Ogeechee Area Hospice

P.O. Box 531
STATESBORO, GA
30459
Non-Profit
US Postage
Paid
Permit No. 437
Statesboro, GA
30459
Ogeechee Area Hospice exists for
the sole purpose of providing expert
comfort and support to persons affected by progressive lifelimiting illness. With a common spirit of compassion, choice and
respect, we fulfill our commitment of promoting human dignity
and comfort to eligible residents of Bulloch and the surrounding
Ogeechee Area Hospice
New Hospice Residential Center Completed
C
If you would prefer not to receive any promotional information contact the Volunteer
Coordinator at 1-800-236-1142.
Ogeechee Area Hospice provides care regardless of age, gender, religion, national
origin, lifestyle, diagnosis, or ability to pay.
GA License #016-057-H
Ogeechee Area Hospice
Board of Directors
Jean Bartels, PhD—President
Richard Mellett—Vice President
Ogeechee Area Hospice embraces
patients and their families, offering them
the needed support through the stages of
a progressive life-limiting illness.
Leo Parrish —Treasurer
Trish Tootle—Secretary
Lovett Bennett
Jamey Cartee
Bill Hawkins
William Perry
Reverend Joan Kilian
Captain Tom Woodrum
onstruction of phase two
of the Ogeechee Area
Hospice Inpatient Center is
now essentially accomplished!
The finishing touches of the
10,000 sq. ft. 13 bed wing are
rapidly being completed.
This new addition is
modeled after the current 12
bed facility. It is designed to
have the comforts of home as
Richard Mellett
well as all equipment needed
Board Member & Project Director
to care for those with multiple
medical needs. Two new family rooms, two screened
porches and a dining room are all in close proximity to
patient rooms. The 13 patient rooms, as are our current
12, are very spacious with private bathrooms. A new
covered portico for all incoming patients will be
extremely beneficial during inclement weather. The
entire complex appears to be seamless, with matching
brick, windows, doors, paint colors and outdoor lighting.
This is the case inside as well.
Working with the personnel of Palmer Architects and
Pope Construction Company has been a very positive,
collaborative experience. Attention to detail by both
entities has been excellent. Executive Director, Nancy
Bryant and her key staff were heavily involved in all
phases of this project. The year of construction
positively influenced the economy of our region—The
utilization of materials such as bricks, wood, concrete,
paints, the work of engineers, and multiple subcontractors have kept numerous local businesses busy.
Ogeechee Area Hospice will now have the ability to
care for the needs of up to 25 hospice patients in the
inpatient center. It will allow the opportunity for short
term care, respite care and now hospice residential care.
The term ‘residential care’ pertains to patients under the
home level of care who do not have a family member in
the home that is able to care for their needs when the
hospice staff is not present. For hospice patients in such
a situation, around-the-clock care will be provided the
remainder of their days in this newly built home-like
setting.
Over 90% of our hospice care takes place in homes,
nursing homes and assisted living facilities. However, it
is estimated that 75 to 100 people a year may choose
residential hospice care with Ogeechee Area Hospice.
This does not include the greater than 200 patients
per year that utilize the current 12 beds for short term
care.
Our current 12 bed facility is receiving a face lift,
with touch up painting, expansion of the kitchen and
the addition of a small patient hair salon. Due to the
proximity of the kitchen, the salon and other
amenities, this area will now house our longer term
hospice residential patients.
It is not typical to find a hospice inpatient facility
outside of a metropolitan area. Now, with completion
of this expansion, Ogeechee Area Hospice will be the
second inpatient facility in Georgia with beds
specifically devoted to patients who need residential
hospice care. Unlike short term general inpatient
care, there is a room and board fee to families.
However, Ogeechee Area Hospice will maintain our
not-for profit approach.
Over $2 million dollars of the $3 million dollar
addition has been raised. This is a testimony of the
incredible support by a committed community of
citizens who know what a difference Ogeechee Area
Hospice has made in the lives of families across our
region. We have confidence that continued donations
will cover the balance that is currently being financed.
Community generosity is also responsible for the
construction of a large conference-community room.
It will be known as ‘Bethany’s Place’ in memory of the
infant daughter of Brooke and Boyd Green. This
space, with restroom facilities and a serving kitchen,
will accommodate activities of the more than 75
employees and 85 volunteers. Educational sessions
for the community, bereavement activities and other
events associated with hospice and palliative care will
now be possible.
It is evident that our community takes great pride
in the ability to care for our citizens from birth through
the end of life, with Ogeechee Area Hospice being a
key element in this continuum. I am honored, as a
member of the board, to have played this role as the
project director on such an important undertaking.
An open house will be held for the community on
April 4th. We will meet and greet all those who would
like to visit the facility before patients begin arriving
for care. Entrances to the new patient wing and
Bethany’s Place are accessible on Inman Street. We
look forward to seeing you on April 4th.
