Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: November 19, 2012
CONTACT: Jennifer Smith, Special Events Manager
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
Offices in Newton & Phillipsburg, NJ & Milford PA.
PHONE: 973-383-0115
TOLL FREE: 800-882-1117
FAX: 973-383-6889
EMAIL: jsmith@karenannquinlanhospice.org
WEBSITE: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

PHOTO: Holiday Concert

Somers Dream Orchestra Presents: The Big Band Holiday Concert – The Tradition Continues

Newton, NJ – November 19, 2012 – The Performing Arts Center at Sussex County Community College (SCCC) will be the venue for the Somers Dream Orchestra’s The Big Band Holiday – The Tradition Continues on Saturday, December 8th at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, December 9th at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased through the SCCC Box Office at 973-300-3171 or www.sussex.edu. Proceeds from this concert will benefit Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice and the SCCC Foundation.

Guests attending The Big Band Holiday Concert will be swept away on a holiday musical tour featuring The Somers Dream Orchestra led by John Somers, and highlighted by vocal sensation, Keaton Douglas. Somers Dream Orchestra, is a high-energy 18-piece Big Band from New Jersey, and blends the talents of their professional musicians with those of local student choral groups. Featured at this year’s performances will be choirs from Wallkill Valley Regional High School, Saturday at the 2p.m. show; Newton High School, at the 7p.m. show and the Halsted Middle School on Sunday at the 3p.m. show….plus other holiday surprises.

Entertaining and having FUN with music is the message the Somers Dream Orchestra proudly delivers at every performance! The orchestra was “born” in 1995; the dream of its leader, trumpeter, and founder, John M. Somers of Matawan, NJ. John handpicked all the musicians based on three criteria: personality, musicianship and their love for music! The musicians were then asked to purchase their respective seats from the Parent Corporation, T.G. Entertainment, Ltd. making this orchestra possibly the only corporately owned Big Band in the nation! Somers Dream Orchestra was catapulted to national prominence by their critically acclaimed CD, “A Mid-Somers Night Dream,” where the orchestra performs the best of classic and contemporary swing in their own inimitable fresh and exciting style!

“This year’s Big Band Holiday Concert represents the 21st annual Holiday Traditions event in this area and our partnership with Sussex County Community College is a perfect way to bring the community together in celebration with festive music and to kick-off the joyful season,” stated Dr. Roxanne Debski-Seigel, Director of Marketing and Advancement for Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation. For the fifth year The New Jersey Herald is at the helm as the major event sponsor, additional sponsorship support provided by Lakeland Bank.

The proceeds from this annual event are divided equally between Hospice and the SCCC Foundation. The SCCC Foundation proceeds support student scholarships. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice will utilize event proceeds to support the future of hospice and be used to help build the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice – the next project to assist hospice families and their loved ones. The home is to be built on 9+ acres in Fredon that displays magnificent views and will provide a complete continuum of hospice care in a serene pastoral surrounding with a homelike atmosphere.

Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation is passionately dedicated to providing Hospice care for the terminally ill and Bereavement for those who have lost loved ones. Serving North and Northwest NJ and the Pike County area PA. The locations are Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 104 Bennett Avenue, Suite 2A-2, Milford, PA. For programs, events, and more information visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org. To reach the Sussex County Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center located at 61 Spring St, Newton, NJ you may call directly at 973-940-0413. The center is open to anyone who is suffering a loss from the death of a loved one. To reach any of our services, call 800-882-1117.

The Performing Arts Center (PAC) at SCCC opened in 2008 and has become the flagship theater in Northwest New Jersey presenting a diverse showcase of dance, comedy, opera, contemporary and classical music, international and supernatural shows and inspired student performances. Please check their website www.sussex.edu for a complete list of performances or call the SCCC Office of the Foundation at 973-300-2121 and ask to have a season brochure sent to you.

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h1>Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: November 7, 2012
CONTACT: Dr. Roxanne Debski- Seigel
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
Offices in Newton & Phillipsburg, NJ & Milford PA.
PHONE: 973-383-0115
TOLL FREE: 800-882-1117
FAX: 973-383-6889
EMAIL: rdebski-seigel@karenannquinlanhospice.org
WEBSITE: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

PHOTO: Children sharing their stories with a counselor from the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center.

National Children’s Grief Awareness day is Thursday, November 15th.

Newton, NJ – November 7, 2012 – The Joseph T Quinlan Bereavement Center in Newton will hold an open house from 9 to 3 p.m. for community and professionals to come visit the center, meet the counselors, and receive some information on how to best support grieving children. Children are often the forgotten mourners when in actuality they need to be heard and supported.

Supporting “Children’s Grief Awareness Day” is a way to bring grieving children who have had a loved one die out of the shadows and feel less isolated. The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center will unite with organizations across the nation and along with thousands of adults and children in wearing blue to commemorate the day and call attention to the issue.

