L-R: Mark Killingsworth, Destiny Blackwell, Lindsey Sloan, and Lucy Sanguinetti
President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Allen Anderson provided the opening prayer. Wes Brooks led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom.
Joe Bost and thanked those who helped with today’s meeting. He also announced that members are now encouraged to sign-up on-line to assist with future meetings.
Lucy Sanguinetti then introduced today’s guest speaker, Destiny Blackwell. Destiny is a Care Coordinator for Traditions Health, a home health & hospice care provider. She lives in Gulfport. Destiny introduced Lindsey Sloan who is the Regional Director of Sales. Traditions, which is based in Texas, has facilities in 18 Mississippi counties.
Traditions offers skilled nurse and home health aide visits to help manage and comfort hospice patients. They also provide all medicines, medicine management, medical equipment and supplies related to the hospice diagnosis. Physician services lead the hospice team and provide oversight for each patient. In addition, they offer a social worker and a chaplain who provide counseling services. The chaplain often remains in communications with family members after death. They also offer volunteer services to assist with the provision of a comfortable and compassionate end of life experience. Their services are covered by private insurance carriers, Medicare and Medicaid. As a part of their volunteer services, they guide patients through the often-complicated process of filing for coverage.
Hospice patients are referred by physicians, rehab centers and personal referrals. To qualify for hospice care, the patient must have a terminal illness and can be enrolled in care for a six-month treatment program. In addition to in-home treatment some patients can receive respite care giving full-time caregivers a break. Respite care includes a five-day stay in a nursing home.
Mark thanked Destiny and Lindsey for their presentation. He reminded members that the Rotary Foundation is the club’s fourth quarter cause. Members are encouraged to make a $125 donation to the Foundation before the end of June. He also asked members to be thinking about club service projects. He also asked members to bring a potential member to future meetings.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mark adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”