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AHC Receives PPE Donation from Fellow Nonprofit

April 23, 2020 – Appalachian Hospice Care received a donation of hand sanitizer and personal protective equipment this week from fellow Johnson County non-profit Good Neighbors Appalachia. Like nearly all other healthcare organizations, Appalachian Hospice Care has faced a new challenge in finding PPE due to the surge of demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to hand sanitizer, the donation included gloves and N95 respirators.

“Proper PPE is vital in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our visiting staff caring for our patients and their families,” said Appalachian Hospice Care President/CEO Sharon Branham. “This is especially true for hospice patients, who are already high-acuity with compromised immune systems and additional comorbidities. We are immensely appreciative to Jason Benedict and Good Neighbors Appalachia for their donation of needed supplies and their willingness to be a stellar community partner.”

Appalachian Hospice Care is a non-profit end of life care provider with offices in Hager Hill and Pikeville, Kentucky. Appalachian Hospice Care has been serving the Big Sandy region since 1991.

Good Neighbors Appalachia is a non-profit that repairs homes for hardworking families, described as “working poor,” who need assistance. They are located in Van Lear, Kentucky and serve the Eastern Kentucky region by enlisting the help of volunteers. Their mission is to change lives through “purposeful relationships and positive experiences.” Good Neighbors Appalachia is funded by monetary contributions and accepts donations of windows, doors, flooring, and other items to repurpose. For more information about the organization, click here to visit their website.

AHC Raises Awareness of National Healthcare Decision Day

April 16, 2020 – April 16th is National Healthcare Decision Day. NHDD was created to encourage providers and the public to have conversations about advanced healthcare planning. Patients’ wishes matter. From choosing a healthcare provider to dictating a plan of care, NHDD strives to inspire individuals to reach out to their families and their healthcare providers and execute advance care directives. The rise of COVID-19 has placed a special level of emphasis on NHDD this year, as many Americans are unexpectedly falling ill without any form of advance directive. AHC is working to educate the public and say that it is never too early to begin planning your care, choosing your healthcare providers, and voicing your wishes.

AHC Remains on the Frontlines Amid Covid-19 Pandemic

April 1, 2020 – Appalachian Hospice Care is standing alongside the army of healthcare workers on the frontlines of the battle with COVID-19. The essential end-of-life care professionals are continuing to provide a full range of services to patients with terminal illnesses in the home setting amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The agency is equipped with N95 masks, gowns, gloves, and other personal protective equipment to reduce the risk of infection and is utilizing screening tools to identify patients that maybe experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or may have recently been exposed to the virus. Appalachian Hospice Care President/CEO Sharon Branham says, “It is our goal to continue to provide the highest level of care possible to patients at a stage in life when they need it most during this unprecedented time. We will continue to take steps to ensure the safety of our patients and their families and we will stand on the frontlines in caring for the people of the Big Sandy region.”

The agency will continue to provide essential services to the people of Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin, and Pike Counties. During this time of anxiety and uncertainty they aim to provide convenience to patients and caregivers who are hesitant about leaving their home. Hospice can provide skilled nursing services, medication and dosage changes, medical equipment and supplies, spiritual care and grief counseling, and personal care services in the home setting.

Appalachian Hospice Care is a not-for-profit end of life care provider that has been serving the Big Sandy region since 1991.

AHC Announces 2020 Community Grief Support Meetings

January 10, 2020 – Appalachian Hospice Care has announced that it will continue community grief support meetings in 2020. Meetings this year will be held the first Thursday of every month at 4:30 pm at both AHC locations (1414 S Mayo Trail, Pikeville and 1520 KY Route 1428, Hager Hill). Trained grief counselors and AHC chaplains Deborah Price, MSW and Rick Hisle are on staff to provide emotional, grief, and bereavement counseling services. Meetings are open to the entire public, not just those who have had family or love ones served by AHC.

