Dr. Julie King grew up in a small town as one of 8 children. From her earliest memories, she recalls wanting to be a doctor. She was inspired by her town’s local doctor who Julie describes as the quintessential small town doctor who delivered and cared for everyone in the town. Julie wanted to be that small town physician and she set her sights to get there. Reinforcing her direction, Julie described how as a child, she used to walk to the hospital after school to meet up with her sister who was a nurse.  There, Julie observed her sister deep in the inpatient nursing work, and recognized how difficult that work really was. Julie’s dream to be a doctor was solidified.

Julie received her Bachelor’s Degree from Syracuse University and her Medical Doctor Degree from Albany Medical College. For her residency, she worked under Dr. Mindy McMinn and, later, Dr. Pam Horst, both Hospice of Central New York physicians. This was the beginning of her work in a Hospice and palliative care setting and she loved it.

Following medical school and residency, Julie joined St. Joseph’s Hospital outpatient practice in family medicine, just as she had always planned. During this time, she and her husband, Nathan, welcomed two children to their family. Amidst those 7 ½ years of accomplishment and challenge, Julie faced a turning point in her career.

Returning from a family vacation, she received a call that changed her life. Her older brother, Mike, was in the hospital and they suspected cancer. Mike had always been the one that looked out for others and his siblings, especially after their father died when Julie was in 5th grade. Mike was the one that walked her down the aisle on her wedding day.

For the following five months, Julie and the whole family rearranged their lives and dropped everything to be with and take care of Mike. During this time, her perspective on how she wanted to help people shifted – especially now that she had personally lived through the experience as a caregiver, a loved one, and with the reality that you never know when you’re going to get the call. It was during the trials and tribulations of this experience that things began to align as well. Julie was inspired to help others going through this. It just so happened that Dr. Judy Setla was beginning her search for her replacement as Medical Director of Hospice.

In January 2018 Julie’s beloved brother Mike, passed away. Less than two years later, intentionally on her brother’s birthday, Julie signed her employment contract with Hospice as the Interim Medical Director.  Julie will begin her role of Medical Director on January 1, 2022 after two years of shadowing and working with Dr. Judy Setla, who will continue into her 21st year of dedication and service as a Hospice physician with reduced hours.

When Julie was asked if she had a favorite quote or source of inspiration, she referred back to the quote she included in her high school yearbook: “Wherever you go, go with all your heart”. Julie has come to Hospice with all her heart and we so very grateful and excited to welcome her!

Dr. Judy Setla has been with Hospice since 2001 and became our Medical Director just a year after starting when her predecessor, Dr. Joel Potash, retired. While we have been so lucky to have Judy in this role for so long, it has come time for her to take a step back and lessen her hours as she enjoys her personal time. As we mentioned in our last article, Dr. Setla’s position of Medical Director will be taken over by the wonderful, and talented Dr. Julie King. We asked Dr. Setla some questions to get her perspective after all these years. Let’s hear what she had to say!

Why did you choose this field to work in – Hospice care and/or Medical Doctor?

Working at Hospice was a bit of an accident. My primary care office in Baldwinsville was being closed and, after 14 years of practicing that type of medicine, I decided to try something different. I wanted to gain some greater knowledge of pain management and end of life care and I thought I would eventually return to primary care. People assume end of life care is depressing, and it is certainly sometimes very sad, but I find end of life work to be both challenging and gratifying. I also appreciate working with the nurses, social workers, chaplains, LPNs and support staff that make Hospice click every day. Their dedication and creativity in meeting the needs of patients and families in their homes makes the work truly enjoyable.

What’s something you wish more people knew about Hospice care?

Hospice care can be as much or more important for the caregivers and others around the terminally ill person. Having end of life professionals available for advice and support 24/7, including home visits by members of the hospice team, is an enormous relief for caregivers even as they continue the hard work of caring for a dying loved one.

Reflecting on your experience at Hospice, how would you describe it?

In many ways, Hospice work is liberating. In the Hospice model, we have the luxury to focus only on the of goals of the patient and family in whatever time a person has left. The Hospice model legally REQUIRES an interdisciplinary approach. We have nurses, social workers, aids, LPNs, chaplains , and doctors available to address whatever suffering the patient and family might have. We don’t always succeed, but I feel privileged to work with people who try so hard to get it right.

We know you’ll still be working as a Hospice physician, just with fewer hours and responsibilities. Do you have any plans for what you’re going to do with your extra time?

Savor it.

Do you have a favorite quote or life philosophy that has guided you?

Actually, I love quotations. Here are a few of my favorites:

• “People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.” – Dalai Lama
• “Just showing up, doing what you said you would do, when you said you would do it, is most of the job.” – paraphrased…Susan Conover, Hospice of CNY Social Worker, retired.
•  “If you aren’t breaking the rules, you aren’t doing your job.” – Layne Hamilton, Hospice of CNY Social Worker, retired.

To read the complete Winter 2022 Newsletter, click here.

Hospice Bowling Tournament is Back and Bigger and Better Than Ever!

We have certainly missed you all and we can’t wait to get back on the lanes!

Due to your tremendous support in the past, our tournament has outgrown its old location! The 18th Annual Hospice Bowling Tournament will be held on Saturday, April, 9^th 2022, at a new location to accommodate this ever-growing and popular event.  We invite you to join us for an afternoon of fun, raffles, and some friendly competition at Flamingo Bowl in Liverpool.

This 5-person team, no tap tournament begins with sign-in at 10:30 am, and bowling will start at 11:00 am.  The cost for participation is $35 per team member or $175 per team. Registration includes three games of bowling, shoes a buffet lunch, as well as the opportunity to enter into some awesome raffles!

Gather your family, friends and colleagues and come out to support Hospice of Central New York and Hospice of the Finger Lakes.

