ANSWERING A CALLING:
Three Interfaith Chaplains – A Sister, a Rabbi and a Reverend --
Accompany Hospice Patients through Life’s Final Journeys

Dresher, Pa (October 25, 2007) – Despite their obvious religious and ideological differences, Sister Phyllis Ann DiRenzo, Rabbi Tsurah August, and the Rev. Millicent Wess have much more in common then most would think. These three Chaplains, the Sister, the Rabbi, and the Reverend all work for Life Choice Hospice, a hospice headquartered in Dresher, Pa. DiRenzo, August, and Wess work together providing spiritual support and bereavement services to patients and families facing end of life situations. All three chaplains are personally committed to hospice and believe in the importance of educating the public about the spiritual aspects of end of life experiences. Each one offers qualities that reflect goodness and concern. They are interfaith chaplains, meaning they are trained to give spiritual support to people regardless of faith and religious belief. The Rev. Millicent Wess, who resides in Mt. Laurel, NJ, is Director of Pastoral Care and Bereavement Services for Life Choice, joining the staff in 2003 after completing her chaplaincy training at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Sister Phyllis Ann DiRenzo is on staff full time for Life Choice and is a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, currently living at St. John Bosco Convent in Hatboro, PA. Rabbi Tsurah August, a resident of Elkins Park, PA, is on staff with the Jewish Hospice Network, a program of the Joan Grossman Center for Healing and Chaplaincy of Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia, currently contracted with Life Choice Hospice. The Rev. Wess explains that chaplaincy is more about spirituality than religion. “We are trained to give support in a way that is non-judgmental, non-threatening, and honors and respects everyone’s belief systems,” Wess said. “We support and affirm whatever our patients and their family members believe.” Each member of the Life Choice chaplaincy team feels that hospice chaplaincy was their calling and each cites a specific personal experience as the moment that showed them the way. Sister Phyllis Ann DiRenzo joined the chaplaincy team at Life Choice Hospice this past June. Five years prior to the start of her career in hospice, a very close friend passed away after a long battle with breast cancer. DiRenzo came to her friend’s aid during her last few months of life, taking care of her children, and providing her with companionship during this most difficult time. She believes these two months were the most rewarding time of their friendship, a time when they became closer than ever before. “I found myself being held up in a time of struggle,” she explained. “This was the first time that my faith was truly tested.” DiRenzo soon came to recognize that hospice chaplaincy is what she was meant to do. “It was then I realized that hospice was a place where my gifts could be used,” she said. “When some one is dying, presence is more valuable to them than anything you can do or say.” Rabbi August is a recent arrival to the Philadelphia area, moving to Elkin’s Park from Seattle, WA where she also served as a hospice chaplain. Her introduction to hospice care came while working in the HIV unit of Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY. The approach to patient care in the HIV unit was very similar to that of hospice, a team approach where everyone is involved in the care including the chaplain. A very personal experience served as the driving force leading Rabbi August to hospice work. When she was very young, her father died suddenly. Rabbi August was present during his unexpected death. Augusts’ mother did not talk about his death with her daughter then, believing it was better to remember him in life rather than in death. This experience heightened her awareness of the gift of hospice care for family members as well as patients. “As a hospice chaplain, I am there to be the patient’s companion in their final journey on earth,” August said. Like Sister Phyllis, Rabbi August believes that hospice chaplaincy was her calling, “Working in hospice allows me the opportunity to learn about the human condition,” she explained. “The rewards are immediate and you really get to perceive what’s important to each patient and family.” The Rev. Millicent Wess recalls the ‘light bulb moment’ in her life that led her to hospice chaplaincy. It came after the death of her mother-in-law, with whom she was extremely close. Wess’ mother-in-law had been like a mother to her so when the reverend learned that she had been placed on hospice in Ohio, she quickly rushed to her side. Her mother-in-law died five days later. “It was a very beautiful experience for our family, being by her side,” Wess explained. “For us it was healing.” At the time Wess was currently in the middle of chaplaincy training at Jefferson. “When I worked in the hospital I saw people die in very traumatic and painful ways,” Wess said. “When my mother-in-law was on hospice I learned that people don’t have to suffer and be in pain when they die. I see hospice as a gift that God has given us and a gift that we give those who are dying and their loved ones.” According to Rev. Wess, the main misconception about chaplaincy is that it is all about a particular religion. “Sometimes pastoral care is declined by the patient or family before we even make our first visit because they think we are going to preach to them and try to convert them to a particular religion,” she explained. “But that is not what we do. We are there to be with them as they face the end of life experience and possibly help them find meaning in its mist.” Wess feels honored to serve as a hospice chaplain and accompany patients on their last journey through life. “At that moment, at the bedside, when people are facing death, they are very vulnerable. You get to see the real transparent person,” she said. “It is a privilege when they allow me to be there with them at such a sacred time.” With an emphasis on living, Life Choice Hospice supports and assists terminally ill individuals and helps their loved ones cope with the challenges of life’s ending.

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LIFE CHOICE HOSPICE APPOINTS NEW VICE PRESIDENT OF ADMINISTRATION: PEGGY BERTELS

Philadelphia, PA (October 12, 2007) — Peggy Bertels has recently been appointed Vice President of Administrations of Life Choice Hospice. Bertels brings over 15 years of experience in hospice management and marketing to the position. Prior to joining the staff at Life Choice Hospice, Bertels was the Vice President of Hospice at Guardian Healthcare Holdings in Nashville, TN. From 2005 to 2007 she held the position of Regional Director of Operations for HCR-Manorcare/Heartland Home Health and Hospice in Toledo, OH. Prior to joining the team at Manorcare/Heartland, Bertels worked for Odyssey Hospice in Warminster, PA. Her professional experiences in the hospice industry began at Integrated Health Services/Trans Health Inc. in Sparks, MD, where she served as Regional Vice President from 1995 to 2004 after nearly two decades working in the marketing industry. Bertels received a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management from Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL, an MBA in marketing from Webster University in Kansas City, MO in 1984, and a Masters degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1991. “Peggy’s experiences in both marketing and the hospice industry made her the perfect candidate for this position at Life Choice,” said Doug Kosmin, President of Life Choice Hospice. “Her ongoing commitment to quality hospice allows her to fit in perfectly with our family of employees here at Life Choice.”

 

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