Kimberley Parrish, administrative assistant at Ohio’s Hospice in Wilmington, is celebrating 20 years with the not-for-profit hospice organization.  

Kimberley was introduced to Ohio’s Hospice first as a volunteer. Her mother died in a hospital after an extended stay where she had frequent visitors, but she noticed that not every patient did. She made a promise to herself that after her youngest child started school, she would volunteer at the local hospital to sit and visit patients. However, when the time came, the hospital referred her to Ohio’s Hospice for the perfect volunteer opportunity.  

After a short time volunteering, Kimberley was asked to train with the front office so she could cover for the office manager.  

“I grew up in Canada and I did not have my green card yet when I started volunteering,” Kimberley said. “The day I got it, I came straight back to the office to fill out my paperwork and officially become the administrative assistant. I never planned for this, I was a stay-at-home mom, but I found a place that I enjoyed so much, and I never wanted to leave.” 

Kimberley loves being a part of a team of people who help patients and their families get the compassionate care and support they need wherever they call home.  

“Last year my family was on the receiving end of hospice care for my mother-in-law, and it meant everything to her to be able to stay in her own home,” Kimberley said. “I saw firsthand just how important and needed our services are.”  

She added that she is surrounded by teammates who passionately care about their patients and families. “One thing we all have in common, regardless of our job titles, is that we are all working together to achieve one goal. As a team, I feel we do that well,” Kimberley said. “Over the years I have met and worked with a lot of different people and made many friends along the way. Our office is like my home away from home. We support each other, not just as teammates, but as family.”