Within Reach Hospice Helps Fulfill A Patient’s Final Wish
The relationships we build don’t end when someone has passed. Learn more about how we recently honored the legacy of one of our patients, Jim Tol.
Within Reach Hospice Hosts Grand Opening for New Grief Support Center
Within Reach Hospice’s Van Andel Hope & Healing Pavilion hosted their grand opening yesterday, officially welcoming staff and community to the new space. Located in the previously unused lower level of their Trillium Woods building in Byron Center, the pavilion will allow for expanded bereavement services as well as important hospice education and staff collaboration and respite.
Trillium Institute Executive Director Wins “Top Doctors” Award
Grand Rapids Magazine has named their “Top Doctors” for 2023, and Dr. John Mulder has made the list for the fifth year in a row. This peer-voted award recognizes doctors for their excellency in their respective fields. Dr. Mulder serves as Chief Medical Consultant for Hospice and Palliative Care at Within Reach Hospice and Executive Director of Trillium Institute.
Dr. Patrick Fitzgibbon, sat down with the FOX 17 Morning Mix
Within Reach Hospice Medical Director, Dr. Patrick Fitzgibbon, sat down with the FOX 17 Morning Mix to discuss the benefits of early hospice care and the approach that our organization takes when serving others through their end-of-life journey.
Within Reach Hospice Opens Van Andel Hope and Healing Pavilion
Beyond providing high-quality hospice care for patients, Within Reach Hospice also supports their patients’ loved ones through grief counseling. To increase its capacity to provide bereavement services, Within Reach Hospice has built out the lower level of its Trillium Woods building. With generous support from donors and the community, the Van Andel Hope & Healing Pavilion is ready to welcome people and further the organization’s mission to serve.
Burden Bears: A Project Comes Full Circle
When Joyce Hamm came to Trillium Woods to receive hospice care, she, like many Within Reach Hospice patients, was given a Burden Bear. These handmade stuffed bears aim to comfort hospice patients or their family members during the end-of-life journey and afterward. But, little did our staff know that when they gave that bear to Joyce, they were placing it in the hands of the woman who started the project many years ago.
13 on Your Side Interview
Navigating all of the decisions that must be made as a loved one nears end-of-life can be difficult. Listen to Director of Operations, Benjamin Jacobs on @13 On Your Side as he describes the physical, emotional and spiritual care the Within Reach Hospice team provides to both patients and their loved ones.
CAROLYN FLIETSTRA, EVP, INDUCTED INTO THE MHHA HALL OF FAME
Our Executive Vice President, Carolyn Flietstra, has been inducted into the Michigan HomeCare & Hospice Association (MHHA) Hall of Fame. She is being recognized for her dedication to bringing compassionate care to our community and the impact she has had on homecare and hospice care throughout our state. Carolyn joins a distinguished group of past Hall of Fame recipients, including Within Reach Hospice’s Executive Director, Rene Wheaton. Congratulations on this tremendous achievement!
25th Anniversary
We have to go back to 1892 to see where Within Reach Hospice got its start and where that was, was not in hospice care. At this time, Holland Home opened its doors to help aging seniors in the West Michigan community. In 1986, hospice became a permanent Medicare benefit, and we soon realized a need for faith-based hospice care in our community. So, in 1995, Hospice of Holland Home started providing care to those approaching the end of their life.
Within Reach Hospice STAFF VACCINATIONS UNDERWAY
We are happy to report that our staff has started receiving their COVID-19 vaccinations, allowing us to further protect those we serve. We know that this pandemic will continue to affect our community but are very thankful that we have been able to take this step.