May 2, 2023 - whosonthemove.com Hospice of Laurens County Will Continue Serving the Community as VIA Health Partners Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region (HPCCR), and Hospice of Laurens County, announce their official name change to VIA Health Partners to reflect their expanding mission and continued focus on delivering a unique brand of exceptional care. Over the past 45 years, HPCCR has grown organically and through mergers and regional startup operations, serving 32 counties throughout North and South Carolina. HPCCR has always been proud to include Hospice of Laurens County as a part of the HPCCR family. “After considerable research and deliberation, our leadership and board made the decision to move forward with the name VIA Health Partners, a name that represents both what we do and how we do it ,” said President and CEO Peter Brunnick. “The word VIA, by definition, means traveling through enroute to a destination, much like we do when we walk our final journey with our patients and families. The phrase Health Partners also reflects what we do in the health-care continuum. Whether we are working with a health-care system, physicians’ practice, skilled nursing or assisted living community, our goal is to be a value add to their mission and service to patients.” VIA Health Partners will remain an independent community-based non-profit organization committed to serving all citizens in the communities we are located, regardless of their ability to pay or medical complexity. For more information, please visit 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. Read the online article at: https://whosonthemove.com/regional-hospice-palliative-care-provider-announces-new-name-2/

Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region Will Continue Serving the Carolinas as VIA Health Partners CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 26, 2023) – Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region (HPCCR), and its family of regional hospice and palliative care providers, announce their official name change to VIA Health Partners to reflect their expanding mission and continued focus on delivering a unique brand of exceptional care. Over the past 45 years, HPCCR has grown organically and through mergers and regional startup operations, serving 32 counties throughout North and South Carolina. HPCCR-owned Hospice & Palliative Care Lake Norman, Hospice & Palliative Care Lincoln County, Hospice & Palliative Care Palmetto Region, Hospice Cleveland County and Hospice of Laurens County will also be known as VIA Health Partners. “After considerable research and deliberation, our leadership and board made the decision to move forward with the name VIA Health Partners, a name that represents both what we do and how we do it,” said President and CEO Peter Brunnick. “The word VIA, by definition, means traveling through enroute to a destination, much like we do when we walk our final journey with our patients and families. The phrase Health Partners also reflects what we do in the health-care continuum. Whether we are working with a health-care system, physicians’ practice, skilled nursing or assisted living community, our goal is to be a value add to their mission and service to patients.” VIA Health Partners will remain an independent community-based non-profit organization committed to serving all citizens in the communities we are located, regardless of their ability to pay or medical complexity. For more information, please visit 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. ### Media Contact: Monika Weymouth 704-222-5935 monika@monikaweymouthpr.com

"...spring into taking charge of your mental health and doing some things that stimulate you and bring joy." Did you know May is Mental Health Awareness Month? It is not necessarily a time to make resolutions - like the first of the year - but May is a good time to spring into taking charge of your mental health and doing some things that stimulate you and bring joy. This is especially important for caregivers who may sometimes be too tired to do much self-care, but still need some time to rest and rejuvenate. Some of the suggestions you will find below involve doing, while others are about simply being- but perhaps with a different way of thinking. Keep Active - A little movement each day goes a long way. Eat Well - Too much junk and you will feel like junk. Keep in Touch - A text, email, phone, Zoom call, or socially responsible in-person visit will help keep you connected. Take a Break - A change of scenery or pace is important; and if you are a caregiver, don’t be afraid to ask for help to get a break. Do Something You’re Good At - Success brings joy. Give yourself some opportunities for joy. Surround Yourself With Supportive People - People who value you make you feel valuable. Quiet Your Mind - Learn to ‘turn it off,’ if only for five minutes at a time. Re-charge - Your phone needs to recharge and so do you. Rest, relax, and do whatever it takes to make sure you don’t run out of power. Learn to be Fully Present and Learn to be Fully Absent - Work 100% and be off 100%. Give Up Hope for a Better Past - The past is gone. The only way to change the book of your history is by becoming the author of your upcoming chapters. Go Outside - The pollen is gone, so now you can breathe and enjoy the beauty of the season. Take a Digital Detox - Put down the phone, iPad/tablet, or computer. Look up instead of down and enjoy what you see. Laugh - Just laugh… again and again and again. Listen to Good Music - However you define it, there’s nothing like good tunes to relax the mind. Whether you do all of these, just a few, or even just one, take some time for your mental health!

