Better Together

Five-Star Care: What Our CMS Rating Means for Patients & Families Our Hospice has earned a Five-Star Quality Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), placing us among just five hospices in Indiana to receive this distinction! In this episode of the Better Together Podcast, we sit down with Amy Lowe, Director of Clinical and Support Services, and Shannon Johnson, Director of...

The 40th Annual Our Hospice Summer Concert is almost here! In this special FAQ edition of the Better Together Podcast, Steph Cain is joined by Event Coordinator Tabitha Saltzman to share everything you need to know before concert day. The free community concert takes place Saturday, September 5, from 4–8 p.m. at the Bartholomew County Public Library Plaza in downtown Columbus, featuring 40 Years o...

Grief can look different for every child, but no child should have to navigate it alone. In this episode of Better Together, we're joined by Melissa Clark, a licensed clinical social worker, Our Hospice volunteer, and founder of Camp Eva, to discuss how Camp Eva has helped children and families in our community navigate grief for years. Melissa shares how Camp Eva provides a safe, supportive envir...

Financial planning isn't just about retirement—it's also about the legacy you leave behind. In this episode, Steph Cain sits down with certified financial planner Patrick Andrews of Wisdom Wealth & Abundance to discuss practical ways anyone can incorporate charitable giving into their financial plan. From annual giving and appreciated stock to legacy gifts and tax-smart strategies, Patrick explain...

Shelbyville community member Rick Gill joins us to share his family's hospice journey and the compassionate care that supported his mother through dementia. He reflects on the relationships that made a lasting impact, why hospice changed his perspective, and how the experience inspired him and his wife, Angela, to give back and help others understand the value of hospice care. learn more at www.ou...

In this episode of the Better Together Podcast, Steph Cain sits down with Loretta Lucas, Kristina Caplinger, and Ginger Sims to talk about the important role Home Health Aides play in caring for patients and loved ones. They share what Home Health Aides do, how they build trust and connection with patients, and the small moments that can make a big difference in someone’s day. The conversation als...

In this episode of the Better Together Podcast, host Steph Cain is joined by Chris Branson and Nick Rittman of Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home for a conversation about what happens after a loved one dies. Together, they walk through the first steps families can expect, from contacting the funeral home to making arrangements, choosing between burial and cremation, planning a service, and finding...

In this special concert preview episode of the Better Together Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Roy Goode and Kevin Welsh of 40 Years of College, along with Scott Wilson and Chris Newman of 3 Beards Strummin. They share more about their bands, their connection to Our Hospice, and what it means to be part of the 40th Annual Our Hospice Labor Day Concert. You’ll also hear a little music along the way as...

Host and President Steph Cain is joined by Tracy Haddad, a Columbus community leader and supporter of Our Hospice. Tracy shares her perspective on the importance of giving back, the impact of strong community leadership, and her family’s experience with hospice care. Together, they discuss what makes Columbus special and how individuals can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

In this episode of the Better Together Podcast, Steph Cain talks with Cathy Betz, After-Hours RN, about what happens when care needs feel urgent—especially in the middle of the night. From unexpected symptoms to difficult decisions, Cathy shares how she supports families through stressful moments with calm guidance, reassurance, and experience. This episode offers insight into what families can ex...

In recognition of National Social Work Month, this episode highlights the vital role our hospice social workers play in supporting patients and families across every stage of care. Joined by three members of our social work team, Steph explores how they provide guidance, emotional support, and practical solutions—helping families navigate complex decisions while keeping what matters most at the ce...

In this episode of the Better Together Podcast, President Steph Cain sits down with Brittany Meyer, RN, and Jen Bitner, MSW Intern, to talk about what families may notice as a loved one approaches the end of life. Brittany shares the physical changes that often occur in the final days and weeks, including increased sleep, changes in appetite, and how the body naturally begins to slow down. Jen off...

