Member Spotlight – Gentiva Hospice
Hospice care is about treating the whole person – mind, body, and spirit – and bringing comfort, compassion, and closure for patients and their families. What makes Gentiva Hospice stand apart, executive director Cari Bergstrom said at the July 18th Chamber Connection, is their outstanding team.
“It’s our people, 100%!” she said. “We’ve got a really good thing going here. I love my team.”
That team works closely with patients and their families to develop care plans specific to the patient’s needs. Every care plan is different but may include pain and symptom management, emotional support, spiritual care, respite care, and bereavement care. Most importantly, dignity, grace, and compassion are always part of Gentiva’s care to patients and their families.
Gentiva Hospice started in McPherson 21 years ago as Hospice Care of Kansas.
“We’ve had a few name changes,” Bergstrom said. “With each one we’ve gotten a little bit better and also a lot bigger.”
The McPherson office covers Harvey, Marion, McPherson, and Ellsworth counties. There are sister branches of Gentiva Hospice in Winfield, Wichita, Hutchinson, and Salina as well as some branches in eastern Kansas. They all work together to take care of their communities and work in homes, assisted living communities, and long-term care facilities.
Gentiva prides themselves on being available 24/7/365, including weekends and holidays. They accept referrals and provide patient care every day of the year and are always available to address the concerns of patients and family members. In addition, they strive to admit eligible patients within three hours of receiving a referral.
“We understand that choosing hospice isn’t probably what you woke up and thought you’d do today, and so we want to walk beside our people and those in our community and be the ones providing that education and support,” said Bergstrom.
Learn more about Gentiva Hospice on their website and Facebook page. You can also call 620-245-0891 or stop by the office at 900 E. First St. Be sure to check out photos from the July 18th Chamber Connection.