Appalachian Hospice Care Asks Community to Help Celebrate Patient’s Birthday

December 16, 2019 – Appalachian Hospice Care is asking friends, community members, and supporters to join them in fulfilling one of their patients’ birthday wishes. On December 24th Ms. Zenna McCown will celebrate her 81st birthday! Zenna has a love for birthday cards, and is requesting as many cards as she can get in order to decorate her room at Good Shepherd Nursing and Rehabilitation. If you would like to join AHC in making Zenna’s 81st birthday one to remember, you can mail a card to:

Zenna Alice McCown
Room 309
Good Shepherd Health and Rehabilitation
60 Phillips Branch Road
Phelps, KY 41553

You may also drop your cards off at either AHC office at 1414 South Mayo Trail Pikeville KY or 1520 State Highway 1428 Hagerhill KY.

Pictured from L to R: Danielle Justice, Dalton Hatfield

AHC Spreads Christmas Cheer to Nursing Home Residents

December 12, 2019 – On Thursday Pikeville Clinical/Site Manager Danielle Justice and Community Development Coordinator Dalton Hatfield spent the day traveling to local skilled nursing facilities to spread Christmas cheer. Danielle and Dalton delivered candy canes to the residents and staff of Good Shepherd Nursing and Rehabilitation of Phelps and Landmark of Elkhorn City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Delivering baskets of candy canes was a way for AHC to visit and help brighten the day of residents of the facilities while showing appreciation to the staff of the facilities with which AHC works so closely.

Appalachian Hospice Care Announces Restructuring of Administrative Team

December 10, 2019 – Appalachian Hospice Care President/CEO Sharon Branham announced recently the restructuring of the administrative team of the agency.

Bethany Varney, RN, BSN was promoted to Operations Director of the agency. Varney has been part of the AHC team since 1995 and was most recently the Clinical Director for the AHC Hager Hill office. Varney is a 1994 graduate of Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College and earned her BSN from West Virginia University in 2003.

Leigh Ann Crum, LPN was named Clinical/Site Manager for the AHC Hager Hill office. Crum has worked with AHC since 2013 and is a 2010 graduate of Big Sandy Community and Technical College.

Danielle Justice, RN, BSN was named Clinical/Site Manager for the AHC Pikeville office. Justice has worked with AHC since 2018. Justice is a 2017 graduate of Big Sandy Community and Technical College and earned her BSN from the University of the Cumberlands in 2019.

“I wholeheartedly believe we have assembled the best team possible to manage our hometown hospice agency, which continues to grow. We are blessed to have a talented and compassionate team providing the best care possible for the people of our Big Sandy region” said AHC President/CEO Sharon Branham.

AHC is a not-for-profit hospice provider that has been serving the Big Sandy region since 1991.

Appalachian Hospice Care Holds Annual Service of Remembrance

December 7, 2019 – Yesterday Appalachian Hospice Care held their Annual Service of Remembrance and tree lighting ceremony at the May Lodge of Jenny Wiley State Park in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. Community members as well as families of AHC patients who have passed on were in attendance to hand dove ornaments in honor of their loved ones. Attendees were treated to music by Shawn Leslie, a word of prayer from AHC Chaplain Rick Hisle, and a commemorative dove ornament labeled with their loved one’s name.

AHC Chaplain Celebrates 20 Years with Agency

December 4, 2019 – AHC Chaplain Rick Hisle was recently honored for his service to the agency and its patients! Rick joined the AHC team in November 1999 and has been providing spiritual and bereavement support for patients, families, and caregivers ever since. Rick is also a trained grief counselor who leads AHC’s Pikeville grief support meetings each month (for more information on grief support, click here).

The AHC team gifted Rick with a Thompson Chain-Reference Bible, coffee mug, and card to celebrate his 20 years with the agency!

