Celebrating Our Presidents this President’s Day
Posted: February 20, 2012 Filed under: In the News, Inspiration | Tags: George Washington, healthcare, hospice, President's Day, Samaritan Hospice Leave a comment »On Monday, February 20 we celebrate President’s Day, a day honoring all 44 presidents of the United States.
George Washington, whose troops battled to secure our country’s independence, served as our nation’s first President from 1789 to 1797. He was acutely aware of the role his newly formed government would play in establishing the young democracy’s foundations.
As Washington once wrote to James Madison,
“As the first of every thing, in our situation will serve to establish a Precedent, it is devoutly wished on my part, that these precedents may be fixed on true principles.”
Meet Mary Ann Boccolini
Samaritan President Mary Ann Boccolini
Samaritan President Mary Ann Boccolini leads an “army” of dedicated professionals who help patients and families across a 2,200 square-mile territory battle against the pain, symptoms and stresses of serious illness.
As the first hospice, founded in 1980, to bring the concept of hospice care to South Jersey, Samaritan has set the bar — and precedents — high for quality comfort care, dignity, quality of life and support during and after illness. President Boccolini maintains and builds on these precedents staying true to our founders’ principles — that no eligible person be turned away — even as she has overseen the introduction, development and dramatic growth of a diverse family of life-affirming services.
These programs and services, in addition to Samaritan’s core hospice care, include:
- SeniorWise Care Management
- Palliative Medical Partners
- Hospice Programs for Jewish and Catholic Patients
- Hospice Program for Veterans
- 12-bed Inpatient Hospice Center at Virtua Memorial in Mt. Holly
- Institute for Education
“Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.” – George Washington
A Lifetime of Dedication to Patients and Families
President Boccolini has dedicated a lifetime to helping patients receive quality end-of-life care.
As a high school sophomore, Boccolini and her family coped with the physical, emotional and spiritual stress of caring for her mother, diagnosed with colon cancer before the modern advent of hospice care. As hospice care became more widespread in the healthcare industry, she chose to dedicate her professional career to the advancement of the field, first becoming a nurse and then studying human services administration.
Prior to joining Samaritan, Boccolini was the Director of Oncology Services at Virtua Memorial Hospital-Burlington County and also worked for the Veterans Administration Hospital in Pennsylvania, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the National Institute of Health in Maryland and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. With firsthand knowledge of how end-of-life issues and care affect patients and their families, Boccolini has brought both passion and compassion to Samaritan , as its president and CEO since 2001.
With both personal and professional knowledge of how end-of-life issues affect patients and their families, President Boccolini brings passion and compassion to Samaritan. Named one of the 50 Most Powerful People in New Jersey Healthcare in 2010, she is an impactful CEO making a difference in our community.
So, on this Presidents Day, let us appreciate and honor the achievements of those who served as Commanders in Chief of our nation, while also tipping our hats to those, like Mary Ann Boccolini, who lead and serve their communities at the helm of organizations whose mission is to improve how we live!
Please contact Samaritan at (800) 229-8183 if you think your loved one can benefit from our programs and services. Samaritan is a not-for-profit, non-sectarian organization serving people in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer counties who are coping with elder care issues, serious illness or grief.
More about Mary Ann Boccolini:
Philadelphia Business Journal Women of Distinction 2011
Mary Ann’s Thanksgiving 2011 Message
SJ Magazine – People to Watch 2011
South Jersey Magazine Super Woman 2010
50 Most Powerful People in Healthcare 2010
Listen to Mary Ann Boccolini on Executive Leaders Radio on March 28, 2008
Samaritan’s Wound Care Team Offers Better Quality of Life
Posted: February 7, 2012 Filed under: About Caregiving, Hospice and Palliative Care, In the News, Patient Stories | Tags: hospice, Medline, palliative, Samaritan Hospice, wound care Leave a comment »The woman was calling Samaritan to set up a Loving Tribute fund in honor of her husband’s aunt who had died recently in a nursing home while receiving Samaritan’s hospice care.
The grateful family member told Director of Development Robin Todd about the wonderfully caring people Samaritan sent to care for her loved one. But what impressed her the most, she said, was that in the three months that Samaritan had cared for her aunt, she never once experienced the physical and emotional pain of a pressure ulcer (also known as bed sores). “The staff at the nursing home,” she related, “said they can always tell who are Samaritan patients because they have excellent skin care and fewer wounds.”