The Children’s Grief Awareness Day originated in 2007 in Pennsylvania by the Highmark Caring Place, a Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families and is observed every year on the third Thursday of November. This time of year is a particularly appropriate time as the holiday season is especially difficult after a death. Children’s Grief Awareness Day seeks to bring attention to the fact that support can make all the difference in the life of a grieving child.

This day provides an opportunity for all of us to raise awareness of the painful impact that the death of a loved one has in the life of a child and an opportunity for all of us to recognize and support the millions of grieving children across the nation, the thousands of grieving children right in our own communities, and the grieving children we know and see in our daily lives. Help us make sure that these children receive the support they need.

The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center at 61 Spring St. Newton plans to pass out blue lollipops to children and adults on this day and will display blue colored balloons outside the center to draw attention and visitors. Prepared “packets” of information for adults on how to support a grieving child will be handed out as well as children’s materials such as coloring books and short story books on the topic. A Children’s Grief Awareness Day Toolkit containing ideas for a range of activities is available free of charge at their webpage: www.childrensgriefawarenessday.org.
Or To Learn More about Children’s Grief Awareness Day:
Visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ChildrensGriefAwarenessDay

Diana Sebzda, MA, LPC, CT, Director of Bereavement, Lorri Opitz, MA, CT, Grief Counselor and Jennifer Smetana, MSW, LSW, Grief Counselor provide emotional support and education about the grief process to adults and children, not only through the hospice programs of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, but to the community as well. One of the center’s hallmark programs is the Children’s Art Bereavement Program which is offered three times a year. The counselors also offer Healing in the Classroom Workshops to school systems throughout the tri-state area which focus on educating school professionals in recognizing grief responses in their students and how best to support these children. The center has a lending library that is also available to the public and professionals in the area with literature on the topic of explaining death and dying to young people.

The Sussex County location of the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center is located at 61 Spring Street, Suite 100 Newton and is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 to 4:30. For more information about our services, please call 973-940-0413 or visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org.

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: August 20, 2012
CONTACT: Dr. Roxanne Debski- Seigel
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
Offices in Newton & Phillipsburg, NJ & Milford PA.
PHONE: 973-383-0115
TOLL FREE: 800-882-1117
FAX: 973-383-6889
EMAIL: rdebski-seigel@karenannquinlanhospice.org
WEBSITE: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

PHOTO: USDA Rural Development State Director Howard Henderson announces to the audience at the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice Administrative office located in Newton they will receive $2,300,000 through the Community Facilities program to construct a 10 bed hospice care inpatient facility, the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice.

PHOTO: (pictured left to right) Julia Quinlan, co-founder and president of the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, welcomes USDA Rural Development State Director Howard Henderson and NJ Assemblywoman Alison McHose for the announcement of the USDA federal funding support for the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice scheduled to be completed in 2013.

Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation Receives USDA Support For Hospice Facility

Mt. Lauren, NJ – August 20, 2012 – USDA Rural Development State Director Howard Henderson announces Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation in Sussex County will receive $2,300,000 through the Community Facilities program to construct a 10 bed hospice care inpatient facility. The State Director made the announcement during his visit to the Foundation.

The facility will provide hospice general inpatient care to residents in Sussex and Warren Counties in New Jersey as well as Pike County in Pennsylvania. This will be the region’s first free standing in-patient hospice home and is expected to be completed in 2013. Julia Quinlan, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice co-founder and mother of Karen Ann was on-hand to share her enthusiasm and gratitude for their support as well as the support the hospice has received from the community for this project.

“This project represents continuing efforts by the Obama Administration to help create jobs while helping families in rural communities,” Henderson said. “Since 2009, our agency has invested over $850 million in loans and grants throughout the Garden State.”

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.

The Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation is passionately dedicated to providing Hospice care for the terminally ill, Bereavement for those who have lost loved ones and Home Care assistance for recovery patients. Serving Northwest NJ and Northeast PA; please call 800 882 1117 to reach any of our services. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ, Karen Ann Quinlan Home Health Care, 755 Memorial Parkway, Phillipsburg, NJ and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 104 Bennett Ave., Milford, PA. The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Centers, 61 Spring St., Newton NJ and 214 Washington St., Hackettstown, NJ. For programs, events, support groups and more information visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org.

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: September 11, 2012
CONTACT: Dr. Roxanne Debski- Seigel
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
Offices in Newton & Phillipsburg, NJ & Milford PA.
PHONE: 973-383-0115
TOLL FREE: 800-882-1117
FAX: 973-383-6889
EMAIL: rdebski-seigel@karenannquinlanhospice.org
WEBSITE: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

PHOTO: Cathy Shane, RN, BSN, Director of Nursing Karen Ann Quinlan Home Health Care

Karen Ann Quinlan Home Health Care Director of Nursing appointed to State Committee

Newton NJ – September 11, 2012 – Cathy Shane, RN, BSN, and Director of Nursing for Karen Ann Quinlan Home Health Care has been appointed on behalf of the Home Care Association of NJ to the Infection Control Work Group and the Home Health Aide Committee for the term of 7/1/12-6/30/13. As part of this state role, the committee gathers those with expertise to share and exchange what is needed in the field to provide the training and care for patients as they recover at home.

