Raytown Social Worker Recognized for Going Above and Beyond for Patients

Raytown Brooking Eagle

Kansas City VA Medical Center (KCVAMC) social worker Kelly Artis has been chosen as the recipient of the Crossroads Hospice “Caring More” award. Social workers provide daily support to their patients, but few receive special recognition for their tireless efforts. In a move to honor social workers and their advocacy for those in need, Crossroads Hospice launched the “Caring More” award for a social worker who goes above and beyond for his/her patients and community.

At a breakfast held in her honor, Kelly received $500 to present to her non-profit of choice, the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Kansas City. As a palliative care and hospice social worker at the Kansas City VA Medical Center, Kelly does daily rounds with the nursing staff, provides end-of-life counseling, coordinates ancillary resources and is responsible for inpatient and outpatient consults. She also serves as the KCVA’s Ethics Consult Coordinator and Chairperson of the Bereavement Committee. Prior to landing at the KCVA, she worked with Dr. Howard G. Rosenthal on the oncology and hospice teams at Menorah Medical Center.

“Social workers are the unsung heroes we depend on every day. They go out of their way to connect the ill to resources, counsel their families and give them the special time and attention they need,” said Janet Hessenflow, Executive Director of Crossroads Hospice in Kansas City. “Kelly exemplifies what it means to go the extra mile for veterans, their families, her colleagues and community, and we are delighted to honor her as the recipient of the Caring More award.”

Kelly never gives up on her residents and their families, no matter how significant their challenges might be. She recently helped one patient by kick-starting a fundraising campaign to restore heat to his rural home. Kelly once helped another veteran conquer his bucket list by scoring him tickets to a rock concert. “It’s a real privilege when someone trusts you enough to let you get close during the most vulnerable part of their life,” she said.

In the community, Kelly has coordinated several fundraisers for local veterans and participates in panel discussions to address veterans’ specific needs at the end-of-life. This mother of five children who lives in Raytown also volunteers her time by providing support to individuals experiencing homelessness and to female offenders.

Crossroads Hospice is committed to being at the forefront of the hospice care industry, to continually shape the way end-of-life care is viewed and administered. The mission of Crossroads Hospice is to provide highly unique, comprehensive, and compassionate hospice services to persons experiencing a life-limiting illness and to their caregivers.