Style Guide

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A Palm Beach County man and his four-legged best friend are helping terminally ill patients find something to smile about during tough times.

Between the calming water and soothing music, hospice staff members work hard to create a relaxing environment for patients entering the final chapter of their lives.

“I feel safe,” said Jubane Vargas, a hospice patient who has cancer.

Sometimes that comfort comes from man’s best friend. Pet therapy is one of many options for patients at Trustbridge in Palm Beach County.

WPTV tagged along for a special session that Vargas had with Floyd Greco and Tia, a 6-year-old doberman.

“It relaxes me like a piano. If I feel unsafe and she sees something she’ll let me know,” Vargas said.

The feeling is one that Greco knows well. He got Tia as a puppy to help him cope while his wife of 37 years was dying in the hospital.

“I fell in love with her and I knew my wife would love her. She was in the hospital at the time,” Greco said.

When Greco’s wife passed, Tia was still there

“She helped me tremendously, absolutely. Oh, I was mad at the world and you know, there’s a void and I’d just sit at home and didn’t know what to do. But she was there and even talking about it now it brings chills to me,” Greco said.

Greco wanted to share that feeling with others going through difficult periods.

That led him to find an outlet in volunteering.

“We’re speaking to patients who know they’re on their last leg and it’s reassuring to know they’ve got a smile on their face,” Greco said.

Trustbridge staff like Maura Taggart said the visits go deeper than a smile.

“It brings heart rates down and people become more calm,” Taggart said.

COVID-19 concerns pumped the brakes on pet therapy visits at Trustbridge, and while Greco and Tia miss their frequent visits to hospice facilities, Greco said he knows their feelings can’t compare to the patient’s.

“I feel guilty because I’m alive and I see people in their last chapter of their life, so I feel guilty. But then again I’m happy she puts a smile on their face,” Greco said.

For patients with limited time, the moments with Tia are cherished, if even for a few minutes a chance to forget and smile.

“Right now I’m feeling great. I’m not even thinking I have cancer,” Vargas said.

Boca Raton resident Bridget Brennan, 36, is a music therapist for Trustbridge Hospice, Inc. She visits patients, plays her guitar and sings, resulting in patients singing or humming along, clapping their hands, tapping their feet and smiling happily.

During the time of COVID-19, she often performs for patients from behind a window in order to social distance.

“As a board-certified music therapist, I’m trained to help patients connect to loved ones and to their sense of self. Patient needs vary from fostering relationships, pain diversion, to choice of song or a mood they would like to feel at a crucial time. Relief of anxiety, depression, connection to faith and life review sparked by memories of their favorite songs are common goals of music therapy.”

“Trustbridge music therapists also do Heartbeat Legacy Projects. The therapist merges the patient’s heartbeat into a chosen song to reflect their journey and record. The keepsake recording is given to the patient’s family. We conduct virtual children’s Grief Camps twice a year — a safe space where grieving youngsters heal by processing their grief. I am excited about participating in the two camps we will conduct this fall.

“My youngest brother had a seizure as a baby and had to relearn everything,” Brennan said. “Helping him at that time when I was age 7, I found I had a knack for helping him express himself to our parents.”

Brennan earned a bachelor’s degree in music therapy at Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 2018 and has worked for Trustbridge since then. She considers herself a late bloomer.

“I hardly believed in myself or my potential until now. Music therapy deepens my purpose and satisfaction,” she said. “I’ve also played flute since I was old enough to hold the instrument. There is a flute orchestra here I’d like to join when the pandemic is over. I also draw, paint and do yoga as a means of expression and relaxation.”Evidence-based music therapy research shows using music from a person’s young adult years is the most effective way to elicit memories. Certain songs are tied to events and emotions from some of the best and memorable times of a patient’s life.

Because of COVID-19, music therapist Bridget Brennan must perform for patients from behind a window. (Bridget Brennan / Courtesy)

Brennan was asked if she feels like a pandemic hero.

“Heroes are created when organizations and individuals work together to meet the needs of patients under their care. Many visits now are virtual or take place through a window using a phone to foster the musical connection,” she said. “Working in hospice has taught me people have a lot to offer over the course of their unique journeys. It is my honor to walk beside each person and help them maintain a high quality of life while we are connected through music therapy.”

