No One Dies Alone Program Launched at Evangelical Community Hospital

Pat Murray, Director of Volunteer Services (left) stands with Jenna Kapsar, junior volunteer (right). Each year the Junior Volunteers hold a fundraising effort for some aspect of the Hospital. Jenna assisted in raising funds for the start up of the No One Dies Alone program and was successful in raising $850.

The end of life’s journey is a sacred event, one that should happen while in the comfort of others, especially when family or friends cannot be present.

Evangelical Community Hospital’s No One Dies Alone (NODA) program, launching July 1, will ensure that patients will end their life journey within the comfort and compassion of trained volunteers if no family members or friends can be present.

The program, adopted by Evangelical Community Hospital, was started in November 2001 by Sandra Clarke, CCRN, at the Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene, Oregon, who firmly believes from experience that there should be more specialized end-of-life care so no one dies alone.

Following the model, when the NODA program is activated for a patient at Evangelical, the patient’s nurse will work with volunteer services to call in a NODA volunteer. NODA volunteers go through hours of specialized training and are accepted into the program through their interest in providing this kind of support to others.

When needed, NODA volunteers will introduce themselves and step into the role of friend and confidante for the patient. While nurses are tending other patients and responsibilities, the NODA patient will have constant companionship during their final hours.

Pat Murray, Director of Volunteer Services, said, “Bringing this program to life at Evangelical Community Hospital shows that as a community hospital we go above and beyond to provide the care needed to people in every stage of life. What the NODA volunteer brings to the patient is of a value only a patient at the end of their life can fully understand and we are honored to give them that gift.”

If you have an interest in volunteering your time and talents at the Hospital, call 522-2549 or visit www.evanhospital.com. The next NODA training of these specialized volunteers will be held Thursday, September 20, 2012 from 8 am to 12 pm at Evangelical Community Hospital in Apple Conference Rooms A & B.

Evangelical Community Hospital is a non-profit organization that employs approximately 1,300 people and has more than 170 employed and non-employed physicians on staff. The Hospital is licensed to accommodate 127 overnight patients, 12 acute rehab patients and 18 bassinets. The Hospital serves residents throughout the Central Susquehanna Valley, including those living in Snyder, Union, Northumberland and Lycoming Counties.