Director of Clinical Support Eva Russell speaking about Samaritan's superior wound care products
This “Samaritan Difference” is no coincidence, according to Samaritan’s Director of Clinical Support Eva Russell, RN, BS, FACCWS, CWS, CHPN. (Click here to see video)
Russell, a certified wound specialist, heads Samaritan’s Wound Care Team. This well-trained group provides advanced care over and above Medicare-required regulations.
“When you consider that 33-35% of our patients come onto our program with some type of wounds,” says Russell, “advanced training, high-tech equipment, superior treatment products, supplies – and a creative approach – make a huge difference in the comfort and quality of life of our patients. These advanced wound care treatments generally cost more than our insurance reimbursements allow but, thanks to donor support, we are able to make that investment in better outcomes for our patients’ comfort.”
Samaritan’s arsenal of innovative treatments include advanced dressings, specialty creams that help prevent the skin breakdown that can cause pressure ulcers, a costly pump that provides Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) to promote quicker healing and low air-loss mattresses that redistribute patients’ weight to reduce pressure.
Russell relates that preventing or healing wounds goes beyond reducing physical pain.
“One of our patients, with great sadness, gave up seeing her grandchildren and having lunch with her friends, because she was embarrassed to expose them to the sight and odor of her wounds. By reducing odor and healing her wound with fast-acting products, Samaritan helped her enjoy the last weeks of her life surrounded by those she loved. Her story is not uncommon among our patients.”
Just having these products, however, is not enough. Russell considers staff education a priority. More than 99 percent of Samaritan’s Certified Home Health Aides and Licensed Practical Nurses have been certified in Medline’s Pressure Ulcer Prevention Program (PUPP), she says proudly.
“Then,” she says, “We teach family caregivers at the bedside what causes wounds in the first place and how they can prevent them. If a patient comes on our program with a wound, we show the family how to care for the wound to promote faster healing and ways to position the patient in the bed to reduce pressure on the wound.”
Because the results of good wound care are so important to our patients and their family caregivers, says Russell, “We’re passionate about it! Our donors’ support allows us to provide this very specialized care that makes such a difference.”
To donate to Samaritan or for more information, please call (800) 229-8183.
Teen Volunteers Create Gifts for Samaritan Patients and Families
Posted: February 2, 2012 Filed under: Inspiration, Volunteering | Tags: art, crafts, hospice, Love, Samaritan Hospice, teens, Valentine's Day, volunteering 1 Comment »Creating Cherished Moments with Gifts of Love
Traditionally, Valentine’s Day is a day on which lovers express their affection for each other by presenting flowers, chocolates and cards. But, love can extend to many different kinds of relationships and have various meanings. According to Thesaurus.com, synonyms for love include: like, regard, respect, sentiment, delight, tenderness and cherish.
SamariTeens, our teen volunteer group, gathered together to create frames, Valentine’s day treats and birthday-in-a-box care packages for our hospice patients and their families. They cut and glued construction paper with delight to create cards rich with sentiment. They assembled each birthday memento with tenderness and gathered valentine goodies our patients are sure to like. We respect these awesome teens for taking their own time to help spread love across South Jersey.
Spread love everywhere you go.
Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.
- Mother Theresa
Stockton College student making Valentines for Samaritan patients and families.
Stockton College students creating and crafting Valentine wishes.
Finished Valentine Treat Bags made by a Samaritan teen volunteer from Sewell, NJ
Williamstown High School Class of 2015 Senate Members made 30 frames for Samaritan
Lenape High School National Honor Society generously donated many “Birthdays in a Box” for us to share with our patients and families to help them celebrate their birthdays
Volunteering and giving back to your community is a fantastic way to spread love and kindness. In fact, not only will volunteering help others it also has many health benefits! You feel a sense of achievement, learn new skills, meet many diverse people, build self-esteem and confidence and improve your health. Volunteer today. You will help Samaritan patients and families embrace each moment as you explore the feeling of giving back. Together, you will find delight, moments to cherish, plenty of tenderness and an overwhelming sense of love.
If you would like to volunteer for Samaritan, please contact Sally Cezo at 856-552-3235 or Sally.Cezo@SamaritanHealthcareNJ.org.
Five Reasons to “Like” Samaritan’s Fa
Posted: January 31, 2012 Filed under: In the News Leave a comment »Five Reasons to “Like” Samaritan’s Facebook Page: 1. Hospice is about living, not dying. Hospice isn’t a place yo… http://wp.me/p17BL4-6q
Vince Papale Supports Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice
Posted: January 25, 2012 Filed under: In the News | Tags: hospice, NJ, Samaritan, Vince Papale Leave a comment »Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice was excited to welcome Former Eagle Vince Papale, Kyle Ruffin, Founder of K Ruffin & Associates and Samaritan Board Chair Carl Buehler to the Media Imagery studio in Pennsauken yesterday!
