Recent Zeeland East High School graduates Charlie Reese and Kennedy Inman pose with the Zeeland Board of Education and certificates celebrating their recent accomplishments. Reese, who was co-valedictorian of this year’s East graduating class, was recently named a National Merit Scholarship recipient, while Inman was recognized for perfect attendance throughout her entire K-12 experience at Zeeland Public Schools.
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
It’s not often when a high school graduating class produces a National Merit Scholarship recipient.
It’s even more rare when a graduating class produces a student who never missed a day of school – ever.
The Zeeland East High School class of 2025 had one of each this year. Charlie Reese and Kennedy Inman were honored at a recent Zeeland school board meeting for their outstanding achievements.
Reese, who was co-valedictorian of this year’s graduating class at East, last month was named one of 2,500 nationwide recipients of the National Merit Scholarship, based on their accomplishments, skills and potential for success.
Inman, meanwhile, received a certificate marking perfect attendance for her entire academic career – starting in kindergarten and going through her senior year.
Reese was selected from among more than 15,000 finalists for the $2,500 scholarships. The selection committee, consisting of college admissions officers and high school counselors, reviewed each finalist’s academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied; scores from the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT); contributions and leadership in both school and community activities; a personal essay and a recommendation from a high school official.
“I have checked with my counseling team, and we cannot remember the last time that we had a National Merit Scholarship recipient at Zeeland East High School,” ZEHS Principal Jessica Knoth said.
In addition to his stellar academic record, Reese was a four-year varsity tennis player and was captain of the Chix boys’ tennis team last fall. He also participated in Model United Nations and served as student body president.
Knoth went on to describe Reese “as the kindest young man, with a great level of integrity and even more remarkable emotional IQ. He was loved and respected by our staff, by our teachers and by his classmates.”
Reese, the son of Kyle and Alison Reese, will attend the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. in the fall, where he plans to study international relations, with hopes of becoming a diplomat in the future.
“I really like the campus, it was amazing,” Reese said of his decision to attend Notre Dame. “I really like the program. They have a special college just for what I’m majoring in, and I love the culture on campus.”
Inman had a couple of close calls that almost cost her perfect attendance mark. She recalled coming down with a stomach flu the day before school let out for the Thanksgiving break in fourth grade.
“I started to feel ill the second half of the day … (then) on Wednesday I missed our entire Thanksgiving family dinner (because I was) upstairs in the bathroom,” Inman said.
Then in fifth grade, Inman suffered a severely sprained ankle while playing on the monkey bars at recess that resulted in her leaving school that day in a walking boot.
As she progressed through her career, Inman spoke of being more intentional about attending her classes.
“There were times where I wasn’t feeling my best, but I’d show up for school and get my work done,” she said.
In addition to her perfect attendance record, Inman played varsity soccer for Zeeland East, and also participated in Model UN, Student Senate, Spanish Club and National Honor Society.
“In a world in which it is easy to be unreliable, (where) kids have to choose today to be responsible, it is refreshing to know that Kennedy Inman is someone who both students and staff could on every single day, no matter what the day brought,” Knoth said.
Inman is the daughter of Lucas and Whitney Inman. She will attend the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in the fall with a major in economics.
Zeeland Record
It’s not often when a high school graduating class produces a National Merit Scholarship recipient.
It’s even more rare when a graduating class produces a student who never missed a day of school – ever.
The Zeeland East High School class of 2025 had one of each this year. Charlie Reese and Kennedy Inman were honored at a recent Zeeland school board meeting for their outstanding achievements.
Reese, who was co-valedictorian of this year’s graduating class at East, last month was named one of 2,500 nationwide recipients of the National Merit Scholarship, based on their accomplishments, skills and potential for success.
Inman, meanwhile, received a certificate marking perfect attendance for her entire academic career – starting in kindergarten and going through her senior year.
Reese was selected from among more than 15,000 finalists for the $2,500 scholarships. The selection committee, consisting of college admissions officers and high school counselors, reviewed each finalist’s academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied; scores from the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT); contributions and leadership in both school and community activities; a personal essay and a recommendation from a high school official.
“I have checked with my counseling team, and we cannot remember the last time that we had a National Merit Scholarship recipient at Zeeland East High School,” ZEHS Principal Jessica Knoth said.
