Category: Portsmouth

New Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner at Cornerstone VNA

Meet Kathy Boyd, Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner at Cornerstone VNA

 

Cornerstone VNA, a local nonprofit provider of high-quality, skilled care at home, is pleased to introduce Kathy Boyd, Community Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner.  Since the Palliative Care program was first launched at Cornerstone VNA in 2014, the program has experienced continued growth and success.  Kathy is one of several new medical providers who has joined this unique program that specializes in caring for individuals of all ages with chronic medical conditions.

 

Kathy joined the Cornerstone VNA Palliative Care team in 2019, and has made great strides in helping the program grow and meet the needs of our community members, especially those with Congestive Heart Failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Cancer, or other chronic illnesses that can cause distressing symptoms.

 

Kathy holds a Master’s Degree in Nursing and is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). She has two and a half years of experience in gero-psychiatric care.

 

According to Kathy, “I decided to make the switch to Palliative Care because I wanted the opportunity to focus on quality of life and holistic well-being.” Kathy adds, “Palliative Care is a great way to change focus and look at the whole person regardless of a diagnosis, a test, or a guideline.”

 

Over the past year, Kathy has enjoyed moving from a hospital setting to caring for patients at home. “I love meeting patients where they are right now. The ability to meet with a patient and their family at home gives you a personal look at their strengths, weaknesses, hobbies, and great loves in a way that no office ever could.” Treating a patient at home gives Kathy the opportunity recommend treatment options and offer ideas for comfort and improved quality of life based on their surroundings and family life.

 

According to Christine Dumont, NP, MSN, APRN, Community Palliative Care Manager at Cornerstone VNA, “Kathy brings a wealth of knowledge to our department.” Dumont adds, “She really enjoys getting to know her patients and it shows in her individualized and patient center care.”

 

About Palliative Care:

Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with a serious illness.  Its focus is on providing patients relief from the pain and anxiety of a complex illness, regardless of the diagnosis.  It is appropriate at any age and at any stage of a disease.  Palliative care is different from Hospice care in that it may start at diagnosis, and patients receiving palliative care may also receive curative treatment for their disease. The primary goals of the Palliative Care Program are to improve the quality of life for both the patient and their family and decrease the need for emergency room visits or re- hospitalizations. Palliative Care patients may also benefit from receiving remote Telehealth monitoring through Cornerstone VNA’s Home Care program, which enhances their level of care, improves symptom management, and provides comprehensive patient education.

 

About Cornerstone VNA:

Cornerstone VNA is a nonprofit organization currently serving Rockingham, Strafford, Belknap and Carroll Counties in New Hampshire and York County in Maine. The team at Cornerstone VNA provides award-winning care and support through five distinct programs: Home Care, Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Life Care-Private Duty and Community Care. For 107 years, Cornerstone VNA has been committed to bringing services to people of all ages so that families can stay together at home, even when facing the challenges of aging, surgical recovery, chronic or life-threatening illnesses or end-of-life care. To learn more about Cornerstone VNA, visit www.cornerstonevna.org or call 800-691-1133.

Wright Museum Partners with Winnipesaukee Winery

Wright Museum Partners with Winnipesaukee Winery in Wolfeboro. For the month August any museum visitor (21+) who shows their Wright Museum receipt, admission sticker, or membership card can receive one complimentary wine tasting. Also, up to 2 people in a party can receive half-priced admission to the Museum when presenting a Winnipesaukee Winery receipt dated Aug. 1 through Aug 31. 

Cornerstone VNA Honored as Business NH Magazine Healthcare of the Decade

Cornerstone VNA Honored as Business NH Magazine
Healthcare of the Decade

Business NH Magazine recently named Cornerstone VNA as the Business of the Decade in the Health Care Industry.  Business NH Magazine invited the winners of their Business of the Year and Business Leader of the Year awards between 2011 and 2019 to apply for the Business of the Decade competition. Cornerstone VNA was the 2019 Healthcare Business of the Year and eligible to apply. Nearly 50 judges participated in scoring the applications through two rounds of judging to determine the winners. Cornerstone VNA, a nonprofit home health and hospice care organization, was selected for this esteemed award for their business success, their contributions to the community, and their leadership within their industry. This award is a reflection of Cornerstone VNA’s commitment to ensuring that patients and their families receive the very best care, not only in the last decade but the last century as well.

