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By Patrice Nerone, MDIV, MAPC, LPC Expressing Grief Through Art None of us escape the tragedy of loss. In the throes of our grief, it can seem like we'll never be able to function again. You just want to crawl under the covers and stay in your bed. Coping with the death of a loved one is often challenging and can affect each of us differently. The creative process of making art allows us to express the depths of our sorrow in a unique and personal way. Artmaking is a powerful tool and is especially effective for those of us who aren't comfortable talking about our feelings since it provides a nonverbal means of expression. Reflecting on artwork can lead to greater self-awareness and emotional healing. Creative activity facilitates coping and is known to provide many health benefits. It reduces anxiety, promotes relaxation, fosters connection, and improves mood, to name just a few. While there are any number of modalities to choose from, it's important to experiment with a variety of them to see which techniques work best for you. You don't need to possess any special skills; it isn't about producing a work of art suitable for hanging in a museum, it's about the emotional release provided while engaging in the creative process. Try this simple yet impactful technique. You'll need some paper and markers or crayons. Expressive Scribbling: This method bypasses the conscious mind and taps directly into raw feelings, making it particularly effective for individuals grappling with grief. The process involves grabbing a drawing instrument, closing your eyes, and letting your hand move freely across the page. There's no expectation of creating recognizable images. Instead, the movement, pressure, and speed of your scribbles are an external representation of your internal emotional state. After scribbling, you can reflect on the created patterns and even find shapes or images within the chaos, assigning meaning or narratives that resonate with your current feelings of loss and hope.¹ You can enhance the experience by assigning certain colors to represent specific emotions. To the left are some colors and their commonly associated feelings, though your associations may differ due to cultural influence and personal experience. If you are interested in trying other expressive art techniques, here are some suggested activities you might like to experiment with: Creating sculptures, collages, or memory books Dancing or other forms of movement Drama or improvisation Journal writing, or reading or writing poems, stories, or songs Listening to or creating music Painting, drawing, or sketching Photography Yarn crafting ¹ 8 Best Art Therapy Exercises For Grief Recovery. (2024, Jan 22). Retrieved Feb 2025, from Scholistico: https://scholistico.com/8-best-art-therapy-exercises-for-grief-recovery/?srsltid=AfmB0or/V6afVJwa3zQium7UonBfE-GXkRhtZXNQ0RGzXEAbJAZ_B0Za#expressive-scribble-drawings We're here to support you - We listen. We support. We care. - Call or message us anytime! For more information, call us anytime at 833.839.1113  or send us a message at www.viahp.org/contact-form . You may also check our Grief Support Event Calendar for upcoming support group meetings near you at www.viahp.org/grief-support-event-calendar . #ExpressingGriefThroughArt #HealingThroughArt #GriefAndCreativity #ArtTherapyForGrief #CopingWithLoss #CreativeHealing #GriefSupport #ArtAsTherapy #ProcessingGrief #HealingThroughExpression #EmotionalHealing #ArtisticExpression #GriefAndHealing #TherapeuticArt #CreativeGriefSupport #HonoringLovedOnes #HealingThroughCreativity #SelfExpressionInGrief #ArtForTheSoul #PaintingThroughPain #GriefAndTheArts #ExpressiveHealing #UsingArtToHeal #FindingHopeInArt #CreativityAndLoss #GrievingThroughArt #TransformingGriefIntoArt #ArtForEmotionalWellness #VisualHealing #ThePowerOfArtInGrief

By: Naomi Otano, Grief Counselor, LMSW As the last leaves fall and autumn gives way to winter, we're reminded of the natural cycles of change and rest. Grief often follows a similar rhythm, moving us inward as we navigate the colder, quieter months. In the same way that nature slows down, grief invites us to pause, reflect, and honor what we've lost. Autumn: The Season of Reflection and Release In autumn, nature lets go-trees shed their leaves, and the earth prepares for rest. For those grieving, autumn can be a time of introspection, a season when memories come to the surface. We find ourselves looking back, holding close the love and the life shared, while also releasing the burdens of unresolved pain or guilt. Letting go in this season of grief is not about forgetting; it's about gently releasing