In addition to his stellar academic record, Reese was a four-year varsity tennis player and was captain of the Chix boys’ tennis team last fall. He also participated in Model United Nations and served as student body president.
Knoth went on to describe Reese “as the kindest young man, with a great level of integrity and even more remarkable emotional IQ. He was loved and respected by our staff, by our teachers and by his classmates.”
Reese, the son of Kyle and Alison Reese, will attend the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. in the fall, where he plans to study international relations, with hopes of becoming a diplomat in the future.
“I really like the campus, it was amazing,” Reese said of his decision to attend Notre Dame. “I really like the program. They have a special college just for what I’m majoring in, and I love the culture on campus.”
Inman had a couple of close calls that almost cost her perfect attendance mark. She recalled coming down with a stomach flu the day before school let out for the Thanksgiving break in fourth grade.
“I started to feel ill the second half of the day … (then) on Wednesday I missed our entire Thanksgiving family dinner (because I was) upstairs in the bathroom,” Inman said.
Then in fifth grade, Inman suffered a severely sprained ankle while playing on the monkey bars at recess that resulted in her leaving school that day in a walking boot.
As she progressed through her career, Inman spoke of being more intentional about attending her classes.
“There were times where I wasn’t feeling my best, but I’d show up for school and get my work done,” she said.
In addition to her perfect attendance record, Inman played varsity soccer for Zeeland East, and also participated in Model UN, Student Senate, Spanish Club and National Honor Society.
“In a world in which it is easy to be unreliable, (where) kids have to choose today to be responsible, it is refreshing to know that Kennedy Inman is someone who both students and staff could on every single day, no matter what the day brought,” Knoth said.
Inman is the daughter of Lucas and Whitney Inman. She will attend the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in the fall with a major in economics.
SpartanNash to be Acquired for $1.77 Billion
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
SpartanNash Company, the West Michigan-based grocer that owns the Family Fare store in Zeeland, is being acquired by a national grocery retailer.
C&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC and SpartanNash announced Monday that they have entered into a merger agreement in which C&S will acquire SpartanNash for $1.77 billion. SpartanNash shareholders will receive $26.90 per share under the transaction, with the acquisition price representing a 52.5 percent premium over SpartanNash's closing price on June 20 of $17.64 per share.
Privately held, C&S is the largest wholesale grocery supply company in the U.S, according to Forbes Magazine. Both companies’ boards of directors have approved the sale.
SpartanNash president and chief executive officer Tony Sarsam says the company is “energized by the opportunities” to be created by the sale.
"With our organizational values in close alignment, there will be exciting new career opportunities for our people and a continued commitment to a People First culture,” Sarsam said.
“For our customers, this transaction creates the necessary scale, efficiency and purchasing power needed to enable independent retailers to compete more effectively with larger big box chains.
“Neighborhood grocers are essential pillars of our communities that we want to preserve and strengthen. A thriving hometown grocery store supports local farmers, bolsters the local economy, and enhances the overall health and well-being of the community.”
C&S chief executive officer Eric Winn said that the two companies share many of the same values, “including a strong emphasis on customers, teamwork and our communities.”
“The combination of our two companies' capabilities puts our collective customers' stores and our own retail stores at the center of the plate, supporting their ability to thrive in a highly dynamic and competitive environment. Our customers need us more than ever, and we are building a sustainable platform for our team members to be able to support them long into the future," Winn said.
The new company will operate nearly 60 distribution centers across the U.S. and serve close to 10,000 independent retail locations. Company officials say the merger is expected to result in lower prices on the supermarket shelf.
“Profit margins in the grocery industry are very low — averaging only 1.6 percent — and customers and consumers deserve the best value for food and household goods. The stability of the combined organization will allow the combined company and its customers to better compete against various extremely large global grocers in the U.S. food-at-home space, a more than $1 trillion annual industry,” a joint statement from the two companies reads.
The sale is expected to close later this year, pending customary closing conditions such as SpartanNash shareholder approval and applicable regulatory approvals.
Based in Byron Center, SpartanNash operates nearly 200 brick-and-mortar grocery stores, primarily under the banners of Family Fare, Martin's Super Markets and D&W Fresh Market, in addition to dozens of pharmacies and fuel centers with convenience stores. It also delivers products from fresh produce to household goods under its own branding, most notably the Our Family portfolio of products. The company employs about 20,000 workers.
