Suncoast Hospice Celebrates National Hospice and Palliative Care Month

By Deidra Woods, MD, FACP, FAAHPM, CMD
Suncoast Hospice Medical Director

Dr. Deidra Woods

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month: Hospice. Care on Your Terms. Palliative care is the medical specialty focused on the relief of symptoms associated with serious illness and hospice care is palliative care applied to patients nearing the end of life.   

I’d like to share what a privilege it has been for me to devote my medical career to this very special group of patients. The first reaction of my medical colleagues is usually, “Hospice does such a wonderful job. I appreciate all your organization does for my patients.”  But then they lean in closely, grab my arm tightly and whisper, “I don’t know how you could do that work.” I sincerely answer, “I can’t imagine doing any other work.”

Drawn to Hospice

Prior to working in hospice care, I practiced in Naples, Florida in a geriatric practice that supplied physician services to long term care facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities. After about a year, a hospice nurse approached me in a nursing home and asked if I’d be interested in becoming a full time hospice physician. At that time in 1994, I wasn’t familiar with the concept of full time employment for physicians in hospice care. But her enthusiasm for her organization and conviction that I was suited for that work swayed me to interview for the position and I’ve been a hospice physician ever since. 

Rewarding Field 

The ability to relieve suffering and address the important issues and meaning of end of life are the greatest rewards in medicine. To my colleagues who are concerned that my work may be depressing, my answer is never. It’s ultimately the greatest feeling to know that I’ve helped a patient or family to have a meaningful experience as death approaches, with the patient as comfortable as possible.  

The loving care that families provide to hospice patients is an inspiration to us in our daily work. Our volunteers who provide countless hours of care and companionship to our frail elders remind us of the goodness and generosity of people. The courage that our patients and families demonstrate as they face the reality that life is finite and each day is a gift makes us thankful for our own blessings.   

The lessons I’ve learned at the bedsides of people whose lives are drawing to a close are the most valuable I’ve ever learned and have enriched my life immeasurably. Being allowed to share such intimate moments with families is a real gift.   

The practice of medicine itself is a very special career, made even more special when devoted to patients in hospice and palliative care. Please help us celebrate National Hospice and Palliative Care Month by visiting the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization website, nhpco.org.   

Have you been touched by hospice and palliative care? Tell us your story.

Suncoast Hospice Provides Care in ALFs and Nursing Homes

By Sherylee Hanson
Community Liaison

Sherylee Hanson

Did you know Suncoast Hospice provides care and support to our patients and families not only in their homes and assisted living facilities (ALFs) but in nursing homes, too?

Our services are the same in all settings, which may come as a surprise to some. For many in our Pinellas County community, the ALFs and nursing homes are their homes and Suncoast Hospice can be there to help those who are affected by advanced or chronic illnesses, caregiving or grief.

Our care teams are experts in hospice care and palliative care, also known as comfort care. It’s our privilege to partner with and work alongside the staff of these skilled and assisted living facilities to provide specialized physical, emotional and spiritual care to our patients and families. We work together with our patients and families and their doctors and health care providers to establish personalized care plans that honor the decisions and wishes of our patients and families. Our goal is to bring them improved quality of life. 

Some of the members of our care teams include board-certified hospice and palliative medicine physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed counselors and therapists, chaplains, certified home health nurses aides and trained volunteers. Our teams provide pain and symptom management, palliative therapies (pet, music, massage, aroma, etc.), emotional and spiritual counseling, caregiver training and support, family support and more.

Our services may be paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, managed care, private health insurance, private payments and the generous financial support of our community. Through community donations, we’re able to care for all who need us regardless of their ability to pay.       

I believe there is hope in hospice and at Suncoast Hospice we’ve learned how to redefine hope. Many find that at this time in their lives they hope for new things. It can manifest itself in ways, such as when our patients benefit from our pet therapy. A majority of our pet therapy visits happen in nursing homes, ALFs and our care centers. We had one patient who had closed himself off from others, and only after trying pet therapy did he open up to the dogs that visited him, his care team and others.

Our teams are there to be supportive and bring comfort, dignity and hope in the journeys of our patients and families. Most patients and families say they wish they had called us sooner. It’s never too early to ask about our care and services. 

Are you wondering if it’s time for hospice for you or a loved one?

Call us any time for information at 727-467-7423 or submit an online request form.

Women’s Group Sews for a Cause – Comforting Patients

It’s a drizzly September afternoon outside the St. Petersburg Woman’s Club, but upstairs a room is buzzing with patterning, stuffing and sewing of neck pillows. Several members of the club’s sewing group are producing these pieces with great care.

The tight-knit group meets weekly 11 months a year and has a member working from home on comfort items for adults and children served by several local organizations, including Suncoast Hospice. Many of their sewing supplies are donated by the community. They also collect and donate personal care items, toys, Easter baskets and more to the organizations.

The ladies began volunteering making the pillows for Suncoast Hospice patients around 2000. They’ve also done crochet and quilted lap robes and specialty bibkins (half adult bibs/half napkins) designed by Mildred Gardner, a former group member and longtime Suncoast Hospice supporter. They like creating special holiday items and patriotic items, which are given to and appreciated by our patients who are veterans. It’s a rewarding operation.

“We have a lot of fun doing this. Suncoast Hospice performs a wonderful service,” said Marjorie Joiner, assistant chair and longest-serving member of the group. 

Want to volunteer to help our mission? 

Join our volunteer recruitment and coffee socials this month at our St. Petersburg and Clearwater community service centers and Mid-Pinellas Care Center.

Want to make a donation to the Suncoast Hospice sewing club? Call (727) 822-4982.

