Blue Ridge Hospice announces banner year in 2018

One of Hospice’s pet therapy teams, the ever-popular Dixie with owner and volunteer Deanna Fritz. Dixie is an agility champion when she is not visiting Blue Ridge Hospice patients. Courtesy Photo/Blue Ridge Hospice

Proclaiming “one of the best years ever” for the Blue Ridge Hospice in 2018, board Chair Jared Truban said the hospice achieved “the highest quality of patient care ratings” in its 35-year history.

Located in Winchester but covering five adjacent counties, the hospice’s recently-issued 2018 annual report said a caregiver survey conducted by Medicare indicated Blue Ridge Hospice exceeded the national average in all eight “caregiver quality” ratings.

“The quality end of life care we provide continues to differentiate Blue Ridge Hospice among all the end of life care choices available today,” Truban said in a message to the Blue Ridge Hospice Community.

According to the report, the non-profit organization was again the beneficiary of more than $1 million in donations and the provision of $328,000 in charity care. “No one is ever turned away on inability to pay,” the report noted.

On a page devoted to statistical highlights, the report announced its total revenues last year – $18.6 million – with expenditures of $18.4 million and 1,235 patients served. Medicare and Medicaid paid almost 92% of costs but volunteers – 950 providing 37,000 volunteer hours – saved almost $1 million ($980,625) in costs. Average length of stay in the Cork Street, Winchester facility was 83 days.

The five counties served are Frederick, Shenandoah, Warren, Clarke, and Loudoun. Volunteers staff eight thrift shops with three objectives in mind: to support the Patient Care Fund which principally benefits patients unable to afford hospice care; provide high-quality, reasonably priced merchandise to customers; and keeping thousands of pounds of clothing and soft goods out of local landfills.

Also, unwanted and out-of-date devices are accepted at thrift shop stores for its Blue Ridge Hospice E-cycling program that last year involved 192,000 pounds of metal, Truban ended his message with “my deepest thanks and gratitude to all for helping ensure Blue Ridge Hospice is available for all those who need the highest quality end-of-life care possible.”

During the year, Constance Morrison, president and CEO, left office and was replaced last month by Richard Kennedy who was named interim president and CEO of Blue Ridge Hospice. Kennedy has a background with various regional nonprofit community organizations both locally and in California.