1670 JFK RoadDubuque, IA 52002

563.582.1220www.hospiceofdubuque.orginfo@hospiceofdubuque.org

Winter 2012 Issue

An Electronic Journey

Special Thanks, Upcoming Bereavement Groups

Annual Report

Memorials/Honorariums

Sympathy/Congratulations

Volunteers

2

3

4—7

8, 9

10

11

Bud Bus to BestFestA fun addition to BestFest is the prize package to the highest online bidder for the “Bud Bus,” courtesy of major sponsor, 7G Distributing/Bud Light. The package includes admission tickets for the winner and 10 friends, the opportunity to enter BestFest 2012 before the doors officially open, as well as a great prize package. Bids will be taken beginning January 30 and run through 9 pm February 10. For updated information on the prizes included with your bid, visit www.dupaco.com or www.hospiceofdubuque.org.

If you would like to join the fun of counting ballots for BestFest, call our office for more information.

BestFest 2012Voting has begun for BestFest 2012! This year’s “best” of the tri-states will be celebrated Thursday, March 22, from 5:00—7:30 pm at the Grand River Center. Cast your votes today through January 30 by visiting www.dupaco.com/bestfest or filling out a ballot in the Dubuque Advertiser. Once all votes are counted, winners will be contacted and encouraged to participate by showcasing samples of their products at BestFest. The night will also include live entertainment, prizes and a raffle.

Tickets will be available February 1 at the Hospice of Dubuque office and at Dupaco Community Credit Union’s Hillcrest and JFK location. The price of a ticket is $25. To experience the businesses or services voted as the best, purchase your tickets early as the number is limited.

Hospice of Dubuque is pleased to be associated with and to receive the proceeds from BestFest 2012. Major sponsors include: Dupaco Community Credit Union, 7G Distributing/Bud Light, Coca Cola, Diamond Jo Casino, Dubuque Advertiser, Grand River Center, John Deere, OnMedia, 97.3 The Rock, AM 1370 KDTH, 92.9 KAT-FM and 101.1 The River.

Vote today to support your favorite businesses and join us Thursday, March 22, at BestFest 2012!

Major sponsors:

Ballot Counting

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Hospice of Dubuque’s “electronic journey” began in 2009 with the passing of federal legislation regarding the adoption and meaningful use of electronic health information by Medicare-certified healthcare providers. With the clock ticking to an implementation date in 2014 for many healthcare providers, the Hospice of Dubuque management team began assessing a variety of vendors by utilizing webinars and in-person demonstrations. This period of discernment lasted several months and

included the evaluation of internal processes, connectivity issues and equipment needs, in addition to the assessment of suitable software.

Ultimately, Hospice of Dubuque chose Healthcare First as its software vendor. This decision, made after careful consideration, was based upon a variety of reasons. One of the key factors was that Healthcare First is a web-based program. All of the patient information is maintained on Healthcare First’s file servers, eliminating the need for Hospice of Dubuque to purchase a new, larger file server for storage of patient information. Healthcare First has been offering its web-based program since 2004 and has all the necessary safeguards in place to maintain security and confidentiality. Furthermore, since patient information is accessed only when logged into the website, additional privacy is ensured, as the laptop itself does not contain or “store” any patient information. A web-based program offers the utmost in portability of the medical record and access to real-time information. Only internet access is needed for the clinician to connect to the most current patient information. An on-call nurse can pull up a patient’s diagnosis, history, current medications, address and phone numbers, as well as the information from the patient’s previous visits. The Hospice of Dubuque clinicians agree that accessibility to up-to-date data is a real asset in the delivery of patient care.

Healthcare First was a fiscally responsible choice. As previously stated, no further investment in Hospice of Dubuque’s file server was necessary. And, with a cost in the mid-price range, Healthcare First’s programming still met our essential documentation needs. Before Hospice of Dubuque began implementation of the software, Healthcare First released a newer version of its product, with some features still in the development phase. This has presented Hospice of Dubuque with the opportunity to participate in the development of the software by providing ongoing input regarding revisions that will improve documentation outcomes. Healthcare First has reviewed Hospice of Dubuque’s quality assessment data and is working on incorporating this approach as development of the patient data elements continues. Project Manager, Corey Fletcher, and other members of the Healthcare First implementation team, have worked closely and diligently to assist in making the software fit into Hospice of Dubuque’s processes. They are also utilizing Hospice of Dubuque as a prototype of a mature, well-functioning hospice for ongoing software enhancement.

In mid-September, Healthcare First began its first direct training with the Hospice of Dubuque staff. Nearly four months later, our computers have become our friends again. It has been quite a journey. There have been many long and frustrating days, but there have also been plenty of “ah ha” moments. We want to express our thanks to our “super users”. These were Hospice of Dubuque staff members who agreed to go through the first training, then taught and supported the rest of the staff through the learning process. The implementation of this process occurred without any additional paid consultants. This group of 12 “super users” worked long and hard to ensure the product would meet our needs. Our entire staff must be commended as they began, and continue to venture through, this “electronic journey”. Learning new software and adapting to laptops has been a huge transition for this organization. Yet throughout this period, patient care was not impacted. Moving forward, we will be reviewing every internal system for regulatory compliance. We are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel and the benefits this monumental change will bring to us all.

