By Linda Roberts
Founder of Blue Ridge Hospice, Helen Zebarth, spoke to the Middleburg Women Networking Group at its January 19 luncheon meeting at Briar Patch Bed and Breakfast Inn, near Middleburg.
A military wife, Zebarth, her husband and their four children, traveled the world for 21 years before settling in Winchester. With a background in nursing and the desire to provide terminally ill patients and their families in the Shenandoah Valley area with the Hospice philosophy of care, Zebarth founded Blue Ridge Hospice almost 30 years ago. Because of Zebarth's persistence and hard work, the not-for-profit Blue Ridge Hospice now touches the lives of thousands of residents of Winchester and the counties of Loudoun, Fauquier, Rappahannock, Clark, Warren, Frederick, Shenandoah, and Page, regardless of their ability to pay. Its programs include a residential center, home-based nursing care, counseling centers, medical social services, music therapists, and chaplain services, and more than 200 patients are served each day by this organization.
Last year, Blue Ridge Hospice opened an office in Middleburg in collaboration with Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Recently Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville presented Blue Ridge Hospice with a grant to assist in expanding its presence in the Middleburg and Upperville areas.
Pictured Left to Right: Ellen Goldberg, Sue Jarvis, Helen Zebarth and Rita Lang
Blue Ridge Hospice's Shining Light Award Presented to Dr. William A. Houck, Jr.
The annual Shining Light Award is presented to persons who have contributed to the ongoing efforts and success of the not-for-profit Blue Ridge Hospice. This year’s honors to Clarke County resident and physician, William “Bill” A. Houck, Jr., MD, who served as Blue Ridge Hospice's first medical director.
Houck was recognized for his many contributions at the Blue Ridge Hospice Board of Directors' meeting on December 17. Chairman Kathy Gustin, MD presented Dr. Houck with the 2009 Shining Light Award and thanked him for his years of service and leadership. “What a privilege it has been to know and work with him,” commented Gustin.
In accepting the prestigious award, Houck remarked “It has been a great privilege to work with hospice, with Helen Zebarth and George Caley, among other people, from its inception, watching it evolve and become the great organization it is now.” Doing an enormous job with guiding principals, I can’t remember anyone associated with hospice that wasn’t a good model for other people to follow in what they do and why they do it.” He was accompanied by his wife, Joan, and daughter, Laurie.
Blue Ridge Hospice co-founder, Helen Zebarth, noted that Houck, whose medical specialty is oncology, was “there from the beginning for hospice.” Following the incorporation of Blue Ridge Hospice in 1979, Zebarth asked Houck to lend his services to the young organization. He graciously accepted the position of interim medical director, holding that position as a volunteer for years. Although Houck no longer serves hospice in this capacity, he remains an active supporter of the organization.
Zebarth recalled that Houck served as a compassionate and positive force for Blue Ridge Hospice in his work with families and hospital patients. During the formative years, Houck was instrumental in speaking to them and others about the importance of end-of-life care. “He was quick to assure people that hospice doesn't necessarily mean death, but a more comfortable way to live life, “Zebarth said.
Dr. Houck’s former nurse, Nikki Hill, stated “I learned a lot from Dr. Houck and credit him with being the first physician who acknowledged I knew what I was doing. He gave credence to the things I wanted to try, all in a time when it was still customary and expected for nurses to give up their chairs for doctors.”
Bringing the meeting to a close, hospice President and CEO Ernie Carnevale relayed to Dr. Houck that of the approximately 200 staff members of Blue Ridge Hospice, a few of them wanted to personally join in congratulating him on this noteworthy achievement. The conference room door then opened to reveal a hallway reception filled with cheering and applauding employees.
Today, Blue Ridge Hospice continues to embrace Houck's philosophy of care by using as its logo the butterfly and slogan, “Brightening Life's Journey.”
Houck and his wife, Joan, have three children, William, Robin Cootts, and Laurie Hudson, and three grandchildren, Pippa, Emma, and Jacob. They are active members of the community, where Houck owns and manages a beef cattle farm. With a particular interest in education, Houck also served on the Clarke County School Board. In his spare time, Dr. Houck enjoys history and antiques.
BRH Board Chairman Kathy Gustin, MD, Nikki Hill, Dr. William A. Houck, Jr., and BRH Co-founder Helen Zebarth
Allegra Print and Imaging selected Blue Ridge Hospice as the recipient of the 2010 FOOTPrint Fund. On Monday, January 11, BRH accepted the $1000 grant check. This grant money will help Blue Ridge Hospice greatly with the cost of advertising and marketing, and we are very excited to receive this award.
BRH Board Chairman Kathy Gustin, MD, Nikki Hill, Dr. William A. Houck, Jr., and BRH Co-founder Helen Zebarth