“During this COVID-19 time, the hospice music therapy by Bridget has benefited both my mother and me,” said Mary Boinis, of Boynton Beach. “The songs lift mom’s spirits and adds joy to her day. It’s a blessing for me to see mom light up and clap or sing to the beat of a familiar tune. Mom so enjoys Bridget’s music.”

Boca Raton resident Evelyn Landsberg said music therapy is something her loved one looks forward to all week.

“It makes my heart sing to see her smile the way she only does when her music therapist is there,” she said.

See the post here.

Boynton Beach resident Harvey Tatelman has had two loves — his wife Claire who died June 29 at age 92, and his hobby, bonsai landscaping.  

Tatelman, 95, a former New York City fashion designer, moved to Delray Beach in 1986. One day a friend showed him a stunted tree called bonsai, the Japanese art form using trees grown in containers that originated from the Chinese practice of “penjing” centuries ago, producing dwarf potted trees. 

Tatelman was intrigued and learned classes were given to create these trees at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach. When he inquired at Morikami, he was told the classes were over but he could contact the instructor, Norman Nelson, a landscape expert. After taking several sessions with Nelson, Tatelman became proficient enough to be recruited by Nelson to help him conduct his classes. When Nelson was forced to retire because of ill health, Tatelman instructed bonsai classes at Morikami for four years.

In 2004, he and Claire moved to a new home in Boynton Beach. Tatelman visualized his backyard into a bonsai garden showplace. Within a year, he created a one-of-a-kind array of unique bonsai shrubbery, marble statuary and trees, including a recycling waterfall splashing over real large rocks. 

“Claire found peace and tranquility relaxing on our patio enjoying the work of landscape art created by her husband. ‘Look at the beautiful garden Harvey built for me,’ Claire would say to our visitors once it was completed. She proudly shared my work with our friends and relatives,” he said.

The Tatelmans were married June 24, 1950. In those days, Claire was a tall, willowy woman who declined offers to become a fashion model. She chose to concentrate on being a loving wife and mother raising a family of two sons, Jeff, now 65, and the late Hal, who would have turned 67 on July 13. 

Tatelman’s successful career enabled the couple to travel extensively and associate with the fashionistas of haute couture.

Claire was under the care of Trustbridge hospice services at her home during her final days.

“From my first visit, I could tell the Tatelmans were very devoted to each other. They were pleasant, friendly and accommodating,” said Lake Worth resident Marilou Pabellon, a Trustbridge chaplain. 

Wellington resident, Dr. Kathleen Brazzale, Trustbridge attending physician, said, “It is a wonderful thing that their love story lives through his bonsai garden — a living, breathing, soothing environment that needs constant nurturing, gives great joy, and matures and changes over time. It seems like a testament to their life together. I hope tending to this magical oasis gives her husband a sense of peace over the coming months and years as he grieves.”

Visit the post here.

For more than 40 years, Trustbridge has made a difference in the lives of countless families in our community. When caring for our families, relationships are formed, bonds are created and trust is built. Because of this, we feel a responsibility to inform you of a national solicitation targeting our local community.

The Hospice Support Fund, located in Merrifield, VA, has been soliciting community members through personalized charity mailers. Their solicitation includes a plea for their 2018 Annual Fund Drive to support the nationwide effort to bring end-of-life home hospice care to all Americans.

We at Trustbridge Hospice Foundation want the community to know that this solicitation did not come from our organization, nor is Trustbridge Hospice Foundation affiliated with the Hospice Support Fund. Only donations made directly to Trustbridge Hospice Foundation support the special programs and services that Trustbridge provides our patients and families during their time of greatest need. For more information, please call us at 561-494-6887.

Thank you for your continued support.

In light of the mass shootings in schools, children have been exposed to trauma, which may result in them feeling confused, frightened and helpless. These feelings may be overlooked or minimized. For this reason, it’s important for adults to respond with comfort and support. It can be tough to talk about, but you can be the greatest strength for your child, and they can be yours.