Shane’s background with home health care is intensive and she has worked in the field as a home care nursing specialist since 1982. “Home care and those who work in the field are life-lines for so many people”, Shane pointed out. Prior to home care nursing, Cathy has been working as an RN since 1976.

Home Health care is a valuable resource for patients especially as hospitals decrease their lengths of stays for recovering patients. Cathy spoke to the ever increasing government regulations that seem to be overburdening the home health care industry just at a time when it has made such positive progress in treating and caring for the home patient.

Infections cross all lines of the demographic and the standardized practices of the home health aides are critical. Home health aides are now certified, with new teachable practices always in the mix. Cathy acknowledged “the home health aide is a valuable and significant part of the home health team, they are out there every day with the patients; they are the front line”. “We want to keep moving in the right direction and this happens when home health aide programs appear at local college levels” she continued. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice also offers certified training courses for home health aides. To find out when these programs are held, call 800-882-1117 and ask for the clinical educational nurse, or email clinical@karenannquinlanhospice.org.

The Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation is passionately dedicated to providing Hospice care for the terminally ill, Bereavement for those who have lost loved ones and Home Care assistance for recovery patients. Serving Northwest NJ and Northeast PA; please call 800 882 1117 to reach any of our services. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ, Karen Ann Quinlan Home Health Care, 755 Memorial Parkway, Phillipsburg, NJ and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 104 Bennett Ave., Milford, PA. The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Centers, 61 Spring St., Newton NJ and 214 Washington St., Hackettstown, NJ. For programs, events, support groups and more information visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org.

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: August 7, 2012
CONTACT: Dr. Roxanne Debski- Seigel
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
Offices in Newton & Phillipsburg, NJ & Milford PA.
PHONE: 973-383-0115
TOLL FREE: 800-882-1117
FAX: 973-383-6889
EMAIL: rdebski-seigel@karenannquinlanhospice.org
WEBSITE: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

PHOTO: Diana Sebzda, Joseph T Quinlan Bereavement Center Director explains to the attendees of the Biggs Kids Foundation Golf Outing held Monday, August 6th at the Lake Mohawk Golf Club how grieving children are helped with their art programs. The Bereavement center, located at 61 Spring St, Newton holds children’s grief art programs for any child who is suffering grief through the death of a loved one. Classes are held in the Spring and Fall. Call 973-940-0413 for registration details.

Joseph T. Quinlan Foundation thanks the Biggs Kids Foundation for bereavement donation

Sparta NJ – August 6 – Steve Bieganousky of Sparta, who lost his only child, is no stranger to the pain of grief. His son Steven at the age of 21 died suddenly in a car accident on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2005. ‘A fun-loving and spirited individual, he always enjoyed making people laugh.’ Young Steven strongly believed in standing up for those who could not stand up for themselves, particularly children. To continue Steven’s devotion to helping children, the family founded The Steven P. Bieganousky Foundation for Children, also known as BIGGS’ Kids. The foundation is dedicated to raising funds to benefit less fortunate children and monies are distributed to organizations providing physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of suffering children.

Upon hearing of the work the Joseph T Quinlan Bereavement Center, especially the children’s art program, Steve wanted to learn more. “I found my professional niche in the world of graphic design and have enjoyed much success, so the children’s grief art program did get my attention.” Bieganousky started his Sparta graphic design company, the SRD Group in 1984, which primarily creates consumer packaging for many Fortune 500 companies and brand directors. “Art is in my blood” he continued, and growing up he was fortunate enough to have discovered his path early and went on to earn an art degree from the University of Bridgeport, CT.

The Joseph T Quinlan Bereavement Center is an affiliate of the Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation and Hospice, but is open to the community for anyone who is in need of grief support. It is sustained primarily through small grants, donations, the community and the generosity of a foundation such as Biggs Kids. “When a family member is lost though death, children are often the “forgotten” grievers as adult family members are busy picking up the pieces and often don’t understand how children process grief” Diana Sebzda, Director of the Joseph T. Quinlan Center explained to the audience. The Children’s grief art program is unique to the area with Sebzda and her skilled team of counselors constantly developing innovative and playful means to reach children suffering from the death of a parent, grandparent, sibling or any loved one. Many different methods and themes are used to encourage children to unveil their emotions.

Sebzda described a themed board, ‘It’s a Jungle out there’ which let children pick a jungle animal that most describes how they are feeling about the loss of their loved one, while in another room, the parent is asked to do the same. “Parents are amazed to see that their child has expressed their pain very differently from the jungle animal the parent chose.”

