A Successful HYBRID Run & Remember 5K
Thank you to all Run & Remember 5K participants, sponsors, and supporters! The race, in memory of Sally Carle, pivoted to a HYBRID format this year, and we are grateful to everyone that came out...
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Center for Children Hosts Journeys Camp for Grieving Youth
Hospice of the Piedmont’s Center for Children was pleased to be able to be back in person to host an all-day camp this past April at Triple-C Camp in Charlottesville. Nearly 30 children attended the...
View ArticleEducation Institute Provides Meaningful Opportunities
The Education Institute at Hospice of the Piedmont provides a variety of services to both internal team members, as well as the community at large. The goal of the institute is to increase awareness...
View ArticleHelp us Finish Strong! Education Institute Challenge Grant Nears Completion
We are in the homestretch of completing a $125,000 challenge grant for the Hospice of the Piedmont Education Institute. Kay Taylor, our generous donor who established the Donald A. Perry Memorial...
View ArticleHospice of the Piedmont Launches Positive Transformation Project
Campaign Aims to Engage Community with Proactive Conversations about Death CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – September 28, 2022 – Hospice of the Piedmont (HOP) is embarking on a bold new project to positively...
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The Death Conversation: Uncomfortable? Maybe. Necessary? 100%.
For better or worse, holidays are frequently a time for families to come together. And whether it’s your aunt detailing the rules of pickleball or your nephew explaining cryptocurrency, the one thing...
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Celeb Pup Insider: Hospice Therapy Dogs
Last month, we posted two behind-the-scenes videos to Instagram and Facebook featuring our beloved hospice therapy dogs, Mr. McGee and Bodhi. Not surprisingly, their fans went wild, and now people are...
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When to Call Hospice: Practical Advice for Seeking Help
As human beings, we crave certainty. When we leave the house in the morning, we check our weather apps to see if we need an umbrella and occasionally get caught in the rain anyway. So, when it comes to...
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Creating Five Wishes for the End of Life
At first glance, Advance Medical Directives can feel intimidating. They seem to exist at the daunting intersection of legal jargon and medical anxiety. But what if there was an easy way to cut through...
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What You Need to Know About “Transitions of Care”
The 90s alt-rock band Semisonic once told us, “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.” And while they were presumably singing about “Closing Time” at a bar, if you’ve ever been discharged...
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Hospice of the Piedmont President & CEO Announces Retirement
Commitment to Transform Death and Dying Process Remains Top Priority CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – February 9, 2023 – Ron Cottrell, President and CEO of Hospice of the Piedmont (HOP), announced today that he...
View ArticleFrom Palliative Care to Hospice: A Smooth Transition
Ashleigh Bergstrom, FNP, shares a story about a patient she cared for who initially enrolled in Palliative Medicine and later transitioned to hospice care. Here’s that patient’s story. — One of my...
View ArticleJimmy Carter’s entry into hospice sheds light on hospice myths vs. truths
Jimmy Carter’s decision to enter hospice care was a major news story over President’s Day weekend in February. The news brought a fresh round of articles explaining hospice in thoughtful and helpful...
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Explaining Palliative Care vs. Hospice
Lara Fisher, Director of the Palliative Medicine program Hospice of the Piedmont’s Palliative Medicine program recently celebrated its third anniversary. To mark the occasion, we sat down with our...
View ArticleEmployee Assistance Fund Provides Meaningful Relief to Staff
This past fall, Hospice of the Piedmont introduced a new philanthropic initiative, the Employee Assistance Fund. The fund was established by The Genan Foundation with the intent to assist employees...
View ArticleKids’ Grief and Healing Program Offers Connection Amid Loss
The journey through grief and loss may be difficult, frightening, and lonely for children and teens. They need a safe place to express their feelings related to the loss of a sibling, parent, or anyone...
View ArticleLeaving a Legacy: Planned Giving Provides Long-Term, Meaningful Impact
When thinking about philanthropic giving or supporting an organization that’s had a meaningful impact on you, there are a variety of options to consider. For those interested in making a significant...
View ArticleWith Grace and Gratitude: A Message from Our CEO
Spring is a time of reflection and renewal. In that vein, I want to share the news that I am planning to retire this year from Hospice of the Piedmont. While I am certainly excited for the next chapter...
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Honoring Each Life: Inside Our Annual Patient Memorial
Every week, as the interdisciplinary team meeting of doctors, nurses, social workers, and others comes to an end, our chaplains and grief counselors lead a distinctive ritual. They read the names of...
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Celebrating National Healthcare Volunteer Week
As Healthcare Volunteer Week kicks off on April 16th, we want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable contribution made by our volunteers at Hospice of the Piedmont. Their unwavering...
View ArticleOne More Road Trip: A Hospice Patient’s Beach Getaway
It was a diagnosis that no one would want – at a time when few of us are awake. It was three in the morning. Cindy Jones and her daughter Alex were wide awake in the hospital room when the doctor gave...
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HOP Launches New Campaign to Reshape Hospice Perceptions
“If you had 6 months to live, what would you do?” That’s the question at the center of Hospice of the Piedmont’s new public-facing campaign to positively transform how people view and experience...
View ArticleNursing Scholarship Program Supports Employee Growth
As a nonprofit organization, Hospice of the Piedmont is fortunate to have generous donors who sponsor nursing scholarship and grant programs for our employees. We believe in supporting our staff and...
View ArticleFinding Joy in the Hospice Journey: Betty’s Adventure in NYC
In Hospice of the Piedmont’s new advertising campaign, we ask, if you had six months to live, what would you do? The campaign’s goal is to help people understand that hospice does more than provide...
