Celebrating Teresa Turner’s Retirement

On January 31, Teresa Turner, APRN, will retire from Hospice Care Plus after more than 24 years of service.

An open-house retirement party will be held Friday, January 31, between 12 PM and 2 PM at Hospice Care Plus & Compassionate Care Center on 350 Isaacs Lane in Richmond. All are invited to drop by during this time to celebrate Teresa’s retirement. Refreshments will be provided.

Teresa joined us as a primary nurse in our home program at a pivotal time in the growth of our services. She was on the ground floor in the development of our Palliative Care Program and the campaign to build the Compassionate Care Center.

Teresa’s colleagues say she will be missed.

“She is a wonderful person with a heart of gold,” says Rhoda Bryant, director of our Compassionate Care Center. “Under her straightforward approach and no-nonsense tone, she was just a teddy bear.”

She is also known for her sense of humor.

“Teresa has a wonderful sense of humor and loves to joke around and bring some fun and levity to the workplace. She has a strong commitment to our patients and families, always respectful of interdisciplinary roles and contributions to care,” says Sally Iseral, who, as a care team chaplain, worked closely with Teresa.

Teresa has always been drawn to nursing. As a hospital nurse, she practiced in long-term care, delivery, and the emergency room. It was in the emergency room that she saw the need for more preparation for families, so she took a flex post with a local hospice. From then on, she knew hospice was for her. “Hospice as an organization has always been supportive of me,” says Teresa.

As her experience in hospice care grew, Teresa naturally assumed a leadership role, where she directed several home care teams, as well as initiatives for crisis intervention and staff retention.

“Teresa has been with HCP for many years, and I have so many fond memories of her many positions with Hospice Care Plus. Teresa’s love and dedication to hospice, patients, and staff have been a true commitment.  She will be greatly missed,” says Junie Barclay, director of our Home Hospice Care program.

Teresa’s approach to staff retention was to create ways for the whole hospice team to be together as a family. She planned breakfasts, picnics, and other events where staff could bring their families, relax, and have fun together. Once, she even put on a carnival (complete with a dunk tank). She recruited other directors to help raise funds for these events. They even picked up trash by the roadside for local government to raise money.

Teresa has good advice for nurses just starting their careers. She says, “Be prepared for anything and find your niche. Be a patient advocate and show compassion no matter what.”

Hospice Care Plus was founded as a non-profit organization to support the quality of life of its communities through hospice care and grief support programs. The organization serves Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Owsley, and Rockcastle counties and owns and operates the Compassionate Care Center in Richmond. Relying on contributions from individuals and groups, all care is provided regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Make a gift, explore career and volunteer opportunities, or call 859-986-1500 to learn more.