Another recent theme was The Seashore and the Waves of Grief where the children were asked to write down one of the many coping strategies they learned in the program that would be helpful to someone else who has lost a loved one and put it in a bottle (message in a bottle) and offer it to that person when the time was right. Sebzda also shared with the audience one case where the children were asked to draw their body outlines and then with the use of colors, draw in where they were experiencing feelings. “One little boy colored in his stomach area with a big blob of red scribbles with blue colors going towards his neck area”. Sebzda continued that because his parent had already made her aware that he was having stomach aches and gagging reflexes after the loss of his loved one, the drawing clearly defined how is grief was manifesting itself. He had stomach pains and felt as though he was choking…from there the counselors were able assist him with coping skills.

When Steve toured the center last month, Diana pointed out how parents have expressed their grief over the loss of a child. Hanging on one of the walls was artwork of a rose, on another a poem. Both of these pieces represented two different avenues the grieving parent acquired to demonstrate their love for their lost child. “Grief and tragedy changes people, and it all depends what you do with it.” Steve pointed out. “I can see now how art has a place in the world of grief.”

The Steven P. Bieganousky Foundation for Children, Inc. 1A Main Street, Suite 2, Sparta, NJ 07871 , 972-222-5948. www.spbfoundation.org holds its annual golf outing every August at the Lake Mohawk Golf Club in Sparta.

“In the future I would like to expand the foundation and include various events during the year to raise funds to help causes such as the Bereavement Center.” Steve noted. The foundation has also supported Ginny’s House and Project Self Sufficiency in Sussex County and has given out $60,000.00 over the span of the foundation.

The Joseph T Quinlan Bereavement Center offers individual grief counseling and monthly support groups in Newton and Hackettstown, NJ and Milford and Lord’s Valley, PA. To learn more about the Center visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org or call 800-882-1117; the Bereavement Center in Newton (973) 940-0413; Hackettstown (908) 852-8730 or the Milford Hospice, PA (570) 296-3591.

The Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation is passionately dedicated to providing Hospice care for the terminally ill, Bereavement for those who have lost loved ones and Home Care assistance for recovery patients. Serving Northwest NJ and Northeast PA; please call 800 882 1117 to reach any of our services. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ, Karen Ann Quinlan Home Health Care, 755 Memorial Parkway, Phillipsburg, NJ and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 104 Bennett Ave., Milford, PA. The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Centers, 61 Spring St., Newton NJ and 214 Washington St., Hackettstown, NJ. For programs, events, support groups and more information visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org.

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: June 29, 2012
CONTACT: Dr. Roxanne Debski- Seigel
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
Offices in Newton & Phillipsburg, NJ & Milford PA.
PHONE: 973-383-0115
TOLL FREE: 800-882-1117
FAX: 973-383-6889
EMAIL: rdebski-seigel@karenannquinlanhospice.org
WEBSITE: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

PHOTO: Lorraine Sciara, award recipient with Julia Quinlan, presenter of the Joseph and Julia Quinlan award.

The 6th Annual Joseph and Julia Quinlan Award presented at Rutgers

Newton NJ –June, 2012 – Julia Quinlan of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice gave the opening greeting at the Rutgers of College of Nursing for the 7th Annual conference of the New Jersey End of Life Nursing Education Consortium (NJ-ELNEC) held in Somerset on June 22nd.

In addition to Mrs. Quinlan greeting all the attendees, she presented the sixth annual Joseph and Julia Quinlan Award to Lorraine Sciara. The Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice began in 1980 and in 1981 The Hospice Inc., which also began as a fledgling community health care provider, began its journey. Today that hospice is known as the Barnabus Health Hospice & Palliative Care Center located in West Orange, NJ.

Under the leadership of Sciara, who took responsibility for the small hospice at a time when there was little public awareness of hospice, the agency grew. Starting with only five employees and five patients, she transformed the agency to a system with over 200 employees, 300 volunteers and an average of 260 patients daily.

The Joseph and Julia Quinlan Award honored her dedication and devotion to the work of hospice which never faltered through the challenging and difficult times many non-profit hospices faced. Lorraine’s keen business instincts and her constant desire to meet the increasing needs of hospice patients and families largely contributed to the successful merger with the Hospice of Morris County and affiliation with The Saint Barnabus Health Care System. She also brought her hospice devotion to the community at large by serving on numerous legislative committees at both the state and federal level.

Lorraine Sciara, RN also held a master’s degree in Public Health and was the recipient of numerous awards honoring her contribution to women, nursing, and hospice.

“For her integrity, compassion, and unending quest for excellence it is a privilege to present Lorraine with the Joseph and Julia Quinlan award for 2012” Julia Quinlan announced.

At the same conference the Quinlan documentary “Saying Goodbye, the Legacy of Karen Ann Quinlan” (Mirage Productions, 2010) was shown and is soon to be released to the public along with extra educational dialogues.

The Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation is passionately dedicated to providing Hospice care for the terminally ill, Bereavement for those who have lost loved ones and Home Care assistance for recovery patients. Serving North and Northwest NJ and the Pike County area PA; please call 800 882 1117 to reach any of our services. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ, Karen Ann Quinlan Home Health Care, 755 Memorial Parkway, Phillipsburg, NJ and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 104 Bennett Ave., Milford, PA. For programs, events, and more information visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org.

