Two Unique Journeys, One Shared Calling

Nina and Katrina started with TRU one year ago and have completed at least 62 contact hours of education in our residency program, along with over 2,000 on-the-job learning hours. As Rachel Stackhouse, Clinical Educator Supervisor, notes, “Few new graduates want to begin their career with hospice, but both Nina and Katrina clearly have the hospice calling and have found their niche within TRU.”

Getting to know them over this year has revealed their unique strengths. “Nina is a practical soul who is so eager to help and wants things to make sense,” notes Rachel. “Katrina is a helper at her core, always happy to assist her team, her patients, and keeps all her ducks in a row. ”

For Katrina, the path to hospice nursing was intentional from the beginning. “What initially drew me to nursing was actually my deep interest in hospice care,” she shares. “I went into nursing school knowing this was what I wanted to specialize in. From early on, I’ve been drawn to this specialty because of the intimate, one-on-one patient care it allows. There’s something profoundly meaningful about being present with someone during such a vulnerable and sacred time in their life.”

Program Evolution and Growth

Since we featured our first residency graduate in August 2023, the program has undergone significant refinement and expansion. We’ve learned that successful resident support requires regular touchpoints with residents, managers, and preceptors. One of our most valuable additions has been monthly lunch meetings where new graduates share both personal and professional experiences while receiving tips and guidance from each other.
These gatherings have proven instrumental in building connections between new graduates and fostering a sense of community. The lunches also strengthen relationships with educators, creating accessible support systems for moments when residents might question their judgment or simply need another nurse’s perspective.

Remarkable Achievements and Milestones

The completion of TRU’s residency program positions these nurses for Board Certification, with the option to pursue Geriatric Board Certification—an additional credential recognizing mastery in specialty nursing. Throughout their first year, both residents have developed crucial skills including autonomous assessment, advanced nursing techniques, physician collaboration, patient advocacy, family education, needs anticipation, time management, and the ability to identify and palliate the various stages of the dying process.

Making Lasting Contributions

Both residents have left their mark on TRU through significant University of Iowa projects. Katrina tackled the complex challenge of antibiotic stewardship in hospice care, developing infection control protocols that balance appropriate treatment with hospice philosophy. Her research has already changed her own practice approach, making her more mindful of prescription stewardship and collaborative infection prevention strategies.
“Through this research, I gained a deeper understanding of how frequently antibiotics are prescribed and how we might better prevent infections through non-pharmacologic means and proactive care,” Katrina explains. “I can say with confidence that the project changed the way I practice. I’m much more mindful now of prescription stewardship and collaborative approaches to infection prevention.”

Nina created a spiritual care guide to help staff navigate different belief systems and values at end-of-life — a project that addressed a need we didn’t even realize existed until she brought the idea forward. Many staff members have already benefited from this valuable resource.

Looking Forward

With Nina and Katrina’s graduation, we’re transitioning from supporting four residents to two, but expansion is on the horizon. This fall, we’ll welcome two additional residents at TRU, and we anticipate an additional 1-2 new graduates from our affiliation with St. Paul’s Senior Services.

The Rewards of Mentorship

“When we start residency, we meet nurses who are hopeful, eager and unsure,” Rachel reflected. “As we move through their first year, we get to experience their growing confidence, coach them through some of their first mistakes, and support them in times when they’re not sure they want to do this work.”

She notes that both Nina and Katrina fully committed to the program and placed their trust in Rachel and Clinical Educator Chloe Brown to guide them effectively. “To see them grounded and growing by the end of the first year is life-giving to us as educators, but also to their preceptors and colleagues,” Rachel says. “They remind all of us how much time it takes to hone the skills in nursing and draws us back to the reason why we wanted to do this work in the first place.”

Despite inevitable challenges, both residents maintained their sense of purpose and emerged stronger. “They held onto their ‘why’ and came through some hard days, stronger and ready to face new challenges,” Rachel observes. “It is so much more rewarding to teach a person to fish, than it is to give them the fish. Thanks to Nina and Katrina’s commitment to this year long journey, that is what we have succeeded in as a team.”

