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Media Release United States Department of Agriculture • Rural Development 200 North High Street • 5th Floor • Suite 500 • Columbus, Ohio 43215 Phone: (614) 255-2394 • Fax: (614) 255-2559 • TDD: (800) 877-8339 • Web: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/oh ______HOSPICE OF MEDINA: COMING HOME By: Heather Hartley Public Information Coordinator, USDA Rural Development, Ohio

MEDINA, Ohio, November 30, 2011 – For more than 30 years, Hospice of Medina County has been a vital part of a number of rural northeast Ohio communities, helping the dying and those who love them transition with courage, dignity and grace. Soon, through collaboration with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and with vigorous community-based support, HMC will open a state-of-the-art, 16-bed inpatient care center in Medina. “This facility was designed by hospice staff and people who truly know what’s important,” said Executive Director Pat Stropko-O’Leary. “We really wanted a place where we could do hospice the way we thought hospice should be done. You need someone who understands the complexity and the needs, creating a ‘hospital in disguise.’ There is oxygen, there is suction, but they’re hidden in order to make it feel like a home, which is exactly what we intended!” HMC reaches beyond Medina to embrace the rural edges of Lorain, Cuyahoga and Summit counties. Stropko-O’Leary said a $5.5 million USDA direct loan and $3 million loan guarantee substantially offset funding for the $9.6 million, 33,000 square-foot facility, scheduled to open later this autumn. “From our perspective, working with the USDA has been a stellar experience,” said Stropko-O’Leary. “They were great advocates for us from the very beginning.” “We’re pleased to have played such a positive role in bringing this project to fruition for the people of Medina and surrounding counties,” said Tony Logan, Ohio’s USDA Rural Development director. “Uniting the different elements of hospice care under one roof improves service to patients and their families. We expect Hospice of Medina will serve as a benchmark for end-of-life care in Ohio and beyond.” Situated on eight acres adjoining a community park, the new building will house a 16-bed inpatient care area, the Robertson Bereavement Center, a chapel and meditation room, family support areas and even a full-service kitchen. “The inpatient rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows – and that’s very important to someone resting in a bed,” said Stropko-O’Leary. “The facility has a natural feel to it. The ‘bump-out’ windows are rounded and soft; the whole idea is comfort. When you walk in that front door, you see the fireplace and living room right there in front of you. It’s truly a home-like environment, and we hope that conveys to people.” The organization’s 140 employees range in expertise from physicians and nurses to grief counselors and volunteers who excel at simply listening. End-of life care is available to anyone regardless of ability to pay. Stropko- O’Leary said the organization in recent years has seen more than a 50 percent increase in the number of patients it serves. She anticipates this trend will continue as Baby Boomers age. “Between our hospice care, palliative, home care and bereavement, we serve up to 500 people at any given time,” said Stropko-O’Leary. “And when it comes down to it, all of hospice can be distilled into one word: ‘Relationships’—relationships we develop with the patient and family, learning what they want and need, and then meeting those wants and needs with the compassion they deserve.” Community-based support through the HMC capital campaign now exceeds $1.1 million, a little more than halfway toward the overall campaign goal of $2.2 million. Additional funds raised through HMC’s “Life’s Treasures” Thrift Shop have secured naming rights to the new facility’s Community Multi-Purpose room. Thrift shop volunteer Bob Smith explained why he’s given so freely of his time over the past two decades: “It’s the way I would like to see my loved ones pass on to their next life – their next ‘Big Adventure’ – whatever they believe!” said Smith. “Dignified, comfortable, and able to say farewell in a nice, safe environment. We’re not just financing a building, we’re realizing a dream.” Stropko-O’Leary agrees. “For 30 years, I’ve been saying hospice is a philosophy of care and NOT a place,” she laughs. “Now, it’s also a place!” USDA Rural Development Community Programs provide loans, grants and loan guarantees for projects to develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. This may include hospitals, fire protection, public safety, libraries, schools and day care centers as well as many other community-based initiatives. USDA also works to develop the capacity and ability of private, nonprofit community-based housing and community development organizations, and low income rural communities to improve housing, community facilities, community and economic development projects in rural areas. To learn more, visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov. # # #