what no longer serves us on this journey. By doing so, we allow space for quiet acceptance. As the days grow shorter, we settle into a slower rhythm, preparing ourselves for winter's stillness. Winter: The Stillness of Loss Winter is a season of quiet, pure landscapes, a time when everything seems to pause. In the winter of grief, we may feel this same stillness in our hearts. Loss often feels most profound during this time, a raw presence that sits heavy within us. Grief in winter asks us to simply be with our sorrow, to let the feelings settle as they are, without rushing toward resolution. Winter allows us to sit with the silence, honoring the depth of our emotions and the significance of our loss. We might feel isolated, as though we're the only ones moving through this frozen landscape. Yet, winter reminds us that rest and retreat are essential parts of healing. Like the trees that look barren but are storing energy for spring, this stillness has a purpose. We're allowing ourselves the time and space to feel the fullness of our grief, to understand its shape, and to hold it with compassion. Finding Comfort in Winter's Quiet While winter can be a challenging season in grief, it also offers moments of comfort-a reminder that it's okay to slow down, to turn inward, and to honor our needs. In the darkness, we find small moments of warmth: a cherished memory, a conversation, or simply the act of allowing ourselves to rest. As we flow fully into winter, we find that grief is not something to be rushed or overcome but a companion to carry with gentleness. Winter may be long, but it is part of a larger cycle, one that holds the promise of renewal even if we can't yet feel it. By allowing ourselves to sit in winter's stillness, we honor our loved ones, our loss, and the quiet growth taking place within us. We're here to support you - We listen. We support. We care. - Call or message us anytime! For more information, call us anytime at 833.839.1113  or send us a message at www.viahp.org/contact-form . You may also check our Grief Support Event Calendar for upcoming support group meetings near you at www.viahp.org/grief-support-event-calendar . #SeasonsOfGrief #GriefAndHealing #NavigatingLoss #WinterGriefJourney #AutumnReflection #CopingWithLoss #GriefInTheSeasons #FindingStillnessInGrief #HonoringLovedOnes #HealingThroughSeasons #WinterAndGrief #GriefInWinter #ReflectAndRelease #SeasonalGriefCare #QuietHealing #EmbracingGrief #GriefAndRenewal #HealingThroughNature #HonoringLoss #EmotionalHealing #CyclesOfGrief #WinterStillness #GriefAndCompassion #FindingComfortInGrief #SeasonalTransitions #GriefReflection #NavigatingWinterGrief #SlowHealing #ComfortInLoss #GrowthThroughGrief

By: Rev. Walt H. Windley, IV, MDiv, MHA, CISM, Sr. Director Spiritual Care and Grief Services VIA Health Partners has long believed and practiced the theory and principle that no one should have to journey through grief alone. We recognize and celebrate the gift of community, intentionally tailoring our offerings to not only educate fellow grievers and mourners in healthy coping skills and practices but to help reestablish bonds of connectivity and purpose through meaningful fellowship and positive interactions. For some, this may resemble one-on-one counseling sessions or a topic-specific workshop held around a holiday or special event. For others, life may be experienced in a walking grief group or breaking bread for the first time in a restaurant following the death of a spouse. We often describe grief much like the tides of the sea, noting these bursts of feelings may come and go, often triggered in an illogical way that we can't fully control or even begin to plan. It has been our privilege to walk with hospice survivors, families, and community clients since 1978, recognizing that you have gifted us with your presence, vulnerability, honesty, and rawness, allowing us to create a space of authenticity and compassion from which seeds of hope have been planted and grown. And as you have grown, we have grown right along side you. It has been our philosophy to lead with heart and a listening ear, changing organically to better meet your needs in a world that is constantly shifting both in environment and context, apart from assumptions and "false" realities. With that in mind, we are excited to share a few updates concerning our bereavement department's future! First, we are re-working many of our groups to better suit your busy schedules. You will find times that are perhaps more convenient for those who still work full-time and loss-specific groups, like the loss of a parent or the loss of a spouse, that pull together individuals with "like losses" who