Accomplished artist and patient, Bernadine Silberman, recently had the opportunity to attend the “Artistic Luxury” exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Bernadine was a bit apprehensive at first to make the trip, but with some encouragement from her hospice team, a little bit of planning, and a lot of determination, she decided that the trip out into the cold Cleveland winter would bring her closer to her love for art.

Accompanied by her home care Social Worker, Annemarie Colosimo and her Art Therapist, Desiree Benedict, Bernadine was in awe of the jeweled Faberge eggs, exquisite Tiffany jewelry, and the ornamental Lalique creations on display. She left with a renewed museum membership, souvenir book of the exhibit and fond memories of the special day.

Bernadine has been sculpting with alabaster and marble since the 1970’s. She once said about her work, “I let the stone spur my creativity, drawing energy from the form as it takes shape in my hands.” She worked from a studio in Beachwood for many years and has exhibited in numerous prestigious shows throughout Ohio where her work has won many awards. Selected as Woman of the Year in Arts, State of Israel Bonds in 1987, her work is displayed in Cleveland and Columbus and corporate collections include National City Bank, the Ohio State House, and Linclay Corporation.

To view Bernadine’s sculptures visit http://mail.ohioartists.com/silberman.htm

Hospice of the Western Reserve

provides palliative end-of-life

care, caregiver support,

and bereavement services

throughout Northern Ohio.

In celebration of the individual

worth of each life, we

strive to relieve suffering,

enhance comfort, promote

quality of life, foster choice

in end-of-life care and

support effective grieving.

This Issue P1 Art & Soul

P2 Stories That Inspire

P3 Read All About It!

P4 Camp for Kids

P5 Cavs Fever

P5 Honoring Veterans

P6 Fall Conference

hospicewr.orgspring | 09

dignity choice life-enHancing comfortcareJourney

VOL. 25 - ISSUE 2

“I am so grateful for all of the wonderful care I receive from my hospice

team. It is a help for my well being, both physically and emotionally.”

Bernadine Silberman,artist and patient

Bernadine’s sculptures

For over 30 years, Hospice of the Western Reserve has based its program and services on a concept of holistic care. In general a holistic approach includes addressing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of a person’s being. In the early days the term was rather innovative and in some quarters controversial. During the course of our three decades, much has changed and it is rather common today that a health care service or provider is described as holistic.

As we embraced those various elements of holistic care, I became aware of yet other aspects that I now include in our description of holistic hospice care. These are based on observation of what we do and reports from those we serve about what is significant to them. To complete our description of holistic, I have therefore added these three domains: historical, biographical, and continuing growth and development. For this issue of Journey, let me focus attention on the historical and biographical dimensions. For it is within these areas that the very rich world of hospice emerges.

While there may be some interest in the particular elements of a loved one’s disease that ultimately overwhelms their life force, there is almost always far greater interest in the person who had the disease. Who Aunt Sally or Dad was is for more poignant than what their medical tests reveal or what diagnosis they had.

It is their histories and their stories that live on. These stories are sometimes anecdotal, sometimes oft repeated tales within the tradition of a family. They may be short or epic. They may be absolutely factual or replete with imagery that magnifies or minimizes real facts. More often than not these stories are informal. However, some people very purposefully develop such stories as an important legacy. They express them through written vehicles such as letters, diaries or ethical wills. Sometimes they are conveyed through art or music. Through stories people become memorialized and live on in those who survive them. They may give laughter, joy, inspiration or sadness.

History and biography expand and extend our definition of holistic. I believe that this approach profoundly enriches the hospice experience; it often forms the heart of our work at Hospice of the Western Reserve. As hospice workers we are especially privileged to witness and facilitate the intimate creation and sharing of legacy that transcends material reality. Because of this, we plan to share various hospice stories in future issues of Journey. We believe our readers will find them enriching.

David A. SimpsonCEO, Hospice of the Western Reserve

letter froM tHe ceo

[ P2 ]

2009 board of directors

cHair

Richard B. Whitney

vice cHairs

Carl Baldassarre

James L. Hambrick

Peg Milbourn

secretary

Carol G. Manning

treasurer

Mary Ann Kocurko, CPA

Richard A. Barone

Joseph Carson

Rev. Neroy Carter

Margit Daley

H. Clark Harvey, Jr.

Jean E. Kilgore, Ph.D.

