News
New Research Finds Patients Do Live Longer Under Hospice Care March, 2007 NHPCO
Timing of Referral to Hospice and Quality of Care, 2007 NHPCO
Three XL Hospice Team Members Honored By the Idaho End-of-Life Coalition:
Terri Felder, RN
Terri Felder, RN has dedicated her entire working life to serving people at the end-of-life. Terri is the Director of Patient Care at XL Hospice and has been with the company since 1994. Before that, as a very young nurse Terri began a courageous and accomplished career as the manager of an Alzheimer’s Unit at a local skilled nursing facility. Despite her young age, she was an extremely gifted unit manager, and exceptional leader. Back then, as is the case today, Terri was an unfailing patient advocate. For example, at the facility she worked in, there were church services held on Sundays, but the residents in her Alzheimer’s Unit were not invited to participate. Terri worked diligently and advocated that her residents should not be excluded from participating in these services. Her efforts were successful, and as a result she was able to take one of the Alzheimer’s residents to a church service. This particular resident had been completely shut down and never connected with others, but at that church service he was able to sing along with every hymn, the whole time with tears streaming down his face. Terri’s leadership skills and compassionate nature were evident to other employees of the facility.
Terri is a priceless member of the XL Hospice team. She is a very skilled and educated nurse, earning her Certificate in Hospice and Palliative Nursing in 2006. On top of that, she is a natural leader who has the respect of the rest of the XL Hospice team. She has the rare ability to carry her responsibilities and authority in ways that remain collegial and personally supportive to her clinical and office staff alike. Through her own authenticity, she creates a work atmosphere in which employees feel valued, and able to bring their true personalities and unique gifts to the hospice team. Terri goes above and beyond when it comes to her work. She even takes time to provide training to hospice volunteers. At every single volunteer training class, Terri provides excellent instruction about the duties of a hospice nurse, but also takes time to make sure that volunteers know that all team members, including volunteers, are equally important when it comes to providing end-of-life care to hospice patients. Every time she presents to a new group of volunteers, Terri tells them that she will always be a hospice nurse because she loves the work and the patients so much.
Terri is so completely dedicated to serving others that she also uses her free time to work with disabled children and other Medicaid clients. The team at XL Hospice looks up to Terri because she is such an inspirational leader and a compassionate caregiver.
Dee Koehn, RN
Delores- better known as “Dee”- is one of the most recognized hospice nurses at XL Hospice. Families who have been served by XL Hospice may not remember the entire team from XL, but they always remember Dee! It is her unmatched care, friendliness, and respect that helps her connect with patients and families. When asked, a daughter of a former XL Hospice patient had this to say about Dee, “Dee helped us in ways that I feel others would not have. Dee listened to every word I said and truly cared. Not once in the time that she cared for my Dad did she ever complain or speak negatively. She really does deserve this recognition.” Another caregiver still invites Dee over for dinner, 3 years after her husband has passed away! As an XL Hospice team member, Dee gives, and gives, and gives! She steps up to cover on- call shifts without complaining and regularly participates in our outreach activities. For example, Dee has been a part of XL Hospice’s Relay For Life team for the past few years, staying up all night to help out at the American Cancer Society fundraiser.
Dee’s true passion is continuous care, and will always do whatever needs to be done in continuous care situations including cooking and cleaning for families. Her nursing skills in this area are phenomenal and her incredibly calm and reassuring nature makes her a steady support to families during the most difficult of times. She has the ability to delicately explain to people that nothing else can be done for a patient when they are nearing the very end. Dee is also a member of the XL Hospice 11th Hour Volunteer team and sits vigil by dying patients’ bedsides during the night when there is no skilled need for continuous care.
Dee is extremely versed in Hispanic Culture and is very sensitive to the differences in how compassionate care needs to be provided, not to mention that she is also fluent in Spanish. Dee has had many years experience as a nurse and we know that no one else can take care of hospice patients like she can. At XL Hospice, we hope she never retires!
Dawn Johnson, CNA
Dawn has been serving XL Hospice patients as a CNA since July of 2004. Because of her experience, skill, and gentle demeanor, patients feel both safe and respected while she is caring for them. Dawn is especially careful to honor patients’ dignity. She often sacrifices her time and schedule for the needs of her patients. If a patient isn’t up to a bath when Dawn comes to see them, she will arrange her schedule to come back at a time that is convenient to the patient’s needs. XL Hospice Chaplain, Norm Shrumm had this to say about Dawn, “I have observed Dawn’s unfailing support and positive response to her patients, even at times when I personally knew she was exhausted.” Dawn is a keen observer, and is quick to provide essential clinical information that is pertinent to the rest of the interdisciplinary team. Her contributions are a necessary part of the whole picture of patient’s status, and especially important when it comes to changes in condition. Because of Dawn’s work, the level of care our team provides is able to be raised. Dawn is amazing at thinking on her feet and is an excellent problem-solver when it comes to addressing patient needs. On one occasion in particular, she was caring for a patient that could not stay in a sitting position in the bathtub without becoming uncomfortable, Dawn arranged for the patient to get a reclining wheelchair so that she could be more comfortable while receiving her baths. Dawn always puts her patients’ comfort and dignity first. Her compassionate ways and attention to detail make her our choice of the Idaho End-of-Life Coalitions Hospice Dream Team CNA.