As a nonprofit organization, Cornerstone VNA places great value transforming the home health care experience and works tirelessly to provide programs and services that promote healthy and informed communities. Their team identifies opportunities to provide the most advanced care at home, such as high-tech telehealth technology and expert clinical specialties. They are on the cutting edge of care with their sepsis protocol and training and well-respected Community Palliative Care program.

According to Board Chair, Paul Drager, “This award shines a light on the organization’s work of providing high quality care, innovative services, and support for our local communities.”  Drager continues, “It is an honor to receive recognition as Business of the Decade and I congratulate the entire Cornerstone VNA team and volunteers, as well as our individual donors, businesses and foundations who support this important nonprofit. In addition, we are grateful for the tremendous community support we have been given throughout the years.”

Julie Reynolds, RN, MS, President/Chief Executive Officer of Cornerstone VNA shares, “I have such gratitude for our staff and for their continued passion for caring, not only for our patients and the community, but for each other.”  Reynolds adds, “We have experienced significant growth since our 100 year anniversary in 2013, and this prestigious award is a wonderful way to celebrate and proudly reflect on our achievements over the past decade.”

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of everyone, and health care organizations in particular have had to make important adjustments in order to keep their staff and patients safe and healthy. According to Reynolds, “This pandemic was not something we ever expected, but I am so impressed by our team and how quickly and efficiently they responded to this incredible challenge.” Reynolds credits much of the organization’s success, particularly during this public health crisis, to their continued commitment to professional staff development, ongoing improvements in technology infrastructure, a strong focus on emergency preparedness, and a caring and supportive community.

 

The competition and event are a partnership between Business NH Magazine and the NH Association of Chamber of Commerce executives. All businesses must be nominated by a chamber of commerce executive. Fellow award winners include:

 

  • Business Leader of the Year: Howard Brodsky, Chair and CEO of CCA Global Partners
  • Business Services: McLane Middletonin Manchester
  • Construction/Engineering/Real Estate: Nobis Group in Concord
  • Education/Nonprofit: Catholic Charities NH in Manchester
  • Financial Services/Insurance: Bank of NH in Laconia
  • Health Care: Cornerstone Visiting Nurse Association in Rochester
  • Hospitality/Tourism: Great NH Restaurants in Bedford
  • Manufacturing/Technology: Hypertherm in Hanover
  • Retail/Wholesale: Palmer Gas & Oilin Atkinson
    Business Assistance Organization: NH Small Business Development Center in Durham

 

Awards will be presented at a special soiree on Tuesday, October 13, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown Hotel in Manchester. Sponsors include Presenting Sponsor People’s United Bank; Platinum Sponsors Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Eversource; Nonprofit Sponsor NH Charitable Foundation; Gold Sponsor Anagnost Companies. The Program Sponsor is Northeast Delta Dental, the Centerpiece Sponsor is Sheehan Phinney and the Napkin Sponsor is Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. Tickets are $95 per person or $950 for a table of 10.

 

A portion of the event proceeds will benefit the NH Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives scholarship fund. To register, please visit www.businessnhmagazine.com/events/business-of-the-decade.

 

Cornerstone VNA is a nonprofit organization currently serving Rockingham, Strafford, Belknap and Carroll Counties in New Hampshire and York County in Maine. The team at Cornerstone VNA provides award-winning care and support through five distinct programs: Home Care, Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Life Care-Private Duty and Community Care. For 107 years, Cornerstone VNA has been committed to bringing services to people of all ages so that families can stay together at home, even when facing the challenges of aging, surgical recovery, chronic or life-threatening illnesses or end-of-life care. To learn more about Cornerstone VNA, visit www.cornerstonevna.org or call 800-691-1133.

Annies Angels Luau 5K

Aloha! Join us in a virtual 5K weekend event to support
Annie’s Angels Memorial Fund

Annie’s Angels helps local families in the Seacoast NH area who are struggling financially through a life threatening disease, illness, or disability. Due to Covid-19, we unfortunately had to cancel our annual duathlon/5k race, as well as our summer luau, so instead, we’re combining them into the first EVER Annie’s Angels virtual event.

The 5k race will run from Friday, August 14th – Sunday, August 16th.
Run at home, around town, or wherever you prefer.
Price is $30.00 per person. Register now!
Times must be submitted by 11:59pm EST August 16th.

