Hope Hospice Inc.

Thank you to everyone who made Nurses Week a success last week! (Special thank you to Kim Anderson and Penny)

Employee Spotlight! Tracey Kozar, CNA
Tracey has been a valuable addition to our team since ​last November. She is flexible, optimistic, reliable and eager to lend a helping hand. Her warm smile and dedication to patients is recognized. Thanks for all your hard work, Tracey. We appreciate you!

It was an honor to be able to recognize those who have passed away this past year during our annual memorial service at La Roche University. Thank you to all those who attended and helped coordinate the event!

Employee Spotlight! Merissa DeVries, Chaplain

Merissa was born and raised as part of a Missionary family in South Africa. As Merissa grew up, she remembers that there was always an open-door policy to the community that her family served. Her family moved to the Pittsburgh region when she was a child and the mission and message were always the same: to see the value and purpose of every individual and serve them with love, dignity and respect. Merissa started a church and a kingdom minded ministry called Zoe Community Center in New Kensington, where she is the Pastor and is credentialed with IFOC (International Fellowship of Chaplains).
Merissa loves spending time with her dog, Sir Angelo. Reading a good book when she has time. Her favorite snack is milk chocolate. Thanks Merissa for all the support, prayers and comfort you provide patients. We appreciate all that you do!

Employee Spotlight! Jessica Buchino, RN
Jessica has been a wonderful addition to the Hope Hospice team for almost three years. Her skill, kindness, level of expertise and caring nature make her a valuable asset to the team. She ensures that patients are comfortable, their needs are met and families are informed & supported. Thanks for your dedication and hard work Jessica. We appreciate you!

Employee Spotlight! Chaplain Bob Pascoe
We have had the pleasure of having Bob on the Hope Hospice team for a little over two years. He offers prayers, support and hope for those going through a very difficult time. He currently pastors at Victory Outreach church and in his spare time enjoys cooking, watching college wrestling/football and being outdoors. Thanks, Bob, for the significant contribution you make!

Employee Spotlight! Meghan Gault, RN
Meghan has been a valuable asset to the Hope Hospice Team for almost three years. Meghan goes above and beyond to ensure patients get the care, attention and comfort they need. Her love for what she does shines through. Thanks for all your hard work, Meghan. We appreciate you!

Employee Spotlight! Brianna Lockhart, CNA
We have had the pleasure of having Brianna at Hope Hospice for nearly a year. Brianna is warm, kind, reliable, engaging and compassionate. She has a great sense of humor and always manages to get a laugh/smile out of patients. We are grateful for her dedication and hard work. Thanks Brianna!

We had a great time celebrating Leap Year with residents at New Haven Court! 🐸

Employee Spotlight! CNA Lindsay McCracken
Lindsay has been a great asset to the Hope Hospice team since last May. She is reliable, offers compassionate care and goes out of her way to help patients. We are lucky to have her on the team & appreciate her level of care. Thanks so much!
Per Lindsay, "I enjoy the patients and their smiling faces when I come in. I enjoy my coworkers & love that everyone works well together. Everyone is like one big family and so caring and understanding. I love being able to help patients feel better and happy as they journey to the next step at the end of their life stage, knowing that I made a difference to them."

Employee Spotlight! Chaplain Marlene Levin
We have had the pleasure of having Chaplain Marlene on the Hope Hospice Team for the past ten years! Marlene offers counsel, spiritual support & prayers for patients and families during a difficult time. She may contact a patient's church to see if they would like to visit the patient, talk about difficult issues, read scripture, arrange for sacraments, conduct funeral or memorial services if desired. Marlene enjoys travelling with her husband, has a black belt in karate and can be seen on cornerstone TV every Thursday. Marlene and her husband pastor a church in Delmont, Pa. Thanks for all that you do Marlene. We appreciate you!

Employee Spotlight! Winona Shearer
We are fortunate to have Winona on the Hope Hospice Team as the Volunteer Coordinator. Her primary role is recruiting and training volunteers. This past year she has quadrupled the number of volunteers, helped arrange for therapy dogs to see patients, developed a partnership so we can deliver flowers to patients and is currently working on getting a choir group to sing to patients. She genuinely cares about the well-being of others and goes out of her way to help and be of service. Thanks for all that you do!

Dana Vervier, LPN
Dana has been a blessing to the Hope Hospice Team for the past two years. She is passionate about providing excellent care and has a genuine heart and desire to help others. She is reliable and dedicated to making things easier for patients and families. She is originally from New Jersey and is an excellent baker/cook, loves flowers and spending time with her husband and family. Her care taking nature also extends to pets. She currently rescued a cat who had nowhere to go after her owner passed away. Thank you so much for all that you do Dana. We are so happy to have you on the Hope Hospice Team!

For anyone looking to find some peace and self-care during the holiday season, please check out this event offered by the Monaca United Methodist Church.

Getting in the Christmas Spirit! 💚🎀🎁

Employee Spotlight!
Penny Cullen, Community Representative
We have been lucky to have Penny at Hope Hospice for the past 15 years. Penny is responsible for educating the community about hospice services, representing Hope Hospice to physicians, assisted living and nursing homes, as well as creating events throughout the year to bring joy and laughter to residents. Penny also keeps busy as the Director of the Twilight Wish Foundation in Butler granting wishes to seniors in the area. Thanks for all your hard work, Penny. We are very grateful to have you on our team!

An enjoyable day honoring veterans with a ceremony, certificate and cake! We are grateful for their service, sacrifice and bravery.

Employee Spotlight: Janet Bittner, RN
Janet has been with Hope Hospice for the past ten years. Her warm heart, gentle demeanor and medical expertise make her a valuable asset to our team. She goes out of her way to ensure patients are comfortable, families are supported and everyone is well taken care of. We continually receive praise from families about Janets dependability, good nature and outstanding service. We are very fortunate to have such an exceptional nurse. Thank you, Janet!