Hilary Mason King

Michael J. Merriman

Virginia A. Mooney

David Mordarski

Janice Murphy

John D. Nash

Laura Navin

Mary L. Ogrinc

Elizabeth Pitorak, MSN

Sarah Robertson

Richard T. Spotz, Jr.

William Springer

Andre Thornton

Bret Williams

Honorary MeMbers

Duane E. Collins

William J. Esselstyn

Martha Grabner

Marina B. Grant

Patricia Modell

Constance W. Sallee

Kate Scovil

Rev. William Spangler

cHief executive officer

David A. Simpson

Stories That Inspire

“As hospice workers we are especially privileged

to witness and facilitate the intimate creation and

sharing of legacy that transcends material reality.”

swimming • rock climbing • art & music • lunch & snacks

[ P3 ]

Who Might Use the End-of-Life Library?Just about everyone!Healthcare professionals and educational institutions, educators, students, researchers, authors, bioethicists, policy makers, public officials, legal professionals, corporations, churches, social workers, counselors, spiritual care professionals, funeral professionals, nursing home staff, and the general community.

How Do I Access Articles and Journals? A professional Librarian, who is available 3 days a week for personalized service and assistance in research projects, can be reached at (216) 383-3781 or by email at: library@hospicewr.org. The library is located on the web at www.hospicewr.org/Library_Search.asp.

How Can I Get Involved? There are several ways to support this wonderful endeavor:

• Purchaseabookfor$100

• Purchaseajournalfor$500

• Underwriteliteratureanddatabasesearchesfor$1,000

• Underwritelibrarysoftwareforoneyearfor$2,500

Since 1997, The Hospice Institute has acted as the research and educational resource of Hospice of the Western Reserve. Through workshops, conferences and other educational opportunities, the Institute educates physicians, nurses, social workers, spiritual counselors, students, and other professionals. Because the Institute is unique in fulfilling a wide spectrum of needs, requests for its help and expertise increase exponentially each year. The Institute has expanded their services to better meet these needs with the creation of The End-of-Life Library. This specialized library was created to increase understanding, awareness and acceptance of the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual transitions that occur at the end of life through a comprehensive collection of information resources and services on death, dying, grief, and bereavement.

Currently there are over 1,000 titles; including a children’s collection and 18 professional journal subscriptions. An archival collection of several early journals in the hospice field is also maintained. Services provided by the Library include literature searches from databases such as PubMed, Ohio Web Library and EBSCO host. The Library has memberships in a number of associations including Medical Library Association, National Network of Libraries of Medicine, and Ohio Health Sciences Library Association.

Read All About It!Introducing the Hospice Institute’s End-of-Life Library

“I have used the end-of-life library to research the value of how we deliver our patient care through our interpersonal interactions that affect the health, well-being, and overall

peace-feeling during one’s end of life journey.”

– Sherri Cebul, Training & Development Coordinator

To contribute to the End-of-Life Library,

please use the enclosed envelope

or call Kathy Schwartfigure-Yopp at

216.383.3713. With your philanthropy,

Hospice of the Western Reserve will

continue to be a leader and a resource in

the hospice and palliative care community.

swimming • rock climbing • art & music • lunch & snacks

[ P4 ]

August 11-13, 2009 (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.Red Oak Camp, Kirtland, OH

Transportation provided from three convenient drop-off points.

$25/camper • Scholarships available

Space is limited. Registration materials are due July 6th.

11thAnnual

A day camp for children 6-12 who have experienced the death of a loved one.

Call Karen Hatfield at (216) 486-6042 for more information and to receive a registration packet.

You Can Make a Difference in Kids’ LivesDonate gift cards from Michael’s Craft Stores or Pat Catan’s and help campers create memories. For more information, call Nicole Green at 216.383.3712.

Volunteer Wayne Pettek was awarded the Heroes for Andy award by the Lakeland Foundation for Community Impact for his work with the Peaceful & Proud program. The family of Andy Nowacki established the Andy Nowacki Memorial Scholarship Fund Endowment through the Lakeland Foundation in tribute to Andy, a US Marine Lance Cpl. who heroically gave his life for his country while protecting a convoy south of Baghdad, Iraq.

Wayne works closely with veteran patients and their families to thank the veteran for his or her service using the Honored Veteran pin. Veterans Affairs provides each hospice that is a member of the Hospice-Veteran Partnership of Ohio a supply of state-shaped pins, which are affixed to a card that reads, “We pay special tribute to you for your military service to America by advancing the universal hope of freedom and liberty for all.”