(left to right) Carl Buehler, Vince Papale, Kyle Ruffin and Ben Bencivenga
Papale enlisted Samaritan’s expert care team and hospice services during his father’s illiness in 2001. He wanted to give back to Samaritan for the comfort and support he and his family received while his dad was seriously ill. Papale didn’t even hesitate when we asked him to participate in our video project. He graciously replied ”the honor is all mine. Thank YOU!”
Ben Bencivenga, President/CEO of Media Imagery, is generously donating time and resources to help Samaritan create a wonderful video that will allow Samaritan to increase awareness of, and access to, its hospice and palliative care services.
Kyle Ruffin joined Papale in support of Samaritan’s services. Ruffin accessed Samaritan’s grief support groups after the loss of her sister. After the shoot Ruffin added,”[It's] always an honor and a pleasure to help how ever I can. I could go on and on about how wonderful all of you are!”
Carl Buehler, VP of LRP&P Graphics, has supported Samaritan for many years. Samaritan also cared for his father. The Buehler Family makes supporting Samaritan a family affair. Each year at Samaritan’s annual golf tournament, Buehler’s three children man a lemonade stand and donate all of the proceeds to Samaritan.
Media Imagery will edit yesterday’s shoot for YouTube videos and a video that will premier at Samaritan’s upcoming Winter White, Midnight Blue Gala at the Mount Laurel Westin on February 25. Stay tuned for a video screening after the Gala!
What Samaritan Families Want You to Know
Posted: January 18, 2012 Filed under: Hospice and Palliative Care, Inspiration | Tags: embrace each moment, heart warming, hospice, inspiration, Samaritan Hospice, thank you Leave a comment »Samaritan Receives Heart-Warming Letters
We receive wonderful and touching letters every day. Families express such gratitude for our services and staff. After we share them with the care team, we then call to see if we can share their words with you. Overwhelmingly, family members say YES! Please do! Definitely!
Our families want you to be informed about hospice and palliative care. They want you to receive the same expert, comforting services their family did – and still do. Families want you to know that calling Samaritan is getting help for your loved one, not giving up on them.
Having the Conversation Online
We also receive positive posts on our Facebook wall. We’re delighted to converse about their experience and share it with all of our friends. So many people are talking on Twitter too!
What are they saying?
Samaritan Hospice took care of my mom and our family for only two days before she passed, but the impact of the care and compassion she (and we) received will be with me for a lifetime. Truly a blessing during the most difficult time. Debbie D’Angelo Fuhs, on Facebook
It’s been a little over 4 years since my husband died. I still think about how wonderful Samaritan was to all of us in the last days of his life. The team of angels descended into our home with their peace and love. The care they gave my husband allowed him to be calm, to be free from pain, to be peaceful and to enjoy his family and friends. The care and compassion they also gave me is something I will never forget.
Letter from Debbie in Medford, NJ
Thank you for all the ways that you help people throughout the year. You are truly angels. Your caring and compassion is beyond reproach. I’m glad that I was able to experience your grief counseling when both my mother and father passed. It saved me. And have felt secure in the way you were taking care of a few friends that I’ve lost over the past year or two.
Arlene Bendel, on Facebook[We] were treated with so much respect, caring, kindness and understanding. Like little angles on earth. You made his journey to heaven an easier trip. I know he thought the same.
Anna WeaverI am writing to give kudos to the team assigned to my father’s hospice care…. My only regret, we did not get to know this team for a longer period of time. I am at peace knowing my father was only under hospice for days, not weeks or months, but at the same time, I sure wish I had gotten to spend more time with him and the best hospice personnel any where!
Jo Ann RepiciI would like to thank Samaritan for the extraordinary care given to our father in the last days of his life. Our entire large family felt supported by the wonderful staff of the inpatient unit at Virtua [Memorial]. We were able to be with our father continuously with constant medical, spiritual and emotional support at hand.
The Children of J. O’KeefePlease feel free to share your thoughts with us!
Five Reasons to “Like” Samaritan’s Facebook Page
Posted: January 12, 2012 Filed under: In the News | Tags: embrace each moment, Facebook, hospice, inspiration, palliative care, Samaritan, Samaritan Hospice Leave a comment »1. Hospice is about living, not dying.
