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Pine Tree Hospice Names New
Executive Director
On January 4th, Pine
Tree Hospice (PTH) will have a new leader; Jane Stitham, a long
time resident of Dover-Foxcroft, will take the reins from
current PTH Executive Director, Cynthia Scott. Stitham holds
both a BS in Business Administration and a Masters in Education
from the
University
of New Hampshire
and brings a wealth of experience to her new position. She was
employed by the Charlotte White Center for 25 years, growing
with the organization as it increased services and culminating
her career there as the Chief Financial Officer. Most recently,
she served as the Interim Finance Director for Midcoast Maine
Community Action. When asked what drew Jane to PTH, she said
“My mother's life set an example for me that I have always tried
to follow, one of countless moments of quietly helping others as
they faced difficult situations. Pine Tree Hospice affords me
the opportunity to carry this work forward, striving to ease the
challenges that families and communities face during a
life-limiting illness or an unexpected loss. I am honored to be
a part of Pine Tree Hospice's mission.” Stitham will join the
current PTH staff including Amy Madigan-Dube, Coordinator of
Volunteers and Client Services; Sherri Jackins, Administrative
Assistant; and Frances Spear, Staff Support.
Scott resigned from PTH to start
a home-based business, Fresh Air Dogs, which provides in-home
lodging and doggie day care with lots of TLC. “This is something
I have always wanted to do and now seems like the right time for
me to do it,” Scott said. Cynthia and her husband, Russell,
will continue offering Puppy Head Start and teaching Dog
Obedience Classes as they have since 1978. When asked what she
thought were her greatest accomplishments as PTH's Executive
Director these past three years, Scott cited the collaborations
with other local non-profits and the creation of Evergreen, a
weekly peer support program for grieving children and their
families. After two years of planning, the Evergreen program
began on October 1, 2008 and celebrated its one year anniversary
this past fall. Nineteen people have completed the 28-hour
Bereavement Facilitator Training to date. “I will continue to
serve PTH on the Bereavement Committee and as an Evergreen
Volunteer Facilitator and Trainer,” she said.
Pine Tree Hospice serves the
largely rural area of north central
Maine, providing end of life services
through the work of over ninety volunteers. Staff and
volunteers may travel as much as 100 miles round trip to assist
clients and their families. Referrals to PTH have increased
each year. Individuals may be referred by anyone including
their physician, and will be matched with an appropriate
volunteer or team of volunteers depending upon the need.
Incorporated in 1985, PTH is governed by a Board of Directors
composed of community representatives. Volunteers provide
direct and indirect services to clients. All hospice volunteers
must complete an initial 20 hour education program and continued
education hours each year thereafter. Services provided by PTH
are free of charge to clients and their families. Funding is
provided by the annual Variety Show,
United Way
donor designations, memorial contributions, donations, grants,
the annual appeal drive, and various other fundraising events.
Contracts with two Medicare hospice providers complete the
funding support.
Hospice
volunteers provide companionship, respite care for caregivers,
transportation to appointments, meal preparation, shopping,
medication delivery and light housekeeping. Evergreen, a
support group for grieving children and their families, meets on
a weekly basis with trained facilitators. A monthly Bereavement
Drop-In Group for adults is also available. In addition,
volunteers are available to provide grief support in the schools
or for other groups upon request. To contact Pine Tree Hospice,
call 564-4346, e-mail
wecare@pinetreehospice.org
or stop by the office located at
883 West Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft.
May
December 2009
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