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ospice of Hope is offering bereavement support groups and events to allow people who have experienced a loss to come together to learn about the grief process, develop strategies that will assist in the healing journey, find support, and share insights and stories with others who have also experienced loss.

Ongoing groups are available for individuals who have recently lost a loved one, as well as for those who have experienced loss due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss; and an ongoing group for suicide survivors. In addition, a 4-week group will be held for those who have recently experienced a loss, and a 6-week group for individuals who have lost a spouse.

Other planned events include spring memorial services; Mountain Pathway - a family gathering designed to bring healing and encouragement to children, teens, and adults who have experienced the loss of a loved one; and Hope for the Holidays workshops and memorial services scheduled each fall to provide our families and communities an opportunity to commemorate the death of loved ones and gain insight on how to cope with the approaching holiday season.

Hospice of Hope bereavement programs and support groups are free and open to the community. Individual support is also available. For more information contact Peg Lynch at 800-928-4243.

n Friday, March 19, 2010, Hospice of Hope will collaborate with the University of Kentucky College of Social Work to present two workshops at the Maysville office.

"Motivational Interviewing: The Basics" will be presented by Patty Rudd, LCSW and Director of Addiction Services with Comprehend, Inc. from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The training will focus on six essential areas of motivational interviewing. This interviewing style and technique is useful for healthcare providers, therapists, doctors, social workers, or any other professional who is trying to motivate change within their client/patient population.

"Spirituality and Social Work Practice" will be presented from 1-4 p.m. This experiential workshop will use music, video, lecture and small group exercises to discuss the spiritual needs of clients and assessment. The workshop will also give participants a chance to work through ethical dilemmas in which personal spiritual values conflict with client choices.

3.0 hours of continuing education for each session will be available for social workers. For more information call Hospice of Hope at 606-759-4050 or 800-928-4848 or register online at www.uksocialworkonline.com.

he 2009-2010 Leadership Horizons class had a full agenda for their monthly session which took place on Thursday, January 14. The sessions focus was on health and human services within our Buffalo Trace District. The day began at Fleming County Hospital where the diverse group of community leaders were treated to a wonderful breakfast and an enlightening discussion by hospital CEO, Davey Lloyd. The eventful day then moved onto the Women's Crisis Center (WCC) whom provided an in-depth tour of their facility. Leadership Horizon participants were impressed by the numbers of lives touched by the WCC; it was evident what an impact the center has on those that utilize the facility.

The day continued with a visit to Meadowview Regional Medical Center (MRMC) where they enjoyed a tour of the newly expanded emergency room and had lunch with Chad Patrick, CEO who enlightened the group on an overview of the hospital. Primary Care Plus was also on-hand to share their business with the class to provide free health screenings to participants.

Later in the day, the group continued with its agenda and toured other health and human related services in the Buffalo Trace area by visiting Hospice of Hope. During this tour they were treated to full body massages and hand wax treatments as well as a general overview of the end-of-life services provided by Hospice of Hope. The day concluded with tours of the Dialysis Center and the Maysville Cancer Treatment Center.

n a celebration held last Friday, Hospice of Hope Chaplain Gorman Parrish, M DIV officially retires. Gorman had been a faithful Chaplain and hospice advocate for over 10 years. During his duration with Hospice of Hope he held many different roles on several teams that included bereavement care and chaplaincy. At his retirement party Gorman commented. "I feel that God chose me for this role and profession. It's a job that I find very difficult to walk away from. The patients and families that I was privileged to work with every day were truly a blessing from above". Hospice of Hope thanks Gorman for his years of service and wishes him the best in his next chapter of life.

training program for people willing to donate their time and talents to the Hospice of Hope program will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at Hospice of Hope Ohio Valley office in Mt. Orab, Ohio. The orientation will include short lectures and discussion outlining our volunteer program and the services provided by Hospice of Hope Ohio Valley.

No job is too big or too small for our volunteers. Often the most important thing a volunteer can do is be there for patients, reassuring them they are not alone, holding a hand, offering a smile, or lending an ear. It's your choice. The rewards are enormous. Some of the services provided by our Hospice of Hope Volunteers are visiting patients at home, in the hospital, nursing home or our Inpatient Center, transporting a patient to doctor appointments, assisting in the office with clerical tasks, or joining our flower garden club.

