Salute to Hospice Workers

 

For 20 years, Dr. Pedro J. Diaz has specialized in taking care of hospice patients in their homes throughout Dade and Monroe counties. His VITAS colleagues describe him as “always eager and enthusiastic to lend a helping hand whenever needed.”

 

A Cuban native who practiced internal medicine in Matanzas, Cuba, for 20 years before migrating to the US in 1993, Dr. Diaz practiced medicine in Miami from 1997-2009 before joining VITAS in 2009. He is now 70 years old and pursuing certification in pastoral education (CPE) through VITAS to understand the interplay of faith, religious beliefs and end-of-life care.

 

"Hospice counseling and spiritual guidance can be very beneficial for the patient and the family who suffers around the patient. Faith can bring peace of mind and religious reconciliation by enhancing the search for a deeper meaning of life and one’s legacy. And after taking the CPE course, I feel more competent and capable of helping my patients from an emotional and spiritual standpoint."

 

 

When his wife died of Lou Gehrig’s disease 12 years ago, Kevin Stowe found one of his greatest sources of support was the hospice chaplain assigned to his wife’s hospice care team.

 

“He was such a blessing to our whole family. We were part of the same faith tradition, and I had conversations with him at the time about hospice chaplaincy. After my wife’s death, it was always in the back of my mind that I would enjoy this work. When I remarried, I was grateful to be able to work for VITAS as a chaplain, and I’ve been here ever since. When you work in hospice, you come to work every day because you’re called to do this work.”

 

Stowe joined VITAS in 2012 as a home care and assisted living facility chaplain, and was promoted in 2015 to bereavement services manager. Described by a coworker as someone who is “ready to help at any time of the day or night,” Stowe works closely with patients, families and hospice care teams to address anticipatory grief and loss after a loved one’s death, overseeing support groups, grief education and one-on-one visits with families for up to 13 months after a death.

 

 

Gerald Turgeon, D.O., was a Palm Beach County neurologist who explored hospice part-time on weekends “to see if I would enjoy it.” He did. He added more and more hospice care to his schedule until, in 2007, he realized his neurology practice was getting in the way of his hospice practice and joined hospice full-time. In 2011 he was named medical director of VITAS Healthcare in Palm Beach County, and after moving to Fort Pierce in 2014, he transferred to another hospice in Treasure Coast.

 

Three months ago, VITAS opened its Treasure Coast program in Stuart, covering Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties. Dr. Turgeon is once again a VITAS medical director, mentor and leader, inspiring healthcare professionals to join the Treasure Coast team and introducing local referral sources to VITAS services.

 

“I have always loved VITAS. Our support of both patients and staff means excellent end-of-life care for families. Being able to work with VITAS again is a true gift.”

 

Cheri Hartmann, a nurse practitioner for the newly opened VITAS Treasure Coast program in Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties, credits the compassionate care her family received during her mother’s death from scleroderma for shaping her career as a hospice nurse.

 

“My mother’s death was so peaceful and calm. The people who were at her bedside were the people she loved the most, and it made me think that this is how it should be for everyone.“

 

She earned an associate degree from Indian River Community College, and completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing education, as well as post-master’s studies as a nurse practitioner, at Florida Atlantic University.

 

Before joining VITAS in July, Hartmann worked in a 16-bed inpatient hospice unit in Treasure Coast and as a home hospice manager in Palm Beach County. At VITAS, she works across all hospice teams to support patients, families and the nursing staff, and she coordinates patients’ hospice care plans with VITAS physicians.

 

“I’ve left hospice several times throughout my career, but I’ve gravitated back each time. This is where I need to be.”

 

 

During her tenure as a nursing home manager, Charmaine Reynolds, LPN, noticed the holistic care some residents received from a chaplain, nurse and music therapist. “It was hospice,” she recalls thinking.

 

In 2005, Reynolds became a hospice nurse, and in 2015 she joined VITAS in Palm Beach County. The Port St. Lucie resident transferred in July to the new VITAS Treasure Coast program in Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties.

 

“She goes where she is asked and often volunteers when there is a need,” notes Treasure Coast General Manager Susan Acocella. “Whether she is stepping in for a shift of continuous care or making an unscheduled but necessary delivery of medications to a patient’s home, Charmaine does it with a smile. Her patients and families appreciate her—and so do we.”

 

Says Reynolds: “I’m just happy VITAS is here. When you’re doing work you love, you don’t look for accolades.”

 

 

Veronica VanReil, a hospice home care nurse for VITAS® Healthcare in Palm Beach, is described by her supervisor as someone “who always goes above and beyond taking care of her patients,” including non-scheduled weekend visits to celebrate a patient’s birthday or greet out-of-town family members.

 

VanReil joined VITAS in 2007 and today trains newly hired nurses and provides instruction on VITAS policies and standards for documenting patient care. A recent case highlights her embrace of a VITAS corporate value to “put patients and families first.”

