Hospice of Charles County receives large donation to continue services
Organization dedicates east wing to UM-CRMC
The month of May marks five years since the opening of Hospice of Charles County, and the organization took time to celebrate their strong partnership with the community and the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center.
Earlier this month, the La Plata hospital made a donation of $50,000 to Hospice of Charles County.
“Over the last several years the hospital has contributed
over $50,000 to Hospice of Charles County to enable us to continue providing services to those in our community when they need us,” Hospice of Charles County CEO Brandon Jones said. “Without the support and partnership of our local community hospital, Hospice of Charles County would not be in the position of providing both inpatient and outpatient care to our Charles County citizens. We are fortunate to have such a generous and committed partner in our community.”
“Hospice serves an important role for the continuum of care for our patients,” said UM-CRMC President and CEO Noel Cervino. “Charles Regional supports Hospice of Charles County, so hospice remains an independent and viable healthcare provider and resource in our community.”
The May 16 celebration included the UM-CRMC board members, Jones and other hospice board members, who helped dedicate the east wing in the name of the hospital.
Jones said UM-CRMC had previously sponsored a patient room at the hospice, located in the east wing, and the recent donation of $50,000 will raise the hospital to the wing donor level. He also said the funds will help support ongoing operations of the organization and allow the administration and staff to continue to provide support to patients regardless of their ability to pay.
“We’ve got the hospital’s logo installed on the east wing entrance. It acknowledges where we are and where we are going with UM-CRMC. Our relationship is strengthened because we will be partnering with them on several other endeavors as well,” Jones said.
UM-CRMC board member Wayne Barnes agreed, stating, “There was a need there and it goes to show the partnership that we want to establish at the hospice.”
“We’re passionately concerned about getting patients or individuals in the hospice for care and it’s a beautiful facility,” Barnes said. “The money goes a long way to keeping the facility up and running. The wing has all the comforts of home so family members will really embrace using the facility.”
Many board members have had personal experiences with hospice, seeing firsthand how the services help family members with end-of-life care.
“Walking into the hospice today made me reflect on what it was my mom is going through,” Barnes said. “My mom is currently in hospice care in St. Mary’s County and it’s good to see that there are people who are as concerned about your loved ones as you are, giving them the same kind of care and compassion that you would give her. I had reservations at first because when you first hear the term ‘hospice,’ you worry. But the staff is treating my mom like she’s their mom.”