For Katrina, the most meaningful aspect of her work remains the human connection. “What brings me the most satisfaction is being able to truly see and treat people as individuals in a system that too often reduces them to numbers,” she reflects. “I believe our healthcare system frequently overlooks the humanity of patients, and I take pride in doing the opposite—taking the time to understand each person, respect their autonomy, and tailor their care to their unique needs and goals.”

A Foundation for Excellence

As Nina and Katrina officially graduate this July, they carry with them not just the technical skills and clinical knowledge gained through the residency program, but also the confidence and competence that comes from being thoroughly prepared for the challenges and rewards of hospice nursing. They represent the future of compassionate end-of-life care.

Their success reinforces TRU’s belief in the value of the nurse residency program and the organization’s commitment to supporting new graduates who feel called to hospice care. When nurses find their professional home in hospice with proper support and mentorship, patients and families benefit from the dedication and expertise that comes from professionals who have chosen this specialty with intentionality.

Congratulations, Nina and Katrina, on this significant achievement. Your dedication, growth, and contributions to TRU and the broader nursing community exemplify the very best of what the nursing profession has to offer.

Today marks a significant milestone in TRU Community Care’s nearly 50-year journey of serving our community. We’re proud to announce the completion of our strategic affiliation with St. Paul’s Senior Services, a leading nonprofit senior care provider based in San Diego, California.

Strengthening Our Foundation While Expanding Our Reach

Since our founding as Boulder Hospice in 1976, TRU Community Care has remained steadfast in our mission to affirm life at every step of the journey with illness and loss. This affiliation with St. Paul’s Senior Services represents a natural evolution of that commitment—allowing us to strengthen our local presence in Colorado while contributing to expanded care opportunities across the western United States.

“TRU Community Care has served Colorado for over four decades with a focus on compassion, trust, and respect,” said Scott Gresser, who has transitioned into the role of Chief Financial Officer for the affiliated organization while maintaining his deep ties to TRU’s Colorado operations. “Partnering with St. Paul’s Senior Services opens new opportunities to further our mission and invest in the future of community-based senior care.”

What This Means for TRU and Our Colorado Community

This affiliation preserves everything our community values about TRU Community Care. We maintain our nonprofit status, our name, our mission, and most importantly, our strong local presence in Colorado. Samantha Black, our former TRU PACE Executive Director, now serves in an expanded role as Executive Vice President and TRU’s top local executive leader, ensuring continuity in our Colorado-focused leadership and operations.

The partnership brings together two organizations that share remarkably similar values and approaches to care. Like TRU, St. Paul’s Senior Services has decades of experience serving middle- and low-income older adults with compassion and dignity. Together, we now serve more than 5,000 people annually across both states, with approximately 1,130 dedicated staff members.

Building on Shared Leadership and Vision

Our affiliation is led by Michael McHale, formerly TRU’s President and CEO and now President and CEO of the newly affiliated organization. This continuity ensures that TRU’s culture, values, and commitment to Colorado communities remain central to our future direction.

“Our organizations share a deep commitment to dignity, quality of life, and meeting the needs of aging adults with compassion,” said McHale. “This affiliation allows us to extend our reach and strengthen the support systems available to seniors, individuals facing serious illness, and their caregivers across California, Colorado, and beyond.”

Enhanced Services, Greater Impact

The affiliation creates exciting opportunities for TRU to enhance our existing services while developing new healthcare delivery models. Together, we’re focused on expanding telehealth capabilities, investing in person-centered care innovations, and developing approaches that adapt to the evolving needs of aging populations.

Our comprehensive continuum of care—TRU Hospice, TRU PACE, TRU Palliative Care, TRU Grief Services, and Landmark Memory Care—remains unchanged, but now benefits from the financial strength and collaborative opportunities that come with this strategic partnership.