Hospice isn’t a place you go. Hospice isn’t a place you call during the last few days of life. Hospice is a plan of care that provides a team of experts to help patients live the end of life in comfort, peace and surrounded by friends and family. People can receive hospice care if their doctor feels they have about six months to live if their illness follows its normal course. 6 months! A lot of living can be done in 6 months — especially when you have hospice physicians, nurses, social workers, home health aides, chaplains and volunteers to guide you through this journey. Our page will share the truths about hospice care.
2. Samaritan is more than just hospice.
Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice offers more than just hospice care. Our programs include: Palliative Medical Partners, Transitions, grief support, geriatric care management and community education. Our page will tell you all about them and how they can help you and your family – even if you don’t need Samaritan right now.
3. Samaritan’s philosophy is to embrace each moment.
Self explanatory. We’ll remind you in case you forget.
4. Plan and be prepared for the inevitable.
Everyone plans for births, graduations, weddings and anniversaries. But, people rarely plan for how they want to be treated when they are at the end of life. We’ll give you tips, tools, reminders and more.
5. Because so many families tell us that they wished they had called sooner for Samaritan’s services.
Knowledge brings power … and in the case of Samaritan’s services, comforting care and support. Keeping up-to-date on what services are available will help your family when the time is right and will also allow you to share the news with family and friends who may not know where to turn for help.
So consider yourself invited to join us on Facebook! Become our friend, learn about Samaritan and its programs, invite your friends to join us and, ultimately, help spread awareness about the truths of hospice & palliative care!
See you on Facebook!
The Benefits of Entering to Win a Year’s-Worth of Fine Dining
Posted: January 4, 2012 Filed under: In the News | Tags: dining out, eating, food, hospice, raffle, Samaritan Leave a comment »This winter, Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice will once again offer the Year of Delightful Dining Raffle. Each ticket only costs $5 and one winner will receive 12 gift certificates – one for each month valued at $200 each – to some of the area’s best restaurants.
Why enter to win a year’s-worth of delightful dining?
Benefit #1: Proceeds from the raffle benefit Samaritan patients and their families.
Benefit #2: Fantastic area restaurants have provided gift certificates!
Amada
Brio
Caffe Aldo Lamberti
Café Madison
Cuba Libre
Luke Palladino’s at Harrah’s Atlantic City
McCormick & Schmicks
Ponzio’s
Seasons 52
Stephen Starr Restaurants
Villagio Italian Restaurant
Wolfgang Puck
Benefit #3: Dining out can be a pleasurable and rewarding experience.
Benefit #4: When you dine out, someone else gets to do the dirty dishes.
Benefit #5: You can sit, relax and wind down after a long day because you don’t have the responsibility of cooking.
Benefit #6: You have a wide variety of food choices to suit your mood.
The Delightful Dining Raffle Winner will be announced on February 25, 2012 at the Winter White, Midnight Blue Celebration of Life Gala. Call (856) 552-3239 to purchase your chance to win!
Looking Back at 2011: An Eventful Year for Samaritan!
Posted: December 29, 2011 Filed under: Hospice and Palliative Care, In the News, Patient Stories, Veterans, Volunteering | Tags: 2011, grief support, hospice, in-the-news, memories, palliative, palliative care, remembering, Samaritan, Samaritan Hospice 2 Comments »Big 2011 News!
- Samaritan Expands Mission and Unveils New Name
- New Building Sign Goes Up
- Staff Celebrates Change
The new sign at the Samaritan Inpatient Hospice Center at Virtua Memorial. Members of the Inpatient Care Team proudly surround the new display.
Events to Benefit Patients and Families:
- National Figure Honored at Annual Gala; Gala Raises Funds for Hospice Patients
- Veterans Car Show, July 4th Parade and Samaritan’s Annual Golf Tournament
- 4th Annual Now and at the Hour Workshop
- Mexican Food Factory Night to Benefit Samaritan
- Second to None Raises Funds for Samaritan
- Tree of Life Ceremonies Comforts Community
A view of the motorcycles at the Veterans Car Show
Creating Awareness; Making Friends; Caring for the Community:
- Connecting with the Community Through Social Media
- We Tweet!