Rebecca Sitzes The Shelby Star Published 5:13 a.m. ET May 1, 2023 - Updated 8:35 a.m. May 1, 2023 - shelbystar.com Hospice Cleveland County announced this month it will be operating under a new name and will continue serving the community as VIA Health Partners. According to a press release, Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region and Hospice Cleveland County announced their official name change to VIA Health Partners to reflect their expanding mission and continued focus on delivering a unique brand of exceptional care. Over the past 45 years, HPCCR has grown through mergers and regional startup operations, serving 32 counties throughout North and South Carolina including Hospice Cleveland County. “After considerable research and deliberation, our leadership and board made the decision to move forward with the name VIA Health Partners, a name that represents both what we do and how we do it,” said President and CEO Peter Brunnick. “The word VIA, by definition, means traveling through enroute to a destination, much like we do when we walk our final journey with our patients and families. The phrase Health Partners also reflects what we do in the health-care continuum. Whether we are working with a health-care system, physicians’ practice, skilled nursing or assisted living community, our goal is to be a value add to their mission and service to patients.” The release states that VIA Health Partners will remain an independent community-based non-profit organization committed to serving all community residents regardless of ability to pay or medical complexity. 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 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. For more information, visit viahp.org. Read online article at: https://www.shelbystar.com/story/news/2023/05/01/hospice-cleveland-county-announces-name-change/70159121007/

April 26, 2023 1:47pm - myclintonnews.com REGIONAL HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE PROVIDER ANNOUNCES NEW NAME Hospice of Laurens County Will Continue Serving the Community as VIA Health Partners LAURENS COUNTY, S.C. (April 26, 2023) - Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region (HPCCR), and Hospice of Laurens County (Clinton/Springdale Drive), announce their official name change to VIA Health Partners to reflect their expanding mission and continued focus on delivering a unique brand of exceptional care. Over the past 45 years, HPCCR has grown organically and through mergers and regional startup operations, serving 32 counties throughout North and South Carolina. HPCCR has always been proud to include Hospice of Laurens County as a part of the HPCCR family. “After considerable research and deliberation, our leadership and board made the decision to move forward with the name VIA Health Partners, a name that represents both what we do and how we do it,” said President and CEO, Peter Brunnick. “The word VIA, by definition, means traveling through enroute to a destination, much like we do when we walk our final journey with our patients and families. The phrase Health Partners also reflects what we do in the health-care continuum. Whether we are working with a health-care system, physicians’ practice, skilled nursing or assisted living community, our goal is to be a value add to their mission and service to patients.” VIA Health Partners will remain an independent community-based non-profit organization committed to serving all citizens in the communities we are located, regardless of their ability to pay or medical complexity. For more information, please visit 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. Read the online article at: https://myclintonnews.com/stories/hospice-changing-name,27789

April 26, 2023 - golaurens.com Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region (HPCCR), and Hospice of Laurens County, announce their official name change to VIA Health Partners to reflect their expanding mission and continued focus on delivering a unique brand of exceptional care. Over the past 45 years, HPCCR has grown organically and through mergers and regional startup operations, serving 32 counties throughout North and South Carolina. HPCCR has always been proud to include Hospice of Laurens County as a part of the HPCCR family. “After considerable research and deliberation, our leadership and board made the decision to move forward with the name VIA Health Partners, a name that represents both what we do and how we do it,” said President and CEO Peter Brunnick. “The word VIA, by definition, means traveling through enroute to a destination, much like we do when we walk our final journey with our patients and families. The phrase Health Partners also reflects what we do in the health-care continuum. Whether we are working with a health-care system, physicians’ practice, skilled nursing or assisted living community, our goal is to be a value add to their mission and service to patients.” VIA Health Partners will remain an independent community-based non-profit organization committed to serving all citizens in the communities they are located, regardless of their ability to pay or medical complexity. Read the article online at: https://www.golaurens.com/news/hospice-of-laurens-county-now-serving-community-as-via-health-partners/article_af447684-e497-11ed-81fb-cbe28ae07b8f.html

