Talbot Hospice Director of Volunteer Services Lori Miller and Chaplain Jody Gunn were recently awarded the Eugene and Elizabeth Guthrie Award for Professional Development. This annual award was created to honor and carry forward the commitment and passion of the co-founder of Talbot Hospice, Dr. Eugene “Buck” Guthrie and his wife, Betts. The purpose of the award is to educate Talbot Hospice staff in a manner that benefits both the individual staff member and the broader community. The award is for training above and beyond the usual requirements.
Miller will attend an intensive Doula workshop at the New York Open Center in 2017. An End-of-Life Doula is a trained volunteer who helps an actively dying patient and their family in the final hours of life. The 18-hour training will enhance Miller’s knowledge of the dying process and teach her techniques and tools to utilize as a Doula. After the training, Miller will share what she learns with volunteer Doulas and staff through in-service trainings. “The Doula program at Talbot Hospice has become an important resource for families and patients,” said Miller. “I look forward to helping strengthen the skill set of our Doula volunteers.”
In January 2017 Gunn, who is pursuing a Masters of Divinity degree through Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Indiana, will attend a two week intensive class called “Gospel of Peace” that explores biblical texts in relationship to peace and violence. After the coursework, Gunn will offer an in-service training for staff and volunteers on conflict transformation, mediation, peacemaking and working with families. Through her training and assistance, fellow staff members and volunteers will learn how to be a non-anxious presence, listening, reflecting and providing support through difficult interactions within families who are in the midst of losing a loved one.
“We are so pleased to provide Lori and Jody with these educational opportunities that will in turn help us better serve the patients and families in our care,” said Vivian Dodge, Executive Director of Talbot Hospice. “Dr. and Mrs. Guthrie’s passion for and commitment to providing excellence in hospice care is a high standard that we strive to achieve in our day to day work here at Talbot Hospice.”
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