EvenMORE For You

It’s National Nurses Month!

Staff Spotlight on 2 More Outstanding Hospice Nurses

Erika Knopp, RN & Ashly Sharpnack, RN

Nurses specializing in end-of-life care are highly valued members of the hospice care team. As National Nurses Month continues, we’re spotlighting two more outstanding Crossroads nurses, both from Crossroads in Northeast Ohio, Assistant Clinical Director Erika Knopp, RN and Case Manager Ashly Sharpnack, RN.

Erika Knopp, RN Moved from Curative to Comfort Care

Assistant Clinical Director Erika Knopp, RN celebrates her 14th anniversary at Crossroads this month admitting she’s an “excellent fit.”

Erika became acquainted with Crossroads through a provider relations liaison that visited the floor where she cared for ventilator patients in long-term acute care. She was particularly moved when she observed a Crossroads chaplain conducting a Veterans Recognition ceremony for a patient in his final hours.

“It was very touching,” Erika remembered. The patient was not a Crossroads patient, but the “dignity and respect” shown to this Veteran made a very positive impression. 

Erika began to realize that “my heart felt more in line with comfort care.” Once she joined Crossroads she saw end-of-life care “the way it should be.” On the job she considers herself “a jack of all trades,” overseeing admissions, working with QAPI and the site educator to set up group and one-on-one trainings. She is a Curantis electronic medical records (EMR) super-user. 

Erika “helps the dots connect” for families recognizing every patient and family is different. She is very good at explaining disease processes. She also tries to inspire enjoying life in the moment noting that “memories make the best gift.”

On the home front, she is Mom to two “lovely ladies,” one headed to college next year and one in high school, catching time to read when she can.

“Watch” Visits are a Priority for Ashly Sharpnack, RN

Case Manager Ashly Sharpnack, RN joined Crossroads three years ago. She began professional life early as a State-Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) while she was still in nursing school pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN.)

Prior to joining Crossroads Ashly worked in a hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and in acute hemodialysis.  She was exposed to what she called “over treatment” always “pushed to do more” for elderly and frail patients, including seemingly senseless surgeries. 

That was when she decided that focusing on patients’ comfort rather than cure, similar to Erika, was a better fit for her. Now that she’s firmly landed in hospice, Ashly said, “I love it.”

Because of her varied clinical experience, Ashly knows a lot about end stage diseases. She shares her knowledge by advising families and helping them understand “what’s going to come” next.

It’s not just clinical expertise that Ashly brings. The Crossroads ideal that “no one should die alone is very important to me,” she said. “Watch” visits are a priority every day. She is compassionate and empathetic.

Ashly mentioned that she is “very close” with her Crossroads team members. “We couldn’t do it without each other.” They’re like family. And when she’s not on the job Ashly spends time with her 6-year-old daughter enjoying time at church on the weekends.

National Nurses Month recognizes and celebrates the immense contributions of nurses to healthcare delivery.

What’s Essential to Change?

By Danny Gutknecht
Last week’s Vital Signs question: At Crossroads, where do you see the Green heart?  

Sixty percent answered: “In the team.”

“I am incredibly grateful for my time at Crossroads. Having left the company and now working for another hospice, I am amazed at the impact Crossroads had on the market.”  

This was a different response than most. I was curious so I asked, what do you mean? 

He said, “So much of this market was changed through what they did. This is a pretty good sized city, and it’s forever changed because of what Crossroads has done here. They changed the market so much that everyone had to follow suit. I know I am certainly going to take everything I learned and work to improve it from where I am.”

The gratitude was genuine. I could hear it in his tone, and I knew him well enough to know I was not getting lip service. Nor was he speaking from nostalgia or longing for something in the past.

People left, people stayed, but change kept coming. When those four sites in 2024 were no longer named Crossroads did you feel a sort of melancholy? I did. 

Have you ever wondered how a feeling gets a name like melancholy? It’s such an informative feeling, sometimes I wonder why it’s so elusive. It brings depth and so much soul. It reminds me of the fact that our experiences are so precious that we want to embrace them just a little longer.

The people who work at Crossroads, the people who worked at Crossroads all carry the embodiment of what Crossroads does every day. People who are touched by you, or touched by you through Crossroads have certainly kept a green heart and are still touched. 

There’s an old video of Elvis, weeks before his death singing Unchained Melody — it’s difficult to watch that performance and not feel something. Elvis might have a tombstone, but he isn’t gone, there are remnants of his soul on vinyl records, movies and even YouTube videos. The gold dust he left behind is still here with us today, changing with us.  

Change is happening, always, and the beauty in it — is the relationship we have with it. The cells in my body aren’t the same cells from 7 years ago, the thoughts that flow through me writing this tonight aren’t the thoughts from this morning’s matcha tea break. Everything we think is stable, eventually leaves. 

Why do we spend time analyzing change, trying to make sense of it, intellectualizing it? Lest we forget what deepens us. What brings depth to life — to the changes we experience — is the melancholy, the grief, the frivolous moments, the joy? They are our wisest teachers, if we listen. The images they bring provoke us, inspire us to put our feet on the ground in the morning with the most important questions. What wants to be brought forward in me today? 

Like each one of us, Crossroads leaves something in people — regardless of how messy or funny or difficult and strange it is. It's up to each person to decide what touches them — and offer these gifts to others. A willing, conscious participation in change.

Eat Better, Feel Better—Just in Time for Summer

By Emily Hammer
Summer is right around the corner – it’s the perfect time to give your nutrition a glow-up!

With your My Benefits Work benefit, employees have access to Registered Dietitians at a discounted rate of $63 per consultation. Here's a quick summary of the benefit:

Nutrition Benefit - Powered by Teladoc

• Work one-on-one with a Registered Dietitian to develop a personalized eating plan
• Support for health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and more
• Meal plans, grocery guides, and real-life strategies
• $63 per consultation

Employees can request a Teladoc visit on their My Benefits Work mobile app or member portal and select nutrition. You will be given a drop-down list of options indicating the reason for the nutrition visit request, like build muscle/increase strength, Food Allergy/Intolerance, General Health Improvement, Gut Health, etc. You will be able to see registered dieticians and their available times for a virtual visit.
 
It's a straightforward and affordable benefit that you can take advantage of right away.

1. Open My Benefits Work app
2. Go to Teladoc (No Visit Fee)
3. Select Nutrition
4. Choose your reason (weight management, muscle building, general health, etc.)  
5. Prior to your visit, ensure your medical history is updated.
6. Pick your provider and schedule your visit.

It’s quick, simple, and totally worth it.

One small step – big wins in time for summer!

If you have any questions about this amazing benefit, please reach out to your HR department.