Before joining the team at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, I had the opportunity to rotate here as a resident. During that time, I saw firsthand how influential hospice is for patients with cancer. Since I had an interest in cancer care, I moved from Dayton to start fellowship training elsewhere.

The way I saw health care delivered at other facilities was disappointing. I saw too many patient-physician interactions in which the doctor popped into a patient’s room, spoke a few cursory words, and continued on to the next ‘case’.

There was something missing.

I felt disillusioned with health care to the point that I wasn’t sure traditional medicine was right for me.

Finding my way back to Hospice

Fortunately, after a few twists and turns in my career path, I found my way back to Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton in 2001. I planned to be there for only one year, but what began as a temporary stop on my career journey became something much more.

I’d found my calling.

The blessings of Hospice care

In my opinion, hospice and palliative care is the ideal medical practice because you can see patients on your own terms—and on their own terms. If the patient and family need an hour, they get an hour. It is very person- and family-centric. We not only assess a person’s medical needs, but also their psychosocial and spiritual needs. We do so as a team whose goal is to support the patient and family unit. It is very meaningful work.

Working in hospice is truly a blessing, and it is my hope that our patients and families feel blessed when they receive our care.