It was an “outta sight” night of peace, love, and rock-n-roll September 28 at Talbot County Club that raised more than $187,500 for hospice, palliative care, and grief support services in Talbot County. More than 175 guests attended the groovy fundraiser which was chaired by Susie Dillon and Susie Granville with the help of Hynda Dalton and Sheila Monahan.

According to Dillon, the theme was chosen with the thought of transporting guests back nearly 60 years to the ‘60s and ‘70s and creating a fun, carefree world of chilling out, hippies and flower power, and the “Mad Men” and disco era. “We were thrilled with the enthusiasm and energy of our guests who embraced the theme in their “groovy” outfits and wigs,” said Dillon. “We are profoundly grateful to all those who so generously supported us with their presence, donations and sponsorships.”

Blast from the Past Committee Members Sheila Monahan and Hynda Dalton celebrate with Co-Chairs Susie Dillon and Susie Granville. Photo credit: Tom McCall

Events like this, and fundraising in general, have become an even more critical component of the Talbot Hospice budget, according to Executive Director Vivian Dodge. “This year our goal is to raise $1 million or about a quarter of our budget,” said Dodge. “Many of theservices and programs provided by Talbot Hospice are not reimbursable by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance, or they only reimburse a portion of the cost.This past year, Talbot Hospice provided almost $650,000 in uncompensated care.”

Talbot Hospice provides more than end-of-life hospice services. A community home-based palliative care program focuses on alleviation of symptoms and stress associated with a chronic, serious illness in order to improve quality of life for patients so that they can maintain independence. Thebereavement program offers individual counseling and groups for a variety of losses including traumatic loss from suicide, overdose, or accident; pet loss; child loss; as well as weekly yoga therapy and caregiver support. New in 2019 was Talbot Kid’s Grief Camp, which served 13 children ages 6-12 who have suffered the loss of a loved one. All grief support services are free of charge and open to the public regardless of whether or not your loved one was served by Talbot Hospice.

“We care for patients regardless of their insurance or financial standing,” said Dodge. “We have a sliding scale fee for room and board in Hospice House, and because many of our patients can’t afford the fee, we provide that care at little or no cost. This can be one of the most difficult times in life for individuals and families, and we are there first and foremost to ease the journey.”

Founded in 1981, Talbot Hospice was named the 2019 Outstanding Nonprofit by the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce and won What’s Up Eastern Shore Magazine’s Reader Poll for Best Hospice Care for the past two years. To learn more about Talbot Hospice, visit TalbotHospice.org or call 410-822-6681.

Becky DeMattia

Throughout the month of November, Talbot Hospice will be joining organizations across the nation hosting community activities in recognition of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month.

Every year, nearly 1.5 million Medicare beneficiaries receive care from hospices in this country, according to National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). For more than 38 years, Talbot Hospice has helped provide comfort and dignity to residents of Talbot County, allowing them to spend their final months at home or in Hospice House, surrounded by their loved ones. This care also provides emotional support and advice to help family members become confident caregivers and adjust to the future with grief support for up to a year.

On Monday, November 4, 11 a.m., at the Easton Library, Bereavement Coordinator Becky DeMattia will address the question “What Should I Say?” often asked by individuals trying to offer comfort and love to the bereaved. We all have been in a situation where someone we care about is hurting. Sometimes we say the right thing, and other times we falter and stumble over our words. Learn some commonly used phrases to avoid as well as suggestions for what is appropriate.

Sue Ellen Thompson

On Tuesday, November 19, 3 p.m., Talbot Hospice will host poet and author Sue Ellen Thompson who will read from two of her books –The Golden Hour and They– about caretaking, grieving, loss, and healing. The Golden Hour was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 2006. Thompson’s work has been included in the Best American Poetry series, read more than a dozen times on National Public Radio by Garrison Keillor, and won numerous prizes. Before moving from Mystic, CT to the Eastern Shore, she taught at Wesleyan University, Middlebury College, Binghamton University, and Central Connecticut State University. Thompson currently teaches workshops at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda and mentors adult poets in her Oxford home. In 2010 she received the Maryland Author Prize from the Maryland Library Association, given every four years for an author’s body of work.

For more information or to reserve a space for one of these free public events, call 410-822-6681 or email [email protected]. Founded in 1981, Talbot Hospice is the premier resource for hospice, palliative care, and grief support services in Talbot County and is the 2019 Talbot Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Nonprofit.More information about hospice, palliative care, and advance care planning is available at TalbotHospice.orgor from NHPCO’s CaringInfo.org.

