Leadership Letter
Happy New Year, everyone!
The Boquete Health and Hospice organization is planning an exciting 2023. We are happy to announce that we resumed in-person Being Prepared workshops and New Volunteer training this month. So many people were interested in the workshop that we expanded to three sessions and eight new volunteers attended training. We will continue to expand volunteer teams throughout the year. We are cautiously getting our Hospice team back out to do home visits.
We are planning a Basic First Aid class and a CPR class in the coming months, and looking forward to fundraising events later in the year that will be fun-filled with food, music, and games.
A master computer designer is working on perfecting our operations database and we are planning for much growth in our community outreach programs, headed by Lesley Hughes, VP, Community Relations. Lesley is also working with our marketing and social media teams to increase awareness and educate the community on the services and quality education that BHH offers.
We invite everyone to join us as a volunteer to strengthen our lives and our community.
Best Wishes,
Kat McKay
Vice President, Operations |
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2023 Officers and Initiatives
On January 11, 2023, the membership of Boquete Hospice and Health Foundation met (in-person and via Zoom) and elected the following people to the governing council: - President – Open
- Vice President, Community Relations – Lesley Hughes
- Vice President, Operations – Kat McKay
- Secretary – Keith Daniels
- Treasurer – Bill Hinrichsen
- Past President – John Earle
Also, three Patient Care Coordinators were appointed: - Bev Tyler
- Craig Gatrel
- Denise Daniels
The budget for 2023, which has been approved by the Council, was presented: - Income of $21,100
- Expenses of $26,872
The initiatives for 2023 were also presented. The general thrust for the year will be on a gradual resumption of our pre-pandemic activities: in-home visits, in-person meetings, and more community workshops and education, while continuing those activities Boquete Health and Hospice has done all along.
We also hope to fill the remaining volunteer positions soon. If you are interested, please contact Lesley Hughes to discuss your background and interests: - President
- Hospice and Home Health Care Team Leader
- IT Team Leader
- Communications Team Leader
- Newsletter Coordinator
- Volunteer Coordinator
- Fundraising Events Catering Coordinator
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 | | Being Prepared team from left to right: Kat McKay, Kelly Honyak, Sandra Cripe, and Dave Nichols. |
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Being Prepared Workshop Delivered to "Sold Out" Crowd So many people wanted to attend Being Prepared for End of Life In Boquete Workshop this month, that three sessions were scheduled with 52 people signing up! The workshops were delivered by Kelly Honyak and Dave Nichols, who did an outstanding job.
The participants are now much better prepared to control the legacy of what they leave behind to friends and family and comply with Panamanian law while doing so.
Thanks to everyone who assisted in making the workshops a success, including Sandra Cripe, Kat McCay, Lesley Hughes, Cat Vann, and Herta Bernbach. And a big thank you to the Retire in Panamá team, who asked us to participate in their Q&A show and marketed the workshop and the manual to their followers, which drew a lot of attention to the workshop.
We received $670 in donations through the Being Prepared program including two generous donations of $500 and $100 to the general fund.
If you weren't able to attend, you can still purchase the Being Prepared manual at Mail Boxes Etc. or at the BHH table at the Tuesday Market for a donation of $10. The hard copy is available in English or Spanish. A PDF version will be available in the future through a minimal donation of $5 on the BHH website. Once that's possible, we'll announce it in this newsletter. |
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 | | Being Prepared Workshop team from left to right: Cat Vann, Kat McKay, Kelly Honyak, Dave Nichols, Lesley Hughes, and Herta Bernbach. |
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New Volunteer Class Starts the Year with Enthusiasm
Eight enthusiastic students participated in the January New Volunteer Training class. During the three information-packed days of class, students not only learned about the services that Boquete Health and Hospice provides, but also participated in hands-on training in the use of crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, and other mobility equipment.
Each team from BHH was represented by speaker(s) who discussed in detail how they provide valuable services to the local community. From music programs to translation services, the Being Prepared workshop, the newsletter, and social media, students were able to ask questions of our BHH experts.
It is often thought that a medical background is required to become a member or volunteer with BHH. That is not true. Our volunteers are from various professional backgrounds and contribute to BHH in many different capacities.
We welcome our new volunteers and look forward to working with them to serve our community. |
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 | | The class began with an introduction to our Patient Care Coordinators Bev Tyler, Craig Gatrel, and Denise Daniels. |
 | | John Ferguson demonstrated how to set up and use an oxygen concentrator. |
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 | | Natalie Kelly taught the class about the BHH newsletter and public relations efforts. |
 | | Kat and Larry Clayton shared their experience in navigating the local medical system during an emergency situation. |
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 | | Students created puzzles representing the pieces that make up our complex organization. |
 | | With the help of a four-legged visitor, Chuck High and Lesley Hughes demonstrated the proper use of crutches. |
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 | | Dr. Rod Gottula addressed the class about death/grief and the signs of dying. |
 | | Sandra Cripe provided an overview of the Being Prepared workshop. |
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 | | Art Blevins introduced the BHH music program to the class. |
 | | We'll have another New volunteer class later this year. Watch this space for more info. |
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Walkers Benefit Handicap Foundation
We donated two of our walkers to the Handicap Foundation (Foundation Pro Integración) at the end of December. Sally Zigmond delivered the walkers to Migdalia Rios and Loesje Sherwood (pictured left), who run the retail store of the foundation. |
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Thank You
to the
Retire In Panamá Team!
Over the past few months Rod Larrivee and Oscar Peña have been instrumental in helping promote BHH. |
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On November 7, 2022, BHH was invited to speak during a Retire In Panamá´s webinar regarding BHH's services, healthcare, and hospice care in Boquete.
The response was overwhelming and following the workshop, Rod and Oscar continued to help BHH by promoting our Being Prepared for End of Life in Boquete workshop and manual. As a result of their help, BHH had a record number of sales for the manual and the first workshop immediately sold out. Two additional workshops were added to accommodate the demand.
BHH also received a wonderful surprise from Retire In Panamá in December. Retire In Panamá hosted its first holiday bash and proceeds from the raffle were donated to BHH! These funds are greatly appreciated and will be used towards the purchase and repair of the medical equipment that BHH loans to patients.
Partnering with Retire In Panamá is a unique and very rewarding experience which benefits both organizations. BHH looks forward to a continued friendship with Oscar, Rod, and everyone at Retire In Panamá!
More information about Retire In Panamá and its services can be found on their website. |
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Updated BHH Brochure Now Available BHH has produced a new paper trifold brochure updated with the latest information people need at a glance. In English and Spanish, the brochure is available at the Tuesday Marketing at our table and upon request.
Please email info@boquetehospice.org to reserve your copy or copies. If you are a member of any groups, consider ordering a supply to make available during your meetings or events. The brochure is especially important for anyone who does not use the internet. |
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