Talking one-on-one with a Grief Counselor helps to make sense of the grief process. The way in which a person grieves is unique to that person. Having a Grief Counselor to help you work through your emotions and thoughts about your loved one, share your memories, and discuss adjustments to life is healthy; it helps you recognize that what you are going through, though painful, is a natural life experience. Typically, a Grief Counseling Session is held at one of our office locations. A session may also occur at a survivor’s residence when they are unable to come to an office. “But during these pandemic times that have prevented face to face meetings, we have found that virtual visits through visual technologies and/or phone visits have become a tremendous venue for survivors and counselors to connect. There will come a time when we do face-to-face visits again, but for now our Grief Counselors are just as available as ever; and they are ready and willing to help you on your path of grief. For more information, call us anytime at 833.839.1113 or send us a message at www.viahp.org/contact-form.

By Larry Dawalt, M. Div., BCC, Senior Director of Spiritual & Grief Care Services Did you know July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month? "It is okay to not be okay." National Minority Mental Health Month was established in 2008 to raise awareness of the fact that mental health conditions do not discriminate based on race, color, gender or identity. Even though anyone can experience the challenges of mental illness, background and identity can sometimes make access to mental health treatment much more difficult. For 2021, the National Alliance on Mental Illness is continuing to amplify the message of “You Are Not Alone,” focusing on the healing value of connecting in safe ways, prioritizing mental health, and acknowledging that it is okay to not be okay. The goal is to create a nation where no one feels alone in their struggle. VIA Health Partners supports the improvement of our country’s mental health system, especially when it comes to serving marginalized communities. We are proud to provide end-of-life care services to everyone, regardless of background, identity or any other minority classification. If you or someone you know could benefit from more information about access to mental health care, please access the National Alliance on Mental Illness website at https://www.nami.org/Home and click on Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. If we can help, 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.

