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News from Agrace HospiceCare Fall 2011
News from Agrace HospiceCare Fall 2011 |
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Click here to see past issues of News from Agrace HospiceCare In this edition of News from Agrace HospiceCare:HospiceCare Adds “Agrace” to Name
HospiceCare Adds “Agrace” to NameResearch Shows Name Change NeededWe’re excited to announce that HospiceCare Inc. is now Agrace HospiceCare! “Changing a company name is exciting,” says Susan Phillips, HospiceCare president/CEO. “But it wasn’t done lightly.” Although we believe our quality of care distinguishes us from our competitors, having a recognizable name is important! “As more competition entered the market, we had to re-evaluate how patients, families and health partners could easily recognize that we are the nonprofit that’s been serving south central Wisconsin for 33 years.” Considerable research went into the decision. We knew that our name was easily confused with a generic term for the service we provide—“hospice care.” But surveys clarified the point. As one respondent put it, “It’s like calling a hospital, ‘Hospital Inc.’ ” A phone survey of 500 people in our service area also was revealing. “Respondents did not identify the name ‘HospiceCare Inc.’ with the community hospice they’ve known for more than 30 years,” says Dan Chin, vice president of public affairs. Only 25 percent could recall HospiceCare by name even though HospiceCare serves a majority of people receiving hospice in Dane (97 percent) and Rock (54 percent) counties. Once our boards voted to move ahead, we worked with a marketing agency that shared research findings, competitive information and a market environment report. These, together with our current mission and values, helped establish a brand position and personality/tone that reflects how our community views our organization. The result is … Agrace HospiceCare. This unique name reflects warmth, caring and dignity. It also retains the word “HospiceCare” and our tree logo, to which many people feel a strong connection. “When patients choose another hospice because they can’t remember our name,” says Susan, “we lose the opportunity to serve the patient and family, and they risk receiving substandard care.
“Here for Life” Campaign Introduces New Name
New Rock County Service Center Moves ForwardAgrace HospiceCare now provides care to nearly 150 patients a day through our Janesville location, and extensive research shows demand for hospice is growing in the Rock County area. To meet the demand, Agrace HospiceCare will build a service center that has adequate space for the more than 80 staff and nearly 150 volunteers who support our patients and families in the Rock County service area. The service center will also allow for future growth in this area.
Beginning a year ago, a team of staff, board and community members started researching various options: renovating the current building, repurposing another space and building new. After extensive research, including focus groups and surveys to identify overall needs, a final decision was made to purchase five acres of land in preparation for new construction. The handicapped-accessible Agrace HospiceCare Service Center will include space for coordination of care, grief support groups, staff and volunteer training, community education, and memorial and donor recognition events. To support the construction of the new service center, Agrace HospiceCare has launched a $5.5 million capital campaign titled “Sharing the Journey, Building the Memory.” We have begun reaching out to ask Rock County area community members, Agrace HospiceCare staff, volunteers and board members to participate in the campaign. “If we stay on target and raise half of the $5.5 million through gifts and pledges,” says Jayme, who is also the director of the capital campaign, “a groundbreaking will take place in spring 2012, with a project completion date slated for early 2013.” If you have questions about the building project or the Sharing the Journey, Building the Memory campaign, please contact Jayme Roth at (608) 755-1871 or Marcia Whittington, vice president of the Foundation and Holdings, at (608) 327-7209.
A Message From Susan Phillips
President/CEO Susan Phillips was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in late July. Here she brings you up to date on her condition and how the agency’s leadership has adjusted in her absence.