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: June 7, 2012
CONTACT: Dr. Roxanne Debski- Seigel
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
Offices in Newton & Phillipsburg, NJ & Milford PA.
PHONE: 973-383-0115
TOLL FREE: 800-882-1117
FAX: 973-383-6889
EMAIL: rdebski-seigel@karenannquinlanhospice.org
WEBSITE: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

PHOTO: (R) Cecelia Clayton, MPH, Executive Director of the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice receives applause and smiles from the audience after (L) Stella Hardy, RN, CHPN of Compassionate Care and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for the New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, presented Clayton the 2012 Hospice Director of the Year Award at the New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s Annual Spirit of Hospice Awards Dinner.

Clayton named Hospice Director of the Year

Eatontown, NJ- June 6th, 2012 – The New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the New Jersey Hospice Foundation presented Cecelia T. Clayton of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice with the Hospice Director of the Year award at their 15th annual Spirit of Hospice Awards Dinner held on June 6th at the Sheraton Eatontown.

Clayton has been with the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice for over 20 years and as Executive Director administers over three hospice locations located in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Prior to being appointed Executive Director, Clayton worked in many capacities including Volunteer and Bereavement director. Under those titles she initiated many programs including the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center, a teen grief camp, children’s art grief program, a widow/widower workshop, and a grief lecture series of her own design. With her husband Rich, both avid motorcyclists, she participates in the annual Chilly Chili run sponsored by the Blue Knights chapter IX held every New Year’s Day, and along with the Ogdensburg Fire Department have raised this year alone $11,000.00 for the hospice. Clayton’s leadership in the use of technology for nursing staff led to Thornberry naming her system manager of the year in 2010. Having served as Executive Director of the hospice for the past decade, the agency has quadrupled its patience census. “This award is not about me, but with the people with whom I am surrounded and come to do the work of hospice everyday”. Clayton continued, “I could not accomplish this on my own”.

The Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation is passionately dedicated to providing Hospice care for the terminally ill, Bereavement for those who have lost loved ones and Home Care assistance for recovery patients. Serving North and Northwest NJ and the Pike County area PA; please call 800 882 1117 to reach any of our services. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ, Karen Ann Quinlan Home Health Care, 755 Memorial Parkway, Phillipsburg, NJ and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 104 Bennett Ave., Milford, PA. For programs, events, and more information visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org.

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: April 25, 2012
CONTACT: Dr. Roxanne Debski- Seigel
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
Offices in Newton & Phillipsburg, NJ & Milford PA.
PHONE: 973-383-0115 Toll free 800-882-1117 FAX 973-383-6889
EMAIL: rdebski-seigel@karenannquinlanhospice.org
Website: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

Joseph T Quinlan Bereavement Interfaith Memorial Service May 21

Washington, NJ – April 25, 2012. The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center and the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is pleased to invite you, your family, and friends to participate in a celebration of remembrance. It is a dedication to commemorate loved ones who have died by sharing an evening to evoke their memory, and to gather strength and comfort.

The service will be held at the Washington Alliance Church, Rte. 57, Washington, NJ, Monday, May 21, 2012 at 7:30 pm.

Clergy from the Catholic, Protestant and Jewish faiths, as well as Hospice staff and volunteers, will participate. As part of the service, there will be a candle-lighting ceremony to memorialize loved ones and light refreshments served.

If you are interested in attending and having your loved one included in the memorial bulletin, please contact the Newton office of the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center office at 973-940-0411 and ask Diana Sebzda for more details or call toll free 800-882-1117 and ask for Bereavement. Please reserve your place by calling one of the above numbers or email bereavement@karenannquinlanhospice.org by May 7, 2012. This is a free service open to the community.

Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation is passionately dedicated to providing Hospice care for the terminally ill, Bereavement for those who have lost loved ones and Home Care assistance for recovery patients. Serving North and Northwest NJ and the Pike County area PA; please call 800 882 1117 to reach any of our services. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ, Karen Ann Quinlan Home Health Care, 755 Memorial Parkway, Phillipsburg, NJ and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 315 West Harford St., Milford, PA. For programs, events, and more information visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: April 4, 2012
CONTACT: Dr. Roxanne Debski- Seigel
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
Offices in Newton & Phillipsburg, NJ & Milford PA.
PHONE: 973-383-0115
TOLL FREE: 800-882-1117
FAX: 973-383-6889
EMAIL: rdebski-seigel@karenannquinlanhospice.org
WEBSITE: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

National Healthcare Decisions Day, April 16th

Are You Traveling Life’s Road without a Map?

