve the quality of life for patients and families in Northeast Florida and to be the compassionate guide for end-of-life care in our community,” said Susan Ponder-Stansel, president and CEO of Community Hospice.  “The Living Through Giving gala gives us an opportunity to celebrate unique African Americans who share our commitment to enhancing quality of life on the First Coast.”

 

Proceeds from this event will support the Living Through Giving scholarship program. The 2006 scholarships will be presented at the gala to each of four African American students in the areas of health care, liberal arts, higher education and the arts.

 

Since her husband Walter, passed away from cancer in November of 2000, Connie Payton has headed the Connie and Walter Payton Foundation that focuses on helping underprivileged children. She also serves as Chairman of the Walter Payton Cancer Fund of the Cancer Treatment Research Foundation.

 

Cost of the tickets is $35 per person. To purchase tickets call 904.407.6790. For event information call Marietta LeBlanc at 904.407.6176.

 

The Living Through Giving gala is sponsored in part by Mayo Clinic.

Hospice Care of Southeast Florida Presents

“Silver Wings” Gala

 

Who:                    HospiceCare of Southeast Florida, Inc.

What:                  25th Anniversary “Silver Wings” Gala

 

Where:                Marriott Harbor Beach

                             3030 Holiday Drive

                             Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316

 

When:                 Saturday, September 9th, 2006

                             6:30pm to 11p.m.

 

Why:                    HospiceCare of Southeast Florida’s largest black tie event to raise funds to benefit the care and support of patients and families facing end of life issues.

 

Description:        HospiceCare of Southeast Florida, Inc, non-profit organization, is honoring the founding members of Hospice at the Black Tie Gala in celebration of their 25th anniversary.  The pleasure of your company is requested at the Silver Wings Gala. Ticket price $200 per person, corporate sponsorship available.  Ticket price including open bar, succulent full menu, silent/ live auction and incredible entertainment by Hot Brass Monkey.  To reserve tickets or for more information please contact Beth French at 954.467.7423 or visit www.hospicecareflorida.org

Hospice Adds Sales and Marketing Professional to Team

Hospice of St. Francis, Brevard’s oldest hospice, recently announced the addition of Shelly L. Lockhart to their sales and marketing team.  Ms. Lockhart’s duties will include expanding Hospice of St. Francis’ name and services throughout Brevard County.

 

Ms. Lockhart stated, “ I chose to join Hospice of St. Francis because of their excellent reputation, longevity in Brevard County, quality of care, integrity of staff and the opportunity to develop the sales and marketing department.”

 

Ms. Lockhart has over ten years of experience in medical service sales having recently worked for CareTenders Home Health Services and HealthSouth Ambulatory Surgery Center and Outpatient Physical Therapy.