Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg helped Alive Hospice celebrate National Hospice and Palliative Care Month with a proclamation. In fact, Mayor Bragg proclaimed November “Alive Hospice Month” in Murfreesboro. The mayor welcomed Alive Hospice representatives at City Hall on Nov. 22 including board members, staff, and volunteers.

“Knowing your options before you need them is just good planning,” Mayor Bragg said. “I encourage every family in Murfreesboro to learn about hospice and palliative care. It starts with getting information and talking with your doctor before a serious illness comes along.”

Alive Hospice’s Murfreesboro Team includes physicians, nurses, hospice aides (CNTs), social workers, chaplains, and volunteers. They provide hospice care in Rutherford, Cannon, Coffee, and DeKalb counties. Additionally, Alive Hospice’s Murfreesboro office provides grief support services including individual counseling and support groups.

Pictured: Mayor Tommy Bragg presents a proclamation to Alive Hospice Interim CEO Barbara Cannon. With them are Phil Barnett, Faye Northcutt-Knox, Leslie Baker, Joe Rich, Dr. Radford Smith, Dr. Warren McPherson, Charlene Johnson and Hayat Bozkurt. (Photo by Chris Shofner/City of Murfreesboro)

Elizabeth Traugott

Since I was little I had always wanted to go to Africa. Being a nurse made that possible. In February 2010 I finally got the opportunity to go on a medical trip to Sudan.

One thing that stands out most to me is how welcoming the people were. As soon as we landed in the village we were surrounded by adults and children. They were so excited to see us and know they might have the opportunity to see physicians and nurses. The people we met showed such strength and determination to care for the village that I realized how fortunate I was to be able to go to the doctor any time I had a sniffle.

This time of year is a time of giving. This week, we have an opportunity to help out Alive Hospice’s sister hospice organization in another African nation, South Africa, with Alive Hospice’s annual All Things Beaded and Beyond sale.

This Friday, December 2nd from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., come see (and buy!) the beautiful crafts that have been created to help out Hospice West Gauteng. The sale is at Alive Hospice’s administrative offices at 1718 Patterson St. in Nashville. Call 327-1085 for more information.

Elizabeth Traugott is an Alive Hospice nurse.

For anyone who couldn’t attend Alive Hospice’s Nov. 17 Grief During the Holidays seminar, we have two more coming up! Next Thursday, Dec. 1, Alive Hospice will host a seminar in Nashville and another in Murfreesboro. Both are free and begin at 6:30 p.m.

To register online, click here. For more information, call 615-963-4732 for the Nashville seminar and 615-907-1677 for the Murfreesboro seminar.

If you can’t make it to one of the seminars on Dec. 1, check out tips for coping with holiday grief on Alive Hospice’s Facebook page. Click here.

Just in time for the holidays, Alive Hospice’s annual craft sale is coming back on Friday, Dec. 2. The All Things Beaded and Beyond sale will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Alive Hospice’s administrative offices at 1718 Patterson St. (near downtown Nashville.) Purchases will benefit Hospice West Gauteng, Alive Hospice’s sister organization in South Africa.

Merchandise will include hand-crafted items provided by Alive Hospice employees, volunteers and community artisans. Items vary from year to year, but the sale typically features jewelry, original art, photography, greeting cards, seasonal items and much more.

For more information, call 615-327-1085. Please join us! 

Pictured: Hand-made jewelry by Alive Hospice Social Worker Alyson Garvey.

Dr. David Tribble

Some time ago at a National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization session on care for veterans, the speaker asked all the veterans in the room to stand up. Then she asked if anyone still seated had been in the service and worn the uniform, and about as many more stood up (including me).

She told us, “You are veterans, too.”

I served as a physician in the United States Air Force for 7 years, remained stateside the entire time, and never saw combat, though I certainly spent enough time with its aftermath. I also delivered babies, cared for the families, and saw to the health of active duty servicepeople, and I have a keen appreciation of just what that life demands both of the service people and their families.

Somehow, I have always considered all of them veterans, but myself less so. I got to do for them what I love to do, never had to leave my home to do it, and had the benefit of experiences I would never have had in any other setting.

Other veterans have left their families behind for remote tours and moved themselves and their families every few months or years. Many have been in harm’s way and changed both mentally and physically for the rest of their lives. They have given and continue to give much more than was ever asked of me.

So I salute all of you who have served, who serve now, and who will serve in the maintenance of the freedoms we enjoy. I am glad we have matured as a nation to the point where we properly honor our veterans, particularly those who have seen combat, but also those who have served and supported them and their families. I am humbled to be considered part of that group.

I am also proud that the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization encourages all of us to have specific programs for veterans, whose palliative care and hospice needs are unique, and who have earned all we have to offer them.

A proud Veterans Day to you all.

Dr. David Tribble is Alive Hospice’s chief medical officer.

Barbara Cannon

I visited Arlington National Cemetery recently. What a national treasure and what a treasure trove of history! 

Understandably it’s one of the most often visited sites in the Washington, D.C. area. All the numerous national and international visitors assume a respectful, dignified air when walking about the grounds. One cannot help but be moved by viewing the JFK Memorial and the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

There is no higher honor than for a Veteran to rest at Arlington; one is moved beyond description to witness in the distance a full military service. This Veterans Day, let us remember their exquisite service to our country … for all of us.

Photos by Barbara Cannon (click to enlarge).

Barbara Cannon is Alive Hospice’s interim CEO.

Today, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean welcomed Alive Hospice representatives and presented a proclamation in honor of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month.

“People facing life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses can have quality of life, but the key is knowing your options,” he said. “I urge all Nashvillians to learn more about hospice and palliative care in advance of illnesses.”

Pictured: Sim Yoon, Tammy Grindstaff, Alive Hospice Interim CEO Barbara Cannon, Sheila Kelly, Mayor Dean, Floria Densmore, Sara Pérez, Rosie Flite, Tabitha Wilson, and Adam Trapani (Photo by Gary Layda, Metro Photographer)

Humana Communities Benefit has named Alive Hospice as the winner of its $100,000 grant.

Alive Hospice is a nonprofit organization that serves 12 Middle Tennessee counties. Its core services include hospice care for terminally ill patients and their families; palliative care for patients who desire pain and symptom management while seeking curative treatments; and grief support services.

With the funding from Humana, Alive Hospice will expand its education initiative in Middle Tennessee to improve the community’s understanding of end-of-life care as well as the value of discussion and advance planning. The grant allows this nonprofit to intensify its current educational commitment to the community and address the critical need for better and earlier communication between patients, families and physicians.

“Citizens need to be better educated about end of life issues. We are grateful to Humana Communities Benefit for this transformative gift. These funds will help us create much-needed dialogue and increase our community’s ability to support what is important to people at the end of their lives,” said Harriet Karro, immediate past chair and board member for Alive Hospice who also serves as the organization’s chairperson for the Community Development Committee.

Humana Communities Benefit is a charitable giving program from health and benefits company, Humana. The program awards one-time grants to improve the well-being of the communities in which Humana operates. This was the second year for the program in Nashville.

Humana also recently recognized the McNeilly Center and New Vision, Inc. for their dedication to Nashville’s health. The three honorees were selected from 65 applications. For more information on Humana Communities Benefit, visit Humana.com/HCB.