Growing Wesley Organization Launches Hospice

Johnston, IA - With the launch of Wesley Community Hospice on November 29th, Wesley Retirement Services (WRS) expanded its mission Iowa.  Wesley, who currently employs nearly 800 full and part-time staff and serves nearly 4,000 older adults, added hospice to its current offering which includes: retirement communities; in-home care; Meals on Wheels; and adult day services. After the initial launch in Boone, Hamilton, Story, Polk, Dallas and Warren counties, hospice services are expected to extend to all Wesley Communities by 2009.

The New Staff

Cyndi Rohret, RN, BSN, CHPN
Cyndi is a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse with over 25 years of experience in clinical nursing, education and training and operations management for the healthcare industry. An industry leader in hospice, Cyndi has served on several national committees focused on improving quality of care and implementing best practices for hospice care. In her new role as Executive Director, Cyndi will be responsible for leading market launch and daily management of Wesley Community Hospice.

Dr. Kathleen (Kay) Gannon, D.O., FACOI
Dr. Kay Gannon ads her position as Medical Director for Wesley Community Hospice to her current position at the Iowa Clinic where she specializes in internal medicine. With a strong passion for pain management, she is an active member and speaker for the Iowa Pain Management Institute and Cephalon, Inc. As Medical Director for the new organization, Dr. Gannon will provide oversight and support of the interdisciplinary care team, working with the patient's physician to coordinate medical care and manage difficult symptoms.  
 
Elizabeth (Liz) Miller, LBSW
Liz brings over 20 years experience with IHS-Iowa Methodist Medical Center in social work and counseling to her position as Patient Life Advocate for Wesley Community Hospice. In her role Liz will be responsible for counseling patients and families with grief and end-of-life care issues and will leverage her local experience to function as an expert in community resources.

Rev. Rayl Robbins
As the Wesley Community Hospice Spiritual Care Coordinator, Rayl will provide non-denominational spiritual care and guidance to clients, family and staff. Rayl brings many years of experience with hospice and as a hospital chaplain to his new position with Wesley and was the founding pastor of the Pastoral Family Life Worship Center in Ames.

Kathleen Fleming, RN, BSN, FCN
The position of Volunteer and Bereavement Coordinator has been filled by seasoned professional Kathleen Fleming. As Bereavement Coordinator, Kathleen will lead support group and memorial service efforts. She will leverage her experience in developing training for parish nurses and chaplains to attract and train a dedicated, compassionate volunteer team that will enhance care giving services provided by staff, and provide support to patients and their families.

Susan Hogan, RN
Susan Hogan joined the Wesley hospice team as Nurse Care Manager. With ten years experience in nursing, Susan will be responsible for daily clinical nursing, pain management and symptom care of hospice patients – with a focus on Wesley The Village in Indianola and the surrounding area.  Susan received her diploma from Mercy College of Health Sciences, and has worked at Mercy Medical Center since graduation.

Deborah Buse, RN
Deb joins Susan and Cyndi in sharing responsibility of clinical care for hospice patients in Des Moines and in teaching caregivers ways to provide for the patients care.  Her nursing career includes both direct care nursing as well as supervisory roles for in-home health services.
 

About Wesley Retirement Services
Wesley Retirement Services, Inc. (WRS), is a nonprofit organization with an emphasis on providing services to seniors in a Christian, caring way, while promoting optimum independence and an active lifestyle. WRS owns and operates five continuing care retirement communities (CCRC) throughout Iowa (Wesley Acres in Des Moines, Wesley Halcyon House in Washington, Wesley Heritage House in Atlantic, Wesley Park Centre in Newton, and Wesley The Village in Indianola).  In addition, WRS serves older Iowans at home and throughout the community with Wesley Community Services (Adult day care in Des Moines and Newton, hospice, home care and health services through in Des Moines, Ames and Indianola and Wesley Meals On Wheels in Des Moines). For more information about WRS please visit the website at www.wesleyservices.org.