Looking Forward

This affiliation positions TRU Community Care for continued growth and innovation while preserving the local, personal approach that has defined our service to Colorado for nearly 50 years. We’re excited about the opportunities ahead to serve more families, develop new care models, and continue our mission of affirming life at every step of the journey.

For nearly five decades, Colorado families have trusted TRU Community Care during some of life’s most challenging moments. That trust remains at the heart of everything we do, now strengthened by our partnership with an organization that shares our values and commitment to compassionate, nonprofit healthcare.

Setting the Table for Life’s Most Important Conversations

On April 24th, something remarkable happened in TRU’s Louisville conference room. The ordinary meeting space was transformed into an intimate dining area where strangers became community through the simple act of sharing a meal and discussing one of life’s most avoided topics: death.

This special evening was the centerpiece of our recent **Get Around TRUit (GATI)** initiative, a month-long campaign hosted by The Conversation Project of Boulder County (TCPBC) that encouraged TRU employees and volunteers to engage with advance care planning.

More Than Just a Dinner

The Death Over Dinner event brought together a diverse group of TRU staff and volunteers from various roles and age groups. What united us was a shared willingness to explore the nuanced topics of death and dying within a supportive environment. The atmosphere struck a beautiful balance between depth and lightness—there were tears, plenty of laughter, and genuine moments of human connection.

TRU Palliative Care Social Worker Rebecca Cohen shared her reflection on the experience:

 “Death Over Dinner was such a wonderful experience for so many reasons. The people were amazing; there was so much wisdom from multiple generations in the room. It was a gift to learn from others about death and dying in such a supportive, respectful, intimate setting. I appreciated the opportunity and sacred space for my own personal reflection and growth. I left with some real shifts in my ideas and beliefs. I also loved connecting in such a human, heart-centered way. There was a beautiful balance of laughter and tears. You and your team helped create a comfortable space for honesty and curiosity. What an incredible group. Thank you for offering this, and I hope many more people get to benefit from the experience in the future.”

The Power of Shared Stories

The evening reinforced what we at TCPBC have always believed: time spent at the table truly matters—especially when shared with people who are willing to show up, speak openly, and listen with care. Death Over Dinner was a beautiful reminder of the gift of hearing one another’s stories. It was time well spent.

Looking Forward

While the April Death Over Dinner event filled quickly, we’re excited to announce that TCPBC plans to host at least three of these gatherings each year. If you’re interested in participating in a future event, please reach out to Becki Parr, TCPBC Project Coordinator, at beckiparr@trucare.org.

More Than a One-Time Event

The Death Over Dinner event was part of our broader GATI initiative that ran from April 1st to May 1st, coinciding with National Healthcare Decisions Day on April 16th. Though the formal GATI initiative has concluded, the valuable advance care planning materials and free coaching options remain available year-round. To access these resources, visit theconversationprojectinboulder.org and click “Schedule a Free Appointment”

As Ellen Goodman, founder of The Conversation Project, reminds us, “It’s always too soon to start the conversation… until it’s too late.”

Death Over Dinner participants, pictured above

Standing (L-R): Ana Lamarque (volunteer), Laura Rhea (volunteer), Ashley Huck (PACE Home Care Coordinator), Janet Denny (volunteer), Abby Howard (volunteer), Connie Clancy (volunteer), Annyce Mayer (volunteer), Taryn Archer (Admissions Coordinator)

Seated (L-R): Rebecca Cohen (Palliative Care LCSW), Geoff Galbraith (volunteer), Cindy Forsblad (volunteer), Becki Parr (TCPBC Project Coordinator)

Libby has dedicated 21 years to hospice care, with the last 4½ years as a charge nurse at TRU’s Inpatient Unit (IPU). Her days revolve around ensuring comfort for patients and visitors while supporting her team. From managing symptoms to providing emotional support and end-of-life education, Libby approaches each responsibility with deep dedication.

“The power and beauty that exist at the IPU made me feel as if I had found my way home. After 21 years of hospice work, I still feel the same way. Even on the most challenging of days, I can’t see working anywhere else.”

