Talbot Hospice is proud to share that long-time Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Ernest Beasley, was named CNA of the Year by the Mid-Shore Nursing Assistant Advisory Council last month. Beasley was one of six Talbot Hospice CNAs who were nominated. Pictured are Mercy Pinder, Tammy Jones, Ernest Beasley, Virginia Wittington, Heather Bickling and Gidget Ross. Ky Jenkins not pictured.

Talbot Hospice is proud to share that long-time Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Ernest Beasley, was named CNA of the Year by the Mid-Shore Nursing Assistant Advisory Council last month. Beasley was one of seven Talbot Hospice CNAs who were nominated.

“We are thrilled for Ernest and our other nominees,” said Talbot Hospice Executive Director, Chris Chekouras. “Ernest is a tremendous asset to our team and this recognition is so well deserved. Patients light up when Ernest enters the room. His kindness, compassion and professionalism represent the very best of the CNA role at Talbot Hospice and across the profession. He is beloved by our patients, their families and his colleagues.”

Beasley is an Eastern Shore native and has worked in healthcare as a CNA for two decades and has been with Talbot Hospice for the past six years.

When asked what he enjoys most about his work at Talbot Hospice, Ernest shares, “working at Talbot Hospice allows me to discover amazing things about our patients and families, and they become like family to me. I am inspired by the strength of our patients and their loved ones.”

Certified Nursing Assistants, or CNAs, play a critical role in patient care at Talbot Hospice, in both Hospice House and In-Home hospice services. CNAs assist with the everyday tasks that patients may find too difficult to perform, and also provide emotional support to patients and their families. They keep patients comfortable, their environment clean and safe, and are usually the caregiver that patients and families interact with the most.

Other Talbot Hospice nominees included, Mercy Pinder, Tammy Jones, Virginia Whittington, Heather Bickling, Gidget Ross and Ky Jenkins

About Talbot Hospice

Talbot Hospice provides compassionate care, comfort and support for patients and their families and caregivers wherever they call home. Talbot Hospice serves patients facing life-limiting illnesses through hospice and palliative care, as well as its pathways and bereavement programs. Services are available to patients and caregivers regardless of ability to pay. Learn more at www.talbothospice.org.

Following a successful fundraising initiative at the end of 2021, Talbot Hospice has raised the necessary funds to name the final room at the Eleanor A. Koons Hospice House in honor of retired hospice nurse, Marjorie “Pete” Fox.

Fox, better known as Ms. Pete to her colleagues and patients, was with Talbot Hospice from its beginning and cared for hundreds of patients during her four-decade career.

“We could think of no better way to recognize Ms. Pete’s service and legacy than to name Room 12 at the Eleanor A. Koons Hospice House in her honor,” said Chris Chekouras, Talbot Hospice Executive Director. “We want her commitment to her patients and her profession to serve as an inspiration to all those who care for patients and families at Talbot Hospice for years to come.”

Following a successful fundraising initiative at the end of 2021, Talbot Hospice has raised the necessary funds to name the final room at the Eleanor A. Koons Hospice House in honor of retired hospice nurse, Marjorie “Pete” Fox. Pictured are members of the Talbot Hospice team with Justin Britcher and Ryan Helfenbein of Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnan Funeral Home.

Talbot Hospice surpassed its fundraising goal of $50,000 and raised $78,000 in honor of Ms. Pete. Contributions were received from families of former patients, hospice volunteers and colleagues, including a generous gift from Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home. At Ms. Pete’s request, all funds raised will be directed to patient care.

“Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam was honored to partner with Talbot Hospice in the naming of the final room at Talbot Hospice House in recognition of Ms. Pete,” said Justin Britcher, Regional Manager and Funeral Director at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam. “She was with Talbot Hospice for over 40 years and touched countless lives. Her impact extended well beyond Talbot Hospice, and she was influential with many, if not all, of our staff in Easton. Her humility, kindness, and professionalism has been used as an example for our staff in how to care for the deceased and their families. It is truly and honor and privilege to have worked with her, to know her, and to be able to honor her legacy with Talbot Hospice.”

An in-person room naming event is planning for Spring 2022 as COVID-19 metrics improve.

About Talbot Hospice

Talbot Hospice provides compassionate care, comfort and support for patients and their families and caregivers wherever they call home. Talbot Hospice serves patients facing life-limiting illnesses through hospice and palliative care, as well as its pathways and bereavement programs. Services are available to patients and caregivers regardless of ability to pay. Learn more at www.talbothospice.org.