Here are some tips for you and your children, following a tragedy:

1)  Listen

• Give the child a safe space to react however they need to.
• Be patient and attentive to what they need to share or ask.

2)  Acknowledge

• Acknowledge and validate their emotions.
• Let them know it’s normal to feel afraid or anxious and they’re not alone in feeling that emotion.

3)  Be gentle

• Remain calm
• Use a soft tone of voice and even-paced words.
• Allow time for reactions and any questions they may have.

4)  Be reassuring

• Remember to emphasize that you are there and be a comforting presence.
• Offer the best sense of security you can.

5)  Engage in stress-reducing exercises

• Practice deep breathing. Think the word “Calm” as you breathe in and “Tension” as you breathe out.
• Take a mindful walk, alone or with your children. As you walk, focus on your senses.

6)  Sing out loud. Singing changes oxygen flow and can relieve stress.

Young children don’t say, “I had a hard day, can we talk?” They say, “Will you play with me?”

The Trustbridge Hospice Foundation today announced that long-time West Palm Beach resident and local real estate associate Christopher Callahan has been appointed to its Board of Trustees. Callahan began serving as a Trustbridge volunteer in 2018 and has taken a notable interest in the non-profit’s mission of service to the local community.

“Trustbridge is such an incredible organization and the support they provide has helped several friends and family during the most difficult time,” Callahan said. “From the clinical services to family support programs, Trustbridge genuinely addresses both basic and complex needs, and I am happy to be a part of it.”

Callahan has a dynamic real estate background with over two decades of experience, ranging from investment and renovation to sales and management. Prior to his current role as real estate associate with Brown Harris Stevens, he cofounded Startup Palm Beach, a coworking space, education program and public-private partnership with the City of West Palm Beach designed to foster collaboration, mentorship and investment in creative talent across all ages and demographics.

Callahan is a graduate of Georgetown University, where he earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in government and Spanish. He also studied abroad at the University of Madrid. He currently resides in West Palm Beach with his wife Elizabeth and daughter Anita. 

The Trustbridge Hospice Foundation is committed to providing extraordinary care for everyone in the community, including those without insurance coverage or the ability to pay. Donations are dedicated to programs and services of Trustbridge including comfort care, charitable care, music therapy, pet therapy, adult and children’s bereavement services and children’s camps. To make a donation, visit trustbridge.com/donate-now/.

Citus Health’s digital platform helps to improve care team productivity and work-life balance, while increasing patient and caregiver satisfaction

Trustbridge, the leading non-profit hospice care provider in Broward and Palm Beach Counties, Florida, has chosen to partner with Citus Health across its organization for more efficient care coordination and better service for patients and their families.

Trustbridge chose Citus Health because of its integrated, HIPAA-compliant hospice and palliative care platform, which will enable real-time secure messaging among its care teams, app-less electronic signature capture, custom digital forms and patient and family caregiver communication and educational outreach tools, among other capabilities. Looking to elevate its commitment to its team and the patients it serves, Trustbridge anticipates that the solution will improve its clinical and administrative workflows, enable patient and caregiver engagement and education, and improve referral relationships.

“We chose Citus Health to provide our clinicians with peace of mind when managing secure communications, acquiring signatures, developing custom forms and more,” said Trustbridge’s Chief Operating Officer, Tarrah Lowry. “Providing a healthy work-life balance for our clinicians is at the top of our priority list and we see deploying Citus Health as the best way to ease our clinicians’ workloads without adding more staff.”

While removing manual burdens, Trustbridge clinicians will also be able to engage their patients and families on a deeper level. With Citus, Trustbridge clinicians can electronically share education on new treatments, medications or topics of interest directly with their patients and caregivers for easy access after each visit.

Trustbridge plans to use Citus to improve communications with its partners as well. Eliminating the need for referral sources to download an application in order to provide necessary signatures will not only streamline workflows, but improve the experience for Trustbridge’s partners, helping foster stronger, long-term relationships.

To learn more about Trustbridge hospice and palliative care services, visit www.trustbridge.com.

