A Life Wrapped Around and in Support of the Ohio’s Hospice Mission
Karen Gallagher has a storied history with Ohio’s Hospice. Her journey has run the gamut from administrator to proud volunteer.
Gallagher was hired as the first hospice administrator of what was then known as Hospice of Tuscarawas County in June of 1986. After stepping away from hospice care to be a mom, Gallagher was drawn back into service with an appointment to the state hospice board.
Gallagher says that being involved with Ohio’s Hospice has opened her eyes to an end-of-life journey filled with compassion, caring and love.
“When my father passed in 2005, it wasn’t until the very end that my mom decided to let my dad be transferred to the hospice unit at our local hospital,” she said. “Mom did not want to relinquish the caregiver role that she had been providing for so many years. No one could do it better.”
Gallagher and her daughter convinced her mother, whose health was declining, about how hospice can provide more than just end-of-life care.
All the personal and professional experience with Ohio’s Hospice has left Gallagher with a unique experience providing superior care and superior service.
Gallagher is a champion of having people become volunteers with Ohio’s Hospice, stating that the flexibility in scheduling and comprehensive training lead a list of positives for the opportunity. And it is rewarding.
“You can volunteer as much or as little as you like. There is sadness, but oh my goodness, my heart is always filled to the brim with compassion, caring and love when I finish a shift,” she said. “I’m always grateful for the opportunity to serve and spend time, just that moment, with the patients and their families.”
We thank Karen for her many years of supporting the mission of Ohio’s Hospice!