Based in Keene, N.H., C&S Wholesale Grocers was found in 1918 to serve independent grocery stores. Today, the company serves more than 7,500 independent supermarkets, chain stores, military bases and institutions with over 100,000 different products. The company also operates and supports corporate grocery stores and services independent franchisees under a chain-style model throughout the Midwest, South and Northeast.
SpartanNash said that its previously-announced quarterly cash dividend of $0.22 per common share will continue to be paid on June 30, 2025, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 13, 2025.
Zeeland Record
SpartanNash Company, the West Michigan-based grocer that owns the Family Fare store in Zeeland, is being acquired by a national grocery retailer.
C&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC and SpartanNash announced Monday that they have entered into a merger agreement in which C&S will acquire SpartanNash for $1.77 billion. SpartanNash shareholders will receive $26.90 per share under the transaction, with the acquisition price representing a 52.5 percent premium over SpartanNash's closing price on June 20 of $17.64 per share.
Privately held, C&S is the largest wholesale grocery supply company in the U.S, according to Forbes Magazine. Both companies’ boards of directors have approved the sale.
SpartanNash president and chief executive officer Tony Sarsam says the company is “energized by the opportunities” to be created by the sale.
"With our organizational values in close alignment, there will be exciting new career opportunities for our people and a continued commitment to a People First culture,” Sarsam said.
“For our customers, this transaction creates the necessary scale, efficiency and purchasing power needed to enable independent retailers to compete more effectively with larger big box chains.
“Neighborhood grocers are essential pillars of our communities that we want to preserve and strengthen. A thriving hometown grocery store supports local farmers, bolsters the local economy, and enhances the overall health and well-being of the community.”
C&S chief executive officer Eric Winn said that the two companies share many of the same values, “including a strong emphasis on customers, teamwork and our communities.”
“The combination of our two companies' capabilities puts our collective customers' stores and our own retail stores at the center of the plate, supporting their ability to thrive in a highly dynamic and competitive environment. Our customers need us more than ever, and we are building a sustainable platform for our team members to be able to support them long into the future," Winn said.
The new company will operate nearly 60 distribution centers across the U.S. and serve close to 10,000 independent retail locations. Company officials say the merger is expected to result in lower prices on the supermarket shelf.
“Profit margins in the grocery industry are very low — averaging only 1.6 percent — and customers and consumers deserve the best value for food and household goods. The stability of the combined organization will allow the combined company and its customers to better compete against various extremely large global grocers in the U.S. food-at-home space, a more than $1 trillion annual industry,” a joint statement from the two companies reads.
The sale is expected to close later this year, pending customary closing conditions such as SpartanNash shareholder approval and applicable regulatory approvals.
Based in Byron Center, SpartanNash operates nearly 200 brick-and-mortar grocery stores, primarily under the banners of Family Fare, Martin's Super Markets and D&W Fresh Market, in addition to dozens of pharmacies and fuel centers with convenience stores. It also delivers products from fresh produce to household goods under its own branding, most notably the Our Family portfolio of products. The company employs about 20,000 workers.
Based in Keene, N.H., C&S Wholesale Grocers was found in 1918 to serve independent grocery stores. Today, the company serves more than 7,500 independent supermarkets, chain stores, military bases and institutions with over 100,000 different products. The company also operates and supports corporate grocery stores and services independent franchisees under a chain-style model throughout the Midwest, South and Northeast.
SpartanNash said that its previously-announced quarterly cash dividend of $0.22 per common share will continue to be paid on June 30, 2025, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 13, 2025.
City Sees Population Decline in Estimates
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
The city of Zeeland saw a slight decrease in population last year while Zeeland Charter Township continued to grow, according to the most recent estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The city was one of only three municipalities in Ottawa County that saw a decline in population in the year-over-year estimates from the Census Bureau, dipping 0.2 percent from 5,650 residents in 2023 to 5,637 last year. The only other municipalities to see a loss were the village of Spring Lake (from 2,518 to 2,510) and the city of Coopersville (4,857 to 4,856), the Census Bureau reported.
On the other hand, Zeeland Township saw a population increase of 0.7 percent, from 12,177 residents in 2023 to 12,261 last year, according to the Census Bureau estimate.
