Genesis Nurse Pat Christy Named Manager Of Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House
DAVENPORT, Iowa – Genesis Cancer Program manager Pat Christy has been named manager of the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House.
The hospice house, the first freestanding hospice house in the region, is scheduled to open in October. The 16-bed house, located on Tech Drive in Bettendorf, will provide quality, compassionate end-of-life care for terminally ill patients.
Christy, who has been with Genesis Health System for nearly 20 years and continuously since 1991, will manage day-to-day operations and staffing of the hospice house.
Marianne Meyers, director of hospice for Genesis VNA and Hospice, will be the director of the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House. Genesis VNA and Hospice will operate the hospice house.
"Pat has special knowledge and certifications that will make her an excellent manager of the hospice house,’’ said Keith Kertland, executive director, Genesis Home Health Services. "She also has eight years of experience with hospice and home care.’’
Christy, BSN, will move to her new position on Aug. 28. She will hire and manage approximately 30 employees. The house will also have a full-time volunteer coordinator and approximately 150 volunteers.
Christy is a certified holistic nurse and is certified in integrative aromatherapy. She is also a Cancer Guide, which is a certification in integrative cancer care. Christy said the hospice house position is a chance to return to her roots in nursing. She began her nursing career in home health and home hospice care.
"I’m looking forward to the opportunity to use all of my skills, but first and foremost, I like being part of something that is being created. I like to help make new things happen,’’ Christy said. "I can use my skills and background in this position because the hospice care model embraces the body, mind, spirit and emotions in all aspects.
"The hospice focus is on healing in all aspects, even though a cure may no longer be possible.’’
The Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House was designed specifically for the care of terminally ill patients. The house design features dozens of windows, two fireplaces, oversized patient rooms with room for overnight guests and large open spaces where families and loved ones can gather with patients.
The hospice house project was made possible through the generosity of the community, including a naming gift of up to $3 million from the Clarissa C. Cook home board. The Cook retirement home will remain open in Davenport.
A gift of $2.8 million from Genesis VNA and Hospice will be used to fund future operations, maintenance and capital needs.
A capital campaign managed by the Genesis Health Services Foundation, along with the DeWitt and Illini Foundations, raised more than $7.6 million to fund the project. There are opportunities remaining for contributions to the hospice house and a fund has been established at the Genesis Foundation by Genesis VNA to support future operations and expansion of the house and to provide hospice house care for patients who otherwise couldn’t afford the care.
Genesis VNA and Hospice has been providing in-hospital and in-home hospice care to the terminally ill in the Quad Cities for 15 years. Genesis VNA provides nurses, home health aides and homemakers, physical, speech and occupational therapists, medical social workers, mental health specialists, a dietitian and spiritual care.
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