- Hospice Nurse Inspires 5th Grade Students
- Raising Awareness with Patco Commuters
- Cherokee Seniors Day of Service
- Samaritan Sponsors Evesham 9/11 Remembrance
- Samaritan Partners with Uganda Hospice
- Celebrating Veterans Day at Lions Gate with the Yellow Ribbon Club and Warriors Watch Riders
- Celebrating Passover with Hospice Patients
- Pampering Mothers at the End of Life
- Giving Thanks, Preserving Memories – Thanksgiving Baskets Delivered to Patients/Families
A member of the Warriors Watch Riders takes with a Lions Gate resident before the Veterans Day celebration begins.
Staff & Volunteer Happenings:
- Samaritan Announces New Board Members
- Samaritan Honors Staff and Volunteers at Annual Winterfest Celebration
- After 25 Years, Loved Samaritan Employee Retires
- Samaritan Staff Have a Winning Season
Margie Neil (left), Certified Massage Therapist, was honored at the Winterfest Celebration for her 20 years of service to Samaritan. She's pictured with President/CEO Mary Ann Boccolini.
Touching and Informative Patient and Family Stories:
- Grateful for Kindness: A Story about Palliative Medical Partners
- SOLO Patient Travels “Happy Highway” on Final Road Trip
- Ed Fellmuth’s Legacy of Faith
- They Just Do it Right – A Story of Love
- Samaritan Volunteer Shares Our Bracelets One at a Time
- Nancy Miller and Kathy Clark Benefit from the Samaritan Center for Grief Support Services
- Grateful Family’s Christmas Light Display Benefits Samaritan
Edwin Fellmuth (center) with his hospice nurse, Ronnie Montgomery (left) and social worker Sherri Brake.
2011 Inpatient Hospice Center Art Shows:
- John Ashley
- Denise Bush
- South Jersey Camera Club
- Sandy Sandy
John Ashley
2011 Samaritan Dove Award Winners:
- Joe Boccolini
- Nancy Damiani
- Christine Alston
- Sharon Wenner
Nancy Damiani, CHHA
Samaritan’s Favorite Quotes 2011
Posted: December 28, 2011 Filed under: About Caregiving, In the News, Inspiration | Tags: embrace each moment, Grateful, healthy living, hospice, inspiration, life tips, quotes, Samaritan, SamaritanCares Leave a comment »Some quotes are famous and some are from the patients, families and friends of Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice.
“There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.”
- Margaret J. Wheatley
“I can still do the things I love.”
- Bob Dambrowski, Samaritan Palliative Medical Partners patient
Some uplifting fun: Five Things I Know To be True
“Working with SeniorWise has been a no-brainer!” said Nancy L. “Because Mom is staying on her meds, she’s happier and healthier. She’s eating regularly and has gained weight. Her aide Perpetual has been a great help and good company. Our family time now is less challenging and confrontational.”
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“I always get more out of this than I am giving.”
Alan Shapiro, Samaritan Volunteer
“What a relief it is to have someone take care of your needs before you know you have them.”
Jacqueline Pfifer, wife of Samaritan patient
“We couldn’t be more appreciative of the care my mom received in the Inpatient Hospice Center after being diagnosed and treated for very late-stage gallbladder cancer. It was so serene and peaceful and the nurses and staff could not have been kinder. They helped us honor my mom’s wishes.”
Beth Ronketty, daughter of Samaritan patient
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity…It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Melodie Beattie
“Of all the gifts people can give to each other, the most meaningful and long lasting are a strong but simple love and the gift of story.”
Clarissa Pinkola Estes, PH.D.
Thank you for all the ways that you help people throughout the year. You are truly angels. Your caring and compassion is beyond reproach. I’m glad that I was able to experience your grief counseling when both my mother and father passed. It saved me. And have felt secure in the way you were taking care of a few friends that I’ve lost over the past year or two. once again, that you and Happy Holidays. – Arlene Bendel, written on Samaritan’s Facebook page wall
“Your [staff] are not only exceptional professionals, they are incredibly thoughtful and generous human beings. I could not have asked for more. I’m grateful that Mom was able to die at home in the way that she did.” – Letter from P. Irvin
“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
… Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.”
― Mother Teresa
“I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity.” ― Gilda Radner
As the first anniversary of my mother’s passing approaches – she passed away in the early hours of Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, 2010 – my thoughts regress to how truly grateful my family and I are to Samaritan for everything your organization did for us during those final months and days. My mother’s quality of life was restored, and she was able to remain at my house until the very last day; her childen, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were able to spend quality time with her and we all truly learned how to “Embrace the Moment”… – Sharon Brown, written on Samaritan’s Facebook page wall