AHC Chaplain Rick Hisle

 

Floyd County Fiscal Court Recognizes National Hospice Month

December 21, 2019 – Earlier this week Appalachian Hospice Care Staff Nurse Rolanda Addis and Community Development Coordinator Dalton Hatfield attended the Floyd County Fiscal Court meeting where Judge Executive Robbie Williams issued a proclamation recognizing November as National Hospice Month in Floyd County. Judge Williams allowed Rolanda and Dalton to speak to the court and those in attendance about the importance of hospice care in the Big Sandy region and the mission of AHC.

Every county government in the AHC service area has now issued proclamations this month to recognize National Hospice Month and the work of AHC. Community engagement is vital to the mission of AHC, and local governments play an integral role in educating and engaging communities of that mission.

Pictured from L to R: Rolanda Addis, Judge/Executive Robbie Williams, Dalton Hatfield

 

AHC Celebrates Patient’s 87th Birthday

November 20, 2019 – Earlier today the Appalachian Hospice Care Pikeville team celebrated Herschel Barker’s 87th birthday! Herschel enjoys visitors and the company of others, and loves the respite/sitter services offered by AHC. He enjoyed cake and coffee with the AHC Pikeville team to celebrate his special day.

Herschel has become a special member of the AHC family. He loves sharing stories about his time of service in the Korean War, he speaks fluent Japanese, and he even built his own plane!

Pictured from L to R: Herschel Barker, Rolanda Addis

Some of the Pikeville AHC team with Herschel Barker

Pike Fiscal Court Issues Proclamation Recognizes AHC, National Hospice Month

November 18, 2019 – At their regularly scheduled November meeting, Pike County Judge/Executive Ray S. Jones II and the Fiscal Court issued a proclamation recognizing the work of Appalachian Hospice Care and declaring November as National Hospice Month in Pike County.

Community Development Coordinator Dalton Hatfield spoke to the crowd in attendance and to the court, thanking them for the issuance of their proclamation, stressing the importance of community engagement and educating the public of the services hospice has to offer. Pike County Commissioners Ronnie Robertson and Jason Tackett both expressed gratitude for the hospice care services their family members have received.

Pike County is the fourth (of five) counties in the AHC service area to issue a proclamation recognizing National Hospice Month.

Pictured from L to R: Commissioner Jason Tackett, Commissioner Brian Booth, Dalton Hatfield, Judge/Executive Ray Jones, Senator Phillip Wheeler, Commissioner Ronnie Robertson

Magoffin Judge/Executive Wireman Issues Hospice Month Proclamation

November 14, 2019 – Yesterday Community Development Coordinator Dalton Hatfield met with Magoffin County Judge/Exeutive Matt Wireman to discuss the importance of hospice care for the people of Salyersville and Magoffin County, Kentucky. Judge/Executive Wireman thanked Dalton and AHC for their service to the community and the people of Magoffin County. Judge/Executive Wireman also issued a proclamation declaring November as National Hospice Month in Magoffin County.

Pictured from L to R: Dalton Hatfield, Judge/Executive Matt Wireman

National Hospice Month Declared in Martin County

November 4, 2019 – AHC Community Development Coordinator Dalton Hatfield recently met with Martin County Judge/Executive Bill Bo Davis to discuss the need for hospice care in Martin County. AHC has been serving Martin County for nearly two decades now. After their discussion, Judge/Executive Davis issued a proclamation recognizing the work of AHC and declaring Novemeber “National Hospice Month” in Martin County.

Pictured L to R: Dalton Hatfield, Judge/Executive Bill Bo Davis

 

Johnson County Judge/Executive Mckenzie Recognizes AHC

Pictured from L to R: Dalton Hatfield, Judge/Executive Mark McKenzie, Samantha Garrett

November 2, 2019 – Johnson County Judge/Executive Mark McKenzie recognized Appalachian Hospice Care yesterday during a meeting with Community Development Coordinator Dalton Hatfield and Staff Nurse Samantha Garrett. Judge/Executive McKenzie issued a proclamation declaring National Hospice Month in Johnson County. He also expressed gratitude for the work of AHC, a local hospice care provider, with an office based in Johnson County at Hager Hill, Kentucky.