 

When a VITAS team doctor’s mother died recently, Veronica facilitated a memorial service at the woman’s care facility.

“Veronica was able to alleviate the burden from our team physician to allow him time to grieve with his family and also include the facility staff and residents in the service,” says General Manager Diana Smith. “Veronica is an amazing human being, and I am lucky to have her on my team.” 

VITAS® Healthcare in the Broward County

 

 

John Zaravinos, M.D., has been passionate about medicine since childhood. Watching his father practice oncology and work with VITAS® Healthcare inspired him to pursue a career in which he could help people enjoy the final stages of life.

 

Board certified in hospice and palliative medicine, and internal medicine, Dr. Zaravinos joined VITAS in 2016 as associate medical director. Recently promoted to medical director, he now oversees every VITAS inpatient unit in Broward County.

 

When asked about the most rewarding aspect of his job, Dr. Zaravinos said, “I enjoy talking with the families, learning where they came from, who they are.” Furthermore, he appreciates that a patient’s care isn’t “set in stone; everything is catered to their goals at the end of life.”

 

Dr. Zaravinos earned a master’s degree from Columbia University and a medical degree from St. George’s University. He performed his internal medicine residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center.

 

 

Maria Mora, R.N., felt drawn toward a career in hospice after performing clinicals with end-of-life patients during her LPN training.

 

“I knew I wanted to make a difference for this type of patient. I just fell in love with hospice.”

 

Maria first joined VITAS in Broward County as a hospice LPN in 2008 and returned again in 2015 to serve as a patient care administrator, overseeing home care teams, coordinating care plans and following through on issues with patients and families.

 

Maria is especially passionate about supporting her patients at the end of life.

 

“I can teach the patient to let go of things and teach their family the process of letting go of their loved one. We’re taught how to walk, how to be independent, but no one teaches us how to be at the end of life.”

 

 

A master’s level clinician with 27 years of experience in the mental health field, Virginia Ellaine Peck is a registered art therapist for Palm Beach Hospice and Palliative Care by MorseLife. She has extensive clinical expertise using music and art therapy, life coaching, movement/body image integration, mindfulness meditation, stress reduction, guided imagery and breath work to treat individuals in a variety of settings. She provides client-centered therapy to patients and families and has presented psycho- education nationally and locally on creative arts therapies, grief and life strategies. Holding a master’s degree in expressive arts therapies from Lesley College in Boston, Virginia is also a registered mental health counselor intern and certified DreamBuilder coach. She is a member of the American Art Therapy Association, Florida Art Therapy Association, International Expressive Arts Therapies Association and National Association of Professional Women.

 

 

Cheri Rapeye is a licensed massage therapist with Palm Beach Hospice and Palliative Care by MorseLife where she utilizes integrative therapy techniques to assist patients presenting with pain, respiratory distress, edema, medication reactions, anxiety, agitation and ineffective coping. In addition to palliative massage, she is skilled in aromatherapy, reflexology, Reiki, cranio-sacral, guided imagery, breathwork and meditation. With 30 years of skilled observation and evaluation, Cheri designs treatment plans to include advanced massage techniques utilizing a nurturing holistic approach. Certified in massage therapy, Cheri is a member of the Florida State Massage Therapy Association and former education chair of the American Massage Therapy Association.

 

 

Gloria Ladenthin, RN, started her career with Broward Health in 1986 as a medical/surgical nurse at Broward Health North, where she cared for oncology patients. Eight years later she transferred to the Transitional Care Unit and worked another eight years before joining the hospice unit at Broward Health North. That transfer began her journey as a hospice nurse and finally transferred to BHMC Gold Coast Hospice Unit.

 

Now part of the Gold Coast Hospice at Broward Health Medical Center, Ladenthin continues to bring joy to her patients and families by singing to them. Ladenthin always thinks of a song with appropriate words that can make difficult situations easier to handle. Patients and families connect with Ladenthin because of her compassion and transparency.

 

Ladenthin enjoys being a nurse and especially a hospice nurse because she can provide emotional support and love to her patients and families. Her enthusiasm to help her patients and families makes her a valuable asset to Gold Coast Hospice.

              

 

Ernest Gabriel, RN, is a field and admissions nurse with Broward Health’s Gold Coast Hospice. In this role, Gabriel educates patients and their families as they transition to hospice care with comfort and honor, during some of the most difficult times a family can experience. 

 

Gabriel began his career as a LPN in 2008 with Broward Health Gold Coast Hospice. He had been inspired into a healthcare career by nurses who cared for his wife during her complicated labor and delivery of their son. Gabriel then pursed his dream of becoming a registered nurse, and in July 2010 completed his degree.

 

Gabriel is a very compassionate and caring field and admissions nurse. He always finds the right words to comfort patients and families when he speaks about hospice services and the underlying philosophy of hospice in relation to the disease process. Gabriel listens intently to the needs of his patients and families and spends significant time to ensure patients are provided comfort, care and reassurance.