Hospice of the Chesapeake Earns Level 4 Status With Veterans Program

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization announced Feb. 2, 2016, that Hospice of the Chesapeake’s We Honor Veterans program has achieved Level 4 status.

The nonprofit leapfrogged from Level 1 to 4 in a span of just five months, spending only seven weeks at Level 3. According to the NHPCO’s We Honor Veterans Team, the designation reflects Hospice of the Chesapeake’s commitment to ensuring Veterans have access to quality end-of-life care.

The We Honor Veterans program is part of the national Hospice-Veteran Partnership, a collaborative effort between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the NHPCO. The campaign’s goal is to help improve the care dying Veterans receive from the nation’s hospice and palliative care providers.

Hospice of the Chesapeake recognizes the unique needs of Veterans facing life-limiting illness. On any given day, our staff and volunteers are caring for more than 100 Veterans in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties. Our Honor Salutes, Veteran-to-Veteran Volunteer Program; Veterans Day and Tribute Wall events; partnerships with the U. S. Naval Academy, Fort George G. Meade and Anne Arundel County Public Schools and educational programs are among the many initiatives that helped us to achieve the highest level with the national program.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have joined five other hospice programs in Maryland as a Level 4 partner, the highest level, in the We Honor Veterans program. With Veterans making up 25 percent of our patient census, we feel a tremendous responsibility to serve those who have served,” Director of Volunteer Services Diane Sancilio said. “Together, with our staff, volunteers and community partners, we are developing a world class program to ensure that every Veteran is honored, cared for and celebrated for their sacrifices and service to our country. We are dedicated to this mission: Honoring one Veteran at a time.”

The nonprofit is in the final planning stages of its second Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day celebration that will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. March 30, 2016, at the Hilton Baltimore BWI Hotel. The free event is an opportunity for the community to thank Vietnam Veterans for their service and to give them the rousing welcome home they should have received decades ago. The evening will culminate in the debut screening of the Annapolis High School Performing and Visual Arts magnet program student’s Vietnam Veterans documentary. Those who served during the Vietnam War and their families are invited and can RSVP by emailing veterans@hospicechsapeake.org or calling Kendall Sofia at 443.837.1508.