Center for Hospice Care hosted a networking event at its Mishawaka campus on Wednesday where guests enjoyed conversation, refreshments, and a tour of the riverfront campus. Attendees were happy to be meeting in person once again, returning to a sense of normalcy.
“It’s been a long time since people were face to face without masks,” said Craig Harrell, Director of Marketing & Access. “Everyone in healthcare has been focused over the past 16 months on just trying to keep our heads above water. We thought this would be a great opportunity to just relax, get back out into public, and see everybody again.”
The Mishawaka campus houses Center for Hospice Care’s Administration, Clinical, and Hospice Foundation teams. It also includes the Ernestine M. Raclin House, a 12-bed inpatient unit. The tour included the family area, a teen gaming room, children’s area, sunroom, and a patient room. The patient rooms all have views facing the St. Joseph River. The doors are wide enough that patients’ beds can be moved outside to better enjoy the view.
“Center of Hospice Care has been at this location for ten years. We opened our clinical building in November of 2019, and then in 2020 as we were going to open our inpatient unit, something happened,” Harrell said through a laugh. “It was delayed because of state officials focusing on extended-care facilities due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Ever since we opened in September of last year, we’ve been extremely busy.”
Also included on the campus tour was the Captain Robert J. Hiler Jr. Veterans Memorial, where flags representing all branches of the military fly. Below them on a wall are plaques honoring those who have served, as well as a statue of ‘Poppy’, a veteran holding a flag while leaning on his cane.
Around the campus are beautiful landscaping and sculptures. Daisies and lavender line the sidewalk, and when the wind blows it carries the lavender’s scent. Pergolas and archways are taken over by ivy, but just enough that it appears perfectly intentional.
“This is an event for health care providers,” said Harrell. “We invited a few local healthcare organizations that we belong to, as well as referral sources including extended care facilities, assisted living, and hospitals. It’s also an opportunity to learn more about Center for Hospice Care, our unique services, and rich history.”
Regardless of whether attendees were greeted with a hug or handshake, everyone enjoyed the conversation, the comradery of other local healthcare providers, and the interruption of the busy week with some well-deserved relaxation.
For more information on Center for Hospice Care, visit its website at cfhcare.org.
