New Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner at Cornerstone VNA
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.
