Gentiva Hospice

08/21/2025

Jenn chose to volunteer with Gentiva Hospice in Harrisonburg after several years of studying spiritual teachings and meditation, and in memory of her friend, who died in a hospice house in 2013, surrounded by family and friends. After years of working in oncology data and public health, Jenn values the privilege of personally connecting with patients, offering presence to those nearing the end of life, who often carry stories, wisdom, and meaning to share. Originally from Maine, Jenn has lived in Virginia with her family since 2017. She is also an artist and writer, drawing inspiration from the teachings of Ram Dass and from Paul Kalanithi’s memoir When Breath Becomes Air. She is most inspired by her twins, whose curiosity and resilience often lead her to moments of stillness and beauty that can be found amidst the speed of life’s changes, whether or not we are ready for them.

08/12/2025

We encounter a lot of misconceptions about what hospice is – and what it isn’t. Fortunately, our nurses are available 24/7 to help you learn more about hospice care and how it can help you and the ones you love make the most of every moment. For more information, please call 855-488-7026.

08/11/2025

Meet Sandy Burner-Cave
Sandy has been the Volunteer Coordinator at Gentiva Hospice for over seven years. Her job is to recruit, train, and coordinate the volunteer team… which is currently over forty strong! She pairs volunteers with patients so they can regularly visit or offer respite time to patient's families. “Our volunteer team plays a crucial role” she says. Their visits often become the highlight of the patient’s week”. Sandy’s position also allows her several other ways to spread a little joy. She leads our WE HONOR VETS program, where she organizes a special visit with Veteran Volunteers to honor our Veteran patients. She also spends one day a week visiting various partnering facilities to have “Craft time with Sandy.”
Outside of work, Sandy lives with her husband in Fort Valley, Va. where you can often find her volunteering at her church or the Fort Valley Ruritan Club, where she is currently the Club President. She loves to spend time with family (especially her grandchildren), hike in the beautiful mountains surrounding the Shen. Valley, and “travel as much as I can!”

08/08/2025

08/07/2025

Meet Starr Carmody. Starr says she decided to volunteer for Hospice to spread kindness and joy. She had worked in the Hospitality industry for 34 years and wanted a change. She lost her mother and mother-in-law to cancer, and she felt Hospice played a role in both of their passing. Starr said they made them feel as comfortable as possible both at home and at the hospital. This experience has even influenced her career path, as she will start school in August for her CNA license. She says she is so excited for this next chapter, helping people and making them as comfortable and cared for as possible. And when talking about her time as a new volunteer with Geniva Hospice, she says “The smiles of my patients when I get to see them every week is irreplaceable”.

08/06/2025

Meet Emmah Payne

Emmah is a fourth-year student at Virginia Tech on a pre-physical therapy track. Outside of school you can find her spending time with family or doing anything outdoors. She joined our volunteer team earlier this year and weekly visits a 97-year-old lady that resides in an Assisted Living Facility here in Harrisonburg. They immediately created a wonderful bond, and when speaking of Emmah, her patient fondly says, “she is like my daughter”.

08/06/2025

During National Wellness Month, we’re reminded that rest, movement, and good nutrition aren’t just extras – they’re essentials. Whether it’s meditation, exercise, or just a few deep breaths, we invite you to join us in making space in our lives for what helps us feel our best.

08/01/2025

August is National Immunization Awareness Month – and a good reminder that getting your shots isn’t just for kids. From tetanus to shingles, vaccines help protect your health at every stage of life. Here’s to making sure you’re up to date at your next doctor’s appointment!

07/30/2025

We recently had a wonderful visit with 95-year-old Korean Army Veteran, Mr. Charles Ripley from Timberville, Va. Mr. Ripley comes from a family with strong miliary roots. All of his brothers, his son-in-law, and many nephews also served our country in various branches, and his father was a WW1 Veteran. It was such an honor and privilege to visit with Mr. Ripley and present this certificate, along with a few other tokens of our appreciation. From all of us here at Gentiva Hospice, please know your service is greatly appreciated. Thank you, Mr. Ripley!

07/29/2025

We’re deeply grateful for kind words like these – because every review is a reminder of why we do what we do. If you or someone you love is navigating end-of-life care decisions, we invite you to learn more by calling our 24/7 nurse line at 855-488-7026.