often share context-specific feelings or thoughts. With the addition of virtual offerings, we hope to capture our clients who are unable to leave their respective offices during the day, that parent who is caring for a child in the home or the one who is no longer able to drive but longs for community connection and a time of processing. Second, we celebrate the connection between movement and grief, recognizing a more holistic approach to engaging the senses allows one to mourn with his or her whole self. You will find the addition of "exercising your grieving heart" opportunities, a new music therapy grief workshop in Greenville, and the extension of expressive arts through a new partnership with Dr. Tyler Starr and the Katherine and Tom Belk Visual Arts Center at Davidson College. These opportunities build upon our already popular memory bear workshops and host of offerings during the holiday season. Third, after celebrating 25 years of Chameleon's Journey Grief Camp for kids and adolescents, VIA Health Partners has launched a new plan for expansion. A spring day camp will be held on April 5 in Charlotte, followed by two fall camps - an overnight camp experience at Camp Thunderbird in Lake Wylie and a day camp in the heart of Greenville, SC. This comes on the heels of an inflated staffing model to better serve the individual counseling needs of our growing region. You have spoken, and we are listening! And true to our history and heritage, our grief offerings remain completely free of charge to both hospice families and the community at large. We look forward to incorporating 45 years of learning into our future, walking alongside you like family. We're here to support you - We listen. We support. We care. - Call or message us anytime! For more information, call us anytime at 833.839.1113  or send us a message at www.viahp.org/contact-form . You may also check our Grief Support Event Calendar for upcoming support group meetings near you at www.viahp.org/grief-support-event-calendar . #GriefSupport #VIAHealthPartners #HealingThroughCommunity #CopingWithGrief #BereavementCare #SpiritualCare #HealthyGrieving #GriefWorkshops #LossSpecificSupport #GriefAndHealing #WalkingThroughGrief #HolisticGriefCare #MusicTherapy #ExpressiveArts #MemoryBearWorkshop #MovementAndGrief #VirtualGriefSupport #GriefResources #ChameleonsJourney #GriefCampForKids #GriefAndConnection #CommunityHealing #LossOfASpouse #LossOfAParent #GriefEducation #FreeGriefSupport #SupportingMourners #JourneyThroughGrief #HealingWithArt #BereavementSupport

SHELBY, NC  – Caroline Etters, a sixth-grade student at Kings Mountain Intermediate School, wanted a way to remember her grandfather, and give back to VIA Health Partners, founded as Hospice Cleveland County, who helped care for him in his final days. With the help of her friend Caroline Ruffalo, the two decided to sell Lemonade at the Kings Mountain Country Club Member Guest Golf Tournament on September 7, 2024, where her grandfather, Stoney Jackson, loved to play golf. Caroline’s sister, Hadleigh Etters, and her cousin Zoey Etters, also helped sell Lemonade at the event and raised $300 for VIA Health Partners. In addition to her grandfather, the organization also served two of Caroline’s uncles, Don and Elbert Oliver, as well as her other grandfather, Zeb Etters. “It was our honor to help such a great organization who has been there for our family many times when we needed them,” said Sandy Etters, Caroline’s grandmother. Pam Sharts, Marketing, PR, and Special Events Manager for VIA Health Partners accepted the check. “These sweet little angels worked so hard and were excited to bring us their check,” said Sharts. “It is community support such as this that enables us to provide excellent care and support to patients and their families during the most difficult time regardless of ability to pay.”   VIA Health Partners offers hospice and palliative services spanning 35 counties across North and South Carolina. The VIA Health Partners Cleveland County office serves as the hub of the Western Region which includes Caldwell, Burke, McDowell, Rutherford, and Polk counties. About VIA Health Partners  VIA Health Partners began as Hospice at Charlotte, the state’s first hospice, and was incorporated in 1978.  Later, Hospice at Charlotte operated under the name Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region (HPCCR) for decades before changing its name change to VIA Health Partners in 2023.  In Fall 2020, Hospice Cleveland County and HPCCR merged.  Today, VIA Health Partners serves over 4,000 patients on any given day across 38 counties in both North and South Carolina.  For more information, visit www.viahp.org .

