April Casertino, RNCM

What does being a hospice nurse mean to you?

First, I’ll tell you I love being a hospice nurse. I have always had the desire to care for people in my community.

Working with hospice patients and their families is in absolute honor and completely humbling for me. When we care for people in their homes, we are invited into their families. We sit in their favorite chairs and interact in their lives in ways that are different than any other healthcare setting. We have the privilege to care for people at the very end of life and for their families, in one of the hardest parts of life’s journey. When caring for someone for days, weeks or months, we often become like an extended family to the patient and their loved ones…it is a special place between this world and the next. To be able to help someone’s body be comfortable through the dying process, allow them stay in the comfort of their own home, provide education, support and normalcy to their loved ones is an amazing experience.

Every family changes my life just a little bit, albeit, it is their journey, I feel a deep sense of reverence to be a small part of it.

What are two things we should know about you?

I am a total outdoors person and self-care is such an important aspect of life. I love to spend time in nature; hike, kayak, fish, boat and swim. I love to spend time with my family, cook and unknown to most, I love to ride my motorcycle, which is a very new experience for me! I earned my license last year and purchased my very first bike. Life has unlimited potential, enjoy every day.

Karrian Green, LPN

What does being a hospice nurse mean to you?

As a hospice nurse I feel that the two most important events in a person’s life is their birth and their death. Being a hospice nurse is having the privilege of personally caring for the patient and keeping them as comfortable as possible while transitioning into a peaceful dying process, also to be there for their grieving family. Listening, having compassion and empathy. I feel no other does what a hospice nurse does for the dying patient.

What is your favorite hobby?

My favorite hobby is cooking and creating new dishes. It brings me peace. I love sharing my recipes and food with family and friends. I’ve always said if I wasn’t a nurse I’d have my own diner or restaurant serving a wide variety of delicious foods.

Caleigh Lamour, After-hours LPN

What is your favorite thing about Hospice?

I love being able to care for patients and their families during one of the most difficult times in their lives and when it is needed most. My favorite quote is “The end of life deserves as much beauty, care, and respect as the beginning.”

What was your dream job growing up?

I’ve always wanted to become a nurse growing up since I could remember. Whenever anyone got hurt or needed a procedure I was always so interested.

Morgan Murphy, RN, RDMS

What led you to hospice?

Last summer my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had an incredibly fast decline over just 3 weeks from the time of diagnosis. Hospice went above and beyond for my family to help get my dad home with such short notice and the amount of support we received in the 23 hours he was on service was remarkable. In the middle of the COVID pandemic it was devastating that we couldn’t visit my dad and he spent several days in the hospital alone. It crushed me. After his passing I started my career as a nurse caring for oncology and comfort care patients. It was heartbreaking seeing them pass either alone or with severely limited family support. I wanted to be able to help families stay together and feel supported during this life altering event. Hospice allows me to help, empathize, and support these families in a more fulfilling manner and ensure no one is going to pass alone. I couldn’t be more thankful for my opportunity to work with such an amazing team!

What is your favorite hobby?

This is a challenging question, it’s hard to pick just one thing! I love spending time outdoors whether that be hiking (currently working on the 46ers), walking my dogs, or riding my horses. Fresh air and exercise is always so satisfying and enjoyable!

Phyllis I. Whittam, MS, RN

Why did you choose hospice?

Honestly, just like nursing, hospice is a calling. Being a woman of faith, I enjoy listening to the Lord in a variety of ways. When I was 4 years old I wanted to follow in my mother’s footsteps and become a nurse like her and her two sisters. In high school I was privileged to volunteer as a “candy striper” (Not stripper- lol!) and work alongside my mom. That was back in the day when nurses wore white dresses, stockings, and shoes; and a nursing hat and pin!

My background in my “youth” was Acute Care Medicine at Mt Sinai Hospital in NYC, ICU /PACU at AMC and St. Peter’s. After receiving my Master of Science Degree, I became Community Health Educator and then an Education Specialist at AMC. After leaving nursing / education to raise my children, I went back to work in assisted living and private home care.

It was during this time I discovered how much I enjoyed being with patients, their families, and staff. After serving my beloved “Donna” for two years, she reached her end of life on hospice. I met the best nurses in the world who so lovingly educated us and cared for Donna and her family; LPN Patty, RN Kathy, and RN Phil. I’m so very thankful to God for all of these experiences that have led me to become an admissions nurse and then hospice liaison. Thanks to Marie Marvullo, our Hospice Director, who has inspired my career and pushed me into unchartered territory!

What are you most proud of?

