Hospice & Palliative Care in South Florida

 

Barbara Acevedo is the Pediatric Palliative Care Social Service Counselor at Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital at Broward Health Medical Center. She has worked at Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital in in her current Palliative Care role for 10 years. Barbara was instrumental in developing the pediatric palliative program and in the initial Palliative Care Certification by the Joint Commission. In her role, she offers emotional support to families whose children have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Her involvement starts at the time of diagnosis, throughout the continuum of care; end of treatment and, in some cases, during end of life. Barbara received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of South Florida’s School of Social Work in Tampa, Florida. She has been in the Social Work field for 16 years and worked with Children and Families her entire career. She continues to enjoy working in this field and helping children and families during most difficult times.

 

Liz McMenamin is the Adult Palliative Care Social Services Counselor at Broward Health Medical Center. She has worked in the field of social work for over 10 years including work in child protective services, foster care, Children’s Diagnostic Treatment Center and other inpatient areas at Broward Health Medical Center. Prior to joining the palliative care team, Liz worked in the Adult intensive care unit as part of the case management team. She has a passion for working with patients and their families during some of their most difficult times. Liz received her Bachelor’s degree from the University Of South Florida and her Master’s degree in social work from the University of Maryland. She grew up in South Florida and enjoys serving the community through her work on the Palliative Care Team at Broward Health Medical Center.

 

 

“I feel fortunate to have been raised, nurtured, and educated here in South Florida, and now find an even deeper connection to the community. It is a privilege to practice Palliative Medicine, providing a service that respects all of the areas that impact quality of life, be it physical, psychological, social and/or spiritual,” said Tracy Romanello, D.O., the Associate Medical Director of Catholic Palliative Care Services.

 

 

 

Yusneisy Caraballoso, ARNP, has a big heart and a contagious enthusiasm. Practicing in the field of palliative medicine requires equal parts compassion and competence, and she demonstrates both. She has deep Cuban roots which afford her a profound understanding of the varied needs and challenges found in our diverse community. Yusneisy has earned a reputation for treating our patients with the respect and the dignity they deserve, the same as we would expect for our loved ones. We are incredibly proud of her professional growth and for her service to our patients. We are in the business of changing lives and she is an integral part of the team.

 

 

Marelys Fleites is an exceptional Patient Care Manager who encompasses many of the qualities necessary to support every company’s goal of maintaining employee satisfaction and loyalty while continually providing high standards of service to patients and families. She has shown herself to be genuinely humane, respectful and considerate of employees and of the patients and families served by Catholic Hospice. On specific holidays and randomly throughout the year, Marelys has surprised her team by placing a hand written “thank you” card with a token of appreciation for each team member. She has consistently demonstrated sincere consideration and empathy for the patients and families served by Catholic Hospice. On many occasions Marelys has made it a point to call or visit patients and families and make herself available, even outside of her scheduled hours to ensure that the patients and families receive all the support necessary. Even if that means collecting non-perishable goods or other necessary items to meet the basic necessities of patients and their families. When making decisions that affect patients and their families Marelys takes into account the family dynamics, their needs, and circumstances in providing the services that best fit the patient. The families have always expressed much satisfaction for the overall services provided by Marelys and her team.

 

 

Martine Chery, R.N., at St. Anne’s Nursing Center and Residence has been a great member of the team. Most families ask for her when she is not working because she is always there for them. A particular VIP patient was admitted to the unit. At first the family was in denial and refusing most medication for the patient; even refusing pain medication. When Martine walked into the room and explained to the family the condition that their family member was in, with her soft and calm voice she spoke with the family and they were sold.

 

The family came back to let us know how she helped them to accept their mother’s disease. The way she took her time to explain everything to them, she prayed with them, she was there for every possible thing they needed, to answer questions, when their mother was in pain or even when their mother needed someone to talk to.

 

On the patient’s last day, the daughter said she was in the room practically the whole day because she would check on the patient very often. In addition, she was able to gather the whole family around the patient’s bed and prayed until their mother took her last breath.

 

 In the end they wanted to give her something from their mother because they were so grateful for her presence during their difficult time. This is who Martine Chery is for everyone who crosses her path as a patient or a friend.

 

 

Theresa Simms was educated in the United Kingdom and started her nurse training at age 16 by entering the Nurse Cadet programme- previously known as “Candy Stripers”. She then entered into her professional nurse training at the age of 18 at the Dartford School of Nursing. Her travels brought her to the U.S. in 1985 where she joined Broward Health and serves as the hospital coordinator for the Home Health & Hospice/Palliative Care division. There she assists patients in the transition from hospital to home care to the hospice unit in the case of a hospice patient whose condition deems this step necessary.