07/23/2025

Caregiving can be a true gift of kindness, but we often forget that caregivers need care, too. Here’s a helpful guide for maintaining your emotional and physical well-being as you take care of the ones that mean the most to you. Read now: https://birdeye.cx/363xmk

07/15/2025

At Gentiva, our nurses lead with compassion, advocate with empathy, and show up with unmatched expertise. If that sounds like you, we’d be honored to welcome you to a team that sees, supports, and celebrates your work every single day. Explore opportunities now at: https://www.gentivahs.com/careers/

07/08/2025

Knowing when and how to make end-of-life care decisions for you or a loved one can be stressful. Learn how a quick 30-minute conversation with your doctor can help you find peace of mind for the future:

https://birdeye.cx/5tux9x

07/04/2025

Here’s to backyard BBQs, neighborhood parades, and fireworks lighting up the sky. No matter how you’re spending , we hope it’s filled with love, laughter, and memories that sparkle. Happy 4th of July from our family to yours!

06/19/2025

Today we honor by remembering the past, celebrating resilience, and continuing the work toward justice and belonging for all.

06/15/2025

Today we celebrate the wisdom, love, and legacy of fathers everywhere. Here’s to the dads we were born to – and those we found along the way.

06/14/2025

At Gentiva, every veteran’s journey is met with dignity, gratitude, and care. Our Final Salute ceremony is a heartfelt tribute offered at the end of their life – an expression of thanks for a life of service. This , we recommit to honoring our nation’s heroes, not just in words, but in presence, respect, and ceremony. Learn more about our commitment to veterans: https://tinyurl.com/465jw847

06/12/2025

During Certified Nursing Assistants Week, we recognize the inspiring contributions that our hospice and home health aides make every day. They are the true eyes, ears, and hands of our clinical teams, turning the everyday tasks that patients can’t do for themselves into opportunities to show compassion. Your patience and kindness in the little moments that you share with patients make such a tremendous difference in their lives, and we couldn’t be prouder of you.

05/07/2025

Meet Rory Leslie, a Gentiva Hospice volunteer at the Harrisonburg Branch. Rory is currently a third-year nursing student at James Madison University, with aspirations to become either a labor and delivery nurse or a flight nurse. Outside of her studies, she says she cherishes time with her family, including her three younger siblings, two dogs, and a cat. Whenever she has the chance, she loves backpacking and hiking, especially with her family and boyfriend. When Rory talks about volunteering with hospice, she says, “My passion for nursing is rooted in a deep desire to connect with others, and I’ve always enjoyed hearing people’s life stories. Hospice care offers a unique opportunity to form meaningful relationships, and I’m grateful to contribute to creating those connections in such an impactful way.” We are so happy to have Rory as part of our volunteer team!

05/06/2025

Meet Veteran Volunteer Scott Lane. Scott served in the US Army and later retired as a State Police officer, but now he volunteers for Gentiva Hospice in Harrisonburg, VA. Scott often can be found accompanying Gentiva staff to honor and show our respect and gratitude to our veteran patients. He has visited dozens of veteran patients, sometimes as often as once a week. While representing the entire staff, Scott presents these very special men and women with a framed certificate, some pins, and a challenge coin specific to the branch they served. But maybe, most importantly, a very special heartfelt salute. Scott even “recreated his dress greens” for these occasions! We are so very pleased to have Scott as part of our volunteer team!

04/28/2025

We recently had a wonderful visit with Mr. & Mrs. William Peale, and we honored him for his service in the US Army. Thank you, Sir, for your service to your country; it is very much appreciated!

04/11/2025

We had another wonderful visit with Mr. Frank "Woody" Elliott of Stanley, VA. Mr. Elliott served 2 years in the Infantry during the Vietnam War, and he also served in the Honor Guard when he returned home to the States. It was so nice to meet with and show our appreciation to him. Thank you, Sir; we are very grateful for your service to your country.

04/11/2025

We recently had the privilege of visiting and honoring Mr. Larry Guill for his service in the Army National Guard during the Cold War Era. We greatly appreciate our National Guard veterans for the crucial role they played in our country's security. Thank you, Sir, for your service; you are appreciated!

03/28/2025

We recently had the privilege to visit and recognize Mr. Keith Lanzer for his service in the US Army from 1963-1965. Mr. Lanzer was also very active serving his community in other ways, as he volunteered as a Boy Scout leader, specifically working with scouts who were striving to become Eagle Scouts. At the age of 40, he began running marathons and even one triathlon. He retired after 40 years in quality control at Bethlehem Steel. We very much enjoyed our visit with him and again want to say, "Thank you for your service!"