Talbot Hospice Executive Director Vivian Dodge recently announced the appointment of two new staff members. April Motovidlak, MS, ACNP-BC, will serve as nurse practitioner for Talbot Palliative Care, and Megan Ryan will serve as the Pathways Program Coordinator.

April Motovidlak has 20 years’ experience in the nursing field having served most recently as an acute care nurse practitioner for Shore Bayy Hospitalists and Eastern Shore Emergency Physicians. She currently serves as Medical Director of the Sexual Assault Program at UM Shore Regional Health, a position she has held since 2011. Motovidlak is a graduate of Macqueen Gibbs Willis School of Nursing. She received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing from University of Maryland at Baltimore, School of Nursing. She is a member of the Emergency Nurses Association and served as president of the Eastern Shore Chapter in 2008.

April Motovidlak, MS, ACNP-BC and Megan Ryan

Megan Ryan joined the Talbot Hospice team in August as the Pathways Coordinator. In this role Ryan will oversee the pre-hospice, non-medical, volunteer program of supportive services for individuals diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. Prior to joining Talbot Hospice Ryan worked at Mid-Shore Pro Bono for 9 years where she had been the Elder Law Project Manager and Deputy Director. In her years in Easton she has also volunteered for Habitat Choptank and Mid-Shore Community Foundation. Ryan has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a minor in Health Sciences from Boston College.

“We are so fortunate to have these talented professionals join our team,” said Executive Director Vivian Dodge. “Their skills and expertise will truly benefit our organization and our community.” Founded in 1981, Talbot Hospice is the premier resource for hospice, palliative care, and grief support services in Talbot County and is the 2019 Talbot Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Nonprofit. For more information about Talbot Hospice visit TalbotHospice.org or call 410-822-6681.

Talbot Hospice will hold its bi-annual Volunteer Training the evenings of October 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 2019. If you are interested in giving back to our community in a meaningful way, consider becoming a Talbot Hospice Volunteer. Perhaps you love to cook or garden. Maybe you play a musical instrument. Companion volunteers visit patients in their homes and in facilities, make check-in phone calls, shop for groceries, and transport patients to appointments and on errands. If you love to cook, we are seeking individuals to help cook breakfast and dinner, especially weekends. Other roles include musicians, greeters, Hospice House caregivers (especially weekends), and gardeners.

Topics covered during training include hospice purpose and philosophy, volunteer roles, spirituality at end of life, death and dying, listening skills and boundaries, family dynamics, cultural diversity, and grief.

If you’ve been looking for your passion and calling and would like to learn more about volunteering at Talbot Hospice, contact Ginni Blackiston, Director of Volunteer Services, at [email protected] or 410-822-6681, or visit TalbotHospice.org/Volunteer.

Founded in 1981, Talbot Hospice is the premier resource for hospice, palliative care, and grief support services in Talbot County and is the 2019 Talbot Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Nonprofit.

Talbot Hospice will present “A Blast from the Past,” a groovy disco party on September 28 at 6 p.m.at the Talbot Country Club.  Guests will be transported back to the crazy, awesome days of the ‘60s and ‘70s thanks to the creative vision of event committee members Susie Dillon, Susie Granville, Hynda Dalton, and Sheila Monahan.  This “out of sight” party promises to be a memorable evening complete with the themes of peace, love, and rock ‘n’ roll while taking everyone back several decades.

Reflecting the memorable music and moments from these swinging decades, the talented and creative Talbot Country Club chef and staff will provide delectable retro hors d’oeuvres, wines, and Mad Men cocktails.  The seated, mod-themed, 3-course dinner will include a choice between deconstructed beef or wild salmon Wellington with layers of creamed spinach, puff pastry and mushroom duxelle. The featured dessert will be baked Alaska.

Executive director Vivian Dodge is shown here with Blast from the Past co-chair Susie Dillon, and committee member Hynda Dalton.

“A Blast from the Past”celebrates a fun, carefree world of hippies, flower power, and chill out zones while merging into the ‘70s disco era of “Staying Alive.”  This brilliant night will be loved by all and is a great excuse to get that wig out, wear flamboyant clothes, and channel your inner hippie or flower child.

Reservations are $200/person, and seating is limited.  To inquire about ticket availability, please visit TalbotHospice.org/events, or contact Kate Cox, Director of Development, at 410-822-6681 x 15 or [email protected]. All proceeds benefit hospice, palliative care, and grief support services in Talbot County.

Founded in 1981 Talbot Hospice is the premier resource for hospice, palliative care, and grief support services in Talbot County and is the 2019 Talbot Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Nonprofit.