Rick Rector was born with a congenital heart defect known as dextrocardia, meaning his heart was backwards in his body, essentially, and had only a single valve.   He and his family had lived for most of his 22 years knowing that at some point a heart transplant would be necessary to save Rick’s life.

Due to the defect, Rick’s skin tone had always had a blue cast to it, and he was known as “blue boy” in the Spring Hill community he still calls home.  Early on, Rick learned to “own the look” rather than succumb to teasing at the hands of others.  “God made all kinds of people, some pink, some white, some brown.  I’m a blue person,” said Rick, with the wisdom of someone who takes nothing for granted, asks thoughtful questions and remembers every kindness.

[Read more...]

By Franco Insana

During Super Bowl weekend, the cable channels and networks seem to dig pretty deep into their archives to broadcast every last clip, highlight, film and rerun that had anything remotely to do with football and the big game.

I admit, I indulged in watching a lot of the coverage and was pleased to see a re-playing of the famous 1970s Coca-Cola ad with the Steelers’ “Mean” Joe Greene.  Limping off the field after an apparent injury, a boy asks Joe if he needs any help. Joe says no, but the young fan is determined to do something to help his hero – so he gives him his bottle of Coke.  The rest is history: Joe tosses the kid his game jersey, making the boy one of the most envied television characters of the decade (at least in Pittsburgh).

Watching that commercial again reminded me that oftentimes, help comes from a place where we least expect it.

At Family Hospice and Palliative Care, we are fortunate to see this type of scenario play out on a regular basis.

Fulfilling the mission of compassionate care is a team effort.

[Read more...]

Bill Gammie

By Kathleen Ganster

Palliative care is an important phase of health care, but one that can be difficult for families and patients to face – especially if that health care transitions to end-of-life services.

That phase of health care for physicians, patients and their families can be much easier thanks to a knowledgeable, well-trained and empathetic care team.

Celtic’s Journey Program matches health care coordinators and experts with primary care physicians to provide patient-centered care, helping patients and their families to live with terminal and chronic illnesses.

The Celtic team of trained palliative health care workers, a chaplain, a social worker and bereavement counselor work together to ensure every aspect of the patient’s health care needs are met – and their families’ needs as well.

[Read more...]

If you’re seeking a hospice program for your loved ones, you may want to take a look at Compassionate Care Hospice. We recently came across this wonderful organization and wanted to make our readers aware of them.

You can contact their closest program office so that they can set up an appointment to explain their services.

By Rafael J. Sciullo, MA, LCSW, MS

From my office window I have a view of patients and their loved ones as they first arrive to our Center for Compassionate Care in Mt. Lebanon. Over the years, I’ve noticed a few things about the walk that caregivers make to our front doors. They often appear tired and sometimes distraught; for others there is urgency in their strides. When they cross our threshold, for most, it is a step into the unknown.

No matter their circumstance, the families we serve take that step with faith – faith that their loved one will be comfortable, respected and treated with compassion. At Family Hospice and Palliative Care, I have been extremely proud to be witness to that care our staff extends to patients, families, partners, vendors and benefactors. My step of faith started with Family Hospice in 2001 – and I continue to have faith in our staff and organization as one of the finest in the country.

As was announced at the end of November, I am embarking on the next step of my career: beginning in February, I will be the President and CEO of Suncoast Hospice in Clearwater, Florida, the nation’s largest non-profit hospice organization.

[Read more...]

By Rafael J. Sciullo, MA, LCSW, MS

Despite the hustle and bustle, the room is pretty quiet first thing in the morning.

The arts and crafts tables are set. T-shirts are ready for distribution. About 40 chairs are arranged in a large circle. And the registration table is prepared to be the first stop for campers and their loved ones.

Shortly before 9 a.m., they begin to make their way into the auditorium at The Center for Compassionate Care in Mt. Lebanon. Staff and volunteers are already on-site as they greet our campers and their parents or guardians with warm smiles and friendly reassurance.

Family Hospice and Palliative Care’s Camp Healing Hearts is an annual free day camp for children in the community who are coping with the loss of a loved one. Now held in four locations each year, Camp Healing Hearts offers kids a vehicle to cope with their grief through a variety of activities and interactions. Our most recent Camp took place October 6 in Mt. Lebanon.

Camp Healing Hearts campers Megan, Kiley and Brayden enjoy time bonding with therapy dogs.

[Read more...]