What's News at Appalachian Community?

Kate Oches, LSW, is Appalachian Community’s Social Work Coordinator.  Kate helps develop and implement social work services in all three Appalachian Community programs—VNA, hospice, and health services.  She advises our clients’ physicians and other Appalachian Community staff on social and emotional factors that may be related to client health concerns.  She also works directly with home health clients, enlisting help from community or government health and social service agencies as needed to ensure that the client’s home environment is safe and conducive to the implementation of the home health plan of care.  Kate also serves as the Agency’s spiritual counselor for hospice, working with clients and their families, as well as the hospice team, to fulfill the needs of hospice clients who request spiritual care.  In addition, Kate chairs and coordinates our Ethics Advisory Committee, a group of staff and community members who study ethical issues that arise in the provision of home care.

Tammy Hawk, LSW, is Appalachian Community’s Hospice Social Worker.  As a member of the Hospice Interdisciplinary Team, Tammy provides social work and counseling services to ensure the highest quality of life possible for the client at the end of life and the available resources for the client’s caregivers.  Tammy also coordinates programs to educate area professionals and other community members about hospice care and end-of-life issues.  Tammy organizes our Annual Hospice Memorial Service, which honors all hospice clients who died in the previous year.  In addition, she is responsible for collaborating with the Bereavement Coordinator in providing  bereavement services for Hospice family members after the death of their loved one.  

Stephen Simko, LSW, Bereavement Coordinator, organizes all aspects of bereavement care for designated survivors of hospice clients.  Stephen also  provides community education on grief and bereavement issues and bereavement consultations to individuals in our community. 

Anita Zeilinski, MA, LISW, our Social Work Clinical Consultant, provides expert advice to our social work staff when needed and assists in the annual evaluations of our social workers.