How long have you been in your position?

I have been in my position for a year. I have worked in home health and hospice since 2019.

What attracted you to working in end-of-life care and what motivates you to continue working in end-of-life care?

In fact, I was hesitant. I had worked in home health care prior to working in hospice.

During my interview at the agency I work for, I discovered that I would also be working in hospice care and that was scary for me. I will never forget my first hospice client. I fell in love with how meaningful my career suddenly felt.

What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned from working in end-of-life care?

One lesson I have learned is that it is equally, if not more important to focus on the patient’s values as it is to keep them physically comfortable. It is important that we create the time and space to hear about the patient’s life experiences. What shaped them? What caused them heartache? What do they regret and what are they proud of? Peeling back these layers is important so that we can help the patient heal their invisible burdens and look forward to holistic comfort.

What do you like to do when you’re not at work?

I enjoy spending quality time with my family. I have two children, with one on the way!

Sadie is 6 years old. Truett is 3 years old. We like to take them on little adventures together. My husband and I also enjoy the outdoors. We like to hunt deer, duck and pheasant.