By: Jasmine Blue, Grief Counselor, M.A. Gerontologist and Death Doula Tis the Season to be Jolly, or is it? It begins with fall festivals, Halloween costumes, carving the turkey, and watching the Thanksgiving Day football games, followed closely by making mom or dad's favorite holiday dish while listening to Christmas carols. Hot cocoa, gift wrapping, and chestnuts roasting on an open fire complete the holiday picture. Children are excited to open gifts; trees and wreaths are decorated in red, green, silver or gold. The holiday season is here. We've always heard that holidays are joyous occasions spent with those we love the most, but what happens when the one we love the most is no longer here? For many, the holiday season can be difficult to enjoy when grieving because we miss our loved ones more than usual. It can feel empty and overwhelming. As the holiday season approaches, please know that it is okay to hold space for your feelings and emotions. During this season, you may find yourself wanting to be alone and maybe triggered by things happening around you. Here are some common responses or signs to grieving during the holiday: Being reminded of memories: Whether it is from family members talking about your loved one or seeing pictures in a family photo album, there will be times during the holiday that you are reminded that your special person is not physically with you. Emotional heaviness: Emotional heaviness is common during the holidays. Some may experience a feeling such as when their person first died: heaviness in your chest or pain, headaches, anxiety, excessive crying and social withdrawal. Social Overload: During the holiday you may have friends or your social network reaching out to plan socials or events. It may feel a little overwhelming or you may feel bad about canceling. Being socially overwhelmed can happen, and that's okay. Here are some coping strategies to help this holiday season: Set realistic expectations for yourself. Don't try to overschedule social events. Do what is best for you. Don't be afraid to ask for a rain check. Surround yourself with people who love and support you. Allow yourself to feel joy, sadness and/or anger - ALLOW YOURSELF TO GRIEVE. Draw comfort from doing for others (family, friends, coworkers, church members). Honor your loved one by creating new traditions (lighting candles at the dinner table and/or sharing precious memories of your loved one at the dinner table). Do something nice for yourself (whatever your heart desires) but most importantly, take care of yourself. Remember self-care practices. Give yourself grace . All these things are helpful in coping with grief during the holidays; but most importantly, know there is no right or wrong way to celebrate the holiday when you've lost a loved one. Although "tis the season to be jolly," take some time for yourself to grieve and know that you can and will get through this holiday season.

By: Rebecca Tucker, Lead Grief Counselor, M.A., LCMHCA, NCC A new season is, yet again, upon us. The temperatures are beginning to drop, the stores are stocking all things pumpkin and apple spiced, and the glow of the Friday night lights are illuminating the local football fields. Whether you fancy yourself a football novice or have the entire Atlanta Braves roster memorized, there is a palpable energy surrounding this time of year and the fall sports surrounding us. Fresh off another exciting Olympic games, our news has rolled right into a smorgasbord of sports coverage. Baseball is approaching the end of the season, preparing for the World Series. Football teams of all levels are gearing up for a battle on the field, clad in helmets and cleats, fighting for the recognition and glory of a win. The promise is high, but what happens when we lose?   When the game is over, we have to return home to a scenario we knew was possible but did not want to believe. The idea of loss hurts... a lot. We put so much effort into getting a win and being victorious. Loss is actually something so pervasive that it often eludes us in just how frequently we encounter it. As a society, we are often very loss-averse, meaning we do not like to talk about loss and the grief that accompanies that loss. Yet when the loss is from something more "surface" like a sports team losing a game or match, we are more than comfortable engaging in discussions of loss. Sports commentators are paid a rather handsome sum to go and analyze the results. What could we have done differently? Why did the coach make that call? The conditions just were not right out on the field. Sometimes we call this being a "Monday morning quarterback." We relive all the scenarios that could have changed the outcome of the game. We have entire networks dedicated to parsing out the details of the game and what, if anything, could have been different to make the game better - to have gotten the win.   We are so comfortable rehashing all the details of a somewhat arbitrary game, often at nauseum, yet we rarely talk about the internal dialogue of a similar pattern when our loved one dies. The agony of having to relive every situation, every choice, every dose of medication, can feel like it goes on forever. Did we get her to the doctor soon enough? Did I make the right call on treatment? If only I had advocated for him a little more, would he still be here? We ruminate in this space because we are trying to find answers to a question that, no matter how we answer it, still won't change the outcome.   We are caught in the space of knowing our reality but wanting to think so differently that maybe, just maybe, we will find a hole in the story so we can go back and rewrite it, leaving us with a life where our loved one is still here. So, then, what are we left to do?   It is here where we try and lean into a place of acceptance - not that we are happy with the situation, but we simply let it be what it is. We try to stay in the present moment, acknowledging the pain of the loss, while also allowing the loss to move and change us. Our loss means something because our loved one means something to us, even in death. Our love is what makes this loss so tough. The love is also what keeps us going, be it the love of the game and the persistent daily grind of daily practices, or the love of our people and the excruciating painful choices and beautiful memories we make.   Allow yourself to find space in letting the day, minute, moment be what it is and knowing that even if our outcome was a loss, we did not lose. Love tells us that it will always win.

