Ohio’s Hospice of Central Ohio Personal Care Specialists Share Their Stories During National Nursing Assistants Week

During National Nursing Assistants Week, June 17-24, Ohio’s Hospice of Central Ohio, an affiliate of Ohio’s Hospice, takes a moment to recognize and thank our personal care specialists for all they do 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to provide superior care to our patients and families we are privileged to serve.  
 
At Ohio’s Hospice of Central Ohio, personal care specialists are state tested nursing assistants (STNAs). They provide the essential daily, hands-on care in homes, nursing homes and inpatient settings. As professionals, the personal care specialists are instrumental in promoting and safeguarding the physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual well-being of the patients and their families.   
 
They participate as members of the interdisciplinary team and communicate any patient changes or updates to ensure proper response time and quality patient care. Ohio’s Hospice also has several STNAs who serve the organization in non-clinical ways, including scheduling and pharmacy services. Others serve as buyers, Hospice House coordinators and excellence educators.  
 
Our personal care specialists go above and beyond each and every day. They work days, evenings, weekends and holidays. They provide or assist with personal care, including but not limited to bathing, dressing, oral hygiene, hair care, meal preparation, feeding, transfers and exercises.    
 
Ohio’s Hospice of Central Ohio is grateful and thankful for its personal care specialists’ kindness, compassion and expert care. They make a difference in the lives of patients and families with every interaction. We appreciate all they do to serve our mission.  
 
We invite you to get to know some of our personal care specialists. 

• Ram Bhandari wanted a career that was rewarding. Some of his favorite things about helping patients and families are seeing them smile, answering families’ questions, and finding resources for them. Ram’s most memorable experience is becoming close to a patient that thought of him as family. 

• Patricia Bowlby chose this career path because she cares about the people she is serving. “It makes me feel good to help others,” she said. “At the end of the day, I know I made a difference.” One of her favorite memories was a patient who was excited for her to come back to visit after she went on vacation.

• Amy Cahall wanted to use her personal experience to help others in one of the most difficult times in their lives. “I want to bring peace and comfort to patients and families when fear and doubt are easily present,” she said. Amy’s favorite memory is helping a patient virtually attend church before she passed away. 

• Alexandria Hoyer always knew she wanted to be in healthcare. “My grandma was on hospice services when I was young,” she said. “I wanted to be like one of those aides or nurses.” Alexandria said it is an honor to be a part of the lives of patients and families. Her favorite experiences are receiving thanks from families for providing care to their loved ones. 

• Ana Kamenan chose this career because she felt it was her calling. For Ana, the best part about helping patients and families is “Knowing that through my care, I am giving comfort to someone who is hurting and someone who is grieving,” she said. Her favorite memory is when a patient gave her a hug and thanked her for caring for them.

• Wendie Martinez said, “I receive a sense of peace when I am able to give comfort to a patient and family going through a transition. It is incomparable to anything you will ever experience.” Wendie’s most memorable experience was being able to connect a dying patient with their daughter through a phone call.

• Michele Pettet made a career switch after 25 years of being a legal assistant. “Taking care of and getting to know my patients and their families is a rare gift,” she said. Her favorite memory is sharing videos of raccoons at her house with a patient. Michele had bought a raccoon bean bag to give to the patient, but they passed away before they could receive it. Now, Michele keeps the bean bag with her in her car and named it after the special patient.

• Marisol Rivera-Gonzalez became a personal care specialist because it gave her an opportunity to help and provide compassionate care for others. “The best part of helping patients and families is when they thank you for providing care,” she said. Her most memory experience was helping a patient bathe who was very grateful for her help.