Friends of Hospice has been sponsoring the Festival of Trees for 36 years and has raised over 3.7 million dollars to benefit Talbot Hospice with their mission to offer compassionate care and support to those facing end-of-life challenges.

Hundreds of volunteers work countless hours to purchase and craft ornaments to decorate 100 amazing Christmas trees. Local businesses and families provide sponsorship and venue locations for the success of the festival. The theme for the glittering trees this year is “A Winter Wonderland.”

As always, the centerpiece of the festival, held in the Gold Room of Easton’s historic Tidewater Inn, is the Hospice Memorial Tree which holds beautiful white doves honoring patients who were under the care of Talbot Hospice during that calendar year. This Thanksgiving weekend, visitors will be able to admire two Hospice Memorial Trees at the festival, one sponsored by John and Bridget Horner honoring patients from 2020 and a second Memorial Tree sponsored by Anne-Lise Fink honoring patients who passed away under Hospice care in 2021.

Plan to attend the Christmas Festival of Trees, to be held over Thanksgiving weekend from November 27-30 in historic Easton, MD. Visit www.festival-of-trees.org or call 410-819-3378 for ticket prices and more details.

Talbot Hospice Medical Director, Dr. Robert Sanchez, was recently granted the Hospice Medical Director Certified credential by the Hospice Medical Director Certification Board.

Talbot Hospice Medical Director, Dr. Robert Sanchez, was recently granted the Hospice Medical Director Certified (HMDC) credential by the Hospice Medical Director Certification Board. Dr. Sanchez earned this designation after meeting eligibility requirements, passing a comprehensive exam and demonstrating his professional competency in hospice and palliative care. The HMDC designation is granted for six years and is renewed through continued validation of knowledge and re-assessment.

“This certification helps our greater community understand what we at Talbot Hospice already know: Dr. Sanchez is deeply committed to providing the best possible care for our patients at the end of life,” said Chris Chekouras, Talbot Hospice Executive Director. “In addition to working with our patients and their families, Dr. Sanchez is a local leader and ambassador for hospice and palliative care and serves as a mentor to other professionals in the field.”

As Medical Director, Dr. Sanchez has overall responsibility for patients being cared for at Talbot Hospice. He works closely with an Interdisciplinary Team of nurses and nursing assistants, social workers, bereavement coordinator and chaplain to develop a comprehensive care plan for each patient. He also serves as an ambassador for hospice care within the community.

“I have been in awe and full of admiration and respect every day for the people I witness providing hospice and palliative care in our community,” said Dr. Robert Sanchez, Talbot Hospice Medical Director. “It is indeed a privilege to work with this dedicated and very vital organization.  We are also blessed in this county and on the Eastern Shore to have residents who make sacrifices and contributions to support Talbot Hospice to ensure that no one is turned away from receiving our services.”

Dr. Sanchez has been a referring physician to Talbot Hospice since its inception in 1981, became an Assistant Medical Director in 2015 and then Medical Director in 2020. In addition, he and his wife, Lynn, helped found the Child Loss Support Group in 1985, which continues today under the auspices of Talbot Hospice.

Dr. Sanchez retired from private practice in January 2021 after a 43-year career in family medicine. He is a third-generation general practitioner and graduated from Florida State University and then attended Creighton University in Omaha, NE for medical school and Family Practice residency. Following residency, he served in the US Navy at Cherry Point Marine Air Station in North Carolina.

Dr. Sanchez started Easton Family Physicians with Dr. Michael Crowley in 1980 and then in 2010 transitioned to a personalized health care practice affiliated with the nationally-recognized organization, MDVIP. In the later years of practice, he became primarily involved with geriatrics and attended patients in all of the local assisted living facilities in Talbot County.

When not sharing his time and talents with Talbot Hospice, Dr. Sanchez enjoys performing with the Tred Avon Players at the Oxford Community Theatre, boating, photography, gardening, bridge and most recently, pickleball. He and Lynn are members of Saints Peter and Paul Parish and have two sons, Robert in Austin, TX and Jason of Easton, MD. Their youngest son, Rion, was deceased in 1985.

About the Hospice Medical Director Certification Board

The Hospice Medical Director Certification Board (HMDCB) serves as an independent, not-for-profit certifying body to administer a certification program for hospice medical directors and other physicians who provide hospice care for patients. The mission of HMDCB is to relieve suffering and improve quality of life by promoting the excellence and professional competency of hospice medical directors. For more information, visit www.hmdcb.org.