The Honored Veteran pin is just one component of Hospice of the Western Reserve’s Peaceful & Proud program to better serve seriously ill veterans and their families. For more information please visit www.hospicewr.org/programsservices.asp.

Hospice House & Headquarters300 East 185th StreetCleveland, OH 44119-1330p. 216.383.2222 or 800.707.8922 f. 216.383.3750Hospice Connect Line: 800.707.8921

asHtabula office1166 Lake AvenueAshtabula, OH 44004-2930p. 440.997.6619 f. 440.997.6478

cleveland office19201 Villaview RoadCleveland, OH 44119-3064p. 216.383.2222 f. 216.481.4940

fairHill office12200 Fairhill RoadCleveland, OH 44120-1013p. 216.502.4240 f. 216.502.4230

lakewood office 14601 Detroit Avenue, Suite 100Lakewood, OH 44107-4212p. 216.227.9048 f. 216.227.9232

lorain county office2173 N. Ridge Road E., Suite HLorain, OH 44055-3400p. 440.284.2999

Mentor office5786 Heisley RoadMentor, OH 44060-1830p. 440.951.8692 f. 440.975.0655

university circle office10645 Euclid AvenueCleveland, OH 44106-2206p. 216.231.8650 f. 216.231.8291

warrensville HeigHts office4670 Richmond Road, Suite 200Warrensville Hts, OH 44128-5978p. 216.283.3140 f. 216.283.3181

westlake office29101 Health Campus DriveBuilding 2, Suite 400Westlake, OH 44145-5268p. 440.892.6680 f. 440.892.6690

tHe elisabetH severance prentiss bereaveMent center19201 Villaview RoadCleveland, OH 44119-3064p. 216.486.6838 f. 216.481.4987

Hospice resale sHop5139 Mayfield RoadLyndhurst, OH 44124-2405p. 440.442.2621 f. 440.646.0507

Journey is publisHed by:Communications Team

Hospice of the Western Reserve

david a. siMpsonChief Executive Officer

Medicare/Medicaid CertifiedJCAHO accredited

Copyright 2009. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

As Randle Schmidt’s family held vigil at his bedside, vigil volunteer Doris Farello was there to support them. During this time, Doris got to know Mr. Schmidt’s family including his 16 year grandaughter, Krissy Schmidt. Krissy spoke to Doris of her love for the Cleveland Cavaliers and specifically, Delonte West.

Unbeknownst to Krissy, Doris’s son Glenn Farello, knew Delonte personally – in fact, he was his high school basketball coach. Doris and Glenn worked very quietly and shared with Delonte the story of Krissy and her love for the Cavs. Delonte gave an autographed shirt to Glenn to give to Krissy as a gift.

As a surprise, Krissy was presented the autographed shirt at the Ashtabula office by Doris and the team that supported Mr. Schmidt. “I’m so nervous I could cry!” was Krissy’s response. When asked if she wanted to pursue sports involvement after she graduates she said proudly, “I want to be the first female NBA coach!”

Ashtabula Team Shoots….and Scores!

Memorial Day is May 25th. Hospice of the Western Reserve Honors Our Veterans

[ P5 ]

Wayne Pettek honoring a WWII Veteran

Non-profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDCleveland, OH

Permit #848

Donate Online at hospicewr.org

Observing Memorial Day May 25th. Read about our veterans initiative on page 5.

Save the Date!13th Annual Hospice Institute

Fall Conference

Palliative CareFriday, September 11, 2009

7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Executive Caterers at Landerhaven

6111 Landerhaven Drive, Mayfield Heights, OH

$100 per person or $45 per full-time student

Nathan Goldstein, MDDirector of Integrated Fellowship in Palliative Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, who is a researcher, lecturer and author specializing in palliative care.

Regina BrettA columnist at The Plain Dealer in Cleveland and an 11 year breast cancer survivor.

Sponsored by:

Photo courtesy of Beth Segal

Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai School of Medicine

Continental Breakfast • Lunch • Breakout Sessions Continuing professional contact hours offered

Focus: • Discuss palliative care and its delivery care options. • Explain the value of interdisciplinary teams in providing

palliative care.• Describe the importance of using evidence-based research

in clinical practice.

Hospice House & Headquarters300 East 185th StreetCleveland, OH 44119-1330

[ P6 ]