Medical DirectorsMark Hermann, MD, Co-Medical DirectorBrian Sullivan, MD, Co-Medical Director

Administrative StaffLavonne Noel, Executive DirectorJackie Brehm, Financial DirectorNancy Diehm, Psychosocial DirectorBonnie Hancock, Patient Care DirectorKaty Morrow, Nursing Services DirectorRenee Frith, Nursing Services Director

Officers, Board of DirectorsSusan Bushman, ARNP, PresidentBetty Takes, Vice PresidentFr. William Joensen, SecretaryBruce Rehmke, Treasurer

Members, Board of DirectorsTom Anderegg, PhDCindy BurdtCarole CarrollVicki DirksenJared Freiburger, DOTom Giese Amy GilliganBrad HeyingEileen LeMayDave LudovissyMark MandersAllen Meurer, MDRev. Kathleen MilliganChris Schiesl

Members, Foundation BoardDon FreymannRita HelleMike MartinBill MaiersBob MillerBruce RehmkeChuck Schrup IIIKen Snodgrass

“Learning new software and

adapting to laptops has been a huge

transition.”

An electronic journeyBonnie Hancock, RN, BS, Patient Care DirectorKaty Morrow, RN, BSN, Nursing Services Director

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If you are interested in attending an upcoming Bereavement Support Group or would like more information, contact Jessica, Bereavement Coordinator, at 563.582.1220 or finkenauerj@hospiceofdubuque.org.

Winter 2012 Support Groups

Tuesday eveningsFebruary 21—March 27, 6:30—8:30 pm

Wednesday afternoonsFebruary 22—March 28, 1—3 pm

Bereavement Support Groups

Special thanks to ...Van’s Liquor Store, for the donation of $1,600 from the ticket sales and silent auction at their Annual Fall Wine Tasting, held November 2, at Timmerman’s Supper Club. We are proud to be associated with this event. The proceeds were shared with the Dubuque Jaycees and Radio Dubuque for the July 3 Fireworks and Air Show.

Our Sit & Stitch group from Dyersville, for their monthly donations of lap blankets.

Kathy Jo Steger of Kathy’s Krystal’s, for the donation of a percentage of jewelry sales from the Farmer’s Market and her recent open house.

Lynda Kluesner for the Christmas teddy bears, Melissa Radtke for the quilt and Lucille Meyers for the lap robes.

St. Joseph’s Key West Social Concerns Committee, for twoHy-Vee $100 gift cards for hospice families this holiday season.

The New Diggings General Store and Inn, on behalf of Kat Hines, for the donation of $1,198.55 from the quilt raffle held during their Annual Music Festival.

Big Apple Bagels, for a combined total of $407.87 from a portion of Monday morning sales and the canister campaign during November for National Hospice Month.

The Market House Restaurant, for $144.43 in patron donations throughout National Hospice Month.

Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, for the $50 gift from the Festival of Trees.

Common Cents Resale, and owner Tammy Trebian, for the latest donation of $1,675 from 30% of sales.

The family of Paul “Dickie” Weber, for the $1,500 donation from a trail ride held in his memory.

The patients, staff and volunteers of Hospice of Dubuque were witness to numerous acts of charity and generosity throughout the holiday season. Among them, students from Hempstead High School Music Department visited our office to spread cheer to the staff by singing Christmas carols. Also, the 7th and 8th graders from Mazzachelli Middle School created “care baskets” for patients and families after reading the book The Christmas Shoes and deciding to pay it forward. Many families, businesses and supporters sent cards, provided gifts or made a donation in place of a gift exchange or in memory of a loved one. We appreciate each gesture of support.

The holiday season

Spring 2012 Support Groups

Thursday afternoonsMarch 29—May 3, 4—6 pm

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In November 1982, Hospice of Dubuque was incorporated as a nonprofit organization. The official birth of this hospice came after months of hard work by a small group of community members who were committed to making a difference in the lives of their tri-state neighbors. Their covenant with the community was a mission of providing compassionate care for the terminally ill and their loved ones and a promise that Hospice of Dubuque would always be there to make the journey. They embraced the philosophy that life should be lived as fully as possible until death occurs naturally and peacefully. In the 30 years that have followed, there have been many persons providing care and many more receiving it. Although the faces have changed through the years, that covenant with the community has remained the same.

The timeline on pages 6 and 7 outlines Hospice of Dubuque’s evolution. Although Hospice of Dubuque has experienced many changes through the years, the mission has been the constant that has always guided decision-making. Initially, a volunteer force provided supportive care to individuals and families coping with terminal illness. As the organization prepared to become a full-service Medicare/Medicaid certified hospice, the interdisciplinary team was developed and professional staff hired. At first, services were only available in Dubuque County; later the service area increased in response to the needs of the tri-state community. Hospice services have always been provided in the client’s residence, but through the years the definition of residence has expanded to include nursing homes, assisted living facilities and religious communities so those residents could also access care from Hospice of Dubuque. The provision of care has always been documented in each patient’s hospice medical record, but now the paper chart has been replaced with an electronic medical record.

Two factors have remained constant throughout the evolution and growth of Hospice of Dubuque—commitment to the mission and responsiveness to the needs of the community. The quality indicators below substantiate Hospice of Dubuque’s effectiveness in fulfilling its mission and in keeping its promise to the residents of the tri-states. For three decades, the greater Dubuque area has entrusted their loved ones to Hospice of Dubuque’s care. The staff and volunteers have been privileged to serve and make a difference, and will continue to hold dear this covenant with the tri-state community.

