Bluegrass Care Navigators News

Shelby Valley High School senior Mahala Honaker discovered the hope found in hospice care through her involvement with Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). After attending a presentation at her high school with the Pikeville Volunteer and Community Liaison, Mahala and her peers recognized an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of hospice services in their community and felt a strong calling to care for those in need.

When it comes to care that truly matters, November's National Hospice and Palliative Care Month shines a light on the difference Bluegrass Care Navigators (BCN) makes every day. In an exclusive interview with WKYT, Liz Fowler, President and CEO of BCN, shares how this organization, founded over 45 years ago by compassionate volunteers, continues to honor its roots while embracing innovative ways to provide comfort and dignity. Watch the video below to discover why their mission matters and how it could touch your life or the lives of those you love.

Alice, a young bereavement client, experienced profound loss at a very early age. Alice herself had been diagnosed with leukemia at just 2 1/12 years old and underwent more than two years of treatment before her cancer went into remission. Then, at the age of 10, Alice’s mother passed away under the compassionate care of Bluegrass Hospice Care after her own prolonged battle with cancer.

Vicky Schriml volunteers at the 11 th hour because she believes that no patient should pass alone. In this role, Vicky offers comforting companionship to patients in our Lexington region who are in their final moments, providing additional support to the patient and family.

Jill Conway serves as an 11 th hour volunteer to give back to her community. In this role, Jill offers comforting companionship to patients in their final moments, especially those without family nearby.

Connie Miller began volunteering with Bluegrass Care Navigators in the Frankfort region just over a year ago while completing her certification as an end-of-life doula. Initially seeking volunteer hours, Connie quickly realized that this work was her calling and decided to continue volunteering long-term.

After serving as a chaplain in the Cynthiana region at Bluegrass Care Navigators for 13 years, Rick Snyder chose to become an 11 th hour volunteer in retirement. In this role, Rick gives back to his community by offering comfort to patients in their final moments, especially those without family nearby.

After Julie’s parents passed when she was a teenager, she grieved for years. Twenty years ago, she saw a newspaper ad asking for volunteers at Bluegrass Care Navigators and felt compelled to help others in ways she hadn’t been able to provide for her own parents. Now, as an 11 th hour volunteer in our Northern Kentucky region, Julie provides a comforting presence to patients in their final moments without family nearby.

For Milly Burkhart, being an 11th Hour Volunteer is a sacred and holy honor. In this role, she provides the comfort of presence to Eastern Kentucky patients in their final moments who don’t have family nearby. Milly, and her fellow 11 th hour volunteers, answer the call, no matter the time of day or night to sit with patients when it’s needed most.