photos by: JODIE BRIM CREATIVE
Caring for patients and families across 18 counties in North Carolina and Virginia, Mountain Valley – a nonprofit hospice and palliative care organization – has been supporting communities for more than 40 years.
“Our hearts are in everything we do,” shares Tracey Dobson, President and CEO for the past seven years. “We feel like a family ourselves which affects how we deal with others. We meet people where they are, no matter the circumstances, and we want them to feel their voices are heard when they come to Mountain Valley.”
Creating the best experience for every patient and every family isn’t just the mission statement at Mountain Valley – it’s a way of life that begins with dispelling the misconception that hospice is simply a place to die.
“Patients who have more than six months to live can also receive treatment here to ease their symptoms. Examples of those chronic illnesses include heart disease, cancer and COPD. Even dementia patients can receive help with symptoms that often include agitation,” explains Tracey.
Palliative care can be received at any stage of a serious illness, including while pursuing curative treatment, while hospice care is specifically for those with a terminal illness with six months or less to live – and who have stopped seeking treatment.
The Mountain Valley Difference
Two vital programs that set Mountain Valley apart are Love’s PEAK (Providing Empathy and Assurance for Kids) and their Convalescent Transport Vehicle services.
Love’s PEAK is a program dedicated to pediatric hospice and palliative care – where children typically have a life expectancy of months rather than years. Anyone can make a referral to the program, and Mountain Valley works closely with primary care providers to meet care goals. Those goals, always directed by family, can be continued aggressive treatments, comfort care only or something in between.
“Our Love’s PEAK program cares for children and families facing the challenges of coping with a serious illness or condition,” explains Tracey, who began her career at Brenner Children’s Hospital and knows the level of heart and compassion necessary to nurture young patients.
“Ages range from infancy to 21 years, and our multidisciplinary pediatric team offers physical, emotional and spiritual care with the goal of enhancing the quality of life for children, teens and their families as they cope with a potentially life-limiting illness or condition.”
Mountain Valley also provides grief support for children through an annual Grief Camp. Free of charge and open to children in grades K-8 who’ve experienced loss in the past two years, Grief Camp activities include pet therapy, drum circle and music, art therapy, self-care focus, yoga, journaling, lots of engaging fun and a remembrance walk and butterfly release that’s a family inclusive tribute.
While committed to providing care to people of all ages, Mountain Valley is one of only a few hospice and palliative care organizations that provide a specialized program of care for seriously ill children. Chief Clinical Operations Officer Jenna Campbell, who has been part of the Mountain Valley family for 10 years, also notes that just like adults and geriatric patients, pediatric patients are also treated holistically – focusing on mind, body and spirit.
“When we learn of a child with a serious illness, our hearts break right along with the child’s family and community,” adds Tracey. “It’s in these difficult times when we bring comprehensive care and support with our specially trained team. There is deep sadness but also hope and beauty found in caring for children, and we honor that sacred place. In everything we do here, and particularly when it comes to children, we are servants to the patient and also the family and surrounding community.”
Also unique to Mountain Valley is their Convalescent Transport Vehicle.
“Having our own transport vehicle means we can provide safe, timely and compassionate transportation for patients who need to move between care settings (from the hospital to one of our inpatient care centers, for example),” explains Jenna. “It reduces delays in transitions of care, ensures patients are transported by professionals who understand their unique needs, relieves the burden on our community’s emergency services teams, who are often stretched thin and offers a gentler, more personalized experience for families during emotional moments.”
What also allows Mountain Valley to care for every patient, regardless of their ability to pay, are strong philanthropy efforts.
“It fills the gap where insurance ends, allowing us to never turn anyone away! Philanthropy is not an ‘extra’ – it’s an essential. It allows us to keep services local, personal and mission-focused.” shares Leigh Anne Groves, senior VP of philanthropy. “We commit to guiding our patients and family members through the end-of-life journey with compassion, support and respect. This is our calling.”
While Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers cover core hospice services, critical support like bereavement counseling, spiritual care or in-home companionship often aren’t funded. Donor support allows for whole-person, whole-family care.
Chief Financial Officer Barry Dowell has been with Mountain Valley more than nine years and is dedicated to managing “mission and margin” – essential to making the most of Mountain Valley’s resources. “Being a nonprofit in rural markets can be a challenge, but we work hard financially to give the very best care possible,” he shares, adding that philanthropy also sustains Love’s PEAK, veteran’s projects and Alzheimer’s support – programs that profoundly affect the community.
Donor support also sustains Mountain Valley’s two hospice homes, including the Joan & Howard Woltz Hospice Home – a 22,000-square-foot facility – located at 945 Zephyr Road, Dobson, NC, and the SECU Hospice Care Center of Yadkin – a 10,000-square-foot facility located at 243 North Lee Avenue, Yadkinville, NC.
With an unmistakable emotional bond among the entire Mountain Valley team – it’s with the most heartfelt efforts that patients come first here – and always with comfort, dignity and peace. For more information or to schedule a guided tour of the care centers at Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care, contact them at 336.789.2922 or visit mountainvalleycares.org.