Covenant with the communityLavonne Noel, Executive Director

Hospice of Dubuque Annual Report—Fiscal 2011

11/1/10—10/31/11

2011 quality indicators and service statistics• 98% of patient/family goals were met.1

• 94% of patients’ pain was at the patient’s desired level of comfort within 48 hours or less after admission to Hospice of Dubuque.2

• 100% of survey respondents indicated that Hospice of Dubuque:3

- provided the right amount of medication to address the patient’s pain. - provided the right amount of help in dealing with the patient’s shortness of breath. - clearly explained the hospice plan of care to the patient, family and caregivers. - provided the right amount of emotional support. - treated the patient with respect.• Hospice of Dubuque served 54.6% of all Dubuque County decendents.4

• Nearly 4,200 hours of volunteer service in fiscal 2011, which resulted in approximately $88,700 in cost savings.1

• Over 2,000 community members received bereavement services from Hospice of Dubuque.1

1 Hospice of Dubuque’s Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement Program (Nov 2010—Oct 2011)2 Outcome Concepts System Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement Snapshot (Aug 2010—Apr 2011)3 National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization family Evaluation of Hospice Care (Nov 2010—July 2011) 4 Dubuque County Recorder Death Statistics (Nov 2010—Aug 2011)

During 2011, Hospice of Dubuque admitted a record number of patients into the care program; admissions were up 11% over the prior year. In the ten year period from 2002 through 2011, patient admissions to Hospice of Dubuque increased by 126% in spite of the emergence of several for-profit hospices in the tri-state area.

Patient Admissions 2002-2011

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In 2011, Hospice of Dubuque...

extended gratitude to:• the terminally ill, their families and caregivers for the

privilege of joining in their end-of-life journeys.• the Board of Directors and Foundation Board of Directors,

for the leadership provided to Hospice of Dubuque.• Medical Directors, Drs. Mark Hermann and Brian Sullivan,

for their expertise and guidance to the hospice team.• the dedicated Hospice of Dubuque volunteers, for giving to

the individuals and families served by this organization. • the highly skilled and compassionate Hospice of Dubuque

staff members, for carrying out the organization’s mission.• the tri-state community for supporting the work of Hospice

of Dubuque, and supporting your neighbors at a most vulnerable time of life.

congratulated:• Greg Birkett, who was honored as the 2011 Dr. Larry Kukla

Volunteer of the Year. In September, Greg’s contributions to Hospice of Dubuque were recognized by the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Iowa.

welcomed:• Board of Directors: Vicki Dirksen and Tom Giese• Bereavement Coordinator: Jessica Finkenauer• Community Relations Facilitator: Tiffany Brothers• Accountant: Kayla Feller• Hospice Aide: Amy Mescher• Music Therapist: Fran Felton• Nurse Practitioner: Lisa Tyler• Registered Nurses: Sarah Fern, Katie Ganter, Melissa

Gansemer, Michelle Hein and Jen Rupp• Social Worker: Chelsea Deines

bid farewell to:• Hospice of Dubuque Board Members: Greg Birkett, Larry

Cremer, Chip Murray and Stephanie Savage who left the board at the end of 2011. Greg and Larry were both recognized for completing full nine-year terms.

• Staff members: Mary Franzen, Meganne Masko, Jane Schadle, Ruth Turnis, Shelby Wartick and Sue Welu.

• Executive Director, Barb Zoeller, who retired after 24 years of dedicated service to Hospice of Dubuque.

Looking aheadHospice as an industry will continue to be the subject of regulatory scrutiny, due to the proliferation of for-profit hospices over the past decade. In its March 2011 report to Congress, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC)* reported that “for-profit hospices account for most of the growth in the number of hospices” in the United States. From 2000 to 2009, the number of for-profit hospices increased by 142%, while the number of nonprofit hospices decreased by 1%. During this same period, Medicare spending for hospice quadrupled, reaching $12 billion in 2009.

MedPAC reported that the patients of for-profit hospices experience “longer stays than those of nonprofit providers.” MedPAC also noted that the for-profit hospices target patients within less resource intense “diagnosis groups,” as well as patients residing in nursing home and assisted living facilities to achieve “cost savings from treating more patients in a centralized location.” MedPAC concluded that, by following these selective admission practices, the “Medicare margin was considerably higher among for-profit hospices than among nonprofit hospices.”

Originally suggested in MedPAC’s 2009 report to Congress, payment reform continues to be a hot topic. By amending the Medicare payment structure to recognize the variance in the cost of providing care to hospice patients with different diagnoses, for different lengths of duration and in different settings, the discriminatory admission practices of for-profit hospices would no longer result in excessive margins.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 included a number of provisions related to Medicare hospice services, focused upon greater accountability and increased data collection among Medicare certified hospice providers. Beginning in 2012, hospices will be required to submit data, which reflects specific quality measures, to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Hospice of Dubuque currently participates in voluntary data collection and bench-marking analysis (see page 4), as well as the submission of visit data on individual Medicare claims and the filing of an annual Medicare Cost Report. These new governmental mandates will be more comprehensive and complex; thus it was critical that Hospice of Dubuque implement an electronic medical record in 2011 in order to facilitate the collection and aggregation of patient-level clinical data.

