Chamber Member of the Week: Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky

November 7, 2022 | 12:08 am

Updated November 7, 2022 | 3:29 pm

Hospice | Photo by Ryan Richardson

More than 40 years ago at Trinity Episcopal Church, The Rev. Glendon Coppick, Alice Bagot, Ann Greer, and Bea Lennox joined forces to ensure no one would die in pain or alone. Their dedication led to the formation of Hospice care in Owensboro and Daviess County.

The Hospice Association was incorporated on July 7, 1980, and served its first patient in 1982. Twelve years after operating solely on the strength of its volunteers, the organization became Medicare-certified.

The services then expanded to Hancock, Hopkins, and Muhlenberg counties.

“Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky offers a specialized service that focuses on providing individualized care to help people live with dignity through the final stages of life,” said Hannah Cecil. “Our dedicated staff works hard to provide excellent care.”

The Heartford House opened in Owensboro in October 2013 as the first free-standing inpatient Hospice facility in Western Kentucky. Located on Old Hartford Road, the establishment offers an alternative to hospitalization by providing around-the-clock care for those Hospice patients whose illnesses require more intense symptom management.

“We serve patients from all walks of life and ages, including pediatrics. We are proud to say no one is ever turned away for their inability to pay,” Cecil said. “Hospice has most likely served someone you know, whether it be a family member, friend, or neighbor.”

Hospice also offers bereavement services, counseling, and grief groups to families following the death of a loved one. They offer these services to all members of the community.

The organization takes pride in calling Owensboro home, citing the local community as the foundation for its success.

“Being a part of Owensboro is incredible because the community is so supportive of our mission,” Cecil said. “We have a great group of volunteers that are integral to our work. To help give back, we have a program called, ‘Hospice Cares, Hospice Gives.’”

The program consists of staff members frequently participating in a volunteer capacity, often collecting items for donation or serving at a local homeless shelter.

Following a rebranding process, the group is now referred to as Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky (HPC). Still, Cecil wants to ensure the community they are under the same great ownership and leadership.

“There is a stigma that Hospice means giving up,” Cecil said. “This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Hospice helps individuals spend quality time with family and encourages them to live their life to the fullest. While we can’t add days to life, we can add life to days.”

The Chamber Member of the Week program is a membership benefit of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce. Founded in 1913, the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for over a century.

Today, with a membership base of nearly 1,000, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives, serving as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region. 

To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Shelly Nichols, Chamber Vice President, at 270-926-1860 or [email protected].

November 7, 2022 | 12:08 am

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