| Marion Chamber announces 2016 Business/Industry of the Year The Marion Chamber of Commerce has announced that the 2016 Business/Industry of the Year is Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc.  Rebecca Wisdom, President & CEO Hospice of Southern Illinois The Marion Chamber of Commerce has announced that the 2016 Business/Industry of the Year is Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc. “Hospice of Southern Illinois is proud to be the recipient of the Marion Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 Business/Industry of the Year 2016 Award,” said Deborah Hogg, Community Education Manager. “It is through the time and efforts of the Marion employees that we earned this distinction. We graciously accept this Award.” Hospice of Southern Illinois is a not-for-profit free-standing, community-based hospice provider that serves people of all ages. The organization is Medicare- and Medicaid-certified and relies on the generous support of the communities it serves. In 1981, Hospice of Southern Illinois opened its doors, pledging to enhance the quality of life for metro-east residents dealing with terminal illness by providing services in patients’ homes and other settings. During the three-and-a-half decades since its inception, the agency has provided services to more than 38,000 patients and their families across 27 counties. Rebecca Wisdom, President and CEO, stated, “We started as a grass-roots movement to help individuals and their loved ones with a terminal illness live their end-of-life journey with peace and dignity.” Over the years, Hospice of Southern Illinois has expanded, providing more services to a broader area of the Metro East and Southern Illinois. The Marion Team has served over 820 patients in 2016. Approximately 50 employees, including a Medical Director, Nurses, Social Workers, Spiritual/Bereavement Counselors, Hospice Aides and support staff serve the local patients. With a specialized admissions team for urgent needs, Hospice of Southern Illinois can respond quickly, providing immediate education and support. Hospice of Southern Illinois offers patient admissions, care and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. Hospice of Southern Illinois serves patients’ families in addition to the patients themselves. The organization provides physical and emotional support for patients’ families, including bereavement care, when desired. Community education and outreach also are a part of the organization’s mission. In addition to continual efforts to spread awareness and share information about end-of-life services, Hospice of Southern Illinois takes part in community events, gives informational presentations to community groups, and collaborates with community organizations. Volunteers play a vital role in the overall hospice philosophy. Over 350 trained/certified Hospice of Southern Illinois volunteers serve our patients and families in one or more of the following areas: patient care, bereavement, office tasks, speaker’s bureau, health fairs, fundraising and committee work logging more than 12,700 hours annually. Several accomplishments during the year: Hospice of Southern Illinois achieved Level 3 status in the We Honor Veterans program through National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Hospice of Southern Illinois is very proud to have the honor of hosting the only PGY-2 (post-graduate, year 2) in Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacist Residency Program housed in a hospice, in the United States. Our patients, families and organization have directly benefitted from this very special program, which is 1 of 12 in the country and the only 1 housed in a hospice. “We at Hospice of Southern Illinois are looking forward to continuing the mission in providing the most caring services available. Knowing that we can bring integrity, compassion and professionalism to our patients who are at the end of their life’s journey, and their loved ones, is why our organization exists. Our commitment at Hospice of Southern Illinois is to be with our patients and their loved ones through the changing needs of the end-of-life process and the grief experience”, said Hogg. “Thank you to the Marion Chamber of Commerce for the award and we humbly accept this award in honor of our past and present patients and their loved ones,” Rebecca said. “We sincerely appreciate your continued support”. Doug Kimmel, Chairman of the Marion Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Chairman of the Awards Committee, which chose Hospice of Southern Illinois as the Business/Industry of the Year winner, applauded Hospice of Southern Illinois for their devotion and success. “"It's a privilege to honor an organization that provides such meaningful service to people in our community and throughout the region,” Kimmel said. “Their personal commitments and dedication to the services they offer enhance the quality of life in our community at often the most difficult of times, and is the true measure of their success." The Marion Area Chamber of Commerce will present the award to Hospice of Southern Illinois at the 96th annual Awards Banquet & Auction on Friday, Jan. 20 at The Pavilion. “More than 400 people are expected to attend the event, which will feature a social hour, silent auction, wine/spirit pull, Diamond Drop, great food and networking, all centered around honoring our award winners, especially the Business/Industry of the Year winner – Hospice of Southern Illinois,” said Dalus Ben Avi, executive director of the Marion Chamber of Commerce. “I look forward to honoring Hospice of Southern Illinois not only because of the wonderful support they give to the Chamber, but also to the region as a whole. Hospice of Southern Illinois is consistently there when needed and never because they are looking for recognition, instead because they are giving and compassionate in all things they do.” For more information about Hospice of Southern Illinois, to schedule a speaking engagement, volunteer or to make a donation, visit our website, www.hospice.org, or contact Deborah Hogg, Community Education Manager, at 618-997-3030. To register for the 96th annual Marion Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet & Auction, click here.   Published: 11/23/16 |