As governmental agencies continue efforts to weed out the hospice providers that are committing fraud and abuse, all hospices will be subject to ongoing scrutiny via claims review, consideration of sweeping payment reform and increased submission of statistical data. While these activities result in increased administrative demands and costs, Hospice of Dubuque will continue to meet these challenges so that this community’s nonprofit hospice can continue its tradition of responsive, compassionate care.

*The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) is an independent Congressional agency established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to advise the U.S. Congress on issues affecting the Medicare program. The complete report can be found at: http://www.medpac.gov/chapters/Mar11_Ch11.pdf.

Hospice of Dubuque Mission

Providing compassionate care for the terminally ill and their loved ones.

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Age:00—49 2%50—69 15%70—79 18%80—89 38%90—99 25%100+ 2%

State:Iowa 85%Illinois 9%Wisconsin 6%

Gender:Male 39%Female 61%

Type of diagnosis:Cancer 36%Dementia 20%Heart 11%Lung 8%Other 25%

Reimbursement source:Medicare 90%Medicaid 2%Insurance 7%None 1%

Duration of hospice care:<8 days 30%8-180 days 61%>180 9%

Patients served in fiscal 2011

Hospice of Dubuque from 1982 through 2011—three decades of responding to the needs of the tri-state community

1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

The Hospice of Dubuque volunteers began serving patients in May 1983, with a mission of providing compassionate care for the terminally ill and their loved ones.

Hospice of Dubuque became a Medicare/Medicaid certified

healthcare provider in 1990, enabling Dubuque County residents

to access the Medicare and Medicaid Hospice Benefits and the

agency to receive reimbursement for care of the dying.

In 1992, Hospice of Dubuque contracted

with two nursing homes to pilot hospice

services in the long-term care setting.

Hospice of Dubuque now partners with 14 area nursing homes,

five assisted living facilities and several

religious communities.

The service area was expanded to portions of Jackson and Jones Counties in Iowa and to Jo Daviess County

in Illinois in 1995.

Hospice of Dubuque was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in November 1982.

In January 1987, the first employee, Barb Zoeller, was hired. At the end of 2011, Hospice of Dubuque employed 70 staff members; all are tri-state residents.

During 1989 and 1990, additional staff members were hired to fully develop the interdisciplinary team.

The organization outgrew its donated

space and established its first leased office located off Hillcrest

Road in 1994.

Hospice of Dubuque became a tri-state provider when the

service area was expanded to include

portions of Grant and Lafayette Counties in

Wisconsin in 1998.

As fiscal 2011 drew to a close, Hospice of Dubuque launched an updated website. The new website is user-friendly and easily maintained by the Hospice of Dubuque community relations staff. Through grant funding, Hospice of Dubuque also revised its brochure. These tools help connect community members with the services offered by Hospice of Dubuque.

With its high Medicare population, the Midwest continues to be a target for business development by for-profit hospices. To receive the end-of-life care this community has come to expect, remember to ask for Hospice of Dubuque by name.

Community outreach

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At the beginning of Advent, a friend gifted me with the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. The author—a farmer’s wife and mother of six young children—writes of her journey of living her life full of gratitude despite her challenges in life. Voskamp begins a list of “one thousand gifts,” where she describes things she is thankful for each day such as “brown eggs fresh from the henhouse, hair bows holding back curls, new toothbrushes and pinky skin of newborn pigs.”

Some days when reading this book, I discovered my thoughts were something like this: “You mean I’m supposed to be thankful when everything in my day goes wrong? … when things don’t seem fair? … when … when …” and I was tempted to quit reading the book on those days. But, I was determined to keep on reading and began my own thanksgiving list.

As I write this article, it’s exactly nine days before Christmas. I can honestly say that my attitude has been transformed as a result of my thanksgiving list. Rather than craving more of everything in general, I now crave to discover the little meaningful gifts in each day.I have discovered that it is only in my tiny moments of thankfulness that I have been able to truly experience the presence of the sacred in my life. Through this discovery I think I may have found a way to live my life more fully.

At Hospice of Dubuque, we encourage our patients and families to live their lives fully each day. They may have goals they want to accomplish and we work to help achieve these goals. In addition to completing goals, being grateful for the little things in life may bring patients additional peace and may help them and their loved ones experience life more fully, right where they are. We are so grateful that families allow us to be a part of their journey and pray blessings upon them for a 2012 filled with many little moments of gratefulness!

Hospice of Dubuque from 1982 through 2011—three decades of responding to the needs of the tri-state community

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Due to the growth of the organization, Hospice

of Dubuque moved to a larger office located in

Asbury Square in 1999.

Late in 2004, Medicare amended the regulations to provide greater access to

the Medicare Hospice Benefit, which had previously been underutilized by

patients with non-cancer diagnoses.

Due to increased number of patients served, in 2007, the care team was

split into east and west sections to continue providing the most

responsive care.

A large bequest, for establishing a

permanent hospice office, was received. In November 2008,

Hospice of Dubuque purchased a former hardware store and

simultaneously began renovations and a capital campaign.

Hospice of Dubuque moved to its new

location at 1670 John F Kennedy Road in

May 2010, following a successful capital

campaign conducted entirely by staff and

volunteers.

After 20 years of service

with Hospice of Dubuque,

Lavonne Noel was named

the Executive Director when

Barb Zoeller retired in

April 2011.

Hospice of Dubuque became a tri-state provider when the

service area was expanded to include

portions of Grant and Lafayette Counties in

Wisconsin in 1998.