As a special BONUS Logan’s Run in Hampton, NH will do a free order of fried pickles or calamari with any purchase of an Entree when you show your Luau bib! (limit 2 per table)

We encourage Luau-themed attire, the crazier, the better!
Send us your photos via Facebook or Instagram @AnniesAngelsMemorialFund #AnniesAngelsLuau5K
 

Visit our website anniesangels.org for more information about who we are and what we do, and thank you for your support!

REGISTER NOW!

15th Annual Seacoast Half Marathon Goes Virtual

15th Annual Seacoast Half Marathon Goes Virtual

 

The Seacoast Half Marathon, one of coastal New Hampshire’s longest-running half marathons, has announced that the race will be going virtual in 2020. The Seacoast Half Marathon Race Committee, comprised of twelve local volunteer members, made the decision to shift their annual November race to a virtual event due to continued public health concerns related to COVID-19. Hosting a virtual race will enable the committee to continue their philanthropic tradition of supporting a local nonprofit beneficiary, as well as keeping the beloved autumn race tradition intact. Each year, 100% of the net proceeds are donated to a mindfully selected seacoast nonprofit organization.

 

This year’s beneficiary is Cornerstone VNA, an independent nonprofit organization providing home care, hospice care, palliative care, private duty services, and community health and wellness programs. As a local health care provider, Cornerstone VNA has been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, caring for patients of all ages, from birth through end-of-life. “It is truly an honor to be the nonprofit beneficiary of the 2020 Seacoast Half Marathon,” states Erika Lee, Advancement Director at Cornerstone VNA. Lee adds, “Although we would all prefer to have an in-person race, we know that a virtual race is the best decision, and the Race Committee has developed some great ideas to make this year’s event a memorable one.”

 

To add excitement to this year’s event, the Race Committee is offering several distance options for the Seacoast Half Marathon’s ‘Virtual Edition’. Runners and walkers can choose between a 5K (3.1 miles), a quarter marathon (6.55 miles), or a half marathon (13.1 miles). As an added benefit, participants can compete their distance between Saturday, October 31st and Sunday, November 8th. The registration fees range from $15 to $40, giving runners and walkers the flexibility to select their preferred distance, and event swag offerings. To further support Cornerstone VNA, individuals can add a donation of any amount to their registration fee. There is also an option for registrants to set up their own fundraising page to encourage additional donations from family and friends.

 

According to Jay Diener, Seacoast Half Marathon Race Director, “One of the things the Seacoast Half Marathon Race Committee is proudest of is that we donate all of our revenue (after expenses) each year to local nonprofit organizations. In the 14 years we have held the race, we have donated over $1,350,000. Under any circumstances, Cornerstone VNA would have been a great choice for our beneficiary this year. But, with all of the issues related to the coronavirus, it is even more important to highlight and support the critical work that they do.” Julie Reynolds, RN, MS, President/CEO at Cornerstone VNA adds, “We have been given an amazing opportunity with this race. It lets us highlight to participants the important work that we do daily caring for the vulnerable in our community. The generous proceeds will enable us to continue to provide care to them, regardless of their ability to pay, and will help us grow and strengthen our programs and services.”

 

To register, visit www.seacoasthalfmarathon.com. The website is also a great place to learn more about the virtual race and how participation, either as a sponsor or as a runner/walker, helps Cornerstone VNA.

 

Cornerstone VNA is a nonprofit organization currently serving Rockingham, Strafford, Belknap and Carroll Counties in New Hampshire and York County in Maine. The team at Cornerstone VNA provides award-winning care and support through five distinct programs: Home Care, Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Life Care-Private Duty and Community Care. For 107 years, Cornerstone VNA has been committed to bringing services to people of all ages so that families can stay together at home, even when facing the challenges of aging, surgical recovery, chronic or life-threatening illnesses or end-of-life care. To learn more about Cornerstone VNA, visit www.cornerstonevna.org or call 800-691-1133.

15th Annual Seacoast Half Marathon Goes Virtual

15th Annual Seacoast Half Marathon Goes Virtual

 

The Seacoast Half Marathon, one of coastal New Hampshire’s longest-running half marathons, has announced that the race will be going virtual in 2020. The Seacoast Half Marathon Race Committee, comprised of twelve local volunteer members, made the decision to shift their annual November race to a virtual event due to continued public health concerns related to COVID-19. Hosting a virtual race will enable the committee to continue their philanthropic tradition of supporting a local nonprofit beneficiary, as well as keeping the beloved autumn race tradition intact. Each year, 100% of the net proceeds are donated to a mindfully selected seacoast nonprofit organization.

