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Miller joins new Mercy Hospice
Mercy Hospital has announced LaShawn Miller has joined the Mercy Hospice staff. Miller's responsibilities began May 1.
The hospice staff at Mercy will begin patient visits July 1.
Miller is a licensed social worker with more than 20 years of experience working with people of all ages in southeast and south-central Kansas. Her primary responsibilities with Mercy Hospice will include emotional support for patients and their families, oversight of the hospice volunteer program and coordinator of bereavement support, a news release said.
The goal of Mercy Hospice is to provide every patient with the highest quality of life possible. The hospice staff will visit patients wherever they live including homes and apartments, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and independent care facilities.
Hospice care is appropriate when a patient has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and life expectancy is six months or less and cure-oriented treatment is no longer being pursued.
"Hospice care is designed to help patients and their families make the most of every day." Miller said.
"Not everyone is comfortable working around death and dying," Miller said. "Just like we prepare for a coming of a new life with the birth of a child, hospice can help people prepare for the passing of a life."
Miller added, "With hospice, planning and education can help people deal with the fear of the unknown. The holistic approach of hospice care aids patients and their families physically, emotionally and spiritually. I feel privileged in my work that I have the opportunity to pray with a patient and comfort them during some of their most difficult times."
Miller's training has aided her in dealing with her own personal losses.
"It is important for anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one to know that you did all you could and needed to do to meet your loved ones needs," said Miller. "You must find peace in that."
Studies shows that some patients who get hospice care live longer than those who don't. In many cases that allows patients and families time to bond, mend, prepare and grieve as a unit.
Also on Mercy Hospice staff is Dr. Dean McNamara, hospice chaplain, and Kim Gomez, hospice nurse manager. With the additional of hospice care to Mercy's service line, patients may now receive the same quality of care and commitment to Mercy standards through the end of life, the release said.
Miller is a Fort Scott Community College graduate and was named Outstanding Young Alumna in 2002. She earned a bachelor's degree in social work from Wichita State University in 1993 and a master of social work from the University of Kansas in 1998. As an FSCC adjunct instructor, Miller teaches sociology, death and dying and leadership development.
She is currently a FSCC Alumni Board Member and a trainer for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteers. She previously served as a 6th Judicial District Board Member from 2000-2009.
Miller and her 13 year-old daughter, Cire', reside in Fort Scott.
"I am glad to be able to work in the community where I was raised and be able to help those who will be served by our hospice," added Miller. "I am also grateful that I can help others at a most difficult time in their lives."