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Canon Hospice "Making Every Moment Meaningful"

MISSION

We are dedicated in helping patients and families accept terminal illness positively and resourcefully, to preserve their dignity, and to endure the challenges that are accompanied at this critical time of life. We are always mindful of the great privilege we are granted through our hospice ministry to express compassion, respect, sensitivity, hope and love. Care is provided by a team of highly skilled professionals. Our goal is to allow our patients to live each day to the fullest and enjoy their time with family and friends. We are committed in meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our patients and their families.
Canon Hospice serves a 150 mile radius from Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Northshore, Greater New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

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SERVICES

ELIGIBILITY

A hospice patient must have a physician verified terminal illness with a prognosis six months or less. The patient must no longer be receiving curative treatments. We receive referrals from physicians, social workers, case managers, clergy and family members.
Medicare, Medicare HMO's, Medicaid and most private insurance companies cover hospice.

SERVICES
Inpatient , Home Based, Residential Care

All patients receive:

-Medical supplies and equipment for pain relief  and symptoms related to terminal diagnosis.
-Social worker visits for counseling and  psychosocial support
-Individual and group bereavement support for  families
-Spiritual support for patient and family
-Private consultation at home or hospital

Home Based patient Services:
Registered Nurse Visits , 24 hour emergency nurse visits, Home health aide visits to assist personal care needs Instruction and education in patient care for the caregiver.

Inpatient Services:
24 Hour Nursing Care Home-like environment Patients are permitted to receive visits at any hour (including children and pets).

Residential Care (Private pay basis):
Residential patient care is for patients who meet the basic criteria for home hospice care, but choose to have 24 hour care. residential care is not covered by Medicare or Medicaid. The payment for these services will be the responsibility of the patient and the family. A payment contract must be signed before admission. The responsible party will be billed on the first of each month . Payments will be due within 10 days after receiving the bill.

If you have questions regarding these services please contact us, we will make sure that your loved ones get all the care and comfort they need in this delicate stage of life.

New Orleans: (504) 818-2723
Baton Rouge: (225) 926-1404
Mandeville: (985) 626-3051
Gulfport: (228) 575-6251

BEREAVEMENT SERVICES

As part of our mission to provide support and comfort during this difficult time, we also offer bereavement services to family members before, during, and after the patient's death. We respect and honor the feelings associated with losing a loved one and are there to listen, encourage, or simply be there for families who need support. There are no fees for Bereavement Services and they are offered for at least 13 months after the patient's death.

Services Offered:

Counseling - Talking with a professional about the feelings of grief and loss you are experiencing is an important path to eventual healing. Individual and family counseling sessions are offered to help you through this difficult time.

Support Group - Grief can be very lonely and you may feel like you are by yourself with your feelings and loss and separation. Spending time with others who have experienced loss can be very comforting to those who feel alone. Our support groups meet at 4:30 on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at our Elmwood location.

Regular Phone and Mail Contact - The first year after the death is the hardest for bereaved persons to get through. Canon Hospice is there with regular phone and mail contact to support you through this difficult time. We mail educational information about grief along with supportive cards and letters. We also call periodically throughout the year to provide encouragement and give you an opportunity to express your feelings.

Memorial Services - Periodically, Canon Hospice holds a memorial service for our patients who have died. It is our opportunity to honor your loved one and express gratitude for allowing us into your lives.

Camp Swan - Every fall, Canon Hospice sponsors a camp for children age 7-12 who are experiencing grief. It lasts an entire weekend and involves play, artistic expression, and opportunities for kids to talk about feelings.

Referrals - We maintain a listing or bereavment resources and services in the area for those who may be experiencing more complicated grief. We also provide bibliographies and web sites for those who are interested in reading more information about grief and bereavement.

