LIFEline
An
Update for LIFE Project Partners and Caring Communities
Helping
Kansans with advanced chronic and terminal illnesses live with dignity,
comfort and peace
October 14 , 2005
LIFE
Project Announces Recipients of 2005
"Champions
for LIFE" Awards
Please join the LIFE Project in honoring these outstanding individuals
and communities at the Second Annual "Champions for LIFE" Gala
on October 27 at the Wichita Marriott (see below for registration details)
The
LIFE Project is proud to announce the winners of the 2005 "Champions
for LIFE" Awards:
Gary Doolittle, MD, University of Kansas Medical Center, is being
honored for his commitment to excellence in the quality of lives of Kansans
living with serious and terminal illnesses. Gary served as the first
chairperson of the LIFE Project Professional Education Task Group and,
in that role, created the expectation that all healthcare professionals
should receive training and expertise in palliative and end-of-life care.
He has offered leadership in training other healthcare providers via teaching
the American Medical Association’s EPEC curriculum and has served as the
principle for a bi-state tele-hospice project. As a physician and as
Associate Professor of Medicine, Gary exemplifies expertise in understanding
the needs of seriously ill Kansans and compassion in addressing these
needs.
The Jackson County Caring Community is being honored for its outstanding and continuing action to improve care for citizens living with chronic and terminal illness. Jackson County Caring Community was one of the first community-based end-of-life coalitions in Kansas, joining the statewide organizational meeting for Caring Communities that was held in Wichita early in 2000. In 2001, 16 community activists began to meet on Saturday mornings. The group included a nursing home administrator, attorney, school counselor, journalist, public health nurse and other nurses, physician, social worker, librarian, ministers and hospice volunteers. Jackson County Caring Community leaders have participated in every LIFE Project statewide meeting – at least twice a year—since 2000 and have been a model for innovation in sustaining community activism. The Jackson County Caring Community participants remain committed to continuing their momentum in educating, advocating and supporting quality of life and care for citizens living with chronic and terminal illnesses.
Diane Johnson, LMSW, Executive Director of South Wind Hospice in Pratt, is being honored for her leadership in serving Kansans who are nearing the end of life. Diane has been a consistent voice for advocacy and excellence since 1989, when she worked with the committee that decided to start the multi-county hospice based in Pratt. Diane’s vision has lead the way in South Wind’s decision to build a Hospice House for those who need hospice care but lack an in-home caregiver.
The Emily Taylor Champion for LIFE Award: Sandy Kuhlman, RN, BS, Executive Director of Hospice Services, Inc., in Phillipsburg, which serves 14 counties in NW Kansas. Sandy has worked tirelessly and with great vision, over a period of more than 23 years, to improve care for seriously ill Kansans. Sandy’s leadership is demonstrated on the local, state and national level. Her leadership has enabled Hospice Services, Inc., to do something that experts say cannot be done – provide quality hospice services in a geographic pioneer area with extremely small population. Sandy has demonstrated ongoing leadership and vision in her work with the Kansas Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and currently serves as chair of that group. She is active with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, having served on numerous task groups and committees, and works intensely in issues related to rural access to quality care. Sandy serves on the LIFE Project Board of Directors and provides consistent, steady and passionate leadership that never settles for status quo. She is a frequent speaker—locally, statewide and nationally. Sandy brings creative thinking and action to meeting the needs of Kansans living with illness and is a leader among us in improving expectations for and provision of quality care. Sandy consistently serves as a quality healthcare professional, a consumer advocate and a champion for advancement in public policy. Her depth of leadership and scope of engagement qualify Sandy Kuhlman to be the recipient of the Emily Taylor Champion for LIFE Award.
Dorothy Kurtz, RN, BSN, CHPN and Teresa Sikes, RN, BSN, CHPN, both nurses at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, are being honored for their outstanding professional expertise and volunteer leadership. Their leadership provided development and implementation expertise to the Palliative Care Program at the hospital, where Teresa serves as program director and Dorothy serves as a nurse consultant. Dorothy and Teresa are part of a team of physicians, nurses, social workers and a chaplain, and the two have served as a “guiding force” for the development and management this successful program.
Bryan Thompson, BA, Health Reporter for Kansas Public Radio - University of Kansas, is being honored for his leadership in covering issues of critical importance to those Kansans who live with serious and chronic illness. Bryan’s excellence in interviewing, reporting and visioning, to bring important news to Kansans, is exemplary. Kansans are fortunate to have Bryan’s expertise and purposeful commentaries concerning health care issues.
Tom Welk, DMin, Director of Professional Education/Pastoral Care/Compliance Officer, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita, is being honored for his leadership, depth and expertise in addressing some of life’s toughest issues. Tom has served with this hospice for more than 22 years and was one of the original community volunteers who helped to start it. Tom is known for his expertise in ethics and is a frequent presenter of speeches and educational presentations on the issues of hospice, ethics, public policy, palliative care, and meaning and purpose. He is a respected leader who possesses a wonderful ability to listen, care, serve as a non-judgmental counselor, challenge and demonstrate his deep understanding of the conflicts, emotions, values, morals, and ethical dilemmas experienced by caregivers, patients/residents and families.
JoVeta Wescott,
RN, BS, MSHA, is being honored for her service in parish nursing,
citizen advocacy and community action. An effective and sought-after
teacher of healthcare professionals and community members, JoVeta also
leads the Kansas Parish Ministry Program and numerous initiatives to strengthen
their work. JoVeta’s expertise in issues related to advance care planning,
bereavement and parish nursing and her personal compassion and hopefulness,
uniquely qualify her as she trains and leads.
The Second Annual "Champions for LIFE" Gala will be held from
6:00 to 11:30 pm at the Marriott Hotel in Wichita. Registration details
can be found on the LIFE Project website at www.lifeproject.org
or by calling Mary Luebber at (316) 263-6380.
LIFE Project
1901
University - Wichita,
Kansas 67213-3325
316.263.6380
316.263.6542
fax
HELPLINE
(tollfree) 888-202-5433
888-202-LIFE
contact@lifeproject.org