Special Award from AZ Hospice and Palliative Care Org.

In August, Northland Hospice was nominated for an award based on quality of
hospice and palliative care service.  We at Northland Hospice and Palliative Care
are proud to announce that we have been selected by the Arizona Hospice and
Palliative Care Organization (AHPCO) as the winner of the “Excellence in End-
of-Life-Care” award for 2011!

Here were the guidelines to nominate a program:

“Every day palliative care programs and hospices across our state provide
 compassionate, quality care to patients and families.  As part of our mission
 to advance quality end-of-life  care and serve as a voice and resource for 
 our members and the communities they serve, the Arizona Hospice and 
 Palliative Care Organization (AHPCO) has created an award program to
 recognize a program or agency that has developed and implemented an 
 innovative end-of-life program. Through this recognition program we wish 
 to highlight the good care that is being provided and raise awareness 
 of the importance of excellence in serving patients near the end-of-life.  

We invite you to nominate a program or agency that you consider deserving 
of this recognition.  


Please submit a 1-page narrative that describes why you believe the nominee
should be honored. ”

As an organization, Northland Hospice decided to recognize our volunteers as a
whole.  Our volunteers not only contribute with a great deal of time and effort, but
they also contribute by raising awareness of hospice and palliative care.  
Congratulations to everyone involved with Northland Hospice, as you all
help us provide outstanding service.

Article below:

Northland Hospice AHPCO Nomination Narrative

            Northland Hospice and Palliative Care is the only non-profit hospice 
provider in Flagstaff. We understand that the financial standing of an individual
should have no bearing as to whether or not they get to live out their remaining 
time in comfort and with dignity.  We accept any patient regardless of insurance or 
finances, and provide them with excellent care and support.  We provide a team 
approach, complete with an outstanding medical director, compassionate nurses, 
aides, a knowledgeable social worker, chaplain, and a bereavement counselor, 
all of whom help us run smoothly and efficiently.

            We view Northland Hospice as a “Triangle of Support.”  What makes 
this triangle so successful, and what sets us apart, is the dedication of our 
volunteers.  They are the lifeblood of our organization and are vital to its many parts.

            The first point of our triangle is our thrift store.  The Hodgepodge Thrift
 Store is located on Historic Route 66 and is operated almost entirely by volunteers.  
People donate their lightly used items, and the Hodgepodge sells them at a discounted 
price.  The money generated from this thrift store goes towards helping provide 
hospice to individuals who are in need of end-of-life care.  On a typical day at the 
Hodgepodge, there can be anywhere from half a dozen to more than twenty 
volunteers sorting clothes, pricing items, moving purchased furniture, or 
manning the registers.  Currently, their hard work helps generate revenues
of approximately $19,000 monthly that helps supplement or cover patient hospice costs.

            The second point of our hospice triangle is represented by our event 
volunteers.  Our four major annual events would not be possible without the 
planning and coordination of our event volunteers.  Not only do these events raise
vital operating funds, but they also raise community awareness of Northland’s
mission and merit.

The final point of our triangle is our assisted living hospice service.  The Olivia
White Hospice Home is a ten bedroom home dedicated towards easing one of life’s
most difficult transitions. It is unique to the region in that no other hospice in the 
area has its own building dedicated solely to housing hospice eligible individuals.  
In addition to a qualified staff, we also have patient volunteers who devote countless 
hours towards directly helping our patients.
The gem of the house, and something that everyone at Northland is especially 
proud of, is the garden which is primarily maintained by volunteers.  There are 
seasonal flowers, a vegetable garden, a beautiful gazebo, memorial plaques, and 
even a scavenger hunt for young family visitors.  Our volunteer gardeners put a 
great deal of hard work and love into providing visitors and patients with a 
beautiful daily reminder of life.

            We are not a huge corporation.  We do not try to be something that we 
are not.  We are a local non-profit hospice whose mission is accomplished through
the hard work and dedication of countless individuals, many of whom are unpaid 
volunteers.  It is not an organization helping people, it is people helping people.