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Celebrating Life CHI St. Joseph's Health Hospice Care 2016 Light Up a Life event honors the memory of Bert Ahern. "B ert was the love of my life," says Janet Ahern, Bert's wife. "We were married for more than 52 years. He was a brilliant man and historian who could remember virtually anything he'd ever read." Bert, a distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota, Morris, was known for being endlessly positive and one of the best problem-solvers on campus. Janet noted that while deciding to opt for end-of-life care was difficult for both of them—she and Bert both felt incredibly supported by CHI St. Joseph's Health Hospice Care staff and their Hospice Care volunteer, who also happened to be a close friend. "Hospice Care allowed Bert to live at home for what turned out to be the last two months of his life—that was an incredible gift to us and our family," Janet says. "He'd been in and out of hospitals several times, but Hospice allowed him to be at home, have home-cooked meals, and to look out over the lake from his bed." Provided end-of- life care to 100 individuals and their families Cared for 24 Hospice clients and their families daily Traveled 48,831 miles to provide care Grieved with 72 families whose loved ones have transitioned to the next place Provided 2,589 hours of volunteer service to our Hospice families At CHI St. Joseph's Health, one of the strongest aspects of the Hospice Care program is its volunteers. "Volunteers remain the heart of our hospice philosophy," says Betsy Meyer, CHI St. Joseph's Health Volunteer Services Coordinator. "Our volunteers truly engage in our mission to help families in their greatest time of need, at the end of life." If you are interested in becoming a Hospice Care Volunteer, please call Volunteer Services at 218.616.3197. From January 1–August 31, 2016, CHI St. Joseph's Health Hospice Care Sta and Volunteers ... Volunteers—The Heart of Hospice Provided end-of- life care to 18 veterans and their families CHI St. Joseph's Health | www.CHISJH.org 8