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"Making a Difference" Awards Granted
Better Ending Honors Exceptional Community Efforts to Advance Its Goals
(Worcester, MA, December 12, 2005)—Better Ending recently honored the outstanding accomplishments of several community residents and one organization in advancing the goals of this non-profit initiative. At its recent annual meeting of the Better Ending Community Advisory Council, “Making A Difference” Award recipients were publicly acknowledged for their invaluable contributions.
The Better Ending initiative is a project of the Central Massachusetts Partnership to Improve Care at the End of Life, Inc. The Partnership is a community coalition of professional, civic, business and religious leaders committed to the vision that all persons in Central Massachusetts live their last days in this life as comfortably as possible, in the setting of their choice, according to their expressed wishes, while they and their families are supported by a caring community.
Each year Better Ending recognizes significant assistance by individuals and others toward building awareness of the importance of end-of-life care planning in Central MA. The “Making A Difference” Award is thoughtfully bestowed upon those groups or persons demonstrating exceptional commitment to the mission of Better Ending. For 2005, three such “Making A Difference” Awards were granted to the following recipients:
For critical logistical support, the VNA Care Network was applauded for providing office space, computer support, and much more. Karen Green, President and CEO of VNA Care Network, accepted the award on behalf of the Worcester-based professional home care service provider. Better Ending operates its headquarters out of space supplied by the VNA Care Network, conveniently located at 120 Thomas Street in Worcester.
In response to their considerable work promoting diversity issues withinBetter Ending projects, both Joanne Calista and Shirley Wright were presented the “Making a Difference” Award. Serving as Co-Chairs of the Better Ending Diversity Work Group, Ms. Calista and Ms. Wright have guided the efforts to understand the multicultural need for advance care planning in Central MA. The many hours of focus group studies, interviews, and data collection resulted in the production and release in October 2005 of the first three multicultural versions of Better Ending’s signature publication, A Guide for a Better Ending (in Latino, Vietnamese, and African-American sensitive versions).
The extremely vital creation of a Better Ending informational video was made possible by the pro bono professional efforts of Bill Nay of Shrewsbury Media Connection. The video explains the mission of Better Ending, the importance of end-of-life care planning as told by healthcare, religious, and other professionals, and includes a Q&A session with a diverse audience. The 30-minute video has already been aired on community television in Worcester and beyond, as well as shown to community groups throughout Central MA.
In 2004, the “Making A Difference” Award was bestowed upon the following three individuals: Raymond L. Delisle, for directing and producing the 7-minute film, Better Ending; Andy Davis of Davis Advertising, for providing the creative talent for A Guide for a Better Ending materials and the Better Ending web site; and Dr. Mary Valliere, MD, for the development and implementation of Palliative Care Consultation Services at UMass Memorial Health Care.
“Our work is made possible through the participation of many members of the Central MA community,” confirmed Christine McCluskey, RN, Executive Director, Central Mass Partnership to Improve Care at the End of Life, Inc.. “Over 100 volunteers are participating in a variety of ways to help us achieve our goals. Though we are most grateful to all, this year’s honorees are particularly commendable. They have truly made a difference for Better Ending.”
Other important announcements made at the 2005 Annual Meeting included a report on bringing Better Ending to retirees of the Commonwealth, reports on significant developments achieved by the Better Ending Health Care, Employers, and Diversity Work Groups, and an exciting statement of support from several of the major healthcare organizations in Central MA.
Founded in 2002, The Central Massachusetts Partnership to Improve Care at the End of Life, Inc. is supported through the generosity of many grantors and in-kind donors including businesses, health care institutions, foundations, and individuals.
For further information, contact Christine McCluskey, RN, Executive Director, Central Massachusetts Partnership to Improve Care at the End of Life, Inc. at (508) 767-9877 or visit www.BetterEnding.org.
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