In order to serve the greater Dyersville area, Hospice

of Dubuque’s service area expanded to include the

eastern portion of Delaware County in 2003.

With grant funding from the Dubuque Racing Association and the Hospice of Dubuque Foundation, the organization

implemented an electronic medical record system in

October 2011. The laptops offer clinicians portability

in accessing patient information, increased

efficiency in communicating with team members and the ability to collect and

aggregate the data mandated by regulatory bodies.

In 2009, the Hospice of Dubuque daisy

logo was updated and a tagline was added

to accentuate the organization’s purpose.

Medicare revised the hospice regulations

with an effective date of December 2, 2008— the first major rewrite since

establishing the Hospice Benefit in 1983. Hospice of Dubuque spent nearly three years preparing for

the new regulations.

An attitude of gratitude—living fully, right where you areReverend Penny Thomsen, MDiv, Spiritual Care Coordinator

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HonorariumsBeecher BeverageAnne BrantDonald E. Conzett, Jr.Michael & Valerie ConzettCharlotte Danner, 90th Birthday Kate DeanDan Dodds & Diane Lochner, WeddingBea DoughertyCecil DuffyDiane FasseliusLeticia HartmanHealy & Bender FamiliesDennis Hefel & Sharon Wulfekuhle-HefelKen & Audrey HindmanHospice of Dubuque WorkersViola JantzJ.D. & Carley KluesnerDona KonzMelvin LiskBertha McAleecePatricia OppeltAgnes PaskerRoger & Carol PetersonVincent & Phyllis Remakel, 50th Wedding AnniversaryEthel M. & Bill Schneider, 68th Wedding AnniversaryDavid SchusterClint SitzmanVern & Elaine Steil, 50th Wedding AnniversaryBob & Carol WagnerMarian WalechLeonette “Nettie” WesselsDoris WhelanShirley M. WhiteConnie & Peter Wolfe

MemorialsJacob AdamsWilma AhlersGladys AitchisonDorothy AllenJoseph AltLuane C. AnglinJoAnne AnthonyLee ArthoferDavid Atchison, Sr.Gertrude B. AumanDan C. BaalBrad BassTheresa BastenGordon BealesHerb BeckerRuth BeddowFred BeelerVernon Behnke

Kay BeinbornJames W. BellMelvin BennettTheresa A. BensonMarguerite BerndtRose E. “Betty” BerrieLina BilkaMary Virginia BiverMilton H. BloschDonald BoardmanLee BoeckenstedtLeo G. BogeJayne BoleynViola BonzGertrude BottorffBruce BowmanCarol A. BoyesColleen BrachmanDorothy BrandelTom BreitbachAnna Mae BrimeyerWilliam BrimeyerMary C. BromenMarion BrosiusDale BrownErwin & Dorothy BuelowDean P. BuhleVirginia R. BuolDon BurchettMerle BurkenMaurice F. BurrJoan BurrowsAllen BuschBrett BuseMae & Joe BushmanAnne BussanMary BuswellMary Gertrude CahillHoward CampbellDavid CanganelliFrancis CarrollPeter CarrollRon CavanaughDarlene CaylerEdith ChadwickHelen ChapmanRuth ChapmanJudi ChandleeThomas E. ChristJosephine ChristianJoe ClancyBetty ClemenSheryl ColemanMarvin ConnollyMary ConnollyRuby ConverseDale ConzettKathy Conzett-RossRonald ConzettIke CorbettSue Ann Corbett

Maxine CottrellBob CoyleRobert CroninDorothy CrowleyRobert CuroeChristian J. DavidsaverMarian DavisJohn H. DeanJohn L. DeanMarcine DeJungMark R. DeMuthNorman DenglerHelen DeppeLeRoy DietrichMonica DigmanSandra J. DixRichard “Dick” DolterJohn DonahueIrene DrewTim DriscollHenry DroesslerVirginia DroesslerRobert C. DrozdaLori Ernst DucciniMary Ellen DucciniGladys EllerbachDominic & LouMae EnglishPhyllis ErnstHarold ErnzenRobert J. ErtlRussell “Snooky” EvansBernice ExstromDarlene FrancoisJoAnn FangmanDonald FarquarFlorence & Clarence FeipelThomas L. FeipelSylvester “Shorty” FellerMary Agnes FeltesDick FiegenJean Ann Arand FleegeH. Virginia FleegeArt & Colleen FlemingLarry FordPauline L. FowlerMadonna J. FrainRoger FrancoisRosalie FriederickHarriet FreemanSteve FrericksCyril & Edith FriedmanJoe FrommeltJim FudgeLynn S. FullerDavid “Dave” FunkeIrene & LeVern FunkeLes FurusethKeith GaberGallis & Offerman FamiliesReuben & Myrtle GarnerMarvin Gassman