VIA HEALTH PARTNERS ACHIEVES GOLD STANDARD IN PALLIATIVE/HOSPICE CARE American Heart Association certification recognizes excellence  in quality care           CHARLOTTE, N.C., – July 11, 2024 –  VIA Health Partners has earned the prestigious Palliative/Hospice Heart Failure Certification  from the American Heart Association®  the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all. This certification acknowledges VIA Health Partners' commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based care for heart failure patients.   The American Heart Association's rigorous certification process evaluates palliative and hospice care agencies against science-based standards, ensuring patients receive care that aligns with the latest guidelines.   “VIA Health Partners' certification helps assure patients and families can have confidence that their end-of-life heart failure care is coordinated and follows the latest evidence-based guidelines,” said Rabia Malik, M.D., American Heart Association volunteer expert and associate medical director at Anthem. “We’re pleased to have VIA Health Partners join the national network of American Heart Association Palliative/Hospice Heart Failure certified agencies.”   As an independent, community-based nonprofit provider of hospice and serious illness care, VIA Health Partners  serves over 4,000 patients and families daily across 32 counties in the Carolinas. Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, VIA Health Partners is committed to delivering compassionate and exceptional care   "This certification is a testament to our team's hard work and dedication to providing exceptional care for our patients with heart failure," said Peter Brunnick, president and CEO of VIA Health Partners. “We're proud to partner with the American Heart Association to ensure our patients receive the best possible care."   The certification signifies confidence that VIA Health Partners: Uses a standardized method of delivering services based on current standards aligned with American Heart Association science. Meets rigorous requirements to improve care and quality of life for heart failure patients. Has been recognized by the American Heart Association for its commitment to excellence.   Media Contact: Peggy Brookhouse                        704.488.2753                        peggy@brookhousegroup.com

By: Mary Whittaker M.A., LCMHCA Back to Basics: Foundations of Self-Care Whether you are at the very beginning of your grief journey or at a stressful place further down the road, we can easily forget our most basic needs. Often, we are full of emotions, possibly exhausted and feeling out of control and lost in our grief. We tend to focus on what we feel we "need" to do or "should" do. There are no "shoulds" when it comes to grief; and on a basic level, there are only a few things we truly need to do. Taking time to slow down and focus on our basic needs can help center us. We need food, water, sleep/rest. Additionally, by giving yourself grace, you give yourself safety and comfort. Sleep: Sometimes our minds become consumed with thoughts and memories, making it difficult to find rest. Establishing a bedtime routine, creating a calming environment, and practicing relaxation techniques can help improve sleep quality. Some people find phone apps for sleep helpful in providing relaxation prior to sleep. If these techniques do not work, a VIA Health counselor can provide strategies for managing intrusive thoughts and promoting restful sleep. Nutrition: Fueling your body and mind in times of grief is critical, and eating habits can fluctuate. Some may experience a loss of appetite while others may turn to food for comfort. Check in with yourself. Are you nourishing your body with healthy foods or are you skipping meals or eating but still not giving yourself enough nourishment? Also, are you drinking enough water? Again, we become distracted and forget about this basic need. Giving Yourself Grace: Practicing self-compassion involves treating yourself with kindness, patience, and understanding, especially during difficult times. Allow yourself space to grieve in your own way and at your own pace, honoring your unique process of healing. Incorporating self-care practices into your daily routine can provide stability and solace as you navigate the complexities of grief. By prioritizing sleep, nutrition, hydration, and self-compassion, you can cultivate a path to resilience. If you feel the need for additional support, please reach out to one of our trusted counselors. For more information, call us anytime at 833.839.1113 or send us a message at www.viahp.org/contact-form. You are not alone. We listen. We support. We care.

