Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 29, 1990 TAG: 9005270006
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The hospice's 140 volunteers care for terminally ill people and their families. The hospice offers bereavement programs to anyone who is coping with the death of a loved one.
Massie has degrees in nursing and education, but she returned to college to meet new state licensing requirements for hospices. Those new guidelines say a hospice executive director must not only have an administrative background, but administrative training and education as well.
She expects to complete requirements for a degree in public administration and policy in 1992, and will stay on as a part-time consultant to the hospice.
Massie said she found juggling her director duties and studies difficult.
"If you're executive director of hospice, it is full time, even if it says 20 hours," Massie said. "I just realized this would be the time to employ somebody full time and for me to step back and be an adviser.
"It's been a difficult decision for me to make, but I have to be realistic that I have some limitations. It's a grief experience. Even though I'm still there, leaving that particular job is difficult."
In January 1980, Massie called the Roanoke chapter of Make Today Count, a support group for people with serious illnesses and their families. Recalling her work with children at the University of Virginia Hospital, she saw the support group as a way to help parents whose children were terminally ill. She said she had often "wondered about the amount of support parents have when they go back to the community."
Since there was no New River Valley chapter, the Roanoke chapter asked her to start one and the first meeting was in May 1980. Thirty months later, the hospice was incorporated. Massie said she finds it interesting that Make Today Count led to the creation of the hospice and now the support group is under the hospice umbrella.
The hospice moved to larger facilities beside the Virginia Tech Credit Union earlier this year after operating for eight years in a room at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church. Before that, Massie ran an office out of her home.
Massie is a member of the search committee that will review applications for the job as executive director, which was advertised as a full-time position with a starting salary range of $18,720 to $20,800. The committee hopes to hire someone by June 1.
"I am deeply appreciative of the support the community has given me and the hospice, and I hope that support will continue for the hospice," Massie said.
by CNB