Nancy GassmanMary GauDavid GeislerKaren GessnerBill GieseKenneth & Thelma GiesemanRoman “Bud” GinterClifford C. GodseyDavid John GonnerWillard & Isabel GraceRalph “Red” GrahamDonnie GraweLucy GreenGinny GrimesCheryl GriswoldCheryl GruberTom & Mike GulickCharles GunsVincent & Mary HachmannJoyce HahnBob HaisletJames HallTeresa HallPeggy A. HallahanThomas J. HammelJohn H. “Doc” HanleyDon & Madeline HanleyArsenius “Arky” HansonMargaret & Stephen HansonRichard “Dick” HantelmannThomas HantelmannFloyd HarrisKen HarrisJames HarrisonPeggy HarrisonWilliam HartmanLesley A. HayesMary Louise HayesSally A. HedrickDorothy HeidKathryn HeimEvelyn M. HeinBill, Nita & Mandy HeisterMatt HelleRosemary HermanHarry G. HeroldRonnie HessElizabeth HesselingJerry HesselingDavid HickeyHillery Family MembersBetty M. HinkelCharles G. HinkelFlorence HirdGerald Hirsch, Jr.Marie HoagBeverly R. HodgeCarol HoegerEugene HoffmannMerlin F. Hohmann, Sr.Marge Hrynkow

Shirlee HubanksSusan HuehnJoyce Hosch HuettlRose HughesJoAnn HunstadMerle HuntBill IhmLorlee Ann Manley IhmJames IsaacsRobert JacobHelen D. JannsenBetty JarvisVicki JernstromDebra JohannsenFlorence JohnsonSidney “Sid” JohnsrudRandall JohnstonDaisy JoosGeorge KahlerRobert & Jean KaiserColetta KammSylvester KammJames Kane Jr.Joyce KautmanNorma KeanVirginia KeanDonald KearneyHoward KeilDee KelleyLinda KelleyMarjorie KempBetty KernIola Mae KerperKathleen KielerAmy KienzleJulian & Rosetta KilburgI.W. KirchnerKaren KirkMarion L. and H. Wayne KirmseFlorence KleinCarol KleitschDoris KlemmeBendina KlettGeorge KlingeAlbert & Germaine KloserGerald KluesnerAnna Mae & LuVern KoelkerBetty KoerperichKenneth W. Konz, ODFlorence KoppesJean M. KorenHenry KornKaren KrapflSteven KreiserRoger KremerJoyce R. KriegAnn KringleEd & Helen KruegerEthel KuehnleGregory Kueter

Winter 2012 Honorariums/MemorialsWe gratefully acknowledge these monetary donations as well as donations made to our loan closet, received between October 5 through January 1. If a name is inaccurate or missing, please call Community Relations at 563.582.1220.

Hospice of Dubuque is committed to respecting your privacy. You have received the Hospice of Dubuque newsletter because you or a family member have used Hospice of Dubuque services, made a donation or volunteered for a fundraiser. We never disclose our mailing list to anyone. If you prefer to have your name removed or choose to receive the newsletter by email, please contact us at 563.582.1220 or community_relations@hospiceofdubuque.org.

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Sally KueterHoward KuhlGinger KuntzLowell LahannTheresa LaheyBev LahrGeorge LangasRobert & Darlene LangeJeanette LanserMarion LawbaughA.J. LechnerRebecca “Becki” LeClereAudrey LeeJohn “Joe” LeglerJanice LeGrandRay LeiboldAnthony LeickNeil LessnerEleanor LeuchsLloyd F. LewisWilliam J. LewisDennis LichtKenneth H. LindeckerMary C. LinkNorman LinkSylvester LinkF. Leroy LintonStanley & Mary LogsdonPhil LohrmanEvelyn LoneyBonnie LoveDarlene LovettLloyd P. LuberJames LuceyDick LudwigEdward LuedtkeMeta LuedtkeJeanette C. LynchMary LyonsBob MaiersHelen MaiersRichard MajerusRonald “Ron” MaloneHarold & Luella ManternachOrland ManternachVern & Vi MarkusAlvin R. MarshallAngie MartinClem MausserNellie MayneAmelia & Anthony MazzantiMary Jane McAuliffePatricia “Pat” McAteeJohn E. McCann, Jr.Tania McClainDel McCulloughImelda McDermottMarie McDermottLuella McFaddenJames McGeeneyShirley McGovernHarold McMahonGayle MellonGus MeloyRay & Florence MensterGemma MeyerLori MeyerMargie MeyerMerlin MeyerVernon L. MeyerBarbara MeyersBill MeyersDon MeyersHarriet MeyersManly Michaelson, MD

Carl E. & Lucy E. MillerDaniel MillerShirley A. MillerWilford “Bill” V. MohrRosemary A. “Rosie” MonsonMary C. MoravecEd MottetMary MussehlRobert MussehlRussell NashRichard H. NestebyTom NeumeisterJoyce NeyJack NiggFlorence NoelSr. Peggy Nolan, BVMMike NugentWilma NurreCharlotte O’RourkeLorna O’RourkeAlois OberbroecklingDeb OberbroecklingMargaret OdemRay OertelMartha B. OlingerCraig C. OlsonBob OppeltLester OsterhausJuanita OstwinkleMargaret Ann OttingEldon OyenJessie PacinoDonald PalmerRetha PalmerLeroy F. PapePatricia PapenthienJohn C. PattersonLinda PeacockDouglas E. PeckMary “Irene” PeifferRuth PerkinsKenneth PettingerCarl J. PfeiferCarl J. & Frances PfeilerCarol L. PhillipsHazel PhillipsKelli Jo PhillipsRichard C. PikeSharey PilcherLoretta PitzSandra PloegerDonald PloesslReading & Joan PollittRonald PollockJohn & Rita PothoffArt PotterJune RaymondRawson FamilyAlice ReevesSarah ReissRedmond FamilyVerlyn P. ReganSteve ResslerCharles & Rebecca RettenmaierJoseph & Madeline RhombergCharlie RichardsonRosemary RichmanMary Lou RickelsMartin RiechmannLucille RiedlScott RiesJean T. RiesbergJeanette RigdonJames & Madeline Riley