By: Kerstin McMillian M.A., LCMHCA Self-Acceptance: A Mindful Gift How often, gentle reader, have you told yourself, “I just have to accept this loss, let go, so that I can move on,” only to find that the more you will yourself to let go and move on, the more you can’t stop thinking about what you have lost? Acceptance became a place to be in the Five Stages of Grief by Dr. Kübler-Ross. It makes for a very convenient endpoint of a grief journey, like the last piece of a puzzle fitting neatly into the picture. Everything makes sense, and the work is finished. However, what if we have this backwards? What if acceptance is both the beginning and the end of a grief journey? Better yet, what if acceptance is an action that you, dear griever, can apply to your daily life. Allow me to explain more clearly this concept of acceptance. The type of acceptance that I am referencing is deeper and more personal than knowing something tragic happened. I am speaking of the kind of acceptance which brings about feelings of peace, understanding, self-compassion, and forgiveness. The type of acceptance that allows for your feelings to be here and to exist without shame or judgement. Allowing yourself to feel your grief, perhaps saying quietly in your mind, this belongs. This grief belongs because I lost someone I love. They mattered, and my grief matters. Turn towards your grief and welcome it into your daily life. It belongs here with you because you lost someone very near and dear to your heart. Consider your grief as a season in your life with plenty to teach you. With an open heart and mind, you may learn that you are stronger than you ever imagined. You can experience and witness this great heartache. Through this process, you will learn more about your loved one and more about yourself and your own needs for healing. Your tears and fatigue do not mean you are weak or dishonoring your loved one. These are the courageous marks of a person who loved and lost; a person who is continuing to cherish their loved one while building a new and different life. Why is it important to accept and allow yourself to grieve? We have a saying in therapy, what you resist, persists. Resisting the urge to cry, shout, sleep, and grieve will only result in even stronger feelings and urges. Give yourself the gift of accepting yourself exactly as you are by saying, “this belongs.” This is one consistent gift you can give yourself no matter where you are in your grieving journey: mindful acceptance of yourself without judgement or shame. Wherever you are in your grief journey is exactly where you are supposed to be. If you feel the need for additional support, please reach out to one of our trusted counselors. For more information, call us anytime at 833.839.1113 or send us a message at www.viahp.org/contact-form. You are not alone. We listen. We support. We care.

SHELBY, NC – VIA Health Partners, founded as Hospice Cleveland County, announced a donation from the Delores “Dee” Hamrick Turner family to name the Wendover Hospice House Nurse Station. Mrs. Turner’s children - Tommy Hamrick, Steve Hamrick, and Susan Hamrick Floyd - made the gift to honor their mother who is now under hospice care with VIA Health Partners. A long-time resident of Cleveland County, Mrs. Turner cared for and mentored many people in her life both young and old. Although she was not a nurse by trade, she welcomed many family members into her home to live as long as necessary. “Her home embodied the same tender spirit as the care she’s now receiving from the VIA Health Partners team,” said Tommy Hamrick. The family decided naming the nurses’ station at the Wendover Hospice House would be a perfect way to honor their mother and help further the mission of one of her favorite organizations. The new station will be called the Delores “Dee” Hamrick Turner Nurse Station. The family said, “We are thankful for the opportunity to help VIA Health Partners continue to provide comfort and peace to individuals and their respective families at life’s most difficult time.” Peter Brunnick, a Shelby native and President/CEO of VIA Health Partners, said “Gifts like this one from the Hamrick family represent a direct investment in our ability to care for anyone who needs us, regardless of medical complexity or ability to pay. Our Wendover Hospice House is an important community asset, and we are thrilled to set the Hamrick’s gift to good work.” VIA Health Partners offers hospice and palliative services spanning 35 counties across North and South Carolina. The VIA Health Partners Cleveland County office serves as the hub of the Western Region which includes Caldwell, Burke, McDowell, Rutherford, and Polk counties. About VIA Health Partners VIA Health Partners began as Hospice at Charlotte, the state’s first hospice, and was incorporated in 1978. Later, Hospice at Charlotte operated under the name Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region (HPCCR) for decades before changing its name change to VIA Health Partners in 2023. In Fall 2020, Hospice Cleveland County and HPCCR merged. Today, VIA Health Partners serves over 3,500 patients on any given day through its hospice and palliative services. For more information, visit www.viahp.org.

