Agrace Thanks Richland Center Community Partners

Friday, February 17, 2017

RICHLAND CENTER, Wis. – On Thursday, January 19, more than 50 people gathered at the University of Wisconsin–Richland to recognize the contributions of nine local individuals at Agrace Hospice & Palliative Care’s Community Appreciation Dinner. These individuals served as part of Agrace’s Richland Center Community Partnership Committee, which played a key role in improving quality of life in Richland Center and surrounding communities by connecting people to Agrace’s services. Agrace is a nonprofit, community-supported hospice and palliative care agency that began serving Richland Center in February, 2016.

“One of Agrace’s guiding principles is to expand our services to areas where people have less access to hospice and palliative care,” said Brian Tennant, Agrace chief information officer and Richland Center native. “Because of the efforts of this group, many people in the Richland Center community have already been able to receive Agrace’s support during a serious illness, care at the end-of-life, or comfort when they were struggling with grief.”

Richland Center community members honored at the reception include Bob Bellman (pictured left), Darrel Tennant, Dorothy Thompson, Mark Jelinek, Mary Ellen Boak, Norbert Calnin, Pat Metz, Shirley Steiner and Susan Hallett. Pictured alongside each honoree are: (left-right) Brian Tennant; Julia Houck, Agrace chief administrative officer, and Cheri Milton, Agrace community grief specialist.

Agrace offers specialized pain and symptom management and other services to help increase patients’ comfort and reduce their stress during any stage of a serious illness. These services include palliative care consultations, hospice care and grief support, as well as educational services related to advanced illness.

Agrace has provided end-of-life care and related services to patients and their families throughout southern Wisconsin for nearly 40 years. Agrace cares for people of all ages, including children, and honors the distinctive cultural and spiritual practices of all people. Community donations to the Agrace Foundation’s Care for All charitable care fund help ensure that Agrace can offer services to every eligible patient in this area, including those who are not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance and cannot afford to pay for the care they need.

Agrace complements its professional care with the service of specially trained volunteers, who donate their time as caring companions to patients or in staff-support roles at Agrace’s inpatient hospice facilities in Janesville and Fitchburg. Volunteer support allows Agrace to provide more robust and extensive services than could be offered with staff alone. Agrace is in need of volunteers in Richland Center. Call (608) 327-7163 or visit Agrace.org/volunteer for more information.