On behalf of the Lisa Taylor COURAGE Fund for Hospice, the Ocean Reef Community Foundation recently presented another $6,000 gift to Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of the Florida Keys (VNA/Hospice) for their compassionate work in home health and hospice care.

Photo: VNA/Hospice COO, Kathleen Ryzoc (center) and clinical team accepts $6,000 check from the Lisa Taylor COURAGE Fund

Lisa Taylor, daughter of Connie and John Taylor of Ocean Reef, died in 2007 after a four-year cancer battle. She was 47-years-old. An inspiration to all, Taylor believed that life is a celebration to be cherished even in its darkest hours.

The Lisa Taylor COURAGE Fund supports the central principles of hospice that the terminally ill should be able to die with dignity at home and with the support of caring and experienced nurses, social workers, physicians, chaplains and nursing assistants. VNA/Hospice this very kind of support to any Florida Keys’ resident who is at the end of life.

As the oldest and only locally operating non-profit home health and hospice care provider in Monroe County, VNA/Hospice relies on philanthropic support to assist those who are unable to pay all or some of the costs of care as well as to fund gaps for care that is not covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance reimbursements.

Contributions such as the one made by the Lisa Taylor COURAGE Fund also help to subsidize new and advanced medical technologies, continuing education for clinicians, and bereavement and cancer support programs within the Florida Keys’ communities.

To find out how you can become involved and/or support the many health care programs offered by VNA/Hospice, please contact Development Director, Kim Sovia-Crandon via phone (305.852.7887) or via email ([email protected]).

Jody Gross, President/CEO of Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of the Florida Keys (VNA/Hospice), was recently arrested by one of Monroe County’s finest, Sgt. Eric Mixon.

Photo (L-R): Kathleen Ryzoc, VNA/Hospice COO; Sgt. Eric Mixon; Jody Gross, VNA/Hospice President & CEO; and Judith Cooley, CPA, VNA/Hospice Board Treasure

Also placed under arrest was Judith Cooley, a Tavernier CPA and the Treasurer of the VNA/Hospice Board of Directors, and VNA/Hospice COO Kathleen Ryzoc. They were cited for public solicitation of funds to support their Monroe County home health and hospice programs.

Captain Corey Bryan, Islamorada District 6 Commander, was instrumental in setting up the arrest. However, the ladies were very persuasive in their pursuit of freedom and convinced Sgt. Mixon to release them on their own recognizance. Of course, the arrest will never make it onto the popular Keysso.net arrest site because it was in jest and in support of the Lower Matecumbe Mermaids Photo Scavenger Hunt held in Islamorada to raise funds for VNA/Hospice.

“There are so many remarkable people associated with the Mermaids and we are so thankful for their continuous support and generosity for our organization,” stated VNA/Hospice CEO Jody Gross.

The Photo Scavenger Hunt, created by Lower Matecumbe Mermaid Krissy Gustinger, was part of the group’s Fourth Annual Christmas in July event. Over 30 women participated in the inaugural scavenger hunt which ended at the Lower Matecumbe Serenity Bay estate of Miami residents Paul and Ivette Bravo.

The Lower Matecumbe Mermaids raised over $2,400.00 for the organization’s hospice program.