Charlotte, N.C., October 17, 2023 - On Saturday morning, October 14, campers and staff gathered on the banks of beautiful Lake Wylie at Camp Thunderbird to take part in the 24th annual Chameleon’s Journey Grief Camp, a program of VIA Health Partners, formerly known as Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region. Launched in 2000, Chameleon’s Journey exists to provide healing, comfort, and care for children and students ages 7 to 17 in a therapeutic environment following a death, either through hospice or as a community referral. The program is one of just three overnight grief camps located in the Southeast and is staffed by clinical personnel including medical social workers, licensed professional counselors, healthcare chaplains, death doulas, music therapists, and community volunteers. Since its inception, the cost to attend camp has been generously covered by donors throughout the region, VIA Health Partners and community foundations including Giving with Grace, the Checkers Foundation, and Claire Bear’s Fund. While campers rotate through a series of activities and therapeutic interventions including drumming, group work, and movement/breathing techniques like Tai Chi, they are also invited to take part in a service project with the intent of giving back amid their own personal loss. With this year’s theme of “Grief Around the World,” campers partnered with Meals of Hope, centered in Southwest Florida, to fight the hunger epidemic and address food inequity in our own backyard, both through education and a justice-centered activity. According to public health research, about 15% of households in Mecklenburg County struggle with food insecurity, driven mostly by poverty and an increased cost of living. It is also estimated that 1 in 5 children in Mecklenburg County lives in poverty. On October 16, a day known as World Food Day as established by member countries of the United Nations, Chameleon’s Journey delivered over 1,400 pounds of food packed by campers, or 10,000 meals, to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina to be distributed within a 22-county service area - a geographic region that is a part of the 32 counties served by VIA Health Partners for hospice and palliative care. Campers are challenged to experience service as a way of honoring their loved ones, recognizing power in their ability to respond while telling the stories of legacy, grace and love that have made them who they are today because of the ways they have been seen and valued. In the act of giving, they are growing both as mourners and as human beings desiring to speak hope into a hurting world. To learn more about Chameleon’s Journey or VIA Health Partners, visit www.chameleonsjourney.org or www.viahp.org. About VIA Health Partners VIA Health Partners began as Hospice at Charlotte, the state’s first hospice, in 1978 and then operated under the name Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region (HPCCR) for decades before its name change to VIA Health Partners in 2023. Today VIA Health Partners serves 3,500 patients each day for hospice and palliative care services. Our service area encompasses 14 counties in North Carolina--Burke, Catawba, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Polk, Rutherford, Stanly, and Union. Its service area in South Carolina includes Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union, and York counties.

