Enjoy a delicious dinner provided by The Main Place and a variety of acts presented by members of the community. Singing, Dancing, Comedy, Skits….we have a little bit of everything!
PENNY SMITH is our MC for the night!
Acts will be judged by our “Celebrity Judges”: MAYOR JOHN BUCKLEY, MEGHAN DWYER, and JIM DAGON!
We are excited that our official Event Photographer, LYNN BRENNAN, will be there to capture the memories of the night!
Cash prizes for the top three performances… $500/1st Place, $250/2nd Place, $100/3rd Place!*
*Attendees will have the opportunity to ADD POINTS to each act by contributing donations to their favorite performer! Come watch your favorite entertainer and help them win one of the big money prizes.
After the community performances conclude… sit back, relax and enjoy more laughs with our guest Professional Comedian, Dan Viola!
After Viola’s set, the winners of this year’s The Greatest Variety Show will be announced. The VIP After Party continues into the night! Enjoy drink specials, elegant snacks and enjoy the Meet & Greet with our winners and Dan Viola himself!
The entire staff at CareFirst is saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Margene Tichane.
Dr. Tichane and her husband, Robert, were generous and active supporters of the CareFirst mission over the years through their continuous professional efforts and substantial donations.
In June 2015 the new CareFirst administration building in Coopers Plains, New York, was named in honor of Dr. Margene Tichane.
During the opening ceremony of the freshly renovated building, Margene commented by saying, “It was an honor. Being able to help patients in the last part of their lives is so important. We came up with the idea of supporting hospice care so they can take care of patients when they really need it the most. It’s wonderful what they’ve done here. It’s really a blessing.”
Dr. Tichane truly believed in the CareFirst mission. Her dedication to our meaningful work of affirming life through extraordinary, compassionate care for the seriously ill and grieving shined through in her enormous generosity.
Our appreciation of Dr. Tichane’s support to our agency goes beyond words. Her incredible big-heartedness over the years is inspiring and will be remembered for generations to come.
READY, SET, GLOW 5K is a family-friendly nighttime 5K! When the sun sets in Downtown Elmira on Saturday, July 20th CareFirst will LIGHT UP THE NIGHT to benefit local hospice programs and services in Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben counties.
Each registration provides valuable funds that help families throughout the region who are coping with serious illness. Joining the race is just one way that people can have an impact on the valuable care that CareFirst provides.
Registration is $30 through July 14th! Click the button above to register. After July 14, Registration jumps to $50 so sign-up today!
Your $30 non-refundable registration includes:
Entry to Ready, Set, Glow 5K and a Post-Party wristband
Race Bib
T-Shirt
Glow in the Dark Finisher Medal
Glow Swag Bag
Post-Party celebratory drink and snacks
A Valuable Donation to CareFirst Hospice
Access to Ready, Set, Glow 5K Photos
Upon registering, participants will be directed to sign up as a fundraiser. Make a difference for families in the Southern Tier and support your local hospice programs and services!
Every fundraiser that raises more than $100 will be entered to win a special prize! There will also be awards given to the top fundraisers and top teams. CareFirst will provide templates, tips, and motivation as you work towards your fundraising goal.
FUNdraising for the Ready, Set, Glow 5K is such a FUN way to have an impact on our community!
Will you help us advance our mission of affirming life through extraordinary, compassionate care and support for the seriously ill and grieving in the Southern Tier? Here’s your guide to getting involved with CareFirst in 2019 – from volunteering, honoring your loved one at a grief event, finding the support you need to build caregiver confidence, or giving back to hospice by supporting a fundraiser, you’ll find out how you can make a difference in your life below.
“By incorporating our core values of excellence, respect, empowerment and advocacy into everything we do, CareFirst thrives on improving quality of life through compassionate care for the seriously ill, as well as intuitive support for caregivers and those living with grief. We just don’t talk about it; we live it, each and every day…for all who need us,”
Did you know that
less than half of our hospice patients have cancer? As more and more people are
living with chronic diseases such as congestive heart failure and COPD, our
care plans have adapted to meet the needs of our patients. This spring we will be revitalizing disease
specific programs, Lifebeat and Breath, to provide specialized care and
support for individuals with end stage heart disease or pulmonary diseases. Learn
more about our clinical programs by contacting [email protected].
