Kansas City Hospice Reaches Level Four Partnership

Kansas City Hospice Reaches Level Four Partnership
We Honor Veterans recognition

KANSAS CITY, Mo., November 09, 2021– 

Meeting the unique needs of veterans as they take one of life’s most important journeys, and providing them the well-earned recognition and gratitude they deserve, has been a major priority for Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care (KCH).

As one of the most active hospices in the state for honoring our veterans, KCH has raised the bar for how veterans are served. Devoted teams of caregivers work tirelessly to ensure veterans receiving end-of-life care are honored in a meaningful way and in some cases receive absolution for the trauma they experienced while serving our country. KCH has a team of amazing chaplains who, with the support of the patient’s care team, lead veteran recognition ceremonies. KCH has proudly participated in the national We Honor Veterans program since 2013 and recently achieved a We Honor Veterans Level Four Partnership. This distinct honor acknowledges not only the level of care and recognition given to veterans, but also the role KCH plays as a community leader in educating other community, healthcare, and veteran organizations about providing services to veterans.

President & CEO, David Wiley, reflects on this accomplishment, “The privilege of caring for veterans is such an honor and one that we all take very seriously. The We Honor Veterans program helps us focus on the unique needs of veterans and honor them for their service.”

Being a We Honor Veterans partner means Kansas City Hospice has committed to providing staff training and patient care specific to the unique emotional, social, and medical needs of veterans. Annually, Kansas City Hospice cares for more than 500 veterans, giving them specialized care and honoring them for their service. Hospice services extend to family members and are often a critical component in someone’s ability to open up and reflect with their loved ones about their experiences as a service member. Dwight, a veteran served by Kansas City Hospice, received a recognition ceremony that included the presentation of a Certificate of Service and a medal honoring him for his contributions. Recognizing his service was a milestone for him and his family, including his wife, Jan, of more than 50 years, his daughter, son, and five grandchildren. His grandson, Stephen, recalls “The award ceremony was a really cool experience! It was awesome to learn about my grandfather’s military service. I loved seeing him recognized for all of the hard work he put in and I think he loved that all of his family was there to share that awesome moment with him!”

The We Honor Veterans recognition is given by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) to organizations dedicated to ensuring Veterans have access to quality end-of-life care. This initiative was created by the Veterans Administration (VA) and the NHPCO to improve quality of care for veterans at the end of their lives. 

About Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care

The mission of Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care is to bring expert care, peace of mind, comfort, guidance, and hope to people who are affected by life-limiting illness or by grief. Our vision is that each person in our community is valued from life through death and each family is supported in their grief. The team of caring and trained clinical professionals is considered the leader and innovator in palliative and end-of-life care in this region. More than 300 volunteers assist in many roles, including administrative duties and working with patients and families.

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For More Information: 

Caryn Hohnholt
Chief Development & Communications Officer
For Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care
9001 State Line Rd., Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64114
816.276.2615 or chohnholt@KCHospice.org