Kristen Funk, Social Worker at Care360 Hospice
Sometimes we witness firsthand the importance of having great relationships with our hospice partners, especially as they experience the death of a family member or other loved one. Not only do they receive incredible comfort from their hospice peers, but also the compassion and caring from the funeral service providers. It is our passion to make everything perfect for that hospice partner.
The selection committee for the Hospice Caregiver Award is a group of Schoedinger employees who are tasked with reading the nominations and selecting the one that touches them most. Often, they are not aware of whether we served a hospice partner’s family member. So, when our selection committee selected Kristen as the September winner, they had no idea that we had just served her family in death of her loved one. Purely coincidence.
Regardless, they were all touched by what Lynley Ledger (Care360 Hospice Liaison) submitted on Kristen’s nomination and did not hesitate to select her as the September winner.
Here is what Lynley had to say about Kristen:
Have you ever met someone who is clearly found their calling? I have and her name is Kristen Funk. Let me tell you about Kristen Marie, she has a huge heart, she cares deeply for her patients and families, and she was born to be a social worker. Especially, a hospice social worker. She also has a “therapy” cat named Roni. Roni is a special feline with a gift. He is a normal, ornery Tabby kitty at home, but when he comes to work with his mom, he is a saint. Recently, he visited my Godmother Cherrie. In her younger years, Cherrie had several pet cats. They were her world! If she could, we know she would still have a kitty. Unfortunately, her Parkinson’s has progressed, so she is now bed bound in a care facility and needs total care. Recently, she has been rapidly declining, so Roni came for a visit. That sweet boy. He immediately knew it was time to go to work. We repositioned Cherrie and gently moved her hands so they could reach Roni. We watched in amazement as she began to pet him! Her normally contracted hands reached out to that sweet kitty. He held super still and purred as she touched him. Immediately a calm look came across her face and she actually smiled. (We have it on video, it was amazing!) For just a moment, the Parkinson’s faded away, and Cherrie came to life. It was beautiful to watch. After 20 minutes or so, it was time to end the visit. Cherrie smiled as I squeezed her hand. She was at peace. Now here’s the part you need to understand. Kristen isn’t Cherrie’s social worker. In fact, her patients are on the opposite side of town. But she knew what a cat visit would mean to Cherrie, so she saw all her patients early, rearranged her entire day, ran home to pick up Roni, and drove across town to Cherrie’s bedside. Just in the nick of time too, as the next day, Cherrie started transitioning, and now (as we speak, ) is actively passing. Was that kitty visit what she needed to be at rest? We aren’t sure, but what I will say is that Kristen and Roni will always have a special place in our family’s heart. This is why I nominate Kristen for the hospice caregiver award. All our love, Lynley Ledger and Cherrie’s family
Congratulations, Kristen. You exemplify what it means to be a hospice caregiver.