Overall, Ottawa County’s population continued to grow, increasing 0.9 percent from the previous year to an estimated population of 306,235, ranking Ottawa as the seventh-most populous county in the state, according to the Census Bureau estimate.
Jamestown Charter Township was the county’s fastest-growing township last year with a 2.7 percent population increase, rising from 10,191 residents in 2023 to 10,462. Grand Haven Charter Township saw a 1.9 percent increase from 19,274 to 19,647 while Blendon Township experienced a 1.7 percent population increase, from 7,465 to 7,593, according to the Census Bureau.
Georgetown Charter Township is the county’s largest governmental unit with 55,552 residents, followed by Holland Charter Township (40,521) and the city of Holland (27,092 for the portion of the city in Ottawa County), according to the Census Bureau.
Zeeland Record
The city of Zeeland saw a slight decrease in population last year while Zeeland Charter Township continued to grow, according to the most recent estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The city was one of only three municipalities in Ottawa County that saw a decline in population in the year-over-year estimates from the Census Bureau, dipping 0.2 percent from 5,650 residents in 2023 to 5,637 last year. The only other municipalities to see a loss were the village of Spring Lake (from 2,518 to 2,510) and the city of Coopersville (4,857 to 4,856), the Census Bureau reported.
On the other hand, Zeeland Township saw a population increase of 0.7 percent, from 12,177 residents in 2023 to 12,261 last year, according to the Census Bureau estimate.
Overall, Ottawa County’s population continued to grow, increasing 0.9 percent from the previous year to an estimated population of 306,235, ranking Ottawa as the seventh-most populous county in the state, according to the Census Bureau estimate.
Jamestown Charter Township was the county’s fastest-growing township last year with a 2.7 percent population increase, rising from 10,191 residents in 2023 to 10,462. Grand Haven Charter Township saw a 1.9 percent increase from 19,274 to 19,647 while Blendon Township experienced a 1.7 percent population increase, from 7,465 to 7,593, according to the Census Bureau.
Georgetown Charter Township is the county’s largest governmental unit with 55,552 residents, followed by Holland Charter Township (40,521) and the city of Holland (27,092 for the portion of the city in Ottawa County), according to the Census Bureau.
VanAst Appointed to Board of Public Works
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
A development engineer at Gentex Corporation has been appointed to fill an opening on the Zeeland Board of Public Works board of directors.
Michael VanAst was appointed to a four-year term on the BPW board by the City Council June 16. He will assume a seat that came open in May with the death of board member Brian Dykstra.
“Mr. VanAst brings a strong background in both public service and technical expertise,” BPW Board Chairwoman Linda Boerman wrote in a memo to Mayor Kevin Klynstra and the City Council. “He previously served on the Zeeland Board of Zoning Appeals, where he demonstrated a thoughtful and diligent approach to community decision-making.”
Boerman went on to state that VanAst’s professional background as an engineer “will add valuable insight to the oversight of the utility’s operations and strategic initiatives.”
VanAst holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Calvin College and a master of business administration degree from Grand Valley State University.
Zeeland Record
A development engineer at Gentex Corporation has been appointed to fill an opening on the Zeeland Board of Public Works board of directors.
Michael VanAst was appointed to a four-year term on the BPW board by the City Council June 16. He will assume a seat that came open in May with the death of board member Brian Dykstra.
“Mr. VanAst brings a strong background in both public service and technical expertise,” BPW Board Chairwoman Linda Boerman wrote in a memo to Mayor Kevin Klynstra and the City Council. “He previously served on the Zeeland Board of Zoning Appeals, where he demonstrated a thoughtful and diligent approach to community decision-making.”
Boerman went on to state that VanAst’s professional background as an engineer “will add valuable insight to the oversight of the utility’s operations and strategic initiatives.”
VanAst holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Calvin College and a master of business administration degree from Grand Valley State University.
Corewell Sets Summer Blood Drives in Zeeland
Corewell Health, in partnership with Versiti Blood Center of Michigan, is hosting two blood drives at its Zeeland Hospital campus this summer.
The blood drives will take place Tuesday, July 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Wednesday, Aug. 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., in Conference Room AA of Corewell Health Zeeland, 8333 Felch St.
Versiti Blood Center of Michigan is the primary provider of blood for Corewell Health hospitals, and blood donated can help trauma victims, surgery patients, premature babies, people with anemia and those undergoing treatment for cancer.