View ArticleGet To Know Dr. Alina Fomovska, HOP’s New Chief Medical Officer
Hospice of the Piedmont (HOP) is pleased to welcome Alina Fomovska, MD, HEC-C, as our new Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Fomovska joined our team earlier this year and has been working closely with...
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Inaugural Death Over Drafts Gets People Talking
A recent survey found that only 50% of Americans have had a serious conversation with a loved one about their wishes for end-of-life medical care. This lack of communication can lead to confusion and...
View ArticleGenerous Donation will Enable HOP to Integrate Next-Gen Technology
Hospice of the Piedmont is pleased to announce that we’ve been awarded a transformational gift from the Manning Family Foundation to begin the implementation of TapCloud, an app designed to improve...
View ArticleDebunking 9 Hospice Myths: Truths about End-of-Life Care
When it comes to end-of-life care, hospice plays a pivotal role in providing comfort, support, and dignity to individuals and their families. Unfortunately, misconceptions and myths often surround...
View ArticleEmbracing the Path Ahead: Initiating Conversations About End-of-Life Plans...
At Hospice of the Piedmont, we see the powerful benefits of thinking ahead about end-of-life plans. But we also know how uncommon and challenging those discussions can be. According to a survey HOP...
View ArticleHospice of the Piedmont Names Nancy Littlefield as New Chief Executive Officer
Littlefield brings decades of experience and passion to Virginia’s 4th largest hospice FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – September 8, 2023 – After a nationwide search, the Hospice of the...
View ArticleHow Hospice Helps People Live Longer
If you’ve ever read Atul Gawande’s Being Mortal (and if you haven’t, you should), you may recall this paragraph: …researchers followed 4,493 Medicare patients with either terminal cancer or end-stage...
View ArticleThe Serenity Fund: Helping Patients and Families When They Need It Most
Established in 2022 by anonymous donors, The Serenity Fund has proven to be an incredible source of support to patients and families facing financial difficulties at the end of life. The mission of The...
View ArticleCelebrating Generous Community Philanthropy
Hospice of the Piedmont is grateful to the members of the Piedmont Society, generous donors who support HOP with annual leadership gifts of $1,000 or more. Recently, a luncheon was held in their honor...
View ArticleHOP’s Holiday Gift Guide
At Hospice of the Piedmont (HOP), we know the importance of being prepared for what’s coming – whether it’s for end-of-life plans or holiday shopping. With the leaves gently falling across our service...
View ArticleCounting Down the Top 30 Benefits of Hospice Care
Hospice of the Piedmont Celebrates National Hospice & Palliative Care Month with #HospiceTop30 Campaign Have you ever wondered, “What if Casey Kasem was more interested in hospice benefits than hit...
View ArticleA Hospice Life in the Fast Lane
Photo: Phyllis poses with a member of On The Border – The Ultimate Eagles Tribute. At Hospice of the Piedmont, we’re acutely aware that hearing the word “hospice” can be frightening. The misconception...
View ArticleNavigating Grief During the Holidays
Navigating the Holidays without our loved ones can be incredibly challenging, whether it’s the first season without them or many years later. Dealing with grief during the Holidays requires a delicate...
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Understanding the Difference Between Hospice and Other Types of Healthcare
For each of us, navigating the healthcare landscape throughout our lives is a deeply personal journey. Our experiences supporting our own healthcare needs, let alone our loved ones, can be uplifting or...
View ArticleHow Hospice Social Workers “See the Whole Person”
“I always want to hear about our patient’s past. I want to understand who they are.” Robin Johnson is a Hospice of the Piedmont Social Worker who’s been a part of our team for over 20 years. “I was in...
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Celebrating Our Hospice House: A “Community Gem”
Recently, our Newton & Wilma Thomas Hospice House underwent a refresh and renovation to better meet the needs of our patients and families and improve their comfort and safety. To celebrate this...
View ArticleGiving Back, Grateful for the Care
The experience a family has during the final months, weeks, or days spent with a loved one — and the grief that follows — can be overwhelming. Specifically, for individuals on hospice care, close...
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Creating Meaningful Moments in The Final Months of “The Dash”
In 1996, Linda Ellis penned a thought-provoking poem she titled “The Dash.” The “dash,” as she writes, represents the line between the year of birth and the year that marks our death. The poem...
View ArticleLeave a Lasting Legacy
Hospice of the Piedmont has been serving central Virginia for nearly 44 years. Our hospice care focuses on comfort so that the final chapter of life can be spent on what matters most. Philanthropic...
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Engaging in the Uncommon: Community Education and Outreach
Who wants to talk about death? At Hospice of the Piedmont, we do. While it can be uncomfortable to ask questions like, “How prepared is your family for your death?” or “How prepared are you?” It’s...
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From Grieving Child to Supportive Volunteer: A Full Circle Journey
In 2010, at just ten years old, Bradley Keats found himself dealing with the death of his father. It was during this challenging time that he first encountered Hospice of the Piedmont’s (HOP) Kids’...
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Sew Lovely: The Hearts for Hospice Program
Lisa Olko is a Hospice of the Piedmont (HOP) nurse. During the week, she uses a stethoscope to listen to hearts. On the weekend, she picks up some fabric and makes them. Lisa has found a unique way to...
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Recorded History: Hospice Patient Revives Century-Old Folk Songs
When Bob Whaley was born in 1926, home radios were a rarity in Southside Virginia. Instead, his mother’s voice shaped the soundtrack of his early years. She filled their home with song, serenading Bob...
View ArticleFinding Strength in Community: A Mother’s Journey
As we gear up for the 23rd Annual HOP5K (our 5K run/walk event that raises funds to support the organization’s important work in our community), we’re talking with participants who make the event so...
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