Saginaw, Michigan, March 11, 2015 – To better meet growing demand for its services in the Great Lakes Bay Region, Hospice of Michigan has expanded its care team and enhanced opportunities to connect with the Saginaw community.
Michigan’s original – and largest – hospice and palliative care provider is welcoming a new medical director who will oversee the region, promoting staff and adding new team members, including an operations manager, grief support manager and nurse.
Additionally, the Saginaw team is planning for a number of outreach efforts within the community, including a travelling open house to introduce the breadth of services HOM provides, ongoing educational opportunities by offering courses that allow attendees to earn continuing education units, or CEUs, and other initiatives.
“We are very excited to announce an expansion of our care team in Saginaw,” said Bob Cahill, president and CEO of Hospice of Michigan. “By transitioning and promoting current staff, along with hiring very experienced professionals, we’re creating a very strong team in our Saginaw office that will enhance patient care and allow us to become more involved in the community.”
Dr. Evan Fogner adds the role of medical director in Saginaw to his existing responsibilities. Fogner joined HOM in 2010 and also serves as medical director for the organization’s At Home Support™ advanced illness management program. As medical director for the Saginaw office, Fogner will be responsible for overseeing care plans as well as providing direct patient care, advocating for patients and families, assuring clinical quality and serving as a medical resource for the entire team.
Elizabeth Rocha has been promoted to operations manager for HOM’s Saginaw office and North Oakland teams. Rocha joined HOM in 2010 as a registered nurse and eventually became an assistant manager. In her new role, Rocha will be responsible for managing daily operations of all patient care activity throughout the region, assuring a culture of compliance, accountability and excellence.
Bill Evans has rejoined the Saginaw office as grief support manager and spiritual care advisor, responsible for individual and group grief counseling, memorial events and community outreach initiatives. Evans previously served in this role from 2007 to 2010.
HOM has also reorganized its nursing team to include Heidi Tweedie, Kimberly Vaughn and Kelly Wright. Tweedie originally joined HOM in 2012 as a nurse for At Home Support and is transitioning to hospice care. Vaughn joined HOM last year after spending seven years as an operating nurse at various Saginaw area hospitals and facilities. Wright joins HOM after spending 15 years as an emergency room nurse at MidMichigan Health in Midland.
HOM’s Saginaw office holds a team of nearly 30, including medical professionals, social workers, grief counselors, spiritual advisors and volunteers. The next training session for volunteers is slated for May 2. For more information, visit https://www.hom.org/get-involved/getting-started/.
About Hospice of Michigan
A nationally recognized leader in end-of-life care, Hospice of Michigan is the original – and largest – hospice in the state. The nonprofit cares for more than 1,700 patients each day, raising more than $4 million each year to cover the cost of care for the uninsured and underinsured. HOM offers a broad range of services to enhance the quality of life at the end of life, including At Home Support™, our advanced illness management program, community-based palliative care and pediatric care programs. HOM provides grief support and counseling, caregiver education and support, and education programs for physicians and health care professionals through its research, training and education arm, the Hospice of Michigan Institute. For more information, call 888.247.5701 or visit www.hom.org.