For more information about volunteer opportunities with Hospice of Hope Ohio Valley, call Donna Burke, Volunteer Coordinator, at 800-928-4848 or email dburke@hohope.org.

n Wednesday, March 24, 2009, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Hospice of Hope will serve as the host site for Hospice Foundation of America's 17th Annual National Bereavement Teleconference, "Living With Grief: Cancer and End-of-Life Care". The 2010 teleconference will address care options related to cancer diagnoses, as well as loss and grief reactions for patients, families, and professional caregivers. The teleconference will also examine psychosocial aspects of cancer, pain management, and ethical issues related to the disease. Three hours of continuing education will be available for physicians, nurses, social workers, clergy, funeral directors, counselors, home health aides and other professionals. To register or for more information call Hospice of Hope at 606-759-4050 or 800-928-4848.

epresentatives from Dayton Power & Light's Stewart & Killen Stations recently conducted a bowling fundraiser to support Hospice of Hope. Linda Kirschner, Materials Processor for the Killen Station in Manchester, spearheaded this fundraiser and stated, "We (DP&L) really want to do something positive for Hospice of Hope as they have effected so many people in our communities. We thought that having a bowling event would both be fun and yet raise funds to support needed programs."

Michael Parker, Director of PR & Development for Hospice of Hope added, "We are so thankful to have such strong community partners to help our organization succeed. This event is yet another example of how an idea blossoms into something really special".

Proceeds from this event raised nearly two-thousand dollars which will we applied towards the newly created "Hope and Dreams" program.

ast Saturday night at Hospice of Hope's annual gala the Fantastical Theatrical's presented "Trouble at the Tropicabana". Guests took a stroll down memory lane with Lucy, Ricky, Ethel, Fred and enjoyed an evening at Ricky's nightclub, the Tropicabana. Just as Ricky was about to sign a contract with movie mogul heiress Celia B. Demilo guests were introduced to the notorious "Mr. Big" and learned that a murder had happened. That's right, Murder!

It was a fun filled evening with silent auctions, raffle baskets and tremendous audience participation. Hospice of Hope would like to thank those who came to our evening of fun, businesses who sponsored our event and those who donated gift items to support this annual fundraiser.

agle Riders of the Hillsboro OH Eagles club #1161 recently conducted the 1st annual Poker Run with proceeds benefiting Hospice of Hope. This 117 mile Poker Run, coordinated by Judy Roberts of local Eagles Club, was open to all 4 wheel vehicles. During the event there were 50/50 drawings, raffles and door prizes in addition to dinner.

Mrs. Roberts recently had firsthand experience with Hospice of Hope and decided that she needed to organize a fundraiser to help support Hospice of Hopes quests for quality end-of-life care services.

Below is an excerpt from a letter written by Mrs. Judy Roberts of Hillsboro.

"My first real knowledge of Hospice of Hope came when I was taking care of my mother who suffered from Alzheimer Disease. With virtually no help from family members, I turned to the medical community for help. Hospice of Hope came into my home the last few months of her life and what a blessing it was. They were there for me 24/7 if needed. Hospice of Hope had someone there me to help through the last hours that were both painful to me and to my mother. I can never thank these people enough for everything they did for me and for my mother!"

anda Paul recently announced her official retirement from Hospice of Hope after 17 years of service. Wanda worked primarily as a member of the Community Resource Team as the Volunteer Coordinator. During her years at Hospice of Hope she trained hundreds of volunteers who have given more than 50,000 hours to help those who face life-limiting illnesses. She has also helped to cultivate countless donors and was there to pioneer several fundraisers throughout the years. Kavin Cartmell, Executive Director for Hospice of Hope stated, "Wanda has been instrumental in forming our Hospice of Hope public image with her tireless efforts and community contacts. Her dedication and compassion to this line of work will truly be missed!"  Wanda says that she has retired but intends stay on board as an active volunteer. She stated, "That this was a job you can't just walk away from. If your hearts in it, you will still do everything you can to help those in needs and I plan to do just that."