SALISBURY – Nancy Stewart, access department manager of Coastal Hospice, was recently recognized as a “Hospice Champion” by the Hospice Veteran-Partnership of Maryland for her dedication to the We Honor Veterans’ Program.

We Honor Veterans’ Program is a hospice service that increases access and improves the quality of care for veterans in the community. Together, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization developed the program to empower hospices to meet the unique needs of veterans and their families. Coastal Hospice was recently designated as a Level 4, the highest level of partnership.

“I am extremely honored and proud to receive this recognition on behalf of Coastal Hospice,” Ms. Stewart said. “We are so fortunate on the Lower Shore to have such a generous community who understands the importance and special needs of veterans at the end of life. I am able to grow this important program through the dedication of our volunteers.”

Because of Ms. Stewart’s commitment to the program, approximately 17-18 percent of Coastal Hospice patients enjoy We Honor Veterans ceremonies. That’s approximately 80 percent of all veterans served by Coastal Hospice.
“Nancy almost single-handedly drove the implementation of the We Honor Veterans Program at Coastal Hospice,” said Coastal Hospice President Alane Capen.

This is the first year the Maryland coalition has held a Hospice Champion Awards ceremony. The recognition celebrates individuals from hospices who inspire compassion, caring and leadership within the organization.

Hospice-Veteran Partnerships are coalitions of the Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, community hospices, state hospice organizations and others working together to ensure that excellent care at the end of life is available for our nation’s veterans and their families.

Founded in 1980, Coastal Hospice is a nonprofit health care organization that cares for individuals facing life-limiting conditions but who want to remain as active and engaged as possible.

Coastal Hospice cares for patients in their home, nursing home, assisted living facility or at Coastal Hospice at the Lake. The organization serves Wicomico, Worcester, Dorchester and Somerset counties.