Featuring Renowned Tuscan Sommelier Marco Molesini

Boca Raton, FL – On Wednesday, March 16 guests raised their glasses and raised funds to support Trustbridge Hospice Foundation.  The sold-out wine tasting dinner was held at Broken Sound Club in Boca Raton. 

The event began with a Prosecco welcome followed by a Barolo wine tasting. After cocktail hour, guests were treated to a four-course dinner featuring some of Tuscany’s finest wines. Renowned Tuscan Sommelier Marco Molesini provided commentary and tasting comments for each featured wine. 

Following dinner, guests participated in a live auction featuring a 7 night/6 day stay for 4 in a secluded villa in Cortona. The event raised over $80,000 to benefit Trustbridge Hospice Foundation, which provides funding for the extraordinary programs and services of Trustbridge Hospice.         

An Evening in Tuscany was chaired by Karen and Bob Friedman and generously sponsored by Billi & Bernie Marcus, AMG, PNC Bank and Toshiba.

ABOUT TRUSTBRIDGE HOSPICE FOUNDATION:

Trustbridge Hospice Foundation, formerly Hospice of Palm Beach/Broward County Foundation and Hospice by the Sea Foundation, is the philanthropic arm of Trustbridge. It is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in our community by supporting extraordinary services of Trustbridge that go above and beyond what Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance provide under the normal hospice benefit. Each year, nearly 12,000 new patients coping with life-limiting illnesses and their families benefit from these programs during their time of greatest need.   For more information, please call (561) 494-6888 or visit trustbridge.com.

The Trustbridge Hospice Foundation announces that  long-time healthcare executive Kevin DiLallo has been appointed to its Board of Directors. DiLallo has a passion for the delivery of quality palliative care having previously served as a board member with Tidewell Hospice in Sarasota.  

As the group vice president for Florida of Universal Health Services, DiLallo is responsible for overseeing operations throughout the state, including Wellington Regional Medical Center, Manatee Healthcare System, comprising Manatee Memorial Hospital and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, Manatee Physicians Alliance and Manatee Diagnostic Center and access points. He leads more than 3,000 employees and 1,000 physicians in a multi-system integrated healthcare network.

DiLallo has a long history of community service, including holding board positions with the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, Wellington Chamber of Commerce, and Manatee Chamber of Commerce. He is active in the American College of Healthcare Executives and has been board certified in healthcare since 1998. He holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the Nathan M. Bisk School of Business at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida.

Trustbridge Hospice Foundation announces the appointment of long-time fundraising and development executive Deborah Johnson as the organization’s president and chief executive office. Johnson will be responsible for the oversight of fund-raising and community outreach programs to support the mission and goals of the organization.

Johnson has an extensive background in charitable work with over 25 years of experience, ranging from business development and client partnerships to marketing and non-profit campaign management. Prior to her current role with Trustbridge, she served as chief philanthropy officer for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Martin County, vice president of development for the Everglades Foundation, and associate director of philanthropy and strategic partnerships for Oxbridge Academy. She has won multiple awards recognizing her service to her community.

“After conducting a national search to lead the Trustbridge Foundation, we were thrilled to find someone with the extensive experience and leadership skills as Deborah right in our own back yard,” said Trustbridge Foundation Board Chairman Robert M. Friedman. “We look forward to seeing Deborah lead our organization with a mission to provide end of life programs and services to our patients and families across South Florida.”

Johnson, a resident of Palm City, Florida, is a graduate of Barry University with a degree in business and marketing and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). She is also founder of Impact the Palm Beaches. Johnson serves on numerous boards including Impact100 Martin, Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida, American Heart Association, Florida Public Relations Association, Big Heart Brigade, Association of Fund-Raising Professionals, Rotary International Foundation and the Treasure Coast Planned Giving Council.

The Trustbridge Hospice Foundation is committed to providing extraordinary care for everyone in the community, including those without insurance coverage or the ability to pay. Donations are dedicated to programs and services of Trustbridge including comfort care, charitable care, music therapy, pet therapy, adult and children’s bereavement services and children’s camps. To make a donation, visit trustbridge.com/donate-now/.