The kupukupu fern is a symbol of strength, knowledge and growth in the Hawaiian culture and is the inspiration for the name of Hospice of Hilo’s new palliative care program, Kupu Care.
The kupukupu fern is a symbol of strength, knowledge and growth in the Hawaiian culture and is the inspiration for the name of Hospice of Hilo’s new palliative care program, Kupu Care.
Lani Weigert, the clinical relations manager for the program, shared some of the important aspects of the program during the Feb. 14 meeting of the Rotary Club of South Hilo at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel Moku Ola Ballroom.
Kupu Care is a multidisciplinary approach to specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses, Rotary member Weigert explained.
“It focuses on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain, physical stress and mental stress of a serious illness,” she said. “The goal of such therapy is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.”
Kupu Care focuses on helping patients with either cancer or advanced stage congestive heart failure who want to reverse or slow down the impacts of their illness, Weigert said. Care is home-based and outpatient focused. The program helps patients (and their families) improve quality of life, avoid hospitalizations and provide medical, educational and emotional support.
Kupu Care provides key services, such as support with advanced care planning, monitoring proper medication use and providing emotional support and symptom management.
As part of Kupu Care’s essential community team, South Hilo Rotary inducted Hawaii Health Systems Corp. East Hawaii Regional CEO Dan Brinkman into the club.
Brinkman was accompanied by three of his corporate designees, Janice McNichols, chief financial officer; Arthur Sampaga, chief nursing officer; and Dr. Mary Nordling, family medicine specialist of the Hawaii Island Family Health Center.
The group was sponsored by Hospice of Hilo CEO and South Hilo Rotary President-elect Brenda Ho.
For more information about Kupu Care, call 934-2913 or visit KupuCare.org.
For information about the South Hilo Rotary Club, visit www.rotarysouthhilo.org.