Caregivers receive hands on respite training in a home like setting at the CareFirst Skills Lab!
For caregivers- did you know CareFirst has a hands on skills lab that mirrors a home setting, where you can learn how to care for your loved one with confidence? Monthly workshops will be offered the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 4-5pm; here you can learn how to safely care for a loved one who is bed-bound, durable medical equipment usage, mobility tips and tricks, medication management, advance care planning, and so much more! If you have a group that would like a personalized workshop, just ask! We can work with you to create a learning experience that will make a difference in your life. Sign up today by contacting [email protected].
A revamp of our outreach and education initiatives are a top priority this year. If your office, medical facility, church, civic club, or organization is interested in learning more about CareFirst, reach out to [email protected] to schedule an in-service or speaking engagement!
CareFirst Grief Services has an extensive calendar of events planned for 2019, including ceramics, support groups, pillow making from a loved one’s favorite shirt, Good Grief Day for children, a grief workshop for teens, book club, and so much more! Our team of professionals can help you along your journey of grief at the Clinic for CareFirst. Follow us on Facebook for details, or email [email protected].
Speaking of events, CareFirst has a reputation for coordinating some of the best fundraisers in town! Our annual geranium sale, Petal Pushers, kicks off in April- with 16,000 flowers to sell, we are always looking for help! Ready, Set, Glow, our night race in partnership with the Elmira Street Painting Festival, will take place July 13th; help us light up the night for hospice by registering to run, volunteer, or be a corporate sponsor! Send an email to [email protected] for more information!
Volunteering for CareFirst is fun and meaningful
Have you considered giving your time to CareFirst as a volunteer? Opportunities are endless, from patient care visits, to clerical help in the office, and fundraising events – if you have the time and the passion, we have a place for you! To learn more about how you can help, contact our Volunteer Department at [email protected].
This is just a tip of the iceberg for the year; visit our website, Facebook page, Twitter, and YouTube for up to date information and announcements!
After nearly two years of program development and contract negotiation, a new model for enhanced collaborative mental health services has opened in the Southern Tier. Providing mental health services specializing in helping individuals struggling with grief, traumatic loss, advanced illness management,acceptance of a terminal diagnosis, and caregiver fatigue, The Clinic at CareFirst is a partnership between Family Services of Chemung County and CareFirst.
Mirroring a traditional counseling model, clients are referred by a health or mental health professional, or they can refer themselves to The Clinic at CareFirst.Reimbursable by most insurance carriers, self pay clients can receive treatment on a sliding fee scale. Currently, we anticipate serving approximately 25 clients each week; future plans for growth in 2019 are also expected.
In honor of National Mental Health Awareness Week (Oct 7-13), The Clinic at CareFirst hosted its grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony with the Corning Area of Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, October 10th. In an effort to de-stigmatize attitudes about mental health, this event featured a mini-documentary of testimonials from individuals who have found The Clinic at CareFirst to be a welcoming environment, bringing hope and healing to their individual journeys. Watch the full documentary below or on our YouTube Channel.
“When we experience illness or loss in our lives, the entire world shifts around us. We all need support in adjusting to those periods of life transition and now The Clinic at CareFirst can be there to provide that support,” said Chelsea Ambrose, Director of Counseling and Collaborative Services.
Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben counties have the highest mental health needs in the Finger Lakes area. However, one in four Chemung County residents report experiencing 14 or more poor mental health days in a given month, which is double the rate of Upstate NY as a whole.In an effort to meet this critical need for services, Family Services of Chemung County and CareFirst joined forces to form The Clinic at CareFirst.
Satellite clinics are nothing new for Family Services of Chemung County, who currently manage 19 total clinics throughout the area, including the newest one at CareFirst. Given the rich history and experience of Family Services of Chemung County, this partnership was a natural fit for CareFirst.
