ST. ANTHONY’S “NO ONE DIES ALONE” PROGRAM
RECEIVES FSPA 2007 CHRISTIAN MISSION AWARD
St. Anthony Regional Hospital & Nursing Home received the 2007 Christian Mission Award from the Franciscan Sisters (FSPA) of Perpetual Adoration at the FSPA Annual Meeting in LaCrosse, Wisconsin on November 2, 2007. The award was given in recognition of St. Anthony’s “No One Dies Alone” program, which began in September 2006.
The program was initiated when Peg Scheidt, St. Anthony Pastoral Care Director, noticed that from time to time, St. Anthony was providing care to terminally ill patients and residents who either had no family, whose family and friends did not live nearby, or whose family needed respite and time for themselves.
In her mission to find an alternative for those who would otherwise die alone at St. Anthony, Peg discovered a program which had been initiated at another healthcare facility called “No One Dies Alone.” Peg realized this program was a model program that could be replicated at St. Anthony.
With the blessing of St. Anthony’s administrative staff and Board of Directors, interested St. Anthony employees and volunteers began the “No One Dies Alone” ministry. Peg coordinated the Pastoral Care Department, Social Services, and Hospice as they worked together to educate 40 employees who volunteered to become compassionate companions to those who would otherwise die alone. Training and orientation of the employee volunteers took place in the fall and summer of 2006. Under the direction of the pastoral care and hospice staff, volunteers were specially trained in the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of dying. Since the program’s inception, eight volunteers have been called to sit with six dying individuals.
“I am pleased to accept this award from the Franciscan Sisters on behalf of the “No One Dies Alone” volunteers, said Scheidt. We believe this program exemplifies St. Anthony’s commitment to compassionate care to patients and residents in all stages of life.”