Some people move mountains on behalf of a righteous cause. Terry Robertson climbed one. Inspired by how VIA Health Partners Chameleon’s Journey grief camp helps children and youth face the challenge of losing a loved one, Robertson figured the least he could do is face a challenge of his own. What better way to show solidarity with bereaved kids and support the cause than to climb the highest mountain in North America? Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley) is a mountain in Alaska that rises to a height of 20,310 feet. It’s the third most isolated peak on earth. Half the adventurers who attempt to climb it succeed. The other half fail. One hundred have died. Climbing a mountain. Children who must find a way to live life after a death. For Robertson, the parallels are powerful. So is the answer: You put one foot in front of the other. Robertson owns Robertson Funeral & Cremation Service in Charlotte. He has come to appreciate VIA Health Partners through his profession. His place is beside the bereaved. His calling to offer comfort also comes from a personal place. He’s a cancer survivor. He learned about Chameleon’s Journey, one of VIA Health Partners signature programs, from social worker Beth Brittain, and Larry Dawalt, HPCCR’s Senior Director of Spiritual & Grief Care Services. Dawalt is a guiding force behind the camp, which began in 2000. Robertson made two visits to the camp on Lake Wylie, experiencing the healing taking place. Married with three young children, Robertson also loves the outdoors and hiking. He’s twice climbed Mount Rainier (14,411 feet) in Washington State. Denali has been on his bucket list. He and a college buddy were looking to treat themselves to a 50th birthday present. Can you see where this is going? On May 27, Robertson flew to Anchorage, Alaska, then took a treacherous flight on a small plane to a glacier at the base of Denali. The climb was on, on behalf of a camp and kids 5,000 miles away. With his friend, Leif Anderson, and three guides, they headed up the mountain – a combination of hiking and climbing. Think ropes and ice picks. Just in case they ran into anyone coming down the mountain, Robertson attached a toy chameleon to his belt so curious adventurers could ask, “What’s the chameleon for?” and he could tell them all about the camp. It never got dark on the mountain, as Alaska has longer sunlight hours in the spring and summer than most states. The weather ranged from 20 degrees below zero when they awakened in their tents to “Can I take off my jacket?” during the strenuous midday climb. The air was dangerously thin. Between backpacks and sleds they pulled behind them, they were hauling 120 pounds of gear and supplies. Candy bars during the day helped keep their energy up. The adventure combined exhaustion and awe, for as Robertson says, “You’re in God’s expansiveness.” The turning point came at 15,000 feet. “I had been strong for the first week,” Robertson wrote in a journal. “But when I hit 15,000 feet, it was hard to catch my breath…This was the first time on the mountain I experienced the fear of failure.” He had to turn back to 14,200 feet. But here’s where the creed that Robertson lives by came in handy: “I like being able to put myself in an uncomfortable position. For me, that’s how I grow, being able to see if I can push through it.” You know the rest of the story. With his guide, Ty Guirano, exhorting him to “C’mon Terry, c’mon Terry,” Robertson made it to the camp at 17,000 feet. Then, three days later, at 4 p.m. on June 13, he reached the summit, the top of North America. “It was ridiculous how beautiful it was,” Robertson says. His reaction when he made it to the mountaintop? “I cried. I almost didn’t make it. Now I’m here.” Having invited family, friends, acquaintances and business associates to support his adventure, Robertson raised $10,000 for Chameleon’s Journey. He also hopes his adventure stirs more awareness of the camp and inspires others to give. Gifts are always welcome for the camp and other VIA Health Partners initiatives, where philanthropy helps provide compassionate care for all, regardless of age, diagnoses, or ability to pay. Learn more at donatehospice.org. Robertson says his mountain-climbing days are behind him. “I’m done,” he promises, just in case his wife, Amanda, an Episcopal priest, is reading this. But his support of Chameleon’s Journey continues, for he has directed enough funerals to appreciate that for bereaved children especially, the journey to healing never ends. As he learned on the way up Denali, it takes perseverance to make it to the next day. And the day after that… Chameleon’s Journey The Annual overnight grief camp is typically held in the Fall at Camp Thunderbird on Lake Wylie, S.C. One hundred campers ages seven to 17 will come together to address the loss of a loved one or special friend through music, drama, writing, visual arts and recreation. It’s all offered in a spirit of fellowship. The camp is free and open to all bereaved children, not just VIA Health Partners clients. Call (704) 335-3557 to learn about sponsorship and other opportunities to support the camp. Visit www.chameleonsjourney.org for details. The camp’s name comes from the story of a chameleon who made a journey of discovery after losing a special friend. The words of former camper Lauren Francis resonate: “Chameleon’s Journey has given me a home away from home. Attending CJ year after year has allowed me to have a support system and has provided me with something I could not access anywhere else – others who understand my pain and a nonjudgmental environment to express it."

Did you know April is National Counseling Awareness Month? Did you also know that some of the best Grief Counselors in the Charlotte area work at VIA Health Partners? Grief Counselors understand that grief comes at different points along the journey of life, but once a death has occurred, feelings, thoughts, physical reactions, and other aspects of grief can make adjustment difficult; and carrying out basic activities may seem harder. Family, friends, and other acquaintances may have difficulty sharing in your grief or they may be struggling with the loss themselves. That is when the services of a VIA Health Partners Region Grief Counselor can be so important. Our counselors listen, provide grief education and emotional support, and radiate a genuine spirit of caring and connection that can help survivors discover, or rediscover, inner resources that will promote healing and help. You are not alone on this journey. Whether your loss is from death by life-limiting illness or a sudden/traumatic event, our counselors are available to provide compassionate support to anyone who needs us. For more information, call us anytime at 833.839.1113 or send us a message at www.viahp.org/contact-form.

