December 03, 2001

FOR RELEASE: Immediately

Two Chester River Home Care & Hospice employees were honored with a You Make a Difference Award during the Hospice Network of Maryland's annual dinner held November 9. René Baker, RN, and Gail Rawlings, Financial Coordinator, were honored for their extraordinary commitment to the hospice concept and to their hospice patients and families.

Baker has been a hospice nurse for Chester River Home Care & Hospice from its beginning (founding) in February1997. Previously she worked for the Kent County Health Department and Kent & Queen Anne's Hospital. Janet Melson, Executive Director of the local home care agency, comments, "René brings her non-judgmental attitude, calmness in crises, compassion and exemplary medical skills to each of her patients and their families. We often receive comments such as she 'is perfect for the job' or the 'best nurse I could possibly have.' The community is fortunate to have such a compassionate and knowledgeable professional caring for hospice patients. "

Rawlings received an award for her work as a staff person and volunteer for Kent Hospice Foundation where she worked over five years before joining Chester River Home Care & Hospice in August. She is known, among other things, for her self-taught computer expertise in designing and printing brochures. As a volunteer she is concerned with patients' needs and goes the extra mile as the need arises.

Always ready to meet a challenge, she can be counted on to get the job done and done well. She is the committed, caring, and giving individual who makes a difference every day in serving the needs of hospice patients and their families.

Chester River Home Care & Hospice and the Kent Hospice Foundation work together as partners to care for patients with a life- limiting illness. Care is provided in the comfort of the patient's own home and services are based on the individual's needs as directed by their physician. The home care agency provides clinical services and the Foundation provides volunteer services and counseling services.

The Hospice Network of Maryland is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to promote quality hospice care in Maryland. The Network is an advocate of the terminally ill and promotes the hospice concept of providing compassionate, multidisciplinary care to patients and their families.

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