Teen Volunteer Receives NHPCO Award for Outstanding Service

Christina Solazzo

Christina Solazzo, a longtime, award-winning Suncoast Hospice teen volunteer, has received the prestigious Volunteers Are the Foundation of Hospice Award for outstanding teen service. She was one of three award winners honored for their exceptional, inspirational volunteer service at National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s (NHPCO) clinical team conference in Kansas City on Sept. 26.

This award was a major honor for Christina, who’s now attending her freshman year of college. She volunteered with Suncoast Hospice throughout high school giving her heart to our mission. She received our 2013 Suncoast Hospice Volunteer of the Year outstanding student award last spring.

Christina stood out with her compassion, dedication and thoughtfulness to our patients and families. She visited patients at our care centers and local nursing homes, bringing cheer, companionship and comforting music. Her service also included fundraising, special events, community outreach and office and resale shoppe support. She did all this while excelling academically and serving on her school’s teen council board. She was an inspiration to other teen volunteers.

Watch Christina in her video acceptance speech talking about the impact her hospice volunteerism had on her life, including a story of her endearing relationship with one special patient.

Do you know a teen who wants to make a difference? Check out our opportunities with our teen volunteer program.

Suncoast Hospice and its Affilates Continue Commitment to Transparency and Accountability with Guidestar

Suncoast Hospice is proud to be designated a GuideStar Exchange Gold Participant for our transparency. Our affiliates, Suncoast Hospice Foundation, AIDS Service Association of Pinellas, Inc. (ASAP) and Project GRACE also have this designation.

GuideStar is a national program that encourages transparency with nonprofits. The gold logo is the highest distinction in GuideStar’s system and indicates that an agency has provided up-to-date, comprehensive, accurate information about its mission, leadership, financials and the impact of its programs.  

“We partner with the community to design and provide services needed. We’re so pleased to have this platform for communicating our progress,” said Rafael Sciullo, Suncoast Hospice president and CEO.

Kim Stangle, Suncoast Hospice Foundation executive director, added, “Our donors need to have complete confidence that their contributions are being used to carry out our mission of serving everyone regardless of their ability to pay”.

Visit guidestar.org to learn more and view our agencies’ profiles. 

Want to help support our mission of care and services? Please make a donation online at suncoasthospicefoundation.org.

Couple Volunteers Bring Satisfaction to Patients & Families

Ellie and Ray (back) visit with Nargis.

Raymond “Ray” and Eleanor “Ellie” Weaver drop by in the morning to see Suncoast Hospice patient Nargis Fischer, who’s living at a health care facility in Palm Harbor. The husband and wife volunteers chat with Nargis about her recent trip to an aquarium and her visit with her family who came down from New Jersey.

The couple gets ready to take Nargis down the hallway to the lunchroom, and Ellie tells her she’ll bring black cherries the next time. They’ve also brought her the wafer cookies she likes and books, which she loves to read in the afternoons.

Nargis appreciates the Weavers’ company and kindness. “I don’t have anyone in Florida. I like it when they come here. I couldn’t ask for nicer people,” Nargis said.

Married for more than 54 years, the couple has volunteered together for Suncoast Hospice since 2005. Ray is an author and former activities director of facilities. Ellie previously worked in the banking industry. They visit patients and families at two Palm Harbor health care facilities twice a week. They spread lots of delight, telling stories of their travels, taking patients outdoors in nice weather and bringing patients the comforts of life.

Ray assists Nargis on the way to the lunchroom.

Ray says he enjoys supporting patients, and part of that means being attuned to their lifestyles.

“One of the things that we work very hard at is not to disrupt our patients’ routines. You have to understand where they’re at, and some days they don’t want to see anyone,” Ray said. He also likes to come in on the weekends to meet the family members of patients.

The couple is attentive to the personal needs of their patients. Ellie says it’s satisfying to do the small acts for patients.

“We had one patient who wanted clothes for her dolls, so we went around the neighborhood gathering some clothes and brought them to her here. I’ve also made sheepskin coverings to soften the arms of wheelchairs and used a voucher at one of the Suncoast Hospice resale shoppes to get clothes and shoes for a patient. It warms my heart to do the little things for our patients. My mother used to be in a nursing home, and I treat them just like it was my mom,” Ellie said.

Are you interested in being a Suncoast Hospice volunteer?

Suncoast Hospice is currently in need of volunteers to do patient and family support, office support, telephone support and bereavement support.  For more information on these and other roles, please call 727–467–7423 or visit the volunteer section on our website.

Suncoast Hospice Joins We Honor Veterans

The Suncoast Hospice veterans program has been designated as a partner level one for the We Honor Veterans program of National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

We Honor Veterans is comprised of community hospices, state hospice organizations, VA facilities and other organizations that serve veterans at the end of life. The program provides access to many educational resources to help hospice professionals meet the unique needs of dying veterans to bring them peace and comfort.

Marci Pruitt, Suncoast Hospice’s vice president of programs, shares, “We’re pleased to have achieved this level of national recognition. Suncoast Hospice remains honored and committed to serving the veterans in our community.”

Staff and veterans serving veterans volunteers watch Honor
Flight movie at our Clearwater community service center.

Our Suncoast Hospice veterans program includes special recognition and support to veterans in our care, including presentations of pins and certificates and a volunteer program that provides visits with volunteers who’ve served in the military. Our staff and volunteers also take part in veterans-related education, outreach and partnerships. Two of our ongoing partnerships to honor our local veterans are Veterans History Project and Honor Flight of West Central Florida.


To learn more about We Honor Veterans, visit www.wehonorveterans.org/.

For information about our Suncoast Hospice veterans program, call 727-523-3442.