What makes the work special for Libby is the unique environment at the IPU, which she describes as “magical.” She values the family-like bond with her colleagues and appreciates how their diverse skills allow everyone to grow professionally. “I feel supported and heard by all levels of management,” she notes, highlighting TRU’s responsive and approachable leadership.

When asked what she wishes people understood about hospice nursing, Libby offers a profound perspective. While people often call hospice nurses “angels” or “special people,” she sees her role differently: “I am here because I was called and because I was invited.” For Libby, the privilege of being present in life’s most intimate final moments is “beautiful, life-changing, sacred, exhausting, and often mind-blowing soul work.”

Outside of her nursing role, Libby leads a richly creative life as a professional dog photographer at www.furdogruffur.com. She also volunteers at the Colorado Kitty Coalition, enjoys road biking, writes as both a novelist and playwright, reads “endlessly,” and creates “ooooodles of origami.” As she puts it, “This is one beautiful life we are livin’, my friends, and I feel so very blessed.”

For Mike Samuels, a retired chemical engineer with decades of experience in university teaching and industrial research, the path to hospice care began with a simple but troubling symptom: severe shortness of breath while walking. As his condition worsened over several months in 2024, Mike found himself shuttling between specialists, searching for answers.

“By the start of October 2024, I had spent three months running back and forth between a cardiologist and a pulmonologist, trying to find a solution for the severe shortness of breath I experienced every time I tried to walk at more than a very slow pace,” Mike shares.

After multiple consultations, tests, and hospital visits, Mike received difficult news. His doctors confirmed he was experiencing problems in both his cardiac and pulmonary systems, with no further treatments available to improve his condition.

The Decision to Choose Hospice

Having already witnessed the professionalism and compassion of TRU Community Care through his and his wife Sue’s years as TRU volunteers, Mike decided to pursue palliative care, which later transitioned to hospice care.

“My wife and I agreed that I should seek palliative care with TRU,” Mike writes. “Following that, it became clear to me that hospice care would meet my needs as nothing else would.”

Mike’s transition into hospice was smooth, beginning with palliative care in mid-October 2024 and moving to full hospice services by mid-November.

What Hospice Provides

One aspect of hospice care that surprised Mike was the comprehensive support he received:

“TRU’s program includes a weekly visit with my hospice nurse, all medicines required to combat the diseases that give me a short life span expectation at this time, and all durable medical equipment I need, including a home oxygen concentrator.”

The medication management particularly impressed him: “I have found this service nothing short of amazing. When I first entered palliative care, I was having a hard time sleeping and spent most of the daytime with a dry hacking cough. Now, I get wonderful relief from the coughing, and sleeping is no longer a problem for me.”

Beyond Physical Care

Mike emphasizes that hospice provides emotional and spiritual support as well. He and his wife also receive biweekly visits from a TRU chaplain, which has been especially meaningful to Sue as she comes to terms with the prospect of losing her husband of nearly 60 years.

“My wife has found the chaplain’s visits very comforting as she walks through the fact that her husband of nearly 60 years, and the vast majority of her life, will not be here to help her navigate her remaining years.”

Why Sharing Matters

Mike’s motivation for sharing his story stems from encounters with others who could have benefited from hospice but hesitated. He recounts meeting a fellow community member with pulmonary fibrosis who seemed uncomfortable discussing hospice options and tragically passed away shortly after their conversation.

Mike also reflects on earlier medical experiences, noting how much anxiety could be relieved if healthcare providers were more forthcoming about what patients should expect. This philosophy drives his desire to demystify hospice for others who might benefit from it.

Finding Peace in the Journey

Despite facing a life-limiting illness, Mike approaches his situation with remarkable clarity and acceptance. When asked if there were things he would do differently if given the chance, or experiences he wished he’d had, his answer was simple: “not really.”

Having lived a fulfilling life professionally and personally, with a loving family including three children and four grandchildren, Mike has found peace in this final chapter. His focus now is on sharing what he’s learned to help others make informed choices about their own end-of-life care.

