Outstanding members of the Ohio’s Hospice staff are recognized every quarter with the Bouquet of Recognition Awards. The Bouquet of Recognition Award honorees personify the qualities found in the Mission and Vision of Ohio’s Hospice and are the foundation upon which a remarkable patient experience is built. These staff members consistently demonstrate excellence through their expertise and extraordinary compassionate support for patients and families. They are recognized as outstanding role models in our hospice community.

“I’d like to thank Dr. Cass for her exceptional care of my grandmother,” wrote Jessica Brown, RN, CHPN,  in her nomination. Jessica is a clinician with the Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton Education Department. “I was one of my grandmother’s primary caregivers, and as a hospice nurse, I felt a bit as if I was ‘straddling the fence.’  I knew the drill with end-of-life care, and yet I was also navigating this painful situation as a loved one.  Dr. Cass seemed to understand and addressed both the ‘nurse’ side of me and the ‘caregiver’ side.  She kept me updated at every turn, included me in conversations about my grandmother’s plan of care, and asked for my input when we changed medications.  Once, I emailed her with a question at 10 pm, not expecting an answer until the next day.  She replied at midnight.  She also provided my family and me with emotional support and affirmed the care that we were giving, which was a relief coming from an expert like Dr. Cass.  My grandmother really trusted Dr. Cass, and we did too.  She took great care of us, and I know she extends this same caring to everyone she encounters.  I’d like to thank her for making such a difference, one patient and family at a time.”

Evidence that Dr. Cass does indeed provide this outstanding level of care to all can be found in another nomination submitted to honor her. “On behalf of the Harvey family, I would like to thank each of you for the compassionate way in which you cared for our mother. She was an in-home patient over the past year and a half. Your entire staff did an outstanding job in making certain that our mom was comfortable and cared for in the best possible way… We want to personally thank Dr. Cass who cared for our mother from day one.  She was always there when we had a question, or felt it important that she come visit our mom in person.  As mom’s caregiver, I could reach out to Dr. Cass at any time as well and know that I would get a callback or even a late evening house call.  She wasn’t there just for my mom, but often offered me words of advice and encouragement.”

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