To register yourself or your team you can call Devorah Weinstein at 315-634-1100 or Click Here to register online.

“We don’t learn by doing, we learn by reflecting on what we’ve done.” – Author unknown

What we’ve done together is nothing short of remarkable. As we reflect on what this past year entailed, we have learned so much. With that knowledge, our confidence in our Agency, staff, mission, and the intrinsic value of community support, remains undeterred and inspired. Community support is integral to the success of any community Hospice. With a gift to our Year-End Appeal, you will help us kick off the new year with the essential financial resources we require.

This past year, because of the generosity of donors like you, we:

• Served more people than ever before in our over 35-year history in our community.
• Held no furloughs or layoffs of any staff. In fact, we continue to hire more staff to meet the demand of our services.
• Provided reassurance and comfort to thousands of families caring for their loved ones during their end-of-life journey.
• Met over 1,500 patients right where they are – physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually

We also learned that, together, we can and will continue to meet new challenges. With your donation, you will help provide the patients and families we serve in Cayuga, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego counties, the dignity, honor, comfort, and expert care they need and deserve. As we head into a new year, we invite you to join us in our mission by making your donation today. With hope, resolve, and the power of togetherness, Hospice care will be available in your community for years to come.

To make an online donation, click here!

Looking for a unique gift idea this Valentine’s Day? Why not treat your loved one to a night out at Charity Preview where you can have a great time, while supporting your favorite charities and sit together in the car of your dreams!

Hospice of Central New York & Hospice of the Finger Lakes is honored to be once again chosen as a beneficiary of Charity Preview which will be celebrating its 23^rd year on February 9^th! Charity Preview is a one-of-a-kind event that welcomes over 1,900 Central New Yorkers to a special preview of the Syracuse Auto Expo which includes live music, delicious food, cocktails and the newest models of cars, trucks, vans and luxury vehicles all on display. Whether you are hosting clients, showing support of a favorite charity or enjoying a night out with friends, the evening is sure to be a great time. We are grateful to see this wonderful tradition continuing in 2022, after being cancelled due to the pandemic last year.

For a glimpse of the event please check out the video here!

And to purchase tickets please click here! 

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: 

All sponsorship levels will enjoy the following benefits:

• Inclusion in the video presentation representing sponsors at Charity Preview
• Inclusion in the sponsor listing in the Charity Preview event program
• Company name on Hospice website with a link to your company’s website

 In addition to the above benefits of your sponsorship, here are the unique benefits of each level:

• Gold Level Sponsorship $3,000  – Receives 20 complimentary tickets to the event
• Silver Level Sponsorship $1,500 – Receives 10 complimentary tickets to the event
• Bronze Level Sponsorship $900 – Receives 6 complimentary tickets to the event

Thank you to our 2022 Charity Preview Sponsors! (as of 2/11/22)

GOLD: 

Dannible & McKee, LLP

Firley, Moran, Freer & Eassa, CPA, P.C.

Reagan Companies

SILVER:

Bill Rapp Superstore

Print Solutions Plus, Inc.

Syracuse ENT Surgeons

NewsChannel 9 WSYR-TV

BRONZE:

Community Bank, N.A.

Hospice Staff, Volunteers & Board of Directors

New York Spine and Wellness Center

Solvay Bank

A Tradition of Remembering

This year, celebrate the memory of someone special. At Hospice, we have a long-standing tradition of remembering loved ones with our annual Tribute Lights Appeal. We invite you to participate by making a donation in memory of someone special.

Your gift will be recognized with a Tribute Light in Hospice’s Solace Garden during the 2021 Holiday Season, and will represent the shining memories of your loved one. A gift of $150 or more will provide a permanent tribute brick to be placed in our Solace Garden in the spring. Our beautiful Solace Garden is located at the Liverpool office and open to visitors all year long.

When you choose to remember your loved one with a gift to our Tribute Lights Appeal, you will receive a customized link to our YouTube Channel for a Virtual Celebration of Life Ceremony. This video will be available for viewing on December 1st at which time our Solace Garden will be lit for the Holiday Season. The Solace Garden will shine until the first of the coming year.

Your donation will do more than honor your loved one – it will mean the world to a family who needs and deserves our expertise and compassion – and to make it possible for our patients to have the opportunity to live with dignity and hope. We ask you to make a donation to help provide these essential services to over 1,500 families in our community.

We thank you for taking part in this tradition and remembering your loved one with a gift that brings hope to those who truly need it.

We ask you to join us in continuing our tradition of remembering loved ones by making a donation during this special season. To make an online donation, CLICK HERE.

Our thanks to O’Connell Electric for making our Solace Garden shine!

Our A Night of a Million Dreams Event held on Friday, October 8th 2021 was a huge success! We were so happy to get back out into the community and celebrate life!

We wanted to thank everyone for their participation in our event. Whether it was the silent auction, raffles, ticket purchases, or just helping us spread the word – YOU helped us raise over $63,000 to help support the patients and families we serve.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you all!

To Check out our scrapbook video from the evening click the link here!

Thank YOU everyone for the success of our event!

Since the onset of the pandemic, a lot has changed for us here at Hospice, as we continue to provide our services to the community. Our essential fundraising efforts have undoubtedly been hampered, especially with the necessary cancellations of in-person events. We have pivoted, time and time again, and have come up with new and innovative ways to raise the much-needed funds to support our mission. Our Hospice Fantasy Golf Tournament is one such example.

Together, we raised over $20,000 for Hospice!

We are excited to bring you more opportunities for fun and philanthropy in 2021. To see what we have coming up, visit our events page on our website.

The proceeds raised from this event will support our caring team of professionals in providing essential care and support to those with life-limiting illnesses in Cayuga, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego counties.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!