The process for donating blood takes about an hour. This includes registration, a brief medical screening and blood collection. Individuals 17 and older who are in good health and not experiencing symptoms of cold or flu may donate blood. Donors who are 16 years old may donate but must have parent or guardian permission. A photo ID is required to donate.
For information on donating blood or to schedule an appointment, please visit donate.michigan.versiti.org or call (866) 642-5663.
The blood drives will take place Tuesday, July 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Wednesday, Aug. 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., in Conference Room AA of Corewell Health Zeeland, 8333 Felch St.
Versiti Blood Center of Michigan is the primary provider of blood for Corewell Health hospitals, and blood donated can help trauma victims, surgery patients, premature babies, people with anemia and those undergoing treatment for cancer.
The process for donating blood takes about an hour. This includes registration, a brief medical screening and blood collection. Individuals 17 and older who are in good health and not experiencing symptoms of cold or flu may donate blood. Donors who are 16 years old may donate but must have parent or guardian permission. A photo ID is required to donate.
For information on donating blood or to schedule an appointment, please visit donate.michigan.versiti.org or call (866) 642-5663.
Airport Breaks Ground on Electric Charging Infrastructure
West Michigan Regional Airport (WMRA) and BETA Technologies have broken ground on the site of a multimodal electric charging system, adding to BETA’s growing networking across the U.S.
BETA Technologies chose the Holland-based airport as one of four Michigan airports to receive multimodal electric charging infrastructure as a part of a $2.6 million grant the company received from the state to accelerate Advanced Aerial Mobility (AAM) readiness and growth in Michigan.
This grant marks one of the first statewide initiatives supporting AAM and signifies a major change for the present and future industry. The multimodal, interoperable chargers will be compatible with a variety of electric aircraft and ground vehicles on-site at the airport.
BETA, the AAM grant recipient, is an electric aerospace company based in Vermont working to electrify aviation for the future. They also build and sell all-electric aircraft and charging infrastructure to enable this new mode of transportation.
"Advanced air mobility has the power to change the way we move goods and people in a significant way,” said Nate Ward, BETA’s head of charging network development. “In addition to reducing costs and emissions, it also increases operational safety and reliability. Michigan has a rich history of driving transformation in mobility, and we’re excited to bring this new aviation technology to West Michigan Regional Airport as the state continues to lean in and help shape the future of this industry and its communities.”
As part of their product and service offerings, BETA sells multimodal, interoperable charging solutions that support all electric aircraft and many ground EVs. They have 49 charging locations online at airports along the East and Gulf coasts with plans to continue to expand their network by the end of this year. WMRA’s new charging infrastructure will be the only one of its kind in West Michigan.
Through the grant, WMRA will receive two chargers. BETA Technologies’ Charge Cube offers 320 kilowatts of power with the ability to charge aircraft and ground vehicles within a 50-foot range. The second charger is BTC Power’s commercial-grade L2 30 Amp dual port charger, which offers 7.2kW per port for electric vehicles and will be located in the terminal parking lot. The two chargers will allow WMRA to better-serve airport visitors’ electric transportation needs.
“We’re thrilled the team at BETA chose our airport as one of four Michigan airports to receive an electric charging setup. We’re excited about the opportunities this will provide our tenants, partners, visitors and community,” airport manager Matthew Neyens said.
West Michigan Regional Airport is owned by a regional authority that includes the cities of Zeeland and Holland as well as Park Township. Taxpayers in the city of Zeeland have supported the airport since 2008 through a voted tax levy, currently at 0.0993 mills. In 2017, the last time the airport authority asked for renewing the levy, Zeeland voters passed the measure by a vote of 541-257. Funds from the levy go toward providing a local match to federal and state grants for airport improvements.
BETA Technologies chose the Holland-based airport as one of four Michigan airports to receive multimodal electric charging infrastructure as a part of a $2.6 million grant the company received from the state to accelerate Advanced Aerial Mobility (AAM) readiness and growth in Michigan.
This grant marks one of the first statewide initiatives supporting AAM and signifies a major change for the present and future industry. The multimodal, interoperable chargers will be compatible with a variety of electric aircraft and ground vehicles on-site at the airport.
