United Hospice of Rockland (UHR) “Hospice ––When Time Matters Most” August 14th Radio Show About Hospice in Nursing Homes WRCR 1300 AM–10:10 AM-10:40 AM

 United Hospice of Rockland’s (UHR) new WRCR 1300 AM radio show “Hospice––When Time Matters Most” will air its second show on Wednesday, August 14th from 10:10 AM-10:40 AM.  The bi-monthly show airs on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month and is hosted by long-time UHR board member Tess McCormack Raso.  Her guest will be UHR Assistant Director Bonnie Walsh and the conversation will center on hospice care in Rockland County, including hospice in the nursing home. Call-ins, comments and questions are welcome during the show. WRCR’s call in phone is 845 362-0013.

Bonnie Walsh says she looks forward to informing listeners about the availability of UHR services in local nursing homes, continuing the conversation about myths and facts about hospice care and letting the community know that she and UHR Community Liaison Mimi Hoffman are available to speak with community groups.  She will point out the resources contained on UHR’s website www.hospiceofrockland.org and on the UHR Facebook page.  
            
Bonnie Walsh, RN, Assistant Director, United Hospice of Rockland graduated from St. Clare’s Hospital School of Nursing and she has been working at UHR since 1989. She was formerly a nurse manager of the Intensive Care Unit at Nyack Hospital. As Assistant Director of UHR, Bonnie's responsibilities consist of community outreach including education to healthcare professionals. She is Chair of the Ethics Committee. In 1997, Bonnie was the first recipient of the NY State Hospice Association's Clinical Service Award and in 1998, she received an award for “Excellence in Practice” among Rockland County nurses. She is board certified in hospice and palliative care and she is an approved educator for the ELNEC program, (End of Life Nurse Education Consortium) and the national organization of Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses. She received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from Dominican College in 2009.

UHR’s new WRCR 1300 AM radio show “Hospice––When Time Matters Most” airs on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 10:10 AM-10:40 AM. Listeners are encouraged to join the conversation by calling 845-362-0013.  The bi-monthly show is hosted by long-time UHR board member Tess McCormack Raso.

Upcoming shows will feature UHR Director of Development Lanie Etkind, Assistant Director of Development Lisa Denburg and members of Youth for Hospice (August 28), UHR Medical Director David A. Chmielewski, MD (September 11), UHR Volunteer Coordinator Noell Goldberg (September 25), and Judith Peacock, Administrator of Joe Raso Hospice Residence (October 9).

Tess McCormack Raso is a native of Piermont, Rockland County, New York.  A veteran of the US Air Force, she was a communications specialist at the Pentagon Building, Washington D.C. She has served on many community boards and received numerous awards.  She volunteered and raised funds for United Hospice of Rockland, Helen Hayes Hospital, Nyack Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital as well as the American Heart Association, St. John’s Church, Piermont Public Library, VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She received Woman of the Year Awards from the Rockland County Republican Committee, American Heart Association, United Hospice of Rockland, Nyack Hospital, Helen Hayes Hospital as well as the Veteran’s Award in 1995 and the 2007 Philanthropist of the Year, NYS Outstanding Rockland County Women Award, and Women Who Have Made a Difference. 2010 NYS Outstanding Rockland County Women Award,  2011 Good Samaritan Hospital Metal of Honor, Community Service Award, and 2012 Historical Society of Rockland Living Landmark Award.  She continues to serve her community without hesitation and was the driving force behind McCormack Education & Research Center at Nyack Hospital, the yearly UHR Dancing with the Stars Galas, and the establishment of United Hospice of Rockland’s Joe Raso Hospice Residence.

She has produced, hosted, and written other broadcast shows including Fitness Over Forty- Body Mind & Soul, Lifeline to the 90’s Television Health Talk show, Health Tips with Tess, and Lifeline- Television Health Talk Show and was Society Editor-Rockland County Times and columnist of “Notables.”

Tess was married to the late Gilbert E. McCormack, Esq. and is the mother of three children, Richard, Ronald and Teri; grandmother of six; Kelly, Jesse, Michael, Megan, Danielle and Zachary;  and great grandmother of Erik Richard Cowin. In 2000, she married the late Joseph F. Raso for whom the Joe Raso Hospice Residence is named.

When time matters most, United Hospice of Rockland, Inc. (UHR), provides care, comfort and improved quality of life to individuals affected by serious illness and offers compassionate support to families and members of the community. Founded in 1988, United Hospice of Rockland is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and meets the Standards for Charity Accountability of the Better Business Bureau, Inc.  In addition, UHR received a third consecutive 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator. UHR's mission is to enable patients with advanced illnesses to live in comfort, with dignity, and surrounded by those they love. For more information, call 845 634-4974, write to United Hospice of Rockland, 11 Stokum Lane, New City, NY 10956, visit www.hospiceofrockland.org  or fax to 845 634-7549.