“I hope you have found this information helpful to you in your decision whether or not to enroll in a hospice,” Mike concludes in his letter.

Through Mike’s generosity in sharing his journey, countless others may find the courage to explore hospice care sooner, potentially transforming what could be a difficult time into one of comfort, dignity, and peace.

During National Nurses Week, TRU clinical staff, leadership, and team members gathered at the Tele-Care Center to honor our extraordinary nurses who embody compassion, dedication, and skilled care every day.

Our nurses are the backbone of TRU’s mission—bringing comfort to patients facing life’s most challenging transitions while supporting families through their grief journey. With gentle hands and resilient spirits, they navigate complex medical needs while nurturing the emotional and spiritual well-being of those in their care. Their work transforms difficult moments into experiences of dignity, meaning, and even unexpected joy.

The celebration featured the prestigious DAISY Award presentation for extraordinary patient care to Nurse Case Manager Tammy Irwin. Her nomination highlighted her exceptional patient advocacy and personal connection with those in her care. In one remarkable instance, Tammy initiated continuous care for a patient experiencing severe terminal agitation, remaining present throughout the day to ensure both patient and family received comprehensive support during an extremely difficult time. Thanks to her intervention, the patient passed peacefully and comfortably.

TRU Chaplains Lloyd “Lew” White and Vanessa Owen conducted a moving “Blessing of the Hands” ceremony. Lew honored the nurses’ connection to Florence Nightingale’s legacy of providing care with comfort and compassion. “Patients and families rely heavily on you during journeys filled with anguish, tears, and fear,” he noted. “You provide joy and meaning of finality. You truly are a blessing to so many.”

The ceremony also included a touching poetry reading by Intake Coordinator Reiley Robinson, who shared his poem “Threadbare” about the profound nature of touch and “all the things a hand can hold,” dedicated to TRU patients and families.

As the celebration concluded, Clinical Educator Chloe Brown invited nurses to enjoy refreshments, fellowship, and collect their special Nurses Week gifts—a small token of appreciation for the immeasurable impact they make every day.

 

For nearly three years, Darcie has been a compassionate voice on the other end of the line as a telehealth RN at TRU Community Care, but her journey in healthcare started much earlier.

Darcie began her nursing career in 2008 working primarily in rehabilitation at nursing homes where she discovered her natural ability to connect with seniors. “I absolutely adore seniors and have a knack for connecting with them,” she shares. Her path led her to roles as Director of Care for ComforCare of Lakewood and Nurse Manager at a facility for the developmentally disabled before finding her calling in hospice care at Suncrest, where she found it “incredibly rewarding to be with patients and families at that life stage.”

An unexpected chapter took her away from nursing temporarily—building and operating a 9.5-acre organic farm from a gutted, flooded house. Though health challenges eventually led her back to town and to TRU, this experience speaks to her resilience and versatility.

“My main focus is making everyone feel truly cared about,” says Darcie of her current role. “I want anyone who contacts us to feel listened to, respected, and taken care of.”

Her day involves much more than answering calls—she offers advice, connects patients with services, coordinates with pharmacies and medical offices, and provided a lifeline to one caller when it was needed most.

“Empathy costs nothing. Apply it generously, and don’t forget to laugh with people. Making someone laugh is good medicine,” Darcie shares when asked what she wishes people understood about nursing.

Her compassion extends beyond her professional life—Darcie runs a small charity operation preparing 10-15 gallons of soups, stews, and casseroles monthly to feed 100-200 local homeless people in Fort Collins and Loveland. Though she handles planning, purchasing, and cooking the main dishes herself, she’s grateful for volunteers who now contribute fruits, vegetables, bread, and desserts to create complete meals.

When she’s not helping others, Darcie enjoys playing “nerdy complicated board games” with her husband, as well as cooking and gardening together.

Thank you, Darcie, for bringing your compassion and dedication to our TRU family!