Richard Mellett
March
2013
Learn about
our services
by calling us
today.
We are here
for you.
912-764-8441
Board Certification Achieved
American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
You Are Invited to Our Open House
Drop by for Refreshments and Tour
Newly Constructed 13 Bed Home-Like Hospice Residence
&
Community—Conference Room
‘Bethany’s Place’
At Ogeechee Area Hospice
New Entrance on Inman Street
Thursday, April 4th from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
PATH OF HONOR
BRICK PROGRAM
Your investment in a commemorative brick will pave the way to fill the gap in
funding of the 13 bed addition to our current state-of-the-art Inpatient Center.
The engraved bricks will be a matrix of personal tributes that borders the entrances of the new hospice house and the
new community room, known as ‘Bethany’s Place’.
An investment of $250 or more creates a lasting tribute to a loved one, honor your family or close friends, recognize a
church, club or organization and/or commemorate a special event or occasion. This is a tax deductible contribution. The
inscription on your brick may be up to 3 lines with 18 letters (including spaces) per line. Each donor
will receive an identical 1.5x3.5 inch brick replica. Your brick will become an enduring part of Ogeechee
Area Hospice, to be viewed and enjoyed for years to come. (Donors can consider multiple bricks.)
2013—Thanks to
Ogeechee Hospice
Jim & Evelyn Smith
To order your
Donor Brick
complete
the attached
envelope.
Please
include your
contribution,
inscription &
contact
information
The American Academy of
Hospice and Palliative
Medicine recently announced
newly Board Certified
physicians in Hospice and
Palliative Medicine. Dr. John
Gerguis and Dr. Angela
Gerguis were among this
distinguished group. This
national certification, offered
since 2008, recognizes
excellence among physicians
in the care of seriously ill and terminally ill patients.
Physicians who have achieved this subspecialty board
certification in the field of hospice and palliative medicine
have met rigorous standards, passed a certification
examination, and are required to complete ongoing education
within the field.
John Gerguis earned his medical degree from the
University of Texas and completed a residency in family
practice in 1999. Angela Gerguis completed her medical
education at the University of Tennessee. Both are board
certified in family practice and members of the American
Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy
of Hospice & Palliative Care Medicine.
Dr. John Gerguis assumed the important role of the
medical director of Ogeechee Area Hospice in 2001. Dr.
Angela Gerguis partners in this role by acting on his behalf
in the medical care of the hospice patients. They maintain a
busy medical practice in Statesboro - Total Health Center for
Family Medicine.
The two are passionate about their role as physicians.
“Hospice and Palliative care is based on scientific
knowledge of symptom control, with the primary goal to
prevent and relieve suffering. This blends well with Family
Practice because it expands the traditional disease-model
of medical treatments to include optimizing function and
acknowledging the psychosocial and spiritual in enhancing
quality of life of the patient and family.”
Executive Director, Nancy Bryant explains, “This is
viewed as a significant accomplishment in the field of endof-life care. The latest data indicate that of the more than
20,000 physicians practicing in the state of Georgia there
are currently 73 Physicians that hold board certification
in either Family Medicine or Internal Medicine that are
also certified in Hospice and Palliative Care. Of this
group Drs. John and Angela Gerguis are two (2) of
eleven in our region. The other Nine (9) practice in
either Savannah or Augusta. Having two physicians so
knowledgeable in this field is an incredible resource to this
entire region. It is not just for those that are considered
terminal. Consultation can be rendered to any patient with
a serious illness that requires expert symptom management. We are proud of this enormous achievement.”
Hospice Board President, Dr. Jean Bartels also
commented. “Most people can and do appreciate the
tremendous time demands of a physician's private practice,
including long hours and a heavy caseload - but when you
couple that with the added responsibility of serving as
Medical Directors of Ogeechee Area Hospice and then
gain certification in this field you get a better understanding of their strong commitment to our community. We are
extremely fortunate.”
Our Board
of Directors
Mary Ann Dobart
James. A Dobson
2012
Jean Bartels, PhD
Leo Parrish
Richard Mellett
Trish Tootle
In Honor of—First
Methodist Church
By Harry Einstein
Make checks payable to Ogeechee Area Hospice. Print your inscription clearly.
Your inscription may be a maximum of 3 lines—with 18 letters per line.
Make certain that you include your contact information, including mailing address,
phone number and/or email address.
For more information about the Path of Honor Brick Program
contact Tinker Lanier @ 912-764-8441 or [email protected]
To My Loving Wife
Teresa Lee Harvey
1952-2012
2012- In Memory of
Mr & Mrs W.R. West
From Your Children
Joan Kilian
Jamey Cartee
Tom Woodrum
William (Bill) Hawkins
William Perry
Lovett Bennett