Hospice Partners of America selected Hospice of Virginia as its 3rd Quarter Exceptional Story Winner for care they provided for one of their recent patients. Each quarter, Hospice Partners of America asks staff members to submit stories of exceptional care that was provided to patients and families, and selects one winning team. The Hospice of Virginia Tappahannock team was this quarter’s winner. Congrats to our Executive Director Julie Mills and our Social Worker Shannon Robinson for their tireless commitment to their community.
During the admission process for a patient, our nurse asked if there was anything special she would like to do in the final months of her life. After a long pause, the patient grinned and announced that she would like to go shark tooth hunting. The patient had been shark tooth hunting before, but the last time she had gone on the hunt was over 10 years ago.
Thinking this activity might require a long trip, Julie asked where a person would need to go to find a shark tooth. Much to Julie’s surprise, she learned that it was was a common pastime in the surrounding area. In the Tappahannock region, there are large river systems that run through the land, including the Potomac River and the Rappahannock River. After some quick research, the team contacted John Brockman – a paleontologist whose wife also works in hospice. John had worked in the area for many years and had even found whale fossil in a nearby cliff.
John worked with Julie and Shannon to organize a day of fossil finding. The patient shared the day with the Hospice of Virginia team and also invited her sister and long-time shark tooth-hunting partner – her nephew. They searched for shark teeth, listened to history lessons from John, and even found 15 million year old crocodile poop.
Hospice of Virginia was honored to be able to organize and participate in this special day for one of their patients. There is nothing more rewarding for our team than to help grant end-of-life wishes. It is our priority to make sure patients enjoy life to its fullest, even when the end may be near.
Thank you Tappahannock team for sharing your Exceptional Story!