News

Lake Sunapee VNA Celebrates 31st Annual Hospice Dinner

The 2019 Lake Sunapee VNA Hospice Dinner, held on November 13 and again graciously hosted by The Millstone at 74 Main, saw a record attendance of nearly 110 guests. “Such strong support from the community over many years is empowering and deeply appreciated,” says Cathy Raymond, Development Officer.

This elegant evening honors hospice and raises funds and awareness that help to sustain compassionate end-of-life care. The occasion featured music, words of gratitude from staff and hospice families and a delicious meal prepared under the expert guidance of Rich Stockwell. Special thanks to Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, dessert sponsor, and Horizon Beverage, wine sponsor.

For information about hospice care or any of the programs provided by Lake Sunapee VNA, call 603-526-4077.

Photo Caption

Members of the Lake Sunapee VNA hospice team enjoying the 31st Annual Hospice Dinner (from left): Cinnamon Blomquist, Spiritual Care Coordinator, Dr. Kristi Saunders, Associate Hospice Medical Director, Tammy Porter, Outreach Liaison, JoJo Hayes, Hospice LPN, Rachel Riedel, Hospice Clinical Coordinator, Jen Taylor, Hospice Program Director, and Kyleigh Mercier, Hospice RN Case Manager.

The 2019 Lake Sunapee VNA Craft Fair takes place on Saturday, November 16 from 9:00am to 2:00pm at the Kearsarge Community Presbyterian Church in New London.

With a wide variety of crafters and vendors, there is truly something for everyone. A perfect chance to do some holiday shopping, the fair also features music, food and the annual “Cookie Walk” where you can purchase a selection of holiday cookies. Stop by and support a wonderful cause. Proceeds benefit the Lake Sunapee Region VNA Hospice Program.

Contact Cheyrl Fogwill at 603-475-2450 for information.

The volunteer team at Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice (LSRVNA) grew substantially on October 2, when 12 area residents graduated from a 16-hour training program that prepared them to be hospice volunteers.

Lake Sunapee VNA “Fun-Filled” Summer Party Supports Staff Education

FUN(d) for Excellence, the 2019 Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice summer party held on August 27 at the New London Historical Society, was a “fun-filled” success complete with a balloon-popping raffle, trivia, ‘Funtinis’ and more!

Dr. Lori Richer Joins Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice

Lori Richer, MD, has joined Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice (LSRVNA) as its new Hospice and Palliative Care Medical Director. Dr. Richer grew up in Newport and returned to the area after earning her medical degree at the University of Utah. She completed her residency with the NH Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency program and was a primary care physician (PCP) in the New London area from 2006-2018. As a PCP, Dr. Richer was drawn to taking care of patients in the last phase of life in conjunction with their hospice caregivers. That lead her to pursue a fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Care at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and transition to that specialty. “I am really excited to be back in the community caring for people in this capacity,” she says.

Hospice focuses on physical, emotional and spiritual comfort, so individuals with a life limiting illness can live their last phase of life to the fullest wherever they call home. Dr. Richer works closely with the entire LSRVNA hospice team—nurses, therapists, social workers, home care aides, spiritual counselors and trained volunteers—in the care of hospice patients and their families.

Palliative care focuses on the conversation and navigation of serious illness. Dr. Richer can assess palliative patients in the home setting, working closely with the patient’s other medical providers to achieve optimal symptom control and other goals of care.

“Along with providing care to our hospice and palliative patients, Dr. Richer is also developing inpatient palliative care services at New London Hospital,” says Jim Culhane, President and CEO at LSRVNA. “She will be a great asset to both organizations and our community as we further develop these important services.”

To learn more about the hospice and palliative care services available through LSRVNA, call 603-526-4077 or visit lakesunapeevna.org.

Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice invites you to a casual summer gathering to support the ongoing delivery of its critical services and the staff who provide them. The event will be held on Tuesday, August 27 at 5:30pm at the New London Historical Society and will include plentiful hors d’oeuvres, festive libations, music and more. Tickets are $75 per person, and sponsorship opportunities are available as well. For tickets and sponsorships, complete and return the Response Form below or contact Cathy Raymond at craymond@lakesunapeevna.org or 603-526-4077 x231.

Summer Party 2019 Flyer
Sponsorship Opportunities
Response Form

Lake Sunapee VNA Welcomes New Hospice & Palliative Care Director

Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice (LSRVNA) is pleased to welcome Jen Taylor, MSN, APRN, AGNP-C, as its Hospice & Palliative Care Program Director. As a nurse practitioner with a certification in adult-gerontology, she brings a great depth of knowledge, skill and passion to her new role.

Taylor received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Colby-Sawyer College and began her career in the cardiac unit at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. She continued her education to obtain both a master’s in nursing and a nurse practitioner certification from Duke University, and during that time worked at LSRVNA as an RN case manager for home care and hospice patients. After finishing school, Taylor taught in the nursing program at Colby-Sawyer College. She then returned to LSRVNA as a staff educator and nurse practitioner in the hospice and palliative care program. Most recently, she was a nurse practitioner in Neurology Associates at Concord Hospital, caring for patients with multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease.

Taylor has a passion for serving the older population, especially in the areas of hospice and palliative care. “When the opportunity came up to join LSRVNA again, I was thrilled to return to home hospice and palliative care,” says Taylor. “Returning to LSRVNA truly feels like coming home. I am very excited to be working with a highly skilled and compassionate team in order to provide excellent home hospice and palliative care services to the community.”

To learn more about the hospice and palliative care services available through LSRVNA, call 603-526-4077 or visit lakesunapeevna.org.

The historic 20th Annual Women Who Make A Difference Luncheon was complete with emeralds, white flowers, music, dignitaries, raffles and plenty of joy to go around. Guest speaker and luncheon founder, Gail Matthews, spoke about how we can all “bloom where we are planted,” give of ourselves, grow strong and make a difference. She shared memories of the luncheon and stories of our beautiful region and the many people who make it so special.

Enjoy Gails’ inspiring message at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tolPPVG_lmc&feature=youtu.be

Lake Sunapee VNA Women's Luncheon Celebrates 20th Anniversary

On May 15, 2019 at Colby-Sawyer College’s Wheeler Hall, Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice (LSRVNA) celebrated the 20^th anniversary of its "Women Who Make A Difference Luncheon" honoring extraordinary local women and raising funds for the agency’s Pediatric Program.

Members of American Legion Post 25 Newport NH were honored to participate in a March 28 “We Honor Veterans” program for 93-year-old WWII Navy veteran Joseph Robert Rogers originally from Somerville, MA. Joe is the proud father of three daughters and has five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. His daughter Elise Bundy and her husband Gerry were present and took part in the ceremony.