Absolutely, positively my husband (Michael) and my two children (Mikey now 23, and Mikhaila now 18)!! The Lord led us (when I was age 40) to adoption! It was my dream fulfilled and years of prayers to be a mom. While I won’t go into details here (feel free to ask 🙂 I can only say it has been a miraculous journey! My courageous husband took my hand and we went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1997 and then Prokopyevsk, Russia in 2003. My children are an incredible blessing and are growing to be sensitive, responsible, and loving. We could not have gone on this journey alone as we have walked in faith… and apprehension at times. But, as always, God has proved Himself faithful to us. I expect He will continue to do so on my journey with High Peaks Hospice. As I am reminded daily, like a family, so is hospice – a team! And I love, am blessed by, and can count on MY TEAM!Vicki Goodspeed, Admissions RN

Vicki Goodspeed, RN

What led you to Hospice?

My mother passed when I was 34 and she had hospice. It was my first experience with Hospice and I had lost my dad 5 years prior, before he was able to be admitted to hospice. My experience with Hospice was memorable and led me to know that a Hospice Nurse is what I wanted and needed to do. Soon after, I went back to school for my LPN and then my RN. During my years of school, I was able to touch into each nursing profession and see if I liked it. Nothing peaked my interest like Hospice did. I went on to do some home care to build skills to be able to be a good Hospice nurse. It always felt like a calling for me and being able to help a dying patient and their families through the most difficult time of their lives was what I wanted to do. It took me until I was almost 51 to start my dream job. In the past 3 years I have been able to be a small part in helping people face their final chapter. Other than my daughter and granddaughter, being a Hospice nurse is the most rewarding part of my life and I am grateful to be able to be here at High Peaks Hospice.

What do you do for fun?

For fun outside of work I love to spend time with my daughter and granddaughter first! I also enjoy making crafts, being on the beach by the ocean, and my biggest passion is my classic car. I enjoy going to car shows and spending time with all the classic car people. I love the sound of a burn out and the smell of rubber and exhaust in the air. It’s like a step back in time.

Sue Bevilacqua, LPN

Why did you choose Hospice?

During my last clinical rotation of becoming an LPN my instructor told me I’d make a great hospice nurse. Not knowing much about hospice at that time I decided to write my research paper on hospice care. After completing my research, I thought maybe that would be a good fit for me. At the time I didn’t realize we had hospice in our area. After three years of working three different jobs as an LPN, I saw an ad in our local paper for a position with High Peaks Hospice in Port Henry. I thought about my instructor and our conversation. I applied for the position and 11 years later I’m still employed with High Peaks Hospice. I haven’t seen my instructor in years and have always wanted to thank her. If it wasn’t for her I probably never would have researched hospice and applied for the position. Thank you, Selena!

People always say “Oh you work for hospice, I don’t think I could do that” Yes Hospice is a difficult job, it can be very emotional for me at times, but I love the feeling of being there to help provide comfort and care to our patients and to provide teaching, comfort and support to our families. We have a great hospice team and I’m so blessed to be a part of it.

What is something we should know about you?

I have lived in Ticonderoga most of my life. I have six brothers, four sisters, I’m the baby. I’m married with two children and have one grandson. I love spending time with my family, going for walks/hikes, gardening, cooking and baking. When I retire I would love to go south for the winters.

Heather Walker, RNCM

Why did you choose Hospice?

I believe in the hospice philosophy…dignity, comfort and peace at the end of life. “We care for the patient but also the families”.

What is something we should know about you?

I call Schroon Lake my home now for 15 years.

Phillip Pekar, RN, CHPN

What has been your experience at High Peaks Hospice?

I am just starting my 11th year with High Peaks Hospice. I am so very proud that we were voted number one in hospice care in the Post Star Best of the Region 2021. People recognize the quality of the care that we provide. I am gratified that I had a role to play in where we are today and in where we will be tomorrow. Working with and learning from Mel Duerr has been a tremendous experience, she is so knowledgeable. I work with such wonderful and talented people. It is such a blessing to be able to provide the comfort and compassionate care that people require at such a tumultuous time in their lives. Nick George and Marie Marvullo have provided the guidance to navigate through the Covid 19 pandemic and are a great source of strength and stability.

I believe that we all strive to excel in our various areas of expertise and provide the very best of care, and that is why I work at High Peaks Hospice.

Mel Duerr, RN, MS, ANP, CHPN

What led you to become a Hospice nurse?

The reason I became a hospice nurse is selfish. Because it’s the ultimate challenge nursing. From weather, to travel, to meeting patient and family needs…you need to be highly skilled, calm and competent. It’s the best of the best in nursing. I wanted to be a top gun nurse!

What is something we don’t know about you?

I read the same books over and over when I’m sad or tired. The Call of the Wild by Jack London and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I’ve read each one dozens of times. They are old and dear friends.