New Hospice program manager at CH & H

Andréa R. Huertas, RN, BSN, CHPN, has been chosen as the new Program Manager for the Hospice and Palliative Care programs at Community Health & Hospice in Laconia.

Huertas, who recently moved to the Lakes Region from Allentown, Pennsylvania, will lead the CH&H Hospice team: registered nurses; Dr. Carolyn Crosby, medical director; licensed nursing assistants; a social worker; bereavement coordinator; volunteers; and other health care professionals such as physical or occupational therapists, nutritionists, and a pharmacist.

"The hospice team here is a dedicated group of caring and compassionate professionals providing high quality care in our community," Huertas observed. "I'm delighted to be working with them."

Her professional experience includes work as the Nurse Manager in an oncology office; five years as Clinical Supervisor, Home Health Supervisor, and Hospice Staff Nurse at a VNA (Visiting Nurse Association) Hospice; and ten years as a Staff Nurse. Although she came to the Lakes Region just prior to two unusually heavy snowstorms and very cold weather, she claims to be enjoying living here in the Lakes Region. "I requested the snow!" she insists, with a smile. "And I'm very impressed with the caring culture in this community."

Hospice is a unique program which strives to provide the best, most compassionate care possible for individuals with life-limiting illnesses and to support families in times of enormous stress.

"It is an honor and a privilege for a hospice patient and family to allow us to be a part of their care at this intimate time in their life," Huertas said. "The dignity and comfort of each patient is terribly important to us."