Newton- April 4, 2012 – When one thinks of taking a trip to a place we have never been, the first thing most of us do is plan. Well, advance care planning is like planning a road trip to an unfamiliar destination. “Only 30% of American’s have a living will, a map detailing where they want their healthcare to “go” in the future should they become unable to voice their wishes.” Katherine Brandt, MS, Vice President, Consumer and Caregiver Services, National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

We have all heard of living wills; a living will outlines your course in advance for your future health care wishes if you were to suddenly become seriously ill or an accident victim. Would you want to have a breathing apparatus in place if there was no hope for recovery; or if you were diagnosed with an incurable life limiting illness, would you want to focus your remaining days, weeks, months in comfort and pain free or an arrangement of life-extending treatments and comfort care? Letting family and health care providers know what procedures and treatments you would want provided to you — and under what conditions is what is mapped out in a living will.

Choose your Back-up Driver legally.

A health care power of attorney or health care proxy designation form in most situations allows you to choose someone you trust to “drive” (take charge of your health care decisions) in case you are unable to make those decisions yourself. Consider a family member or friend you trust and who is unafraid to speak on your behalf as your advocate. When you drive alone and encounter a breakdown, your journey’s decisions could and would most likely be taken by someone who may not know or understand your values and wishes.

“It is important to have your map and your back-up in place to help let others know your intentions…it is kind of like calling ahead.”—Dr. Roxanne Seigel, Director of Marketing and Advancement for the Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice has ready-made packets with current Living Will information available FREE on National Healthcare Decisions Day, April 16th at any of their 3 offices. In NJ, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton and Karen Ann Quinlan Home Health Care, 755 Memorial Parkway, Phillipsburg and in PA, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 104 Bennett Ave., Milford.

For more information please call 973-383-0115 in NJ and 570-296-3591 in PA and a packet will be mailed to you. Visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org for information on all services and events.

To learn more about advance care planning, including living wills, health care proxy and talking to people about your wishes explore the planning ahead section of www.caringinfo.org or call 800-658-8898. Caring Connections offers FREE, state-specific advance directives for all 50 states and DC that meet the legal requirements for each state. www.caringinfo.org/stateaddownload

Marlina Schetting, MSW, LCSW and Director of Social Services for Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice speaks to the need for a living will. Visit NJHerald.com and click on Health Connections.

Visit Dealing with Dying: National Healthcare Decisions Day, a YouTube discussion featuring Cathy Shane, RN and Director of Nursing for the Karen Ann Quinlan Home Health Care as one of the speakers.

The Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation is passionately dedicated to providing Hospice care for the terminally ill, Bereavement for those who have lost loved ones and Home Care assistance for recovery patients. Serving North and Northwest NJ and the Pike County area PA; please call 800 882 1117 to reach any of our services. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ, Karen Ann Quinlan Home Health Care, 755 Memorial Parkway, Phillipsburg, NJ and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 104 Bennett Ave., Milford, PA. For programs, events, and more information visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org.

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: April 4, 2012
CONTACT: Dr. Roxanne Debski- Seigel
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
Offices in Newton & Phillipsburg, NJ & Milford PA.
PHONE: 973-383-0115
TOLL FREE: 800-882-1117
FAX: 973-383-6889
EMAIL: rdebski-seigel@karenannquinlanhospice.org

WEBSITE: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice announces new community project

Newton- April 4, 2012 – Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, a leader in the hospice movement for over thirty years, will once again be “breaking ground” on a new element in end of life care.
This is the first time the 44 minute movie screening is being made available to the public and seats are limited.

The hospice currently serves patients in homes, nursing home facilities, hospitals or wherever a patient calls “home” in two states, NJ & PA; so it was a natural next step to take the lead in providing a hospice home for the area.

The vision behind the creation of the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice is to develop a residence for long or short term care for patients facing end of life when home care is no longer an option for the family. The residence will be staffed with professional medical personnel and assistants and will gain in distinction with the principle that family and friends will have right of entry to their loved ones just as they would in their own homes. For the patients, it will be their “home” where they can be surrounded by their loved ones with all the comforts of a home-like environment. Until now there is no other residency that currently meets those criteria in the immediate area.

This year the Karen Ann Quinlan Charitable Foundation is planning to break ground on 9 acres that has been offered by the Waterwheel Farm in Fredon Township, Sussex County, NJ. The $5 million, 10,000 square foot project will include 10 patient beds, ample space for round-the-clock family visitations,
two sitting rooms, a meditation room and a family kitchen all with a view looking out at the beautiful Kittatinny Ridge Mountains.

The Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice will also provide respite patient duty for the caregiver who needs to take that much-needed break or time off from the seemingly endless days of responsibility and support of their loved one.

“Our hospice home will provide a complete continuum of care in a serene surrounding which will encourage dignity and hope to all its residents.”-Julia Quinlan, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice co-founder, Chairman of The Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice and mother of Karen Ann.

It is estimated that the doors to the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice will open in the spring or summer of 2013. “The Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice is the culmination of many years of working and planning to realize a full service hospice for our fine community. As one of two surviving founding Board members, I am delighted to be here to see this project finally completed.”
– Lucian Fletcher, Jr. MD

Please contact Glenn Lewis, Director of Development for more information on the capital campaign– 973-383-0115 or glewis@karenannquinlanhospice.org.

The Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation is passionately dedicated to providing Hospice care for the terminally ill, Bereavement for those who have lost loved ones and Home Care assistance for recovery patients. Serving North and Northwest NJ and the Pike County area PA; please call 800 882 1117 to reach any of our services. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ, Karen Ann Quinlan Home Health Care, 755 Memorial Parkway, Phillipsburg, NJ and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 104 Bennett Ave., Milford, PA. For programs, events, and more information visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org.

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: February 29, 2012
CONTACT: Dr. Roxanne Debski- Seigel
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
Offices in Newton & Phillipsburg, NJ & Milford PA.
PHONE: 973-383-0115
TOLL FREE: 800-882-1117
FAX: 973-383-6889
EMAIL: rdebski-seigel@karenannquinlanhospice.org

WEBSITE: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center “Healing in the Classroom” scheduled for March

Newton – February 29, 2012 – The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center is offering a two day training for teachers, guidance counselors, school social workers and psychologists to help support students who are grieving the death of a loved. The program also provides resource material & technical assistance as well as offering counselors 12 clock CEU hours and certificates of completion for teachers and social workers.

The program will be held March 20th and 21st, 2012 from 8:30 to 3:30 at the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center located at 61 Spring Street, 1st Floor, Newton, NJ.

Discussions to include developmental theories for children in grief, general grief education, interventions that can be implemented to support a grieving student, components and implementation of a support group within the school setting. Learning objectives will include recognizing grief in children; how to normalize and give support grief for a student, address death and loss in a school setting and how to create and implement a peer support group.

This program is offered through Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice and the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center, presented by:

• Director of Bereavement Diana Sebzda, MA, LPC, CT
• Bereavement Counselor Lorri Opitz, MA, CT
• Bereavement Counselor, Jenn Smetana, MSW, LSW

The Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation, in conjunction with the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center, is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements. The ACEP solely is responsible for all aspects of the program.

Tuition for this comprehensive program will be $75.00 per individual participant which includes a continental breakfast & lunch each day. Registration packets will be mailed upon request to attend. If you need further information, please call Diana Sebzda at 973-940-0411 or email bereavement@karenannquinlanhospice.org.

The Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation is passionately dedicated to providing Hospice care for the terminally ill, Bereavement for those who have lost loved ones and Home Care assistance for recovery patients. Serving North and Northwest NJ and the Pike County area PA; please call 800 882 1117 to reach any of our services. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ, Karen Ann Quinlan Home Health Care, 755 Memorial Parkway, Phillipsburg, NJ and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 104 Bennett Ave., Milford, PA. For programs, events, and more information visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org.

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: January 5, 2012
CONTACT: Dr. Roxanne Debski- Seigel
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
Offices in Newton & Phillipsburg, NJ & Milford PA.
PHONE: 973-383-0115
TOLL FREE: 800-882-1117
FAX: 973-383-6889
EMAIL: rdebski-seigel@karenannquinlanhospice.org

WEBSITE: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

PHOTO: Volunteers for Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, Newton NJ preparing Blizzard Packs for families.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice Families Receive Blizzard Packs

The volunteers of the Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation were instrumental in getting the agency’s 2011-12 Winter Season Blizzard Packs out. Blizzard Packs are packages given to patients and their families to remind them of needed items to have on hand in case of emergencies. Included in the Blizzard Packs are such items as battery operated flashlights, manual can openers, toiletry items and canned foodstuffs. Also included are Office of Emergency Management telephone numbers and utility companies within their municipality. “Over 96 packs were assembled by our awesome team!” remarked Marlina Schetting, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice Director of Social Services. Pictured from left to right are Megan Leyden, Marie Umutesi, Tara Costen, Janet Stipo and Kristie Kretz.

The Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation is passionately dedicated to providing Hospice care for the terminally ill, Bereavement for those who have lost loved ones and Home Care assistance for recovery patients. Serving North and Northwest NJ and the Pike County area PA; please call 800 882 1117 to reach any of our services. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ, Karen Ann Quinlan Home Health Care, 755 Memorial Parkway, Phillipsburg, NJ and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 104 Bennett Ave., Milford, PA. For programs, events, and more information visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org.

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: December 1, 2011
CONTACT: Dr. Roxanne Debski- Seigel
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
Offices in Newton & Phillipsburg, NJ & Milford PA.
PHONE: 973-383-0115 toll free 800-882-1117 FAX 973-383-6889
EMAIL: rdebski-seigel@karenannquinlanhospice.org
Website: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Counselors achieve Instructor status by National Board for Certified Counselors

Newton-December 1, 2011-The National Board for Certified Counselors has approved provider status to three counselors of the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center. This status assures the classes they offer have undergone rigorous review and have been found to meet NBCC continuing education requirements. Currently, there are over 43,000 National Certified Counselors (NCCs) who are in need of fulfilling their requirement to complete at least 100 hours of approved continuing education within a five-year period. As approved providers, counselors in need of continuing educational credits (CEUs) will be able to attain some of their credits by attending the programs as offered by the bereavement center; dates, times, and places will be announced in 2012. NBCC encourages NCCs to take advantage of the activities made available by approved providers.