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EVENTS

Upcoming Events:

Celebration of life Ceremony/Reception
Sunday, March 9th
2-5pm
at The Rose Garden on Citrus

Canon Hospice Kid's Camp
Saturday, March 29th
(at the City Park Fishing Rodeo)
in City Park

Canon Hospice Support Group:
Tuesdays
4:30-6pm
at Canon Hospice
January 22nd
February 12th
March 4th, 18th
April 1st, 15th
May 6th, 20th
June 3rd, 17th

Greif Support Group:
Tuesdays
6-7:30pm
at Canon Hospice
January 22nd
February 12th, 26th
March 11th, 25th
April 8th, 22nd
May 13th, 27th
June 10th, 24th

Second Annual Akula Foundation Gala and Silent Auction
TBA

Camp Swan 2008 at Bayou Segnette
TBA

Canon Hospice and the Akula Foundation are now sponsoring a radio show on Saturdays at 1pm until 2pm. Tune into WIST 690 AM New Orleans. Sue May, CHPLN, is the host of the show along with doctors from the area and miscellaneous guests, tune in for more information.

We at Canon Hospice want the people of New Orleans to know that we are committed to being a part of the efforts to rebuild New Orleans.

We have already started this effort by hiring workers who were displaced from their jobs and are returning home seeking employment.

We are very proud to say that we were able to maintain services to our patients throughout Hurricane Katrina. Our inpatients were evacuated and our staff followed them all the way through to their return to Elmwood on October 4th, 2005.

TO CANON HOSPICE PATIENTS AND FAMILIES:

If your are returning home to the greater New Orleans area, please call us at 504-818-2723 so we may assist you. If you are not able to return, please call and let us know how and where you are.

LINKS:

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

American Hospice Foundation

Louisiana-Mississippi Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

Hospice Foundation of America

Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services

American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine

Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association

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JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Canon Hospice is the home for greater than 150 dedicated part and full time employees. Operating 24 hours a day, Canon provides the best hospice care for its patients. Each employee brings to Canon a dedication to service, working to make every moment meaningful for the terminally ill patient

People with relative Hospice experience can schedule an appointment with our Human Resource representative for the positions available by calling 504-818-2723 ext 3004 or 3005 or email: jobs@canonhospice.com

CURRENT OPENINGS:

New Orleans:
- PRN nursing staff needed now! (RN, LPN, CNA)
- RN's: Field and inpatient (nights)

Baton Rouge:
- Marketing position available, experience preferred.
- Community Liaisons needed

Northshore:
- Marketing position available.

Health Benefits included. Hospice experience a plus.
Please fax resume to 504-648-1806.Canon Hospice is an equal opportunity employer.

VOLUNTEER

Volunteers are part of the Hospice Team that offers supportive medical, emotional, spiritual and volunteer services to patients and families who are facing difficulties in the end of life.

Hospice volunteers are concerned individuals of all ages who willingly give of their time and talents to help Hospice families in many ways. They come from all walks of life, bonded by the mutual desire to serve the community.

Volunteers receive a basic orientation to the Canon Hospice program during our training program. Here the perspective volunteer learns about the hospice program and the volunteer's role as part of the Canon Hospice Team.

When training is completed, volunteers may select an area of involvement in the program whether in direct patient contact or in one of mny other supporting postitions.

Working in the Home:
Working with the patient and family is one of the most personal ways a volunteer can become involved with the program. Visiting the home, the volunteer serves as a friend to provide support to the patient and family.

In the Office:
In the team and administrative offices, volunteers provide much needed clerical support in a variety of ways - answering the phone, working on the computer, helping with mailings, photocopying and so forth.

In the Bereavement Program:
Opportunities exist for volunteers to assist with support groups, to make follow-up calls to families and become involved with our Memorial Services.

There is a place for you as a Hospice volunteer. The rewards of caring and sharing are beyond measure. Call today to learn more about your place on the Hospice Team. The Hospice support system continues after the death of a loved one with bereavement counselors assuming the support role. With the help of volunteers, they maintain a contact with family members through telephone calls and support groups for up to 13 months after a patients death, if requested.

