Showing Category: Stories
The Sooner, The Better: Navigating the Complexities of End-of-Life Care
It has been a year since Former President Jimmy Carter announced he was entering hospice care. His wife, Rosalynn Carter, died in November after receiving hospice care services for only a few days. In the face of difficult times for their family, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter seem to be intentionally shedding light on the often-misunderstood realm of end-of-life care, and in a final act of public service have become national ambassadors for hospice care. [...]
A New Chapter: Embracing The Future With A Brand Refresh
With a focus on the future, we are gearing up for a brand refresh that will not only modernize our visual identity, but accommodate Blue Ridge's expanding service lines, and help position the organization for the future of care. In a recent interview on the River 95.3's News Makers segment, Chief Strategy Officer and head of Blue Ridge's Marketing & Communications Department, Jason Parsons, shares "we've been spending the last couple of years really [...]
‘One More Song’: Music, Memories, and Meaning
The evening commenced with an intimate Tribute Celebration held in the enchanting Beer Garden at The Monument, a venue located on the Old Town Mall in Winchester, VA. Blue Ridge Hospice's President and CEO, Cheryl Hamilton Fried, kicked off the night with opening remarks."This event was planned as a celebration of music, the community of Northern Shenandoah Valley, [...]
A Day in The Life of an RN at our Inpatient Care Center
When Paige works the day shift, she arrives at the Inpatient Care Center at Cork Street in Winchester, VA, around 7:45 am to begin her day at 8:00 am. 8:00 am: Preparing for the day “The first thing one of us will do is count medications for each patient and inventory our stock to make sure the counts match our records. We’ll count medications again at the end of each day.” [...]
Beyond the Flowers & Cards: A Deeper Look at Mother’s Day
This story is written by Courtney McCalley, MSEd, one of Blue Ridge Hospice's Grief and Loss Support Counselors. Stroll through the card aisle in May and you’ll be surrounded by pastels, images of flowers, and beautiful words about the unconditional love of a mother. Cards that feature images of moms and their children sharing special moments together, such as baking cookies, going for walks, or reading books. Cards emphasizing the idea of a mother as [...]
A President’s Final Gift
I’ve always believed that some of the greatest gifts I receive from being a hospice physician are the lessons I am taught by my patients. Indeed, we all have things to learn from each other in this world, if we pay attention, but there are special lessons taught to us by those who are preparing to die. The clarity of this reality often brings into focus the elements of life we wish we would [...]
