Loved Ones Remembered by Friends, Families
Loved ones of patients served by Heyman Hospice Care at Atrium Health Floyd gathered to celebrate their memories during a special ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rome.
Those present lighted candles and were asked to speak the names of those who passed away.
Heyman Hospice Care provides compassionate, comfort-oriented home care to patients with a life expectancy of less than six months, serving patients in Floyd, Chattooga, Polk, Bartow and Gordon counties. The program also provides grief support to help families who have experienced a loss.
Tommy Harris, a pastor from Kingston, was one of those who attend the service. His wife Patsy of 59 years passed away this past February.
“I had mixed emotions about coming because I have had a hard time dealing wither death,” said Harris. As a pastor, I know where she is, but it has been very difficult. I came to honor her memory, and also say thank you to Heyman Hospice because they were so good to us.
“They were there every time I needed them. I probably needed them even more than my wife needed them at the time because I was at a loss about what to do,” Harris said. “Although I had spiritual guidance from my church and family, the hospice nurses would remind me of where my faith should be.
“That helped me a great deal. When Patsy’s mobility became worse, I had to rely heavily on Stacey Mobbs, who was our caregiver. Once when Patsy went to sleep and I could not get her to wake up, I had to call on the weekend and the staff were very helpful and very kind to help ease my anxiety,” Harris said
“They also followed up after she passed, “ he added. “I was very grateful for that. When Hospice calls after all the friends and family leave, it really makes a difference.”
George Nix, chaplain for Heyman Hospice Care, encouraged those who were in attendance to continue to share the memory of their family members or friends with others.
“This generation and the next generation need to know about your loved one and what made them so special,” Nix said.
Visit https://www.floyd.org/medical-services/hospice/Pages/default.aspx to learn more about services Heyman Hospice Care provides.
About Atrium Health Floyd
The Atrium Health Floyd family of health care services is a leading medical provider and economic force in northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Atrium Health Floyd is part of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, created from the combination of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health. Atrium Health Floyd employs more than 3,500 teammates who provide care in over 40 medical specialties at three hospitals: Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center – a 304-bed full-service, acute care hospital and regional referral center in Rome, Georgia; Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center in Cedartown, Georgia; and Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center in Centre, Alabama; as well as Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center Behavioral Health – a freestanding 53-bed behavioral health facility in Rome – and also primary care and urgent care network locations throughout northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Atrium Health Floyd also operates a stand-alone emergency department in Chattooga County, the first such facility to be built from the ground-up in Georgia.
About Atrium Health
Atrium Health is a nationally recognized leader in shaping health outcomes through innovative research, education and compassionate patient care. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Atrium Health is part of Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, which was created from the combination with Advocate Aurora Health. A recognized leader in experiential medical education and groundbreaking research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine is its academic core. Atrium Health is renowned for its top-ranked pediatric, cancer and heart care, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Atrium Health is also a leading-edge innovator in virtual care and mobile medicine, providing care close to home and in the home. Ranked nationally among U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals in eight pediatric specialties and for rehabilitation, Atrium Health has also received the American Hospital Association’s Quest for Quality Prize and its 2021 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award, as well as the 2020 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Health Equity Award for its efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in care. With a commitment to every community it serves, Atrium Health seeks to improve health, elevate hope and advance healing – for all, providing $2.8 billion last year in free and uncompensated care and other community benefits.
About Advocate Health
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the United States – created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois, Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama, and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides nearly $6 billion in annual community benefits.