Ways to Volunteer

There are as many ways to volunteer as there are individual volunteers. Ask the Hope Volunteer Department how you can best use your unique talents and abilities to help hospice patients and families. Here are just a few of the ways to volunteer:

-Run errands for a family
-Provide emotional support and friendship
-Give a caregiver some much needed rest
-Spend time holding a hand, talking, listening
-Visit patients at our inpatient setting or nursing facility
-Be a phone buddy for a patient who lives alone
-Assist with clerical work
-Provide office support for many departments
-Help with fundraisers, community activities and special events
-Attend health fairs to share information

Who Can Volunteer

Anyone with a caring heart and time to share can become a Canon Hospice volunteer. Our volunteers represent people from all walks of life with varied interests who tend to lend their experiences to help our organization and families we serve.

Volunteers are the heart of Canon Hospice. It is only through their efforts that we are able to fulfill our mission - providing exceptional care and support to all people touched by end-of-life issues.

Volunteers provide a wide range or services to patients and support to our organization. Each Canon Hospice volunteer is an essential part of caregiving and a value member of the hospice team.

BE A PART OF OUR TEAM

If you or someone you know would like to volunteer please contact one of the following people:

Jerry Pesses -Volunteer Coordinator
Canon Hospice - New Orleans/Mandeville
office.504-818-2723
fax.504-818-2706
cell.504-975-7878

Cedric Murphy, Jan Goff -Volunteer Coordinators
Canon Hospice - Baton Rouge
office.225-926-1404
fax.225-926-1403
murphy cell.504-881-0556
goff cell.504-881-0514

Jan Goff BCC Volunteer Coordinator
Canon Hospice - Gulfport
office.228-575-6251
cell. 504-881-0540

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STAFF

shivaAKULA, MD M.P.H. - President
jamieAKULA, CHPN CHA - CEO
charlesKILLION, MHA CHA - Administrator-NO
sueMAY, CHPLN , CHA - Assistant Administrator-NO
jackRULI, MD - Medical Director-NO/NS
alokGUPTA, MD - Medical Director-BR
jenniferBERGERON - Admissions Coordinator, Director of Marketing -NO
patriceDAVIS, RN BSN - Director of Field Nurses-NO
alanKELLY, RN - Director of In-Patient Nurses-NO
caraBASS, MSW - Clinical Social Worker-NO
lauraliMANERI, LPN - Education, Quality Assurance,  Infection Control-NO
catherineDURONSLET, RN - Patient Care Coordinator-NO
delouseDANTZLER, RN - Patient Care Coordinator-NO
annetteHAWKINS, RN, DON - BR
aliceALDRIDGE, LPN CHPLN - Certified Hospice and palliative Licensed Nurse-NO
hollyREIS - Community Liaison-NO
meganMcHAN - Community Liaison-NO
julieMARANGE - Community Liaison-NO
darnetteDANIELS - Community Liaison-NO
jerryPESSES, CPE - Director of Pastoral Care, Volunteer Coordinator-NO
REVEREND janGOFF, BCC - Chaplain, Volunteer Coordinator, Bereavement-BR/MS
REVEREND earlHODGES - Chaplain-NO
REVEREND cedricMURPHY - Chaplain-NO/BR
shannonMcDANIEL - MSW, Bereavement Coordinator-NO
ursulaNEWELL, MSW GSW - Social Worker-NO
patMOODY - Akula Foundation Representative-NO/BR/MS
sueSEXTON - Human Resources Director-NO/BR/MS
krishnaBIYYAM, PHARM - Pharmacy Quality Control Manager-NO
loisHALL, MA - Medical Records-NO
annetteSTEWART, CMR CES - Medical Records, Census Director-NO
donnaFRANSEN - Accounts Payable-NO
ashleighHOLLOWAY - Scheduling

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CONTACT

Toll free: 1-866-504-5740

New Orleans Location
1221 S Clearview Pkwy 4th floor
Jefferson, LA 70121
office.504-818-2723
fax.504-818-2706

Mandeville Location
4045 A Desoto Street
Mandeville, LA 70471
office.985-626-3051
fax.985-626-3052

