State Organization Bestows Three Awards of Excellence on Hospice by the Sea

Hospice by the Sea, Inc. (HBTS) received three Awards of Excellence at the Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association (FHPCA) 28th Annual Forum – Journey: Mapping Our Past, Paving New Roads recently held in Orlando. The awards were presented to both individuals and programs representing the best in the delivery of hospice and palliative care in the state of Florida.

 

Paula Alderson, President and CEO, of the not-for-profit organization that has served Broward and Palm Beach County patients and families for 35 years said, “We are so proud of this recognition. The Board of Directors knows how committed our employees are to the mission of Hospice by the Sea, Inc. This statewide recognition for the quality of services and programs we provide, as well as for the caliber of our organization’s leadership, is extremely gratifying.”

 

Mary Richt, Senior Director of Clinical Excellence was selected to receive the Barbara Janosko Excellence in Leadership Award in recognition of her exceptional service, creativity and leadership. Throughout her 19 year career, Mary Richt has earned respect

(l-r) Paul Ledford, Executive Director of FHPCA and Hospice Story Award winner Fred Mortensen

for her insight and vision. She embodies Hospice by the Sea’s four cornerstones: integrity, excellence, teamwork and accountability.

 

Fred Mortensen, a Spiritual Counselor at Hospice by the Sea, shared a poignant memory which received the Hospice Story Award. It creatively and effectively conveyed what the hospice experience means. His tender and sensitive tale beautifully recreates the love between two people. “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” delivers a strong and clear picture of the power of love and relationships.

 

Each year, hundreds of other professional caregivers at Hospice by the Sea provide compassionate hospice and palliative care. The organization’s leadership clearly

(l-r) Complementary Therapists Bruce Schumer, Mary Ann Watson join HBTS Sr. Director of Program Development and Analysis, Dr. Stephanie Mckee and Clinical Director of Complementary Therapies, Janet Siniscalchi, R.N., in accepting their award.

understands the value of self-care for those individuals. Because of this genuine concern for the wellness of its employees, the not-for-profit organization initiated the Aloesēa Program with the goals of increasing awareness of issues related to caregiving and

promoting self-care for caregivers. Today, Aloesēa is working with other South Florida corporations to do the same. These efforts were rewarded by FHPCA with the Excellence in Program Innovation- Clinical Practice Award, not only because of what Aloesēa has accomplished, but also because it demonstrates how the power of creativity and ingenuity can positively impact clinical practice.

 

“Aloesēa began by promoting self-care for our employees and making complementary therapies such as reiki and healing touch available in the workplace. Today, we are working with South Florida businesses and organizations to help them identify their employees who are caregivers and to provide resources in the workplace,” stated Dr. Stefanie McKee, Sr. Director of Program Development and Analysis for Hospice by the Sea.