National EMS Week is May 18-24 and this year’s theme is, “We Care For Everyone.” Through our Innovative Care Solutions (ICS) Mobile Care Unit program, we’re advancing patient care through innovative transportation solutions, and want to thank our trained EMS workers for their efforts. 

ICS is a service of Ohio’s Hospice and focuses on patient transport and delivery of durable medical equipment (DME) that enhances patient care and supports our not-for-profit mission provides essential transportation services for patients, ensuring seamless transitions across various care settings.  

“Our crews consist of Drivers, EMTs and Paramedics. Our program stands as a cornerstone of our innovative approach to hospice care transportation,” explained Tionda Scott, director of transportation services. “We are able to provide transport for our patients from the hospital to one of our hospice inpatient care centers, nursing facilities, or to the place they call home.” 

She noted that she is grateful for all the support that allows us to continue the mission of providing superior care and superior services for our patients.  

EMT, Marie Wassom, reflected on her time with Ohio’s Hospice and said the opportunity to provide compassionate care and serve our mission are highlights of the job. 

“I want to be able to give comfort to patients and families in what is probably the most difficult part of their lives,” she said.  

Wassom added that she enjoys seeing a patient or family member smile or feel at ease as her and her teammates serve them. 

“Hospice can be difficult work, but it’s worth it,” she said. “I feel as if I give my patients and their families the same caring attention that I would want, and have had, for my own family.” 

Sometimes people just need someone who treats them like a person and not a task. Little things go a long way in this kind of work.

Jordan Wallace

Paramedic, Karen Brown, has been with Ohio’s Hospice for 11 years, eight as a contracted paramedic and spent the rest of her time as one of our transport coordinators. 

“At the beginning of my career with Ohio’s Hospice, I was employed with the private ambulance company Med Trans that was in partnership with Ohio’s Hospice,” she said. “I fell in love with the kindness, compassion, and gentleness the crew gave to every one of their patients that they encountered. After that first shift, there was no other choice for me.” 

Brown loves to see the needs of our patients met. As a Transport Coordinator, it is her job to ensure that our patients are carefully transported, to not only our Inpatient Care Units, but to various life events that they would otherwise miss with their families.  

“As a hospice paramedic, I enjoy bringing smiles to our patients and families, if possible, in the challenging times they encounter by showing all kindness, respect, and compassion,” she said. “As field staff we can provide superior service and care and build relationships with families as they navigate some of the toughest times they will experience.” 

Her advice to others that may want to serve is simple. “Have a heart of compassion and a willingness to serve others. It is a necessary component in this mission of caring,” she said. 

Driver, Jordan Wallace, said he has served several hospice patients, and those rides have really stuck with him.  

“It’s not always easy, but I’m glad I can be there for them and help make things just a little bit easier during a tough time,” he said. “I have just hit one year of service! It’s been a big learning experience, but I’ve honestly enjoyed it more than I expected.” 

Wallace loves working with his teammates and patients. The people he encounters make the job worthwhile. 

“I’ve met some really kind, funny, and strong folks. Even on tough days, getting to talk with them, hear their stories, or just make them smile for a minute makes it worth it,” he said. “It’s not always about fixing something. Sometimes people just need someone who treats them like a person and not a task. Little things go a long way in this kind of work.” 

I feel as if I give my patients and their families the same caring attention that I would want, and have had, for my own family.

Marie Wassom, EMT

Jared Zickefoose and Rion James are both EMTs and found different paths to serving the mission with Ohio’s Hospice. 

“I don’t think my intention in the beginning was to focus on hospice care. I was exposed to it right out of school and stuck with it for the most part,” James, who has been with us since 2017, explained. “As years went on and other jobs came and went, no other role put me in a better position to truly take care of patients like Ohio’s Hospice did.” 

James feels like it is important to serve in a role that everybody respects and that is the feedback he gets serving with Ohio’s Hospice. 

“No matter who we speak to in the EMS profession, they all share a high level of regard for our team,” he said. “I’ve heard many life-long EMS professionals say, ‘I could never do that.’” 

Zickefoose has been with us for nearly two years and his favorite aspect of the service we provide is the relief and joy our patients and family members experience when they know they are in good hands. 

“I’ve seen countless times, when either a patient, or their family member realizes that they aren’t just at another hospital or doctor’s office,” he said. “The patients are treated with dignity and respect during their life-limiting illness.” 

Zickefoose says Ohio’s Hospice is rewarding to work for as an EMT because we do not see our patients as a number to check off and move on. We connect with them and their families.  

“I always tell the family members of my patients that we don’t just take a patient, we take a family,” he said. “That means we’re here to help them just as much as we are here to help their loved one.” 

If thinking about joining Ohio’s Hospice, the EMS staff says, “Do it!” 

“If you have a heart to serve others and want to make fantastic connections with your patients and their family members, then there is no better place than Ohio’s Hospice,” Zickefoose said. 

If you are interested in joining the transport team with Innovative Care Solutions, you can search for open positions at www.OhiosHospice.org/Careers. 

Thank you to all of the EMTs, drivers and paramedics that are part of our Mobile Care Unit!