Ms. McGinnis, CEO of Hospice Cleveland County, Retires After 33 Years of Dedicated Service Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 6, 2023 – VIA Health Partners – Cleveland County, founded as Hospice Cleveland County, announces the retirement of long-time leader Myra McGinnis. Ms. McGinnis began her career with Hospice Cleveland County in February of 1990 and was named CEO in 1994. Over her 33-year tenure, Ms. McGinnis played a crucial role in the organization’s growth and the delivery of exceptional end-of-life care. Since 1994, Hospice Cleveland County has served over 16,000 hospice patients at home and in other settings. When McGinnis joined Hospice Cleveland County in 1990, the organization had 12 employees and fewer than 25 patients. Today, it serves nearly 190 hospice patients daily and employs over 130 workers. Says McGinnis, “My greatest sense of accomplishment comes from having created much greater access to hospice care for people in our community, and generating meaningful job opportunities that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.” Under McGinnis’s leadership, the Wendover Hospice House, one of the first hospice houses in the state, opened in 1996 and underwent two expansions. In 2010, the Testa Family Hospice House in Kings Mountain was established. Together, these facilities have provided peace and comfort to more than 5,000 individuals in their final days. In 2004, Hospice Cleveland County pioneered the provision of palliative care services for individuals with serious illnesses who are not yet eligible for hospice care. Currently, the organization serves over 400 palliative care patients daily. “It has been my honor to lead Hospice Cleveland County, now VIA Health Partners, for the last three decades. Despite the increasing complexity of healthcare, the essence of hospice care remains the same. Immensely compassionate hospice professionals, with great expertise in end-of-life care, are fully present with hospice patients and their loved ones during their end-of-lie life journey. It is sacred work carried out by extraordinary people, and I have been privileged to work with them.” Throughout her career, McGinnis received numerous prestigious awards, including the Peter Keese Award from the Carolinas Center for Hospice and End of Life Care, the Bridge Builder Award from the Cleveland County Chamber of Commerce, and the Cleveland County Athena Leadership Award, which recognizes women leaders. She is a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Administrator and a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum. In 2018, McGinnis and the Hospice Cleveland County Board began a multi-year assessment of the future of hospice care, which led to a merger with Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, North Carolina’s first and largest non-profit hospice. Says McGinnis, “It became apparent that Hospice Cleveland County would need a strong, reliable, and like-minded non-profit partner to navigate impending changes facing all hospices. Selecting Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region as our partner was an easy choice. Further, I had known and respected their president and CEO, Peter Brunnick, for many years, and our organizations had successfully worked together on initiatives that allowed us to develop trust with each other.” “Bigger is not always better,” notes McGinnis. “However, being part of a larger organization with the talent and resources to face an unexpected pandemic, navigate a national nursing shortage, compete against for profit hospices, adapt to a myriad of regulatory changes, and survive increased reimbursement scrutiny allows us to continue to grow, prosper, and serve people in our community who need our care.” The organizations merged on November 18, 2020, and the combined entity, recently rebranded as VIA Health Partners, now serves approximately 1,400 hospice patients daily across 32 counties in North and South Carolina. “The word via means to travel by way of. The name VIA Health Partners emphasizes the organization’s commitment to walking with patients and their loved ones as they travel through their final months. It also emphasizes our role as a partner to their healthcare providers, including their primary care physician. What it does not do is limit us to one geographical area, including just Cleveland County,” commented McGinnis. “I feel fortunate to have known Myra prior to the merger and had great respect for her leadership and the disciplined way she operated Hospice of Cleveland County,” said Brunnick. “She was and remains a leader who put the wellbeing of the organization above herself and crafted a vision that will sustain our Cleveland County operations well into the future.” Rachel Hill, a 13-year veteran of Hospice Cleveland County, has been appointed as the new local leader for VIA Health Partners – Cleveland County. Concludes McGinnis, “I feel confident that I am leaving Hospice Cleveland County, now VIA Health Partners, in very good hands. I have complete trust that our tradition of providing exceptional care will continue.” About VIA Health Partners VIA Health Partners began as Hospice at Charlotte, the state’s first hospice, in 1978 and then operated under the name Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region (HPCCR) for decades before its name change to VIA Health Partners in 2023. Today VIA Health Partners serves 3,500 patients each day for hospice and palliative care services. Our service area encompasses 14 counties in North Carolina--Burke, Catawba, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Polk, Rutherford, Stanly, and Union. Its service area in South Carolina includes Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union, and York counties. Contact: Peggy Brookhouse 704.488.2753 peggy@brookhousegroup.com