Providing superior care and superior services is something Ohio’s Hospice does for every patient. Wherever they call home. 

That was exemplified recently when respite volunteer Ella Franklin helped a housebound patient in Sterling, Paul Zimmerly, venture outside to see his gardens. 

Instead of using a camera to video and photograph the many gardens on the expansive property, Ella thought it would be more meaningful if Paul was able to go outside and view it all in person. 

After reaching out to Elisa Stoyle, volunteer coordinator in our North Care Region, they found a way to coordinate our teams to make sure Paul had a special treat. Elisa contacted Tionda Scott, director of transportation services to see about getting assistance from a couple of our Innovative Care Solutions emergency medical technicians to help move Paul safely. At the suggestion of another volunteer, they contacted Sterling Farm Equipment, which generously donated the use of a Kubota utility vehicle. 

That collaborative effort led to a wonderful afternoon for Paul. What was expected to be a 15-minute outing lasted two and a half hours, during which Paul picked flowers for his wife and made her a bouquet. Paul expressed interest in another visit to the gardens but died a few weeks later. The hospice teammates who came together to provide this meaningful moment cherish the memory. 

“It was really just the whole thing from start to finish. It went without a hitch,” Elisa said. “We had to kind of coordinate the days and all these people and the weather. And in the end, it all worked out. So it was very special. It was very special for everybody, really.” 

What our teammates were able to do for Paul embodied our mission of Celebrating Life’s Stories^®.