Francine Chamra named MHP Hospice Services 2015 Volunteer of the Year for Mahaska County

Francine Chamra, left, was recently named the 2015 Volunteer of the Year for Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Services in Mahaska County. She is shown with MHP Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Lisa McNulty.

MAHASKA COUNTY – Francine Chamra of Rose Hill was recently named the 2015 Volunteer of the Year for Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Services in Mahaska County.

According to MHP Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Lisa McNulty, the award was presented by the Hospice & Palliative Care Association of Iowa. Chamra is a member of the Mahaska Hospice Auxiliary Board and she volunteers every Saturday morning at the Hospice Serenity House.

“Francine was chosen because of the great impact she has made on our hospice patients and their families,” explained McNulty. “She was instrumental in creating the Hospice Auxiliary’s Bereavement Bags, given to families after the death of their loved one.

“Volunteering every week is a huge commitment. Francine not only does that, but she took the Saturday morning shift at the Serenity House, which is a difficult spot to fill.”

McNulty said Chamra had her first patient care assignment this year with a person who was very interested in artwork, especially painting. When the patient wasn’t able to do that anymore, together they discovered scrapbooking. Sorting the family photographs was a great project to work on and provided more time for visiting and some life review.

“Francine and this patient made several scrapbooks for the patient to give her family before she passed,” McNulty explained. “This patient wasn’t able leave her home easily and family lived away, so Francine’s visit became a very important part of her life. To say that she made an impact on this person and changed her final days on this earth would be a complete understatement. Francine jumped in with both feet and we are so proud of what she accomplished with this patient and also the love that she shared. ”

McNulty said that hospice volunteers are always needed for a variety of functions, including patient care and bereavement care at the MHP Hospice Services in Oskaloosa and at the MHP Hospice Serenity House. Volunteers must successfully complete the Hospice Volunteer training courses, pass criminal, child abuse and dependent adult abuse background checks, consent to a TB (tuberculosis) test and influenza vaccination and adhere to strict confidentiality. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can contact McNulty at 641.672.3266.

Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, visit www.mahaskahealth.org.