In memory of her parents, Kirby and Caroline Risk, Sherry Risk Stark has made a transformational gift, the largest gift received by Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, to establish an endowment fund in memory of her parents. The James Kirby Risk, Jr. and Caroline Robinson Risk Fund for Palliative Support honors the life lessons her parents taught through their service to others, their civic and humanitarian efforts and their many acts of kindness.

Sherry has formed a legacy of service in her own right as a long-standing member of Columbus. She has led numerous integral boards in the arts and for the benefit of the community, served as Deputy Mayor of the City of Columbus, and President and CEO of Heritage Fund — the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County. Sherry has been recognized locally and statewide for her exceptional leadership and contributions.

The James Kirby Risk and Caroline Robinson Risk Fund for Palliative Care will provide sustaining support to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana for palliative care services, an innovative patient care model that provides demonstrated improvement to patients enduring a chronic illness. “Our Hospice of South Central Indiana had a vision to bring Palliative Care to this community and launched the service in 2019, this generous gift will sustain and support the growth plans for this much- needed care which currently remains largely unreimbursed. This gift is a strong addition to a $4 million goal needed for long-term sustainability,” said Laura Leonard, Our Hospice President.

“Palliative care is an additional program, separate from hospice services, currently provided in an outpatient setting with an on-site clinic at the Hospice Center, as an inpatient service within Columbus Regional Health, and also as a home visit model in Bartholomew County. Today, we are providing care for approximately 85 patients,” continued Laura Leonard, Our Hospice President, “and we have plans for growth to meet the needs of all who need palliative care.

”Palliative Care is a medical specialty offering relief from symptoms for individuals with a serious illness while they are being treated by their physician. Hospice experts are specially trained in Palliative Care and bring an extra layer of support to patients and families. Palliative Care differs from hospice care in that it can be provided at any stage in a serious illness and can be provided together with curative treatment. Palliative care serves individuals being treated by their physician for chronic or acute illnesses of the heart, lungs, liver, and kidney, as well as cancer patients.

Palliative Care provides services to fill in the gap in the continuum of care when an individual is suffering with unresolved symptoms or side effects during treatment, Leonard continued, “The generosity of Sherry Risk Stark, in memory of her parents, brings stability for the long-term sustainability of Palliative Care to bring expert symptom management to those dealing with an advanced illness. Palliative Care, as a medical specialty to support patients enduring a serious illness, is necessary and important, but is minimally reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid or Insurance, covering only 14-17 cents on the dollar. This gift from Sherry represents a foundation to sustain this critical type of care.”

Jim Bickel, CRH President shared, “I am extremely grateful to Sherry Stark, a member of the CRH Board of Trustees and long-time friend and supporter of our health care system, for her support to sustain Palliative Care services within our health system and community. These services are a strong partnership between Our Hospice of South Central Indiana and Columbus Regional Health, and are providing a valuable service to our patients and physicians. Columbus Regional Health is focused on being your health care partner for life and Sherry’s generosity is an excellent example of how philanthropy is allowing critical work to go further faster to benefit the health and well-being of our region.”

“I first learned about the concept of Palliative Care through trainings provided to the hospital trustees,” said Sherry Stark. “I was immediately intrigued and recognized what a positive and life changing service it could offer people when they are the most vulnerable. I later was happy to learn that Our Hospice of South Central Indiana had made the commitment to begin a Palliative Care program and would be working closely with Columbus Regional Health. This innovative program struck me as just the kind of thing my parents would have chosen to support.”

Our Hospice cares for people who have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness or are no longer seeking active medical treatment. Hospice care includes symptom management, attention to quality of life, and end of life care by a team of physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, home health aides, social workers, chaplains and volunteers wherever the patient resides.

Palliative Care Symptom Management Specialists care for patients who are actively receiving treatment by their physician for a chronic, advanced or acute condition. Palliative care includes management of specific symptoms and monitoring of the improvement of quality of life for as long as the patients’ physician indicates. Appointments are provided in the clinic or the home setting.

Both programs are operated from our location at 2626 E. 17th Street, Columbus, IN with additional office locations in Greensburg and North Vernon. Information can be found at: ourhospice.org or contact us at 800-841-4938 ext. 8000 to find out more about how Our Hospice or Palliative Care Specialists can support your family.