The CEU programs will be taught by Diana Sebzda, Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center Director with NBCC approved co-instructors Jennifer Smentana and Lorri Opitz assisting with bereavement facilitator training and the healing in the classroom workshop. Most of the classes will be taught at the bereavement center located at 61 Spring St. in Newton, but can be offered at other locations on request. The classes range from 1 hour to as much as two day training sessions with credits earned ranging from .1 ceu’s to 1.2 ceu’s.

The following programs qualify and have been approved by the NBCC.

Compassion Fatigue:

Includes definitions given of Compassion Fatigue, Vicarious Trauma and Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder. Discuss “at risk” professions, symptoms of compassion fatigue, self-tests that are available for assessment, importance of self-care, burnout and prevention strategies.

The learning objectives will be to identify professions that fall in the “at risk” categories; identify symptoms in at least three key areas; become familiar with at least one self-assessment protocol; identify meaningful self-care strategies.

Bereavement Facilitator Training:

Program will discuss grief education, grief process, what is appropriate in grief, societal expectations in grief, facilitator self-awareness, multi-cultural diversity and perspectives, organization and implementation of a self-help bereavement support group. Learning objectives will be to learn appropriate expectations in grief; learn what appropriate expressions in grief are; become a self-aware and reflective facilitator; learn how to organize and implement a self-help bereavement support group; become aware of group dynamics; learn how to run an effective self-help bereavement support group.

Healing in the Classroom Workshop:

Discussion to include developmental theories for children in grief, general grief education, interventions that can be implemented to support a grieving student, components and implementation of a support group within the school setting and creating crisis management plans. Learning objectives will include learn to recognize grief in children; learn how to normalize grief for a student; learn how to support a grieving student; learn how to address death and loss in a school setting; learn how to create and implement a peer support group.

For more information and the availability of these classes, please contact the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center in Newton at 973-940-0413, or check with our website, www.karenannquinlanhospice.orgwww.karenannquinlanhospice.org.

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: November 7, 2011
CONTACT: Dr. Roxanne Debski- Seigel
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
Offices in Newton & Phillipsburg, NJ & Milford PA.
PHONE: 973-383-0115 toll free 800-882-1117 FAX 973-383-6889
EMAIL: rdebski-seigel@karenannquinlanhospice.org
Website: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

Children’s Grief Awareness Day
November 17, 2011

Newton-November 7, 2011–As “Children’s Grief Awareness Day” approaches on Thursday, November 17 the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center will unite with organizations across the nation by wearing blue to commemorate the day. This third annual event, founded by the Highmark Caring Place, A Center for Grieving Children, Adolescents and Their Families, focuses attention on the impact death has on children and what people can do to help a grieving child.

Founded in 2008, Children’s Grief Awareness Day is now observed every year on the third Thursday of November.

Children are often the forgotten mourners when in actuality they need to be heard and supported. Supporting Children’s Grief Awareness Day is a way to bring children who have had a loved one die – and their grief – out of the shadows. Through thousands of children and adults wearing blue on that day, we call attention to the issue, and children who have experienced a death can feel less alone and isolated in their grief.

The Sussex County Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center plans to pass out blue lollipops to children and adults on this day and will display blue colored balloons outside the center to draw attention and visitors. Many will also show their support on the Children’s Grief Awareness Day Facebook page and through various activities designed to raise awareness of the needs of grieving children. A Children’s Grief Awareness Day Toolkit containing ideas for a range of activities is available free of charge at www.childrensgriefawarenessday.com.

Diana Sebzda, MA, LPC, CT, Director of Bereavement, Lorri Opitz, MA, CT, Grief Counselor and Jennifer Smetana, MSW, LSW, Grief Counselor provide emotional support and education about the grief process to adults and children, not only through the hospice programs of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, but to the community as well. One of the center’s hallmark programs is the Children’s Art Bereavement Program which is offered three times a year. The counselors also offer Healing in the Classroom Workshops to school systems throughout the tri-state area which focus on educating school professionals in recognizing grief responses in their students and how best to support these children. The center has a lending library that is also available to the public and professionals in the area with literature on the topic of explaining death and dying to young people.

The Sussex County location of the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center is located at 61 Spring Street, Suite 100 Newton and is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 to 4:30. For more information about our services, please call 973-940-0413 or visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org.

Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation is passionately dedicated to providing Hospice care for the terminally ill, Bereavement for those who have lost loved ones and Home Care assistance for recovery patients. Serving North and Northwest NJ and the Pike County area PA; please call 800 882 1117 to reach any of our services. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ, Karen Ann Quinlan Home Health Care, 755 Memorial Parkway, Phillipsburg, NJ and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 104 Bennett Ave., Milford, PA. For programs, events, and more information visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org.

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