Hospice Wits, Here We Come

Left to Right: Terri Peterson, Stacy Orloff and Susan Bruno

Our next group of staffers is ready to embark on an exchange trip to Hospice Wits in Johannesburg, South Africa next week. Going are Suncoast Hospice’s Stacy Orloff, vice president of palliative care and community programs and Theresa “Terri” Peterson, a care team chaplain and Suncoast Hospice Institute’s Susan Bruno, director of institute business.

The three are excited for their two-week visit. Terri and Susan are first-timers and eager for this new learning experience. Stacy has made several trips and been involved a long time with our partnership. They’ll arrive bearing gifts, including much-needed medical supplies donated by Suncoast staff and volunteers.

During their visit, they’ll observe and work with Hospice Wits’ care staff and management team. This time there will be an even heavier focus on education. They plan to share resources, provide support and make presentations on interdisciplinary care teams, self-care, palliative arts, leadership development and more.

They can’t wait to get there and meet everyone. It’s going to be an incredible visit.

Packed and Ready to Go

Pat Sargent, Suncoast Hospice R.N., says farewell to her knitted friends she and her husband made for this year’s staff exchange trip to Hospice Wits which serves Soweto and Johannesburg, South Africa. She’s hoping her dolls don’t have jet-lag when they arrive in South Africa and that they quickly find new friends to love them in their adopted country.

Lift Your Spirits at JABULA! Gospel Fest Nov. 3

Are you in the mood for some fantastic gospel music?

Join us for an uplifting night of choir performances at Suncoast Hospice's JABULA! gospel fest - Saturday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. at McCabe United Methodist Church, 2800 26th Ave. S., St. Petersburg.

This annual event is free to attend, with a love offering to benefit our sister Soweto Hospice in South Africa. This year, we'll be honored to have the four staffers visiting from Soweto Hospice speak about the care and services they provide in their community. Stay after the program for a reception and fellowship.

On the stage will be:

McCabe United Methodist Church
Bayboro House
Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church                                        
Deacon Missionary Bouie & the Family Spirituals

You don't want to miss this amazing, joyful evening. We hope to see you Saturday at JABULA! and thanks for your support!

Hospice Wits Staff on Their Way to America

The day has finally arrived and Hospice Wits staff are on their way to America. While visiting they will share with our Suncoast Hospice staff experiences gained from providing health care to their patients in South Africa. They will also attend the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) Clinical Team Conference in Orlando, Florida. We have many activities planned for them while visiting our facilities and staff in Pinellas County, FL and hope they return to S.A. with new perspectives on providing care to their communities.

Pictured: Staff members Penny Mather (l), Bev Tembo (c) and Dorcus Ramakuela (r) ready to depart from the Soweto Hospice to start their trip to our sister Suncoast Hospice in Clearwater Florida.  Fellow traveler Ntombi Hatta departed from the Houghton office and is not in photo.

2012 Staff Exchange at Suncoast Hospice

A special part of our partnership with Suncoast Hospice and Hospice Wits is our staff exchange.

Our staffers who have visited our hospices in United States and South Africa have had enriching experiences. They have immersed themselves in our care and cultures, shared knowledge and resources and developed wonderful friendships.

Suncoast Hospice will be honored to host four Hospice Wits staffers for two weeks this fall. They are Dr. Suzanne "Sue" Walter, Dorcus Ramakuela, Penelope Mathe and Beverley "Bev" Tembo. We look forward to welcoming you to our community in Pinellas County, Florida.

Our partnership committee is planning many activities for you. Here in Pinellas, you will tour our facilities, observe our staff in the field, see some beautiful sights and be our special guests at our events. You will also attend a national clinical conference and visit Walt Disney World in Orlando. And more is in the works.

This is going to be an amazing experience. We will see you very soon!

Ebony



Our committee enjoyed meeting you on Skype.