BETA, the AAM grant recipient, is an electric aerospace company based in Vermont working to electrify aviation for the future. They also build and sell all-electric aircraft and charging infrastructure to enable this new mode of transportation.
"Advanced air mobility has the power to change the way we move goods and people in a significant way,” said Nate Ward, BETA’s head of charging network development. “In addition to reducing costs and emissions, it also increases operational safety and reliability. Michigan has a rich history of driving transformation in mobility, and we’re excited to bring this new aviation technology to West Michigan Regional Airport as the state continues to lean in and help shape the future of this industry and its communities.”
As part of their product and service offerings, BETA sells multimodal, interoperable charging solutions that support all electric aircraft and many ground EVs. They have 49 charging locations online at airports along the East and Gulf coasts with plans to continue to expand their network by the end of this year. WMRA’s new charging infrastructure will be the only one of its kind in West Michigan.
Through the grant, WMRA will receive two chargers. BETA Technologies’ Charge Cube offers 320 kilowatts of power with the ability to charge aircraft and ground vehicles within a 50-foot range. The second charger is BTC Power’s commercial-grade L2 30 Amp dual port charger, which offers 7.2kW per port for electric vehicles and will be located in the terminal parking lot. The two chargers will allow WMRA to better-serve airport visitors’ electric transportation needs.
“We’re thrilled the team at BETA chose our airport as one of four Michigan airports to receive an electric charging setup. We’re excited about the opportunities this will provide our tenants, partners, visitors and community,” airport manager Matthew Neyens said.
West Michigan Regional Airport is owned by a regional authority that includes the cities of Zeeland and Holland as well as Park Township. Taxpayers in the city of Zeeland have supported the airport since 2008 through a voted tax levy, currently at 0.0993 mills. In 2017, the last time the airport authority asked for renewing the levy, Zeeland voters passed the measure by a vote of 541-257. Funds from the levy go toward providing a local match to federal and state grants for airport improvements.
Understanding Hospice Care: Eligibility, Cost and Purpose
While hospice is often associated with death, Melissa Wedberg with Emmanuel Hospice will tell you it's more about living.
Photo courtesy Emmanuel Hospice
Emmanuel Hospice
How do you want to live?
It may be surprising to learn that’s the first question Emmanuel Hospice asks every new patient. Isn’t hospice about dying?
While hospice is often associated with death, Melissa Wedberg will tell you it's more about living, especially at Emmanuel Hospice, where she serves as vice president of community relations. With more than a decade in the hospice industry, Wedberg has spent years dispelling this and many other myths.
Despite having roots in the U.S. dating back to the 70s, there remains a lot of mystery about hospice. Common questions Wedberg hears include: What is hospice and who’s eligible?
How does hospice work? How is hospice paid for?
The medical definition of hospice is holistic care and support for people who have been given a physician prognosis of six months or less to live, but Wedberg encourages anyone with a serious illness to learn about hospice services sooner than later. The six-month prognosis is a guideline, not a guarantee or definitive timeline.
“Individuals can be on hospice for months or even years,” Wedberg says. “Studies show hospice care can actually increase life expectancy.”
Hospice focuses on enhancing quality of life through comfort care, symptom management and emotional and spiritual support. Some providers provide those basics and so much more, as Emmanuel does with its patient wish program and complementary services such as music and massage therapy.
Wedberg stresses that anyone can inquire about hospice and be evaluated for eligibility. You don’t need a physician referral to begin the process.
“If anyone is interested in hospice care, we can do an evaluation,” she says. “A hospice physician gives the first certification, then the primary care provider can either agree or disagree that, based on our assessment, this person has a life-limiting illness that qualifies them.”
Patients must also elect to forgo curative treatments. To be clear, this decision does not involve hastening the end of life, but rather focusing on living more comfortably.
“It is important you have goals of care that align with the goals of hospice,” Wedberg clarifies. “That is to say, you no longer want to take great measures to prolong your life, that you accept your disease process for what it is and just want to be comfortable and happy in the time you have left.”
But what does that look like? Wedberg says when Emmanuel Hospice asks, “how do you want to live,” people often talk about the little things in life that matter most.
“We hear a lot about what is important to people, such as making family memories, remaining connected to their faith community, eating their favorite meals and doing activities that bring them joy,” Wedberg says. “Our team will design a care plan around the things patients want most.