AHC Kicks Off National Hospice Month Social Media Campaign

“Hospice is …..”

November 1, 2019 – Today Appalachian Hospice Care is kicking off their “Hospice is…” social media campaign for National Hospice Month. Beginning today throughout the course of November, AHC will feature staff members on their social media pages with declarations of what hospice means to them. AHC hopes this will not only raise awareness for National Hospice Month, but also educate the public of hospice services and dispel myths about hospice while featuring the hardworking team members of the agency.

In addition to a social media campaign, AHC plans to hold informative discussions and work with local governments to raise awareness of the need for hospice care in the Big Sandy region. Follow AHC on social media to keep up to date with the “Hospice is…” campaign!

Appalachian Hospice Care Hosts Sixth Annual Veterans Appreciation Luncheon

October 31, 2019 – Earlier today Appalachian Hospice Care hosted their annual Veterans Appreciation Luncheon at the Stumbo-Wilkinson Center at Jenny Wiley State Park in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. An event that organizers plan for for months, AHC’s Veterans Appreciation Luncheon serves hundreds of Veterans each year. Veterans from all over the Big Sandy region are invited to attend at no cost to them. A lunch of barbecue, fish, sides, and homemade desserts is served to the Veterans, door prizes are awarded, and free giveaways such as hats and bags are given to the attendees.

This year combat Veteran and Center for American Military Music Opportunities member Donnie Isaacs performed his single “Duffle Bags” while Sean Leslie of the Kentucky Junior Opry performed the National Anthem prior to the event. Veterans were given the opportunity to be professionally photographed, courtesy of Eastern Kentucky photographer Malcolm Wilson.

 

AHC would like to give a special thank you to all event sponsors, volunteers, community partners who contributed door prizes, and all individuals and organizations who helped make this event a success!

AHC Teams up with Pikeville VFW, Mountain Top Media

October 25, 2019 – Appalachian Hospice Care recently teamed up with the Pikeville VFW and Mountain Top Media to spread the word of their Sixth Annual Veterans Appreciation Luncheon.

Pikeville VFW members Sgt. Nathan Sesco and Landon Tackett appeared on Mountain Top Media with AHC Community Development Coordiantor Dalton Hatfield, Clinical/Site Manager Danielle Justice, and Medical Director and Vietnam Veteran Dr. Bill Fannin. AHC would like to extend sincere gratitude to Mountain Top Media as well as the Pikeville VFW for their assistance in publicizing the luncheon.

AHC’s Sixth Annual Veterans Appreciation Luncheon will be held Thursday, October 31st from 11am – 2pm at the Stumbo-Wilkinson Center at Jenny Wiley State Park in Presontsburg, Kentucky. For more information, call 606-789-3841.

 

Appalachian Hospice Care Sponsors elkhorn city 5k

October 26, 2019 – Appalachian Hospice Care was proud to sponsor the Pink Lives Matter 5K Run/Walk hosted by Landmark of Elkhorn City Nursing and Rehabilitation. Participants braved the rain to experience the beauty of Elkhorn City and join together for a great cause. All proceeds benefited local victims of breast cancer.

Appalachian Hospice Care is certified by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services and is a member of both the National Hospice and Palliative Care Association and the Kentucky Association of Hospice and Palliative Care. 

Appalachian Hospice Care adheres to all HIPAA privacy policies.

Services are available regardless of age, race, religion, national origin, color, sex or handicap

1414 South Mayo Trail
Pikeville, KY 41501
Phone: 606-432-2111
Email: info@apphchs.org

Appalachian Hospice and Home Health Services is certified by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services and is a member of both the National Hospice and Palliative Care Association and the Kentucky Association of Hospice and Palliative Care.

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