A patient’s hospice care team is a specially-trained, multidisciplinary group with each member playing a role in the planning, providing, and managing of the patient’s end-of-life care.
Playing a crucial role in the care team is the hospice medical director, an expert physician that is responsible for ensuring that every patient’s care wishes are honored, that the hospice team is supported, and that the care goals set for each patient are being achieved.
Dr. Kevin Park, MD has served five years as hospice medical director in Bryan and Williams County for Community Health Professionals (CHP) Hospice but has also served in the same capacity with other hospice agencies. We asked Dr. Park for his unique perspective on locally-provided hospice services.
Q: Why did you decide to be a Hospice Medical Director?
A: “I always wanted to reach out to others and help them in times of their lives where they are suffering. Helping the end-of-life patient gives a unique opportunity to share my faith and experiences while giving medical advice and relief of their suffering.”
Q: What has kept you doing this for the past five years?
A: “I continue to be a hospice medical director because it is fulfilling to be a part of a multidisciplinary team which helps to ease the dying process for patients and their families.”
Q: What’s important for patients and families to know about hospice?
A: “Hospice care is so beneficial to families and patients. A hospice team helps families to focus on their own feelings for their loved ones and alleviates worries about details of their care.”
Q: Because you have worked with so many hospice agencies, what sets one apart from another?
A: “CHP is an outstanding organization which surpasses all standards in excellent communication and thoughtful care of the sick and dying. What sets CHP apart is an excellent sense of teamwork that enables them to do more for each individual patient than other organizations can do.”
Q: Describe your personal experience with CHP Hospice.
A: “Both my father and father-in-law were assisted by CHP Hospice. My father was cared for at home by CHP and my father-in-law received care at CHP’s Defiance Area Inpatient Center. The nurses and staff in both instances were wonderful. I will never forget their loving approach and thoughtfulness to our family during that difficult time.”
CHP delivers comprehensive hospice services throughout Williams County and the surrounding area. Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center is also available nearby offering general patient care, residential care, and respite services.
To learn more about hospice services available locally, call or stop by your local CHP Home Care & Hospice or visit our website at www.ComHealthPro.org.