“Many people also tell us they don’t want to have the trauma and the drama of medical care anymore. They don’t want to go back and forth to emergency rooms or doctor offices getting poked and prodded rather than doing what they enjoy in the safety and comfort of their home and with their loved ones.”
Another important detail most people don’t know: You have choices.
“We are really fortunate in West Michigan to have a lot of options when it comes to end-of-life care, but not every provider offers the same services or operates in the same way,” Wedberg says, encouraging people to visit Medicare.gov to compare ratings. “You can call and interview multiple providers before you make a decision. It’s important to find one that’s a good fit for your needs.”
What about the cost? The good news is hospice care is often completely paid for Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance carriers. Most commercial plans also have some form of coverage. For individuals who are uninsured, pro bono care may be an option.
“Pro bono is not the standard in our industry,” Wedberg adds. “But as a faith-based nonprofit provider, it is Emmanuel Hospice’s position that if someone needs and wants end-of-life care, the cost should not be prohibitive. Everyone deserves a good end of life.”
For more information, call (616) 719-0919 or visit EmmanuelHospice.org.
How do you want to live?
It may be surprising to learn that’s the first question Emmanuel Hospice asks every new patient. Isn’t hospice about dying?
While hospice is often associated with death, Melissa Wedberg will tell you it's more about living, especially at Emmanuel Hospice, where she serves as vice president of community relations. With more than a decade in the hospice industry, Wedberg has spent years dispelling this and many other myths.
Despite having roots in the U.S. dating back to the 70s, there remains a lot of mystery about hospice. Common questions Wedberg hears include: What is hospice and who’s eligible?
How does hospice work? How is hospice paid for?
The medical definition of hospice is holistic care and support for people who have been given a physician prognosis of six months or less to live, but Wedberg encourages anyone with a serious illness to learn about hospice services sooner than later. The six-month prognosis is a guideline, not a guarantee or definitive timeline.
“Individuals can be on hospice for months or even years,” Wedberg says. “Studies show hospice care can actually increase life expectancy.”
Hospice focuses on enhancing quality of life through comfort care, symptom management and emotional and spiritual support. Some providers provide those basics and so much more, as Emmanuel does with its patient wish program and complementary services such as music and massage therapy.
Wedberg stresses that anyone can inquire about hospice and be evaluated for eligibility. You don’t need a physician referral to begin the process.
“If anyone is interested in hospice care, we can do an evaluation,” she says. “A hospice physician gives the first certification, then the primary care provider can either agree or disagree that, based on our assessment, this person has a life-limiting illness that qualifies them.”
Patients must also elect to forgo curative treatments. To be clear, this decision does not involve hastening the end of life, but rather focusing on living more comfortably.
“It is important you have goals of care that align with the goals of hospice,” Wedberg clarifies. “That is to say, you no longer want to take great measures to prolong your life, that you accept your disease process for what it is and just want to be comfortable and happy in the time you have left.”
But what does that look like? Wedberg says when Emmanuel Hospice asks, “how do you want to live,” people often talk about the little things in life that matter most.
“We hear a lot about what is important to people, such as making family memories, remaining connected to their faith community, eating their favorite meals and doing activities that bring them joy,” Wedberg says. “Our team will design a care plan around the things patients want most.
“Many people also tell us they don’t want to have the trauma and the drama of medical care anymore. They don’t want to go back and forth to emergency rooms or doctor offices getting poked and prodded rather than doing what they enjoy in the safety and comfort of their home and with their loved ones.”
Another important detail most people don’t know: You have choices.
“We are really fortunate in West Michigan to have a lot of options when it comes to end-of-life care, but not every provider offers the same services or operates in the same way,” Wedberg says, encouraging people to visit Medicare.gov to compare ratings. “You can call and interview multiple providers before you make a decision. It’s important to find one that’s a good fit for your needs.”
What about the cost? The good news is hospice care is often completely paid for Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance carriers. Most commercial plans also have some form of coverage. For individuals who are uninsured, pro bono care may be an option.
“Pro bono is not the standard in our industry,” Wedberg adds. “But as a faith-based nonprofit provider, it is Emmanuel Hospice’s position that if someone needs and wants end-of-life care, the cost should not be prohibitive. Everyone deserves a good end of life.”
For more information, call (616) 719-0919 or visit EmmanuelHospice.org.
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