About Talbot Hospice

Talbot Hospice provides compassionate care, comfort and support for patients and their families and caregivers wherever they call home. Talbot Hospice serves patients facing life-limiting illnesses through hospice and palliative care, as well as its pathways and bereavement programs. Services are available to patients and caregivers regardless of ability to pay. Learn more at www.talbothospice.org.

Talbot Hospice is pleased to announce its selection as one of three beneficiaries of the 2021 Hospice Cup Sailing Regatta to be held on September 18^th in Annapolis.

Talbot Hospice has been selected as one of three beneficiaries of the 2021 Hospice Cup – an annual sailing regatta dedicated to raising funds and awareness for hospice care throughout the region.

“We are thrilled to be part of the 2021 Hospice Cup and play a role in raising awareness and funds with other hospice programs across Maryland who share our mission,” said Mia Cranford, Talbot Hospice Development Director. “We appreciate the early support of our community in making this a successful event for Talbot Hospice as well as our colleagues on the Western Shore.”

Hospice Cup is America’s largest charity regatta in numbers and dollars and began in 1981 as an informal race among a small group of people interested in sailing and hospice care. Since then, the race has evolved into Hospice Cup, Inc – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds for and awareness of hospice care throughout the region.

This year Hospice Cup celebrates 40 years with a special focus on grief and bereavement services, which have become even more essential during the COVID-19 pandemic when loved ones are left behind to deal with the complex grief of not having the opportunity for traditional good-byes.

Often, these services are provided free-of-charge and support from the community is critical to providing this much-needed care.

Participating hospices use the Hospice Cup as a springboard to sign-on sponsors and donors to support their programs and services. All funds raised by each hospice are retained by that hospice and stay in their respective community. In addition to an individual hospice’s sponsorships, they also receive a portion of the proceeds of the overall Hospice Cup which are generated through sponsorships, race registration fees and event ticket sales.

To date, Talbot Hospice’s Hospice Cup Sponsors are Avon Dixon Insurance, Shore United Bank, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, Lane Engineering and Chuck Mangold, Realtor.

To learn more about registering for the race or signing on as Talbot Hospice sponsor, please visit www.talbothospice.org/events/hospice-cup or contact Mia Cranford, Development Director at [email protected].

About Talbot Hospice

Talbot Hospice provides compassionate care, comfort and support for patients and their families and caregivers wherever they call home. Talbot Hospice serves patients facing life-limiting illnesses through hospice and palliative care, as well as its pathways and bereavement programs. Services are available to patients and caregivers regardless of ability to pay. Learn more at www.talbothospice.org.

Talbot Hospice is pleased to announce the addition of Dina Daly, Cassandra Guy, Rodanthe Hanrahan, The Very Rev. James Nash and Debbie Walsworth to its Board of Directors. They each began their terms on July 1^st.

Talbot Hospice welcomes new board members Cassandra Guy, Deborah Walsworth, Dina Daly and Rodanthe Hanrahan. Not pictured: Father James Nash

“Our patients, families and staff are grateful to Dina, Cassie, Rodanthe, Fr. Nash and Debbie for sharing their time and expertise to advance the work of Talbot Hospice in our community,” said Sheila Monahan, Talbot Hospice Board President. “As we emerge from COVID-19, they will play an instrumental in helping us re-connect with our friends and neighbors across the Mid-Shore and celebrate our 40^th anniversary.”

The Board of Directors works closely with Talbot Hospice’s leadership team to provide strategic guidance and support to the organization as it provides compassionate care, comfort and support to patients and their families and caregivers wherever they call home on the Mid-Shore.

Dina Daly has recently become the Executive Director of B.A.A.M., Inc, a non-profit organization that serves African American boys in the Easton area.  She and her husband founded B.A.A.M., as well as a scholarship program for African American males attending a four-year college.  Dina has a Bachelor’s degree from Suffolk University and her Masters in Social Work from the University of Maryland.  Prior to accepting her current position, Dina was the Director of the Caroline County Department of Social Services.

Cassandra (Cassie) Guy has worked at Shore United bank for the past 25 years.  She is currently a Vice President and compliance officer.  She has a BA in Business Administration from University of Mary Washington.  She volunteers in local schools with the “Teach Children to Save” initiative, at the His Hope Haven homeless shelter and at Saints Peter and Paul.

Rodanthe Hanrahan enjoyed a career in energy development in the U.S. and China with the AES Corporation.  She has a BS in Energy Studies from Brown University and a MBA from Georgetown University.  She is an active volunteer in the community, having served many organizations, including The Country School, YMCA of the Chesapeake, Women and Girls Fund the Academy Art Museum.