Mission driven advocacy has always been a cornerstone of the CareFirst message. Having been a leader in NYS in hospice and palliative care advocacy for nearly forty years, the not for profit agency has always valued being on the forefront of social change and taking the necessary risks to be successful. The Clinic at CareFirst is no exception: CareFirst is the first hospice in
New York State that has developed a financially sustainable counseling program. While the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) mandate that hospices offer bereavement counseling, these programs are often fully funded on donations, as reimbursement for these services are not applicable for hospice grief counseling.
However, the partnership between Family Services of Chemung County and CareFirst has been contractually orchestrated in such a way that this a la carte niche service line allows CareFirst to be the first hospice pricing existed emotional and mental health services in the area of hospice, palliative care, and grief services.
CareFirst is proud to announce the recent hospice and palliative care board certification of five nurses, which brings the agency’s total of board certified clinical staff to seven.
The following nurses are being recognized for their professionalism, leadership, and commitment to excellence in hospice and palliative care patient care:
Patience Wulf, RN, DSN, CHPN, Director of Patient Care; CareFirst employee since 2009
Melissa Joint, RN, CHPN, Education Coordinator; CareFirst employee since 2006
Brittany Buck, RN, CHPN; CareFirst employee since 2016
Anastatia Sturick, RN, CHPN; CareFirst employee since 2011
Carol Warriner, RN, CHPN; CareFirst employee since 2010
Rachel Parsels, LPN, CHPLN; CareFirst employee since 2010
As practitioners in hospice and palliative care, we take great pride in our expertise and commitment to quality at the end of life. Our team of professionals have years of clinical experience, evidence-based practice, and education to draw upon. Their commitment to certification improves patient outcomes, provides compensation incentives and gains industry wide recognition.
“To me, this board certification means love; it is an opportunity to advocate at a most intimate time of life. I am very humbled and grateful to share the gift of hospice, using the highest quality methods I learned during the certification process,” said Rachel Parsels, LPN, CHPLN.
“As a CareFirst nurse, I get to help people who have limited medical backgrounds and teach them how to care for their loved one. To allow them to pursue that dream and make it happen is such a beautiful experience; I’m honored to be a part of that. So for me, hospice is making dreams happen,” said Brittany Buck, RN, CHPN.
Local hospice patient, Verlene McGee, 91, a retired reading specialist for Beecher School, and published author, dreamed of visiting her favorite bookstore, Barnes & Noble, one last time.
Mrs. McGee taught first grade in the Elmira school district for five years before becoming a reading specialist. After completing twenty-three years as an educator, she began writing a column for the Star Gazette as she conducted parenting workshops sponsored by her school district. Experience as a parent and grandparent was the motivating factor in her decision to write Parenting Pearls.
By interviewing parents and grandparents and doing extensive research, a collection of essays were written and pithy statements were compiled based upon what was learned about how parents and their kids interact. Mrs. McGee and her husband, the Reverend Cephus McGee, a retired prison chaplain, live in Elmira. Parenting Pearls is a three-year effort that was one of the most exciting works she has ever attempted.
Verlene McGee had a dream to visit the bookstore and host one last story hour for a group of children, friends, and family. CareFirst and Barnes & Noble partnered to make this happen. Unbeknownst to her, Verlene received a Lifetime Literary Award at this event, with all of the bells and whistles one would hope for in such a celebration.
As reaching patient goals is a integral part of the CareFirst mission, the clinical team got to work on making this dream come true. Mrs. McGee was joined by family, friends, former students, CareFirst staff, Barnes & Noble staff, and others for this very special moment in her life.
Laura Bess was admitted to Hospice on April 9, 2018. Originally, she was admitted in March, but revoked after being on our services for about a week, as she was going to try and seek more treatment for her cancer. During that initial admission, she told us how disappointed she was that she would not be able to graduate from Binghamton University with her Masters Degree to become a Nurse Practitioner.
