Hospice hosts community discussion, campus tour today

| June 13, 2018 1:00 AM

Hospice of North Idaho introduces the FRONTLINE documentary “Being Mortal” and an evening tour of the new Hospice campus today. Both events are free and located in the Community Building on campus at 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene.

Beginning at 10 a.m. and concluding at noon, Hospice will present the documentary “Being Mortal” featuring Atul Gawande, acclaimed author and surgeon. The documentary captures Gawande’s interviews with families who are on the end-of-life journey. The film offers a view into intimate discussions between doctors and families as Gawande reveals how to ensure no one sacrifices the things they care about in their final days.

“Our philosophy is to provide compassionate care and empower our patients to make decisions on their personal end-of-life journey,” said Hospice’s palliative care nurse, Peggy Hodge, LPN, CHPLN, in a press release.

After viewing the documentary, Kim Ransier, Hospice of North Idaho executive director, will facilitate a community discussion with a panel of local experts, including Hospice of North Idaho medical director Robert Ancker, MD; Kootenai Health palliative care physician Nicole Pelly, MD; Hodge; and Kootenai Health manager of chaplain services Jennifer James, MA, MEd, CCB, APBCC, LPC.

Beginning at 5 p.m., Ransier will introduce Idaho’s first hospice campus and lead a tour through the new Community Building. Located on the existing Schneidmiller House property, the new building offers office space for nearly 100 staff, an entire wing for grief groups and private counseling, meeting rooms for professional development, and a 300-person capacity community room.

In its 37th year, Hospice of North Idaho built the campus in response to the community’s wishes. “We’ve held a long-term vision of one campus where we provide care at the Schneidmiller House and where our entire residential care team and staff are right next door,” said Ransier, in the press release.