Linda RizzottoJerelyn “Bitsy” RobertsonElmer & Betty RogersAlberta RolingLawrence RoloffEileen RosenowSr. Nan RossJerry RothMaryLou RousselDavid Wm RuskMarguerite B. RuskMike SabersMarjorie SaeuglingPolo SanchezMichael W. SandCharles “Lefty” SangstonSam SantilloElmer SchaeferDonald SchladerJoe SchlichteJohn & Pat SchlueterPhilip, Steven & Karen SchlueterKevin SchmidtMarie SchmidtRose SchmitzWilliam J. “Bill” SchneiderBetty SchroederJim SchroederAl SchulteKim SchumacherVirginia SchumacherJames SchusterJean SchusterRita A. SchusterMargaret SebastianShanahan & O’Connell FamiliesLillian SherlockElizabeth J. ShirdDonna SieverdingLucille SieverdingJim & Mark SigmanMargaret M. SimonBud SmithLeonard T. SmithWilma SmithJune Heiderscheit SmothersVince & Armella SnyderAdelaide M. SpielmanCharles M. SpielmanSplinter FamilyBob SplinterJim SplinterJoan SplinterLaura K. StaffordChristine StaskalEdward StaskalMark StegerRalph & Florence SteffanHelen M. SteffenOlive SteinerTodd StelkenRita Rose StevensonJean Wahlert StoltzLois StraderPatricia StraneEdward StreifHelen M. StreifAndy & Lillian StrittmatterRene StrumbergerArlene SullivanMary SullivanAndrew & Betty SwartzBud Takes

Anna Mae & Ambrose TaukeRobert TaukeDorothy & Zachary TaylorJoseph Thomas TaylorMaddeson TersinarFlorence ThillHelen ThomasEldon TiggesEileen F. TilpVi TjarksAnna Mae & Alfred TobinAlice M. ToebaasMargaret TranelBernice F. TroesterJoan Ranallo TurnerRonald J. TurnerWilliam TurnisAnita UdelhofenRodney UrbanAnthony VitaleBetty VogelLorraine VonFumettiAgnes VorwaldIrene VorwaldHank WaechterBillie Jean WagnerElma WagnerLeslie WaldbilligDavid WalechPatsy WalkerEsther WalshBernard & Ben WeberJohn “Jack” WeberPaul “Dickie” WeberLynne WelterJules WenzelGrete & Bob WernerRichard “Dick” WernerEarl WesselsEmma WesselsFloyd W. WhiteFloyd WiederholtWerner WieseMary Ellen WilkisonMarvin WillenborgAnna WillenbringPatricia J. WillettBrooke WilliamsMarian WilliamsSheila WinchTommy “T. Bird” WinnerJanine WiscoLorraine WiseMarcella WissingJoe & Jeannette WolfEldon P. WolfeLeRoy F. WubbenJohn Yates

Groups or BusinessesAddoco, Inc.American Trust & Savings BankCartegraphCurtis-Straub Co.Dubuque JayceesGalena United Methodist WomenImmanuel Women’s FellowshipKane Appraisal ServicesKathy’s KrystalsMidwest Business ProductsMississippi Valley Running Association (MVRA)Mystique Casino, DRA GrantPositive CreationsPremier BankPremier Linen & DrycleaningSinsinawa Mound, Employees and SistersSisters of the PresentationSpahn & Rose Lumber Co.St Anthony ParishTFM Co.Tri-State Vein CenterWestminster United Presbyterian Church Women

Matching gifts or employee givingAlliant Energy Foundation Matching Gifts ProgramBAE Systems Employee Matching Gift ProgramCNA FoundationIBM Employee Charitable CampaignMcGraw-Hill Companies Community Partners Employee Giving CampaignPrudential Foundation Matching Gifts ProgramTruist, United WayWells Fargo Community Support Campaign

Reminder:Donations can always be made via Paypal by visiting www.hospiceofdubuque.org.

Visit our updated website today!

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Congratulations to ...

Sympathy to ...

Hospice of Dubuque welcomes employees ...

Fran Felton, MT-BC, joined Hospice of Dubuque in November as a music therapist. Fran received her music therapy degree from Alverno College in Milwaukee and worked in long-term care much of her career. Fran is married and has two children, Gabriella, age 5, and Elijah, age 3. When not working, Fran enjoys spending time with her family, camping, baking and “gigging” as a singer/songwriter at local coffee shops and wine bars.

Sarah Fern, RN, joined Hospice of Dubuque in November as a team nurse. Sarah received her BSN from the University of Iowa. Before returning to her hometown of Dubuque, Sarah worked in Iowa City for 10 years in oncology and clinical trials. Sarah has been married to her husband, Ben, for nine years and has three children, ages 1, 3 and 4. Sarah enjoys spending time with family, reading, gardening and doing ballet.

Hospice of Dubuque Registered Nurses, Amy Crittenden, Amy Koeller, Karen Hayes and Rose Guler achieved renewal credentials as Certified Hospice & Palliative Nurses (CHPNs). This certification, awarded by the National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses, honors a nurse for their proven competency across the spectrum of hospice and palliative nursing care. Congratulations!

