SOUTHEAST HOSPICE HONORS VOLUNTEERS FOR THEIR SERVICE

Five Southeast Hospice volunteers were honored Thursday for their service to the programs and families it serves.

Southeast Hospice is a service of Southeast Missouri Hospital.

The Gabriel Award, the top award for hospice volunteers, went to Annette Trout of Cape Girardeau. She was honored for her outstanding service in all areas of volunteering and representing hospice philosophy to patients, their families and the community.

Ilene Evans of Cape Girardeau and Janet Weber of Jackson were honored for their dedication to Southeast Hospice's Care Line, a bereavement program. Volunteers keep in touch through phone calls and letters with families who have lost a family member.

The Cherub Award went to Lorene Wood of Cape Girardeau for her support and dependability in office work and other projects.

Sue Martin of Cape Girardeau received the Guardian Angel Award in recognition of her dedication to hospice patients and their families.

Southeast Missouri Hospital introduced the concept of hospice care in 1986. Since then, hundreds of terminally ill patients and their families have received support. The volunteer force is an integral part of Southeast Hospice. Volunteers complete an 18 to 24 hour training program.

The focus of Southeast Hospice is maintaining and enhancing the quality of life for terminally ill patients. The patient's family is involved in the patient's care with support from the 27-member hospice staff as well as other departments at the hospital.

Hospice not only provides relief from physical pain, but also helps ease the emotional, spiritual and financial pain that often accompanies a serious illness.

Southeast Hospice serves all or portions of 10 Southeast Missouri counties: Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Scott, Stoddard, Perry, Mississippi, New Madrid, Wayne, Madison and Pemiscot.