First, a note of thanks for the outpouring of well wishes. They have been deeply appreciated. As you may know, I was diagnosed with AML in July and was immediately admitted to the hospital for three weeks of intensive chemotherapy. Currently I am receiving maintenance chemo but awaiting a stem cell transplant scheduled for November. During this time, I have been working a very limited schedule. If all goes well, I hope to return by the first of the year! In the meantime, Agrace HospiceCare leaders and staff have stepped up to ensure that patients and families continue to get the very best care and support. Julia Houck, vice president of HR and Learning & Development, has been named acting president by the board’s executive committee. She will report to and share decision-making under the direction of Joan Burke, board chair, and the executive committee. Marcia Whittington, who was promoted to vice president of the foundation and holdings in July, will also report to the executive committee. Together with Agrace HospiceCare’s Executive Leadership Team, these two will provide expert leadership for Agrace HospiceCare. Susan Note: Susan has been named the 2011 Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Wisconsin, Greater Madison Chapter. Congratulations, Susan!
Consider Giving a Teddy BearDonations of new teddy bears are now being accepted for our Dori Bear Program, which provides stuffed bears to patients and family members who could use a teddy bear hug. If you are interested in donating teddy bears or coordinating a teddy bear drive, please contact Donor Services at 327-7180. For health and safety reasons, all donated bears need to be new, with tags attached and at least 10” tall. Thank you!
Light Up a LifeIn the coming weeks, friends of Agrace HospiceCare can “Light Up a Life” with a donation to support excellent end-of-life care through Agrace HospiceCare. Watch your mail for the inspirational story of a family we served. For those who prefer secure online giving, Light Up a Life donations can be made through our website, agracehospicecare.org.
Memories of DancingAgrace HospiceCare patient Rose Reed and Bill, her husband of 57 years, were partners in farming most of their married life. “She was the best hired man I ever had,” Bill jokes, and then adds, “or maybe I was her hired man, but it certainly was a partnership.” They were also square dancing partners. During the 45 years they danced together, their square dancing friends were like a second family to them. So when the Agrace HospiceCare sta Bill wanted to care for Rose on his own, but eventually he called Agrace HospiceCare. Now he’s glad he did. This was one dance, says Bill, where “I felt like a better caregiver with Agrace HospiceCare leading.” With his nurse Mary showing him what to do, Bill was able to take care of Rose to her final breath. “We did it together.”
Hosting for Agrace HospiceCareThinking about holding a dinner party? How about a golf outing or a bowl-a-thon? Each year, community members host events like these, and donate the funds they raise to support Agrace Whether you are interested in hosting an art show, an auction, a dodgeball tournament or even a kick-a-thon––like the one pictured here at Pinnacle Health and Fitness––we would be delighted to help you make your event a success. To learn more about hosting an event, or to see a list of community-sponsored events going on in your area, please visit agracehospicecare.org or contact Donor Services at (608) 327-7180.
News Shorts
Member of UW Palliative Care Team Wins Award Madison Golf Open Features a Hole-in-One! Thank you to all our sponsors, including Title Sponsor Capitol Bank and our Masters Level Sponsors: Axley Brynelson; J.H. Findorff & Son; General Heating & Air Conditioning/Hooper Corporation/Foundation; North American Mechanical, Inc. (NAMI); Mike and Mary Schlageter; Strand Associates and TDS Telecommunication Corp.
Calendar of Upcoming EventsNovember 8: Q & A Seminar – Grief in the Workplace: Help for Employees, Supervisors and Managers. View some of our past issues.Visit us on Facebook and Twitter.
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“Bringing hospice services to more people means we’re achieving our mission,” says Jayme Roth, general manager of Agrace HospiceCare’s Janesville office. “A new facility will enable us to better serve our communities now and into the future.”
Dear Community,
ff learned how important this hobby was to the couple, the team wasted no time in getting some local square dancing friends over to the house. “We couldn’t get to the friends so the friends came here,” says Bill. As Rose looked on from her bedroom, fellow dancers shared a summer evening of dancing on the deck and visited with her between dances. “It meant the world to her,” he says.
HospiceCare. Organized and managed by a family, group or individual on behalf of Agrace HospiceCare, community-sponsored events support charity care and programs such as grief support services (which are not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or commercial insurance carriers).
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