Catherine Bruce, LCSW Benjamin Franklin is credited with saying “Nothing is certain except for death and taxes.” As we continue to experience a time of great uncertainty, there are some things that remain constant. Benjamin Franklin is credited with saying “Nothing is certain except for death and taxes.” Indeed, we find ourselves in a season of loss and frantically gathering numbered forms to file. Meanwhile, another certainty seems around the bend- Springtime. As the days get longer and the sound of thunder becomes more common, we anticipate the change of seasons. Often the painful realities of the business of death, including taxes, and the change of seasons are left out of the conversation about grief. So, let’s talk about them. Often the painful realities of the business of death, including taxes, and the change of seasons are left out of the conversation about grief. Tax season should have its own chapter in books about grief. Filing taxes is dreaded in the best of times. While we are grieving, this task can feel completely overwhelming. The loss of a loved one inevitability changes our roles in life. Maybe your loved one was the person who always filed the taxes, maybe your loved one gave you no guidance about their finances, maybe you have been left with complicated medical bills, or maybe the tax situation is relatively simple but feels impossible to complete. Whatever your situation is, the exhaustion is normal because grief takes so much of our social, emotional, mental, and physical energy. When something else demands our energy, there is often none left to give. As you feel the exhaustion of tax season in full force, take the time to examine ways you can ask for help. This may look like hiring a tax professional for the first time or asking a tech-savvy friend or family member to walk you through an online filing tool. If you are uncomfortable or unable to get help with your taxes, consider other areas of your life where you may be able to get help this season. Allow that neighbor to spread mulch or let friends bring you a meal. Accepting help allows you to preserve precious energy and gives your helper a sense of purpose and pride. Unlike tax season, Springtime often brings a sense of hope and renewal, but grievers can feel left behind. While the rest of the world seems filled with anticipation for the warmer weather and longer days, people who are missing a loved one are faced with a new set of triggers. It is often assumed that winter holidays including Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s Day, and Valentine’s Day, are the worst for grievers. However, grief stays with us through the change of seasons. In Springtime, we are faced with new holidays, wedding and baby season, and memories of warm weather activities with our loved one. The grief triggers in each new season cannot be avoided. We are tasked with learning to cope with these triggers and continue living with the grief. Fortunately, Springtime also brings opportunities for new or different coping strategies. Gardening, golfing, outdoor exercise, nature walks, or taking a book outside suddenly become available as the weather warms, daylight stretches, and the world blooms around us. Just as the seasons change, our grief does not remain stagnant. As the changes and challenges in grief continue throughout the year, it is my hope that you can quiet the voice saying that you might be “going backwards” in your grief, or that you should be in a better place by now. Grief happens in a chaotic mess of different emotions, not in neat stages. As you continue to endure the chaos, look for ways that you can ask for help, preserve your energy, and find peace or playfulness in the changing seasons.

By Alan Jackson [Intro] [Verse 1] Precious memories, unseen angels, Sent from somewhere to my soul How they linger, ever near me, And the sacred past unfolds [Chorus] Precious memories how they linger, How they ever flood my soul In the stillness, of the midnight Precious sacred scenes unfold [Verse 2] Precious father, loving mother Fly across the lonely years and old home scenes of my childhood in fond memory appears [Chorus] Precious memories how they linger, How they ever flood my soul In the stillness, of the midnight Precious sacred scenes unfold [Break] [Verse 3] I remember Mother praying Father too, on bended knee the sun is sinking, shadows falling but their prayers still follow me [Chorus] Precious memories how they linger, How they ever flood my soul In the stillness, of the midnight Precious sacred scenes unfold Precious memories fill my soul