As a serious illness progresses, daily life can begin to look different for both patients and the people who care for them. In this episode of the Better Together Podcast, Steph Cain, President of Our Hospice, sits down with Clinical Director Amy Lowe to talk about what families often notice first when care needs begin to change. Amy shares what comfort really means in day-to-day hospice care, the...

When the word “hospice” is first mentioned, it can bring a wave of emotions — fear, uncertainty, relief, and sometimes even guilt. In this episode of Better Together, Christy Henderson, Referral Specialist, and Susie Wagner, Admissions RN, walk us through what really happens when hospice enters the conversation. From that first referral call to the initial admission visit, they share what families...

In Part 2 of this conversation, host and president Steph Cain continues her discussion with Lorie Mount to debunk common misconceptions around trusts, probate, and long-term care planning. Lorie explains why having a trust does not automatically protect assets, how Indiana’s probate process works, and what families should understand about Medicaid and nursing home care. She also shares real-life e...

In Part 1 of this conversation, host and president Steph Cain is joined by Lorie Mount, a Columbus-based attorney and board member of Our Hospice, to talk through the legal planning steps that matter most at the end of life. Lorie breaks down estate planning into clear, approachable terms, focusing on advance directives, health care decision-making, and powers of attorney — and why having these do...

In this episode, host and president Steph Cain sits down with Jacob Fleckenstein, Director of Business Development, to talk about the family of services and how different types of care work together as needs change. From personal care to hospice, Jacob helps break down where each service fits, clears up common misconceptions, and explains why reaching out earlier can make a meaningful difference f...

In this episode, Steph Cain sits down with Dr. Anderson, Our Hospice and Palliative Care Medical Director, to talk about goals of care—what the term really means, why these conversations matter, and how they help ensure care is guided by what matters most to each person. They discuss how goals-of-care conversations can bring clarity and peace of mind for patients and loved ones, especially when th...

Hospice, Faith, and Service: A Conversation with Walter Glover In this episode, Steph Cain, President of Our Hospice, sits down with Walter Glover, a longtime bereavement volunteer whose relationship with hospice has come full circle. Walter spent many years walking alongside others through grief—facilitating bereavement groups and mentoring chaplains—and now joins the conversation as someone rece...

As we begin a new year, this special episode of Better Together looks back at some of the most meaningful conversations from our first 17 episodes. From reflections on history and growth to stories of compassion, service, and what matters most, this year in review highlights the voices and moments that shaped the podcast in 2025. Join us as we revisit key insights, memorable stories, and the theme...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Sandy Carmichael, we continue exploring the early years of hospice and the experiences that shaped its foundation. Sandy reflects on building hospice during a time of growth and change, the importance of advocacy and leadership, and the role community support played in making that work possible. This episode continues the Honoring the Past, Rebuilding the Future...

The holidays can be especially challenging for individuals and families who are grieving. In this episode of the Better Together Podcast, President and host Steph Cain is joined by Paula Neibert, LSW, Bereavement Specialist at Our Hospice, for a thoughtful and compassionate conversation about navigating grief during the holiday season. Paula shares insights from her work coordinating bereavement p...

Episode 15 of the Better Together Podcast continues our Honoring the Past, Rebuilding the Future series with a special two-part conversation featuring Sandy Carmichael, one of our founders and first leader of Our Hospice. In Part 1, Sandy reflects on the earliest days of hospice in our community—sharing stories of grassroots efforts, education, fundraising, and the relationships that helped shape...

In Part 2 of our Honoring the Past, Rebuilding the Future series, we welcome our first guest in the series: longtime community leader, volunteer, and donor Hutch Shumaker. Hutch, a third-generation owner of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Columbus, reflects on his decades of service supporting Our Hospice—dating back to the organization’s earliest days. With warmth, humor, and deep sincerity, Hu...

In this episode, host and President Steph Cain sits down with longtime board members Tom Dowd and Dr. Dave Thompson to look back on the original 2003 capital campaign that made our Hospice Center a reality. Together, they share heartfelt stories from those early days—how the Columbus community rallied around a vision for compassionate end-of-life care, how donors and partners stepped forward, and...