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 News
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MFS News January 4, 2010 UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT HOSPICE CARE IN UNIQUE COURSE OFFERING
Learning about death occurs for many people in abrupt and unexpected circumstances. Since 2004 Moorestown Friends School (MFS) and Samaritan Hospice have partnered to provide a unique course elective for students in grades 9-12. The “Hospice and Health Care” course provides students with an understanding of what hospice care is able to provide and explores the many emotions and life-altering circumstances that occur when a loved one or friend passes away. “The course gives students an understanding of the human side of grief,” said co-teacher Priscilla Taylor-Willams, Chester Reagan Chair for Religious/Quaker Studies and Philosophy at MFS. Sally Cezo, Samaritan Hospice Manager of Volunteer Services, shares teaching duties with Taylor-Williams. “Our course is an elective and I am impressed each year with the interest and involvement of students who are choosing to be here,” said Cezo. “These students have made a decision to learn about end-of-life topics that many adults shy away from discussing.” The course combines a wide range of activities that include: in-class discussion, service activities, site visits and videos that prompt discussion and thought for students. Site visits are made to Samaritan Hospice and local nursing homes where students interact with patients deliver crafts and friendship bracelets prepared during class. The students also designed a Middle School bulletin board addressing grief and prepared a meal for a school family that was dealing with loss. In-class speakers have included a grief counselor and a chaplain from Samaritan Hospice, music therapist, pet therapist, as well as MFS parent and Virtua Health’s Executive Vice President for Health Services Ninfa Saunders. Students are appreciative of the experiences and skills they’ve learned in class. Many stressed the importance of staying upbeat and positive. “You have to be very cheerful and spirited when you go talk to people at the hospice,” said junior Adrienne Saludades of Moorestown. “They are going through a very difficult time and it’s important to be compassionate and caring when speaking with them.” “It takes a lot of courage and resilience to speak to someone who is dying and to keep yourself together,” said senior Dominique Gnatowski of Philadelphia. “You have to be compassionate and caring.” Some students are pondering careers in the health care field and the course has given them another perspective. “I learned a lot about the health care system and in-patient and out-patient care,” said Saludades. “I want to be a doctor and I’ve learned a lot from the course.” Samaritan Hospice is a not-for-profit organization that contributes to the health and well-being of our community. Samaritan provides unparalleled services with respect, dignity, and compassion for all people affected by serious, progressive illness or grief. Samaritan is the leader in hospice, palliative care, grief support, education, advocacy and other life-enhancing services.
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110 E. Main Street Moorestown, NJ 08057-2949 Phone: (856) 235-2900 |
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