 

This year’s beneficiary is Cornerstone VNA, an independent nonprofit organization providing home care, hospice care, palliative care, private duty services, and community health and wellness programs. As a local health care provider, Cornerstone VNA has been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, caring for patients of all ages, from birth through end-of-life. “It is truly an honor to be the nonprofit beneficiary of the 2020 Seacoast Half Marathon,” states Erika Lee, Advancement Director at Cornerstone VNA. Lee adds, “Although we would all prefer to have an in-person race, we know that a virtual race is the best decision, and the Race Committee has developed some great ideas to make this year’s event a memorable one.”

 

To add excitement to this year’s event, the Race Committee is offering several distance options for the Seacoast Half Marathon’s ‘Virtual Edition’. Runners and walkers can choose between a 5K (3.1 miles), a quarter marathon (6.55 miles), or a half marathon (13.1 miles). As an added benefit, participants can compete their distance between Saturday, October 31st and Sunday, November 8th. The registration fees range from $15 to $40, giving runners and walkers the flexibility to select their preferred distance, and event swag offerings. To further support Cornerstone VNA, individuals can add a donation of any amount to their registration fee. There is also an option for registrants to set up their own fundraising page to encourage additional donations from family and friends.

 

According to Jay Diener, Seacoast Half Marathon Race Director, “One of the things the Seacoast Half Marathon Race Committee is proudest of is that we donate all of our revenue (after expenses) each year to local nonprofit organizations. In the 14 years we have held the race, we have donated over $1,350,000. Under any circumstances, Cornerstone VNA would have been a great choice for our beneficiary this year. But, with all of the issues related to the coronavirus, it is even more important to highlight and support the critical work that they do.” Julie Reynolds, RN, MS, President/CEO at Cornerstone VNA adds, “We have been given an amazing opportunity with this race. It lets us highlight to participants the important work that we do daily caring for the vulnerable in our community. The generous proceeds will enable us to continue to provide care to them, regardless of their ability to pay, and will help us grow and strengthen our programs and services.”

 

To register, visit www.seacoasthalfmarathon.com. The website is also a great place to learn more about the virtual race and how participation, either as a sponsor or as a runner/walker, helps Cornerstone VNA.

 

Cornerstone VNA is a nonprofit organization currently serving Rockingham, Strafford, Belknap and Carroll Counties in New Hampshire and York County in Maine. The team at Cornerstone VNA provides award-winning care and support through five distinct programs: Home Care, Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Life Care-Private Duty and Community Care. For 107 years, Cornerstone VNA has been committed to bringing services to people of all ages so that families can stay together at home, even when facing the challenges of aging, surgical recovery, chronic or life-threatening illnesses or end-of-life care. To learn more about Cornerstone VNA, visit www.cornerstonevna.org or call 800-691-1133.

The Portsmouth Path of President George Washington walking tour

The Portsmouth Path of President George Washington walking tour on Saturdays, 3:30 pm, 75 minutes in length. Learn about President George Washington and his wife Martha Washington’s visit to Portsmouth in the fall of 1789. Many folks don’t know that George Washington spent time here on the Seacoast back then. This walking tour stops along the way at the Tobias Lear House who was President Washington’s personal secretary. Book your spot at www.PortsmouthHistory.org today! 

Free Virtual Summer Camp offer from Camp CHaD

Free Virtual Summer Camp offer from Camp CHaD (Children’s Hospital of Dartmouth) ; a 7-week, virtual summer camp running from July 6th to August 21st. This virtual camp will be completely FREE of charge for New Hampshire residents. Will include crafts, virtual tours, visits, challenges, and online lessons. Each weekday, you will be emailed 2-3 virtual activities. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/camp-chad-tickets-107725868974

John Paul Jones Historic House Opens July 10th

John Paul Jones Historic House will Open July 10th from Friday thru Monday each week! Tours run from 11am to 4pm. The garden at the John Paul Jones House is open the public—all you have to do is open the gate to enjoy a walk through the flowers or a picnic on the lawn. Located at 43 Middle St on the corner of State St.

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