Learn. Teach. Grow.
In 1983, four volunteer nurses—Kay Frommelt, Judy McDermott, Betty Takes, and Ruth Turnis—implemented the Hospice of Dubuque mission of providing compassionate care for persons with end-stage illness. These nurses learned all they could about hospice and palliative care and worked tirelessly to improve the end-of-life experience for their tri-state neighbors. They learned about living and dying from those they were privileged to serve. Learning was the foundation of building Hospice of Dubuque into the specialty service it is and in developing the expert care for which this organization is known.
For nearly 40 years, Hospice of Dubuque has also worked at teaching the community about the benefits of hospice and palliative care—about how this organization helps patients and families live as fully and comfortably as possible. Hospice of Dubuque brings comprehensive medical care to persons where and when they need us. Our specialty is managing the symptoms of serious illness, while also offering emotional, spiritual, and social support. Multiple disciplines join together to provide individualized and dignified care that respects the patient’s and family’s wishes. At Hospice of Dubuque, we are not gloom and doom; we are about living.
Since its very beginning, Hospice of Dubuque has been committed to growing to meet the needs of our tri-state community. Over the years, we expanded beyond an all-volunteer workforce. The first staff member was hired in 1987, and 35 years later, we now have over 70 professional staff members. Originally, our service area was only Dubuque County; we expanded to Illinois in 1995 and Wisconsin in 1998 as residents in those areas requested our services. In 2012, we piloted a palliative care program to address symptom management needs for non-hospice patients. Ten years later that program is flourishing. Our bereavement programs have expanded, and this summer, we are offering our first-ever children’s bereavement camp, Camp Kaleidoscope.
It was through learning, teaching, and growing that Hospice of Dubuque became a treasured resource and trusted provider in our community. So, it seems fitting that we have recently adopted this catchphrase—Learn. Teach. Grow.—and developed the logo above to serve as a visible reminder that this is a continual process. Rest assured that the Hospice of Dubuque team will never stop learning, teaching, or growing.