Hospice of Dubuque Staff ...Mary Hoelscher, on the birth of her granddaughter, Vivian Rose Hoelscher, October 21. Vivian is the daughter of Ben and Emily Hoelscher.

Jess Smith and her husband Jeff, on the birth of their son, Beau Joseph Smith. Beau was born November 12.

Dorothy Schlueter, on the birth of her grandson, Elliott “Eli” Archer Schlueter. Elliott is the son of Peter Schlueter and Nichole Westphal of St Paul.

Amy Mescher, for achieving Phi Theta Kappa status academic honors from NICC.

Hospice of Dubuque Volunteers ...Shirley Strub, on her recent marriage to James Baker.

Ken Heacock, on the marriage of his daughter, Heather, to Sean Mueller, October 22.

Sr. Alice Caulfield, Janet Chidley, Steve Coates, Kim Daykin, Elizabeth Decker, Jaimie Dzaboff, Suzanne Heinle, Laura Hemesath, Rita Hinderman, Cathy Hoffman, Sandra Nickel, Lori Robinson, Pat Schueller and Philip Schwinn for completing the requirements to become patient care volunteers. Welcome to these new volunteers!

Hospice of Dubuque Board Member ...Reverend Kathleen Milligan, on becoming an Honorary Canon of Trinity Cathedral, Davenport, in recognition of 25 years of parochial ministry in Iowa.

Hospice of Dubuque Staff ...Chelsea Deines, on the death of her grandmother, Lois Albers.

Melanie Root, on the death of her father, Ray Oertell and her brother-in-law Donnie Root.

Jim Miller, on the death of his brother, Daniel Miller.

Mary Greil, on the death of her mother, Lorna O’Rourke.

Hospice of Dubuque Volunteer ...Pat Oppelt, on the recent death of her sister.

Hospice of Dubuque Board Member ...Carole Carroll, on the death of her father-in-law, Francis Carroll, October 30.

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On December 1, the Hospice of Dubuque Volunteers enjoyed the festivity of the Annual Volunteer Christmas Open House. The Staff and Board of Directors appreciate all that the volunteers do throughout the year and are truly blessed to have such a dedicated group. Happy New Year to these dedicated volunteers!

Hospice of Dubuque expresses sympathy to the families of former volunteers Brett Buse and Harold McMahon. Harold was in the first volunteer class of 1983 and Brett attended the 1994 class. Both had journeyed with countless hospice patients and families through their dedicated years of service.

Hospice of Dubuque was also saddened to learn of the death of Sr. Margaret Meicher. Sr. Margaret became a volunteer in 2002 and served many patients as well as working at many hospice events.

These unselfish individuals will be greatly missed.

Volunteer mileage reminderVolunteers should remember to keep track of mileage associated with patient visits or other Hospice of Dubuque related events at which they are volunteering their time. These miles may be used for a deduction on your taxes.

2012 Volunteer In-Service CalendarDebbie Horch, Volunteer Coordinator

All meetings will be held at 6 pm in the Theisen Education Center, 1670 JFK Road

January 26,2012Ballot Counting for BestFest 2012Join the fun of ballot counting for BestFest. Please call Debbie, Tiffany or Linda prior to January 26 if you are able to join us. Counting will take place from 6–8 pm.

February 23, 2012 “On my, I’m 50—Bowel Cancer—Bowel Health Fruits, Veggies and More for my Bowels” Ann Scott, MS, RD, LD, Hospice of Dubuque Dietitian

March 29, 2012 “Forever Young—Music Therapy in Hospice” Fran Felton, MT-BC, Hospice of Dubuque Music Therapist

April 26, 2012 “Managing Stress through Stretching” Judi Carr, RN, Hospice of Dubuque, Master Yoga Instructor

Bev Rech was named the Dr. Larry Kukla Volunteer of the Year on Thursday, December 1, at the Hospice of Dubuque Volunteer Christmas Open House. Bev began as a volunteer in 1983 and through the years has given countless hours of her time to the organization. Bev can be found helping at many of the hospice events, facilitating Bereavement Support Groups, volunteering in the hospice office and always being available on short notice with patient care assignments. Bev epitomizes the definition of the word “volunteer.” Congratulations Bev and a special thank you to all the volunteers who have sustained our organization throughout the years!

2012 Volunteer of the Year

Volunteer mileage reminderVolunteers should remember to keep track of mileage associated with patient visits or other Hospice of Dubuque related events at which they are volunteering their time. These miles may be used for a deduction on your taxes.

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Nonprofit OrgUS Postage

PAIDDubuque, IowaPermit No. 1052

RETURN SERVICEREQUESTED

A quarterly publication of Hospice of Dubuque Volume 24, Number 4Winter 2012

Our MissionProviding compassionate care for the terminally ill and their loved ones

563.582.1220www.hospiceofdubuque.org

1670 JFK Road, Dubuque IA, 52002

Mark Your Calendar!

January 26 - Ballot counting for BestFest

March 22 - BestFest 2012

May 22 - Tree of Life

2012 Winter/Spring Bereavement Support Group Dates - See page 3

For more information on events, please call 563.582.1220 or visit www.hospiceofdubuque.org

“Thank you so much

for everything—you are

all angels on earth. I

know we couldn’t have

managed to keep Mom

in her apartment without

your care. Mom loved all

of you dearly, and so do

we. Thanks for holding

our hands and our

hearts! ”- Linda V.