Wichhart Named 2014 MHP Hospice Services Volunteer of the Year
Wichhart was honored by the Hospice and Palliative Care Organization of Iowa at a special ceremony Sept. 5. Wichhart was named Mahaska Hospice Volunteer of the Year 2014.
MAHASKA COUNTY – Mahaska Health Partnership Home Health and Hospice Services is pleased to announce that Becky Wichhart has been named the 2014 Hospice Services Volunteer of the Year for Mahaska County.
Wichhart was honored by the Hospice and Palliative Care Organization of Iowa at a special ceremony Sept. 5. When asked about her passion for volunteering, Wichhart explained, “God asks us to give unselfishly and to love with all of our hearts, so this is who I am and what I do.
“My parents both passed away at a young age; however, it was my father’s years of illness which taught me the most. The love of God was shown to my family through so many people and in so many ways. At that time, I was also very young but I never forgot how loved and cared for I felt. I just want the chance to do the same thing for someone else.”
Lisa McNulty, MHP Hospice Services Volunteer Coordinator, said Wichhart was nominated due to her dedication to hospice patients. “We recently had a younger patient at the MHP Hospice Serenity House and Becky made a significant effort to connect with her,” McNulty explained.
“During her time at the house, Becky did all she could to ensure the patient’s last days were some of her most memorable. She became a very special friend through shared confidences, and unique experiences like painting her nails and creating a picture board for the patient that she wanted displayed at her funeral. Becky worked tirelessly to make sure the board was completed exactly as the patient wanted.
“Due to Becky’s friendship with this patient, she was able to nurture her through the dying process and affected her life in a very positive way,” McNulty shared.
According to McNulty, Wichhart works full time at Musco Lighting and still gives significant time to hospice patients and also volunteers at the Serenity House. “She often stays late to assist staff; always eager to help any way she can. We owe Becky a huge debt of gratitude for her kind and caring ways as well as her energy and commitment to our hospice patients.”
McNulty said volunteers are a vital asset to hospice patient care. “We rely heavily on volunteers to assist staff but also visit patients either in their home or at the Serenity House. Volunteers play games and read to patients, chat or simply sit; anything that offers comfort and companionship.”
McNulty stressed that volunteers are placed in positions based on personal choice. “Becky loves people and has an ability to make very deep personal connections with them. That is her gift but I have some volunteers who are more comfortable in a supportive role, assisting staff, etc. Both positions are imperative to our ability to care for our patients and our organization is so grateful for any help we receive.”
For more information about volunteering with MHP Hospice Services, 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.
