RVNAhealth is excited to share that Stephanie Peppe, Hospice Volunteer Manager, and cherished therapy dog, Sophia have been honored with the 2024 Florence Wald Award for Excellence in End-of-Life Care!
This prestigious award, named after the pioneering Florence Wald, recognizes Stephanie and Sophia's dedication to improving end-of-life care, echoing Wald's legacy of compassion and innovation.
As the Hospice Volunteer Manager at RVNAhealth, Stephanie is crucial in recruiting, training, and overseeing volunteers who provide invaluable support to hospice patients and their loved ones. Stephanie manages a team of 70+ volunteers who in the past 12 months, have provided over 1,600 hours of help in the office and the visiting patients and their family members.
As a long-time hospice professional, Stephanie wants to challenge the misconceptions about what hospice is all about. “People imagine hospice care as being sad or unpleasant in some way, but it can be an uplifting experience as the patient reflects on their life and celebrates this special time with family.” She observes that many volunteers are drawn to hospice volunteer work because of a positive personal experience with a loved one. They’ve witnessed the benefits firsthand of what a hospice volunteer can do by sitting with a patient, walking the dog, or providing respite for the family. For others who are unfamiliar with hospice care or unsure if they can do it, Stephanie is committed to providing the education and inspiration to help them recognize the value of this work.
Congratulations to Stephanie and Sophia for embodying the spirit of excellence in hospice care.
For more information on RVNAhealth's volunteer program, email: speppe@rvnahealth.org or call: 203-438-5555