Hospice of Cincinnati

05/29/2026

Each year, hundreds of Hospice of Cincinnati patients receive sun catchers to light up their rooms, all because of the support of donors like you. It's a small gesture that makes a world of difference for our patients and their loved ones. For just $25, you can support the compassionate hospice programs and services that are made available to each and every patient 100% free of charge.

Will you show your support for Hospice of Cincinnati by buying a sun catcher for a patient? Follow the link to purchase a sun catcher today. https://onecau.se/_k9rzn1

05/22/2026

The Lemonade Project – Celebrating 5 Years of Care and Compassion!

This marks our fifth year of the “Lemonade Project,” created in memory of our friend and colleague, Bev Bradley, who passed away on March 23, 2022.

During her hospitalization, Bev received a thoughtful care package from a friend. She shared how much comfort those simple, yet meaningful items brought her, and she expressed a desire to provide that same comfort to others facing difficult times.

In honor of Bev and her compassionate spirit, we are proud to once again partner with The Lemonade Project to distribute care packages this year.

Bev once said, “When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.” The Lemonade Project carries that message forward, bringing a small measure of comfort and kindness to those who need it most.

This effort is truly a team endeavor, made possible through the generosity and “helping hands” of team members from the Baldwin Building and TriHealth Physician Partners.

05/21/2026

We had an awesome time last week celebrating Hospital Appreciation week. With plenty of ice cream and massage therapy to go around!

05/14/2026

05/12/2026

We had an amazing time last week, celebrating Nurses Week at the Seasons with donuts!!

05/01/2026

April 30th is National Pet Therapy Appreciation Day. We wish to celebrate the 21 Dogs who have provided over 3,000 visits this past fiscal year!

Again and again, animal-assisted therapy is shown to reduce pain and anxiety, improve mood, enhance interaction and emotional well-being. Many hospice patients lose their pets due to illness or when moving to a residential care facility. The HOC Therapy Dogs are one of the most frequently requested integrative services.

If you love dogs, you know the love of a dog is healing when you are having a bad day or feeling ill. Not to be left out, the pet therapy handlers also bring companionship and social connection to our patients.

Interested in becoming a Pet Therapy team? HOC partners with Pet Partners of Greater Cincinnati and the Alliance of Therapy Dogs for certification.

Please email hocvolunteers@trihealth.com or call 513-246-9168 for more information.

04/24/2026

HOC finishes off Volunteer Appreciation Week 2026 by recognizing two Community Support Donna West Memorial Volunteers. This award is given to those with demonstrated leadership in extending the HOC mission into the greater community. No two honorees are more deserving of this recognition than Dr. Peter Ruehlman and Dr. Barbara Tobias.

“To whom much is given, much is expected.”

This is the family motto that guided and motivated the late Dr. Peter Ruehlman throughout his life. Defying the odds of a challenging youth on Cincinnati’s west side, Dr. Ruehlman became one of the region’s leading oncologists, known not only for his medical expertise, but also for his loving kindness and compassion for others.

As an oncologist, Dr. Ruehlman was well acquainted with Hospice of Cincinnati and was acutely aware of the importance of helping families navigate end-of-life care and the difficult conversations that often need to take place. In 2017, nineteen years after he began his affiliation with HOC, Dr. Ruehlman joined the Community Engagement and Strategy Committee and later became a member of the Board of Trustees. Board Chairperson, Margie Namie, describes his impact with this statement: “Dr. Peter Ruehlman used his heart, mind, and spirit in his career, his private life, and in his public life of philanthropy. He regarded each patient not just as human, but as a sacred being in the eyes of God.”

Dr. Ruehlman received many honors and recognitions throughout his life, and his legacy will live on via The Dr. Peter Ruehlman Family Endowment Fund, where HOC patients and their families will continue to feel his love and support through the family’s generosity.

Dr. Ruehlman’s role within HOC changed from physician, Board member, and lifelong supporter to “patient” as his journey neared the end. His life and legacy of love are the embodiment of this anonymous quote: “A life that touches others goes on forever.”

Dr. Barbara Tobias and her family had first-hand experience with hospice both in Cincinnati and in Florida when her parents needed end-of-life care. She began volunteering with Hospice of Cincinnati as well as Fernside Center for Grieving Children not long after her mother passed away. She is a member of HOC’s Advisory Board and is also on the Fernside Board of Trustees. She shares her experience and expertise with these committees where they work on strategic planning, budgets, finances, quality improvement, community engagement, expanding outreach, and talking through the challenges that occur due to the growing demand for end-of-life support.

Barbara takes pride in the many wonderful aspects of HOC and its mission, including its status as the largest not-for-profit hospice in the region. She considers hospice to be a part of healthcare where everyone deserves access to the services that are offered. She is also proud of the fact that HOC has the largest number of volunteers of any hospice organization in the region and these dedicated individuals are responsible for the many programs and assistance HOC is able to provide. These include HOC's commitment to caring for and honoring Veterans, Music Therapy, and the Pet Partners program where a volunteer and certified therapy animal visit with patients. Barbara’s sister, Nancy Mulvey and their mother’s dog Minnie serve as a pet therapy team through Pet Partners at the HOC Blue Ash Inpatient Care Center. Barbara is retired from practicing medicine; however, she is involved with advising and mentoring medical students and residents with UC Family Medicine. She remains a tireless advocate of hospice and palliative care across her professional and personal connections.

04/23/2026

Please join HOC in celebrating Volunteer Week 2026 with the stories of two Donna West Memorial Volunteer honorees for the East Region, Ray Riesenberg and Dr. Paul Samson.

Ray volunteers weekly at the East Inpatient Care Center. He joined after retiring from a career in sales. Ray was inspired by the ministry of Mother Theresa. He usually spends his first hour manning the front desk and then takes time going room-to-room visiting with patients. In addition to conversation, he also offers to pray with them if they are so inclined. He has come to learn through spending time with patients that many, if not all, find their way to some sort of peace and acceptance regarding their situation, but often it is their family members who struggle with letting them go. Ray feels humbled every time he shows up for his shift. He says, “The staff and other volunteers are very special people.”

Gerry Furniss became interested in hospice volunteering after her family utilized end-of-life care for her father. Gerry wears MANY hats as a volunteer. She spends time at the Blue Ash Inpatient Care Center where she assists staff with clerical projects, organizing, holiday decorating, and greeting. Gerry says she enjoys doing the “little things” to help those who do so much for our patients. She states, “I enjoy helping others so they can help others.” Gerry also visits HOC Homecare patients and patients who live in Long-Term Care facilities. Gerry has found that many of her patients have lived long enough for her to get to know them quite well. From assisting with household duties, to playing games, or just passing the time in conversation, Gerry meets them where they are at each day. Hospice volunteering provides Gerry with purpose and allows her to “pay it back” for all the love and support she received from HOC staff and volunteers through her mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, admission to hospice, and then ultimately, her passing. Gerry says, “HOC supported me and my family through one of the hardest times in my life.”

Dr. Paul Samson began volunteering with Hospice of Cincinnati after retiring from a lengthy career as a psychologist. Paul believes his hospice volunteer work is a natural extension of his professional life as it enables him to spend one-on-one time with a patient, which often results in establishing a close relationship with them. Paul visits HOC Homecare patients as well as patients who live in Long-Term Care facilities, and he also provides bedside vigil presence. Paul is the son of immigrant parents who taught him the value of hard work and also emphasized the importance of education. Paul has spent most of his career serving in low-income communities where he feels most needed. At the age of 84, Paul intends to maintain his role as a hospice volunteer for as long as possible. He finds the work very meaningful and believes, “This is where I need to be at this time in my life.”