Baton Rouge Location
5700 Florida Blvd Ste 301
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
office.225-926-1404
fax.225-926-1403

Mississippi Location
1520 Broad Ave
Gulfport, MS 39501
office.228-575-6251
fax.228-575-8225


General Information: info@canonhospice.com
Administration: jakula@canonhospice.com
Webmaster: jd@graphicnomads.com
Admissions: smay@canonhospice.com
Accounts Payable: accounts@canonhospice.com
Volunteer Services: volunteer@canonhospice.com
Human Resource: jobs@canonhospice.com
Education: education@canonhospice.com

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AKULA FOUNDATION

The Akula Foundation is a non-profit agency dedicated to making a difference in the life's of indigent patients. Funds are also used for community education and training. Donors may choose any other worthy cause. To make a donation please make your check or money order payable to Akula Foundation. All donations received by Canon Hospice are forwarded to The Akula Foundation.

Checks or money orders may be deposited in the donation box at our nurses station or mailed to:

The Akula Foundation
P.O. Box 850715
New Orleans. LA 70185

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CANON HOSPICE HEALTH HOUR
New Orleans

The Canon Hospice Health Hour began in March of 2006. In response to the thirst for good health information, The Akula Foundation and Canon Hospice have teamed their resources to provide this offering to the community. The show is hosted by Sue May, CHPLN. The show’s guest are members of the medical community (private physicians, and health related organizations). The Canon Hospice Health Hour airs each Saturday from 1pm – 2pm on WIST 690AM (formerly WTIX).

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CANON HOSPICE COMMUNITY HEALTH SHOW
Baton Rouge

The Canon Hospice Community Health Show began in April, 2007. Canon Hospice and the Akula Founcation have teamed their resources to provide this informatiove health show to the community. The show airs on WSBO 1150 AM every Saturday from 7:30 - 8:30 AM.

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CAMP SWAN

Camp Swan is a three-day, two-night camp for children ages 7 -12 who have lost a parent, sibling, or other significant person in their life. The camp combines art, music, individual and group therapies so that the needs of each child can be addressed. Through these theraputic experiences the children learn how to have a proper outlet for their feelings of sadness.

This year, the camp will take place at Bayou Segnette, Louisiana with datesTBA (2008). This is a lovely naturalistic setting with individual quarters for boys and girls who are supervised at all times by a group of trained professionals (Social Workers, Nurses, Chaplains and Physicians) along with trained members of the community. All volunteers receive background checks and attend a training session before attending camp.

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GRIEF RESOURCE CENTER

The Grief Resource Center is a program that is sponsored by the Akula Foundation. It was established in the Summer of 2006 to address the needs of loss and grief experienced by the greater New Orleans community.

MISSION

The Grief Resource Center is dedicated to providing comprehensive services to people in the greater New Orleans area who have experienced a significant loss and/or grief by providing programs that promote healthy life coping skills.

OUR PROGRAM

Our program is guided by the following three principles:

1. Providing a safe and supportive space for children, adolescents and families to work through grief in an effort to foster healthy functioning living after the devastation of a significant loss.

2. Providing resources for information and referrals.

3. Expanding grief support in the community by offering services in collaboration with other community organizations.

OUR CLIENTS

The clients of the Grief Resource Center are comprised of children, adolescents, and adults. Their makeup includes persons of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions and sexual orientations.

OUR STAFF

The Grief Resource Center staff includes people who are specifically trained in the field of grief and loss. Our group of professionals include: Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Social Workers and Counselors.

Dr.karleemARSHAD, Medical Director
Dr.leeARSHAD, Program Director

FEES

Because the Grief Resource Center is committed to helping a community that has been ravaged by loss emotionally and economically, we provide our services at no cost to our clients.

OUR FUNDING SOURCES

The Grief Resource Center operates with money secured through grants and donations from the community.

Please mail donations to:
The Grief Resource Center
1221 S. Clearview Parkway
Jefferson, La 70121

Or call: (504)818 2723 for more information.