The Very Reverend James Nash, V.F.  is currently the pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Easton.  He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from U. of Delaware and a Masters in Divinity from St. Mary’s Seminary.  He also serves as part-time Catholic Chaplin at Nemours Hospital for Children in Wilmington.

Debbie Walsworth joins the board as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee. Debbie is the Managing Partner of the BSC Group – Certified Public Accountants. She is a graduate of Wilmington University and has her Master’s Degree in Taxation from the University of Baltimore. In addition to being a CPA, she is also a Certified Pension Consultant (CPC) and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). She has been with BSC Group and its predecessors for over 30 years. She works with a diverse group of clients that include individuals, businesses, estates, and trusts. Debbie has volunteered with many boards and is currently a community member of Talbot Hospice, a member of Talbot County Economic Development Commission, and a Past-Chair of the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce.

About Talbot Hospice

Talbot Hospice provides compassionate care, comfort and support for patients and their families and caregivers wherever they call home. Talbot Hospice serves patients facing life-limiting illnesses through hospice and palliative care, as well as its pathways and bereavement programs. Services are available to patients and caregivers regardless of ability to pay. Learn more at www.talbothospice.org.

Talbot Hospice thanks Ravens Roost 141 and Koons Toyota of Easton for their contributions to purchase a new Hoyer Lift for the Eleanor A. Koons Hospice House. Hoyer Lifts are used to safely lift and move patients who are no longer able to get in and out of bed on their own and are critical in hospice care facilities.

Members of the Ravens Roost 141 hosted a crab bushel raffle that raised more than $4,000 and Koons Toyota of Easton contributed $2,500.

Pictured from left to right are Christopher Chekouras, Victoria Billings, Erin Foster, Rob Blaschke, Melissa Mann, Ernest Beasley, Heather Bickling, Theresa French, JT Thompson, Colby Hall, Molly Kirsch and Dawn Ruby.

About Talbot Hospice

Talbot Hospice provides compassionate care, comfort and support for patients and their families and caregivers wherever they call home. Talbot Hospice serves patients facing life-limiting illnesses through hospice and palliative care, as well as its pathways and bereavement programs. Services are available to patients and caregivers regardless of ability to pay. Learn more at www.talbothospice.org.

Talbot Hospice has partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Maryland to present a three-part “Know Us Before You Need Us” virtual series about Alzheimer’s Disease and how Hospice and Palliative Care can help support Alzheimer’s patients as well as their caregivers.

“We are excited to be working with the local Alzheimer’s Association to reach families who are impacted by Alzheimer’s Disease,” said Chris Chekouras, Talbot Hospice Executive Director. “Alzheimer’s affects the entire family, and our palliative and hospice care programs are a tremendous resource for patients and their caregivers. We hope these events are informative and introduce our community to the multi-faceted support system available to them at Talbot Hospice and beyond.”

The first event, “Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia,” was held in April and was attended by more than 30 participants. The discussion focused on the differences between Alzheimer’s and dementia, stages, risk factors, research and FDA-approved treatments. Featured speakers included Lisa Rizia, RN from Talbot Hospice, and Nancy Rodriguez-Weller, RPh., FASC of UMES School of Pharmacy and Health Professions.

The second event, “Legal and Financial Planning for Alzheimer’s Disease,” will be held on Wednesday, May 19^th at 11:00am on Zoom. Learn about important legal and financial issues to consider, how to put estate and financial plans in place, and how to access legal and financial resources in your community. Featured speakers include estate planning expert, Lee Gordon, partner at the Parker Counts law firm, and financial expert, Deborah H. Walsworth, CPA,  Managing Partner from BSC Group LLC.

The third and final event, “Self-Care & Communication Strategies for the Caregiver” will be held on Wednesday, June 16^th at 11:00am on Zoom. The discussion will focus on identifying resources and coping strategies that will support and sustain friends and family on their journey of serving as a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Featured speakers include Lindy Barton and Jody Gunn from Talbot Hospice’s Spiritual Team and Cynthia Prud’homme from the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Maryland Chapter.

Videos from past events and registration information for the next two sessions are available at www.talbothospice.org/events/alzheimers-series/.

About Talbot Hospice

Talbot Hospice provides compassionate care, comfort and support for patients and their families and caregivers wherever they call home. Talbot Hospice serves patients facing life-limiting illnesses through hospice and palliative care, as well as its pathways and bereavement programs. Services are available to patients and caregivers regardless of ability to pay. Learn more at www.talbothospice.org.