HEALTAHR TCARE
Serving Veterans:
Honor, Care & Support
By Rafael J. Sciullo
Rafael J. Sciullo
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 137
Generations of men and women
have selflessly dedicated their
lives to military service around
the world. They and their
families have endured many sacrifices.
The Tampa Bay area is home to one of the
largest veteran populations in the nation.
At Empath Health, we believe it is our
duty – and certainly our honor – to help
our community’s veterans by providing
extraordinary health care that meets their
unique needs.
Veterans of all ages who are challenged
at any stages of chronic or advanced
illness can turn to Empath Health and its
integrated network of care. Today, about
one in four people we serve are veterans.
Military service can be an integral part
of their identities and influence the
kind of care they may need. Our expert,
compassionate interdisciplinary teams
provide specialized health care, support
and resources for veterans and their
families. Our mission is to honor their
service, dignity and wishes and help
them live more healthy, comfortable and
meaningful lives.
Our care and support are centered on
the veterans’ choices and goals of care.
We aim to improve quality of life on all
levels – body, mind and spirit. Our teams
can care for veterans living with servicerelated
health conditions and disabilities,
support to fellow military brothers and
sisters in our care and their families.
These volunteers band together to offer
companionship, present certificates of
appreciation, perform pinning ceremonies
and more. We have specially-trained
volunteers and staff who interview and
record combat-era veterans’ military
stories that are preserved as part of the
Library of Congress’ Veterans History
Project. And our organization provides
assistance with flights, orientations
and at-home events for Honor Flight of
West Central Florida, which flies warera
veterans free-of-charge to their war
memorials in Washington, D.C.
America’s veterans and their families
have sacrificed so much for their country;
we feel honored to be “giving back” with
compassionate, expert care and support
specialized just for them.
To find out more about our care, make a
referral or sign up as a Veterans Serving
Veterans volunteer, give us a call at
(727) 467-7423 or visit EmpathHealth.org.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Rafael J. Sciullo is
president and CEO of Empath Health,
a nonprofit integrated network of care for
those affected by chronic or advanced illness.
For more information about services, call
(727) 467-7423 or visit EmpathHealth.org.
including those who may be distressed
by traumatic service and combat-related
experiences. Families, too, may receive
emotional and spiritual support, help with
decision making and accessing needed
resources throughout their loved ones’
journeys.
Specialized staff representatives and
trained volunteers from our teams
acknowledge, honor and support veterans
and families through Empath Health and
Suncoast Hospice, our member serving
Pinellas County for 40 years and certified
as a We Honor Veterans Level Four partner
– the highest level attainable. Partnering
in this initiative of the National Hospice
and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)
and the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA), we work with the veteran service
organizations and other community
partners to provide many specialized
programs and services.
One of our special programs is our
Veterans Serving Veterans volunteers
who bring a common bond, comfort and
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