Bringing Life To Hospice

Grief changes everything—including how we see ourselves. In this episode, we explore Grief and Identity: Navigating the Void After Loss. Join us as Chandra helps us understand the deep impact of grief on our sense of self and shares insights on adapting to life's changes while honoring those we've lost. 

Today, we hear from Sara Chambers, Community Educator for Hospice of Northwest Ohio about breaking the societal barriers with death and dying.  

Today, we hear from Kim Burgess, the Founder of Comforting Transitions, as well as one of our very own Hospice of Southern Illinois Volunteers. She is an experienced adult-geriatric nurse practitioner who specializes as a senior care manager and end-of-life doula. During this episode, she explains what an end-of-life doula is and some stories she has during the end-of-life journey. 

Today, will hear from Shelly Black, Volunteer Services Manager here at Hospice of Southern Illinois about the benefits of being a volunteer. We would not be the company we are today without their generous hearts and commitment to our mission. In honor of Volunteer month in April, we wanted to celebrate early by telling you all more about becoming a volunteer.

Today, we hear from Amanda Landsbaum on Parkinson Disease. Amanda is currenly the program director of the American Parkinson Disease Association and is passionate about providing high quality, accessible programming for people and their families living with Parkinson's Disease. Tune in to hear from Amanda and her knowledge on Parkinson's!

Today, we hear from Dr. Sarah Hogann on pet loss grief.  Dr. Hoggan is the medical director of the VCA CVS Murrieta facility in California. She has been in private practice with an emphasis in emergency medicine since veterinary school graduation. She explains how griving a pet is different than a human and her experience caring for animals as a veterinarian. 

Growing Belleville Thru Community Chats sat down with our President and CEO, Amy Richter, to talk leadership, community, and all things hospice.   To enjoy more episode of Growing Belleville Thru Community Chats, you can find them on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growing-belleville-thru-community-chats/id1579571466 Spotify: Growing Belleville thru Community Chats YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@greaterbellevillechamberof4451/feature

Today, we hear from a caregiver who saw Hospice of Southern Illinois' care firsthand. Amy Therrian, Executive Director of Cedarhurst of Breese, has a unique perspective on hospice care. Amy knows hospice from all angles from seeing hospice providers through her position in long-term and nursing care, and also from being her dad's caregiver during his end-of-life journey. In this episode, she shares memories of her father that are sure to pull at your heart strings. As well as, the importance of dignity at the end of life for patients and caregivers.

Let's shine a light on the largest organ- your skin, with special guest Amy Bruggeman! This episode discusses how to care for our skin as we age to avoid wounds and breakage at the end of life.    Amy Bruggemann MSN APRN-BC, CWS received her Nurse Practitioner degree from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, with an undergrad from Barnes Jewish Hospital. Amy has worked in many nursing roles from CNA to DON prior to becoming an NP. In 2004, she joined Specialized Wound Management as their Director of Clinical Operations, as she is a certified wound specialist through the American Academy of Wound Management. In this role she sees patients while managing NPs in IL, MO, NE, and KS. When she's not helping her practice see over 2,000 patients each month, she is editing medical books and journals for Springer Publishing Company, consulting in legal nursing, serving on physician panels, and lecturing throughout the country on advanced wound care.

In this episode, we share an encore of our January 2023 CE You Online Webinar: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Hospice Care with Sherita Haigler   SHERITA M. HAIGLER serves as the Vice President, Diversity, and Inclusion at a local non-profit and a consultant to those interested in building and advancing their DEI organizational efforts. Sherita's primary responsibility is to lead the internal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts and ensure they align with the strategic plan of the organization. As the lead/consultant Sherita, works in partnership with leadership and Human Resources to create an inclusive organizational environment where employees, volunteers, and investors of all ability statuses, gender identities, race/ethnicities, backgrounds, and orientations feel welcome and can flourish and contribute in ones environment.   As the past Director of STEMSTL, a non-profit STEM Learning Ecosystem that aims to ensure that all St. Louis area learners have equitable access to high-quality STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning and career opportunities. Sherita built and maintained relationships, created structures for collaboration, and managed the day-to-day operations of the Ecosystem to improve STEM learning and workforce outcomes.   Sherita also works as a facilitator for Diversity Awareness Partnership in its Give Respect Get Respect Program. Sherita holds a Masters, and Bachelor of Business Administration from Fontbonne University where she was an adjunct faculty member for the Options Program for many years. She has a vast amount of experience in Client Services, Account and Client Relationship Management, and Program/Project Management in the Telecommunications and Health Care industries. She is an active member in her community where she serves on the following boards, City Garden Montessori School, ITEF, SAAVY Coder, and STL Youth Jobs. Sherita is a native of St. Louis.