After revoking her initial Hospice benefit with CareFirst, Laura went back to Roswell Cancer Center where she and her family discussed all of her options. She was readmitted to Hospice in April.
Paul Washburn and Melissa Joint admitted Laura, and Paul asked me if we could pursue getting the degree for Laura and wondered if we could do it as a surprise for her. We contacted the State University of New York at Binghamton’s Decker School of Nursing and was directed to the Director of the Graduate of Nursing Program, Dr. Nicole Rouhana. We had to have the patient’s name, so we sought permission from her husband as he wanted to pursue this for his wife, if it was possible. Dr. Rouhana worked very quickly and diligently – and within 48 hours was able to secure permission from the Dean of the University to give Laura Bess an Honorary Master of Science Family Nurse Practitioner Degree.
Social worker Jennifer Oyer made arrangements, with the assistance of Melissa Joint, RN and Patience Wulf, Director of Patient Care, to have Melissa Oakley, Family Services Manager, pick up the Degree from the University. Dr. Rouhana framed the Degree and stored it in a beautiful, decorative University of Binghamton gift bag, along with some cards, to give to Laura. With the help of friends, we scheduled a small ceremony to honor Laura’s hard work and to present her with the Honorary Degree from Binghamton University.
CareFirst staff members, Jenny Oyer, LMSW, Paul Washburn, RN, and Carol Warriner, RN, went to Laura’s home on April 13 at 9am to present her with the Honorary Master of Science Family Nurse Practitioner Degree from Binghamton University, along with a pink bouquet of flowers, to recognize her special accomplishment.
The Decker School of Nursing also offered Laura’s husband and family the opportunity to walk the stage at the Commencement Ceremony at Binghamton University in May.
Laura was dressed very nicely in her wheelchair, nails painted, as Carol Warriner, RNCM, presented her with the Degree. Laura’s husband was tearful and hugged and kissed his wife. Her parents were also present during this presentation.
It was a Wonderful Experience, and we’re so happy Laura Bess, NP, received her degree from Binghamton University!
After the first few days of shock, grieving individuals often look for a sense of meaning, or other ways to stay busy, as they work through their loss. Try some of these activities to help you cope:
1. Create a Memorial. Depending on the circumstances and the person you may want to create a roadside memorial, a home shrine or a bulletin board filled with letters, notes, poems and pictures. You may decide to create a sculpture, a collage or fill a scrapbook with memories.
2. Help to plan and organize the funeral, memorial service, or celebration of life to honor the person who has died. Planning a service, tending to the details is something active to do, during a time when people often feel helpless.
3. Plant a tree or flowers in a garden in memory of the person lost.
4. Donate – money, time, food, clothing or other needed items — to a favorite charity, homeless shelter, animal shelter, hospice, or home for abused women.
5. Donate blood at your local blood center. Donating is another way of doing something active and giving something back.
6. Write sympathy and condolence notes, letters of encouragement and support to those affected by the loss.
7. Thank the emergency and hospital personnel, highway patrol, police and firefighters for helping if the loss involved an accident or emergency.
8. Be kind to others. Make space for the car merging in on the highway. Don’t use your horn unless it is absolutely necessary. Let someone with fewer items go first in the grocery store.
9. Volunteer your services or skills. Offer assistance to someone in need.
10. Perform random acts of kindness. This will help to remind one there is tenderness and thoughtfulness in the world. Pay the bridge toll for the person behind you. Smile at the store clerk. Some choose to perform random acts of kindness in memory of the person lost.
11. Do something that can benefit others. Take a first aid or CPR class.
12. Remember to tell your loved ones, friends and family how much you care about them, and tell them often.
13. Create a journal to write your thoughts or feelings down.
14. Listen to music. Create your own playlist of songs in tribute to your love one.
15. Exercise! This can be a tool for instrumental grievers to process their grief and sweat out their sadness.
16. Seek out a friend or counselor to talk to. Sometimes it helps to be able to verbalize our grief with others and get it out.
