Beth Hoffmann answers your hospice questions
Q: When I make the choice to start hospice service, does my insurance company direct which hospice I use?
A: No. Patients have the right to choose their hospice provider. Physicians or other caregivers may recommend a hospice, but patient choice must be honored. When looking for a hospice provider, it's important to know all your options.
VOICES OF INSPIRATION 2010
Lou Holtz enjoys the moment as Paul Pavelitch auctions off the Holtz-signed Notre Dame poster held by Robin Mangarin.
Photos by Christina Bohannon
Lou Holtz fans packed the house on April 29 to delight in the wit and wisdom of their favorite college football coach. With Holtz at the helm, Hoffmann's flagship fundraiser brought in $165,000 in support of quality end-of-life care for terminally ill patients and their families in Kern County and the Antelope Valley.
The Bakersfield College Renegade Drumline entertains the crowd.
Hoffmann Public Relations Director Gretchen Daughtery lauded Voices 2010 as the most successful Voices to date "by every measure."
"The most importand and meaningful measure for us was Lou," she says. "More than any other speaker we've had, Lou showed such a concern in knowing and sharing our mission."
That mission is to raise local awareness about hospice care and it's many services. Most importantly, funds raised by Voices help make it possible for Hoffmann to accept hospice-eligible patients regardless of their ability to pay.
Lou Holtz lived up to his reputation as a "modern-day Mark Twain," bringing an appreciate crowd to its feet.
Holtz spoke about making right choices, living an honorable life and encouraging others to do the same. One of the most winning coaches in college football history, Holtz is probably best known for turning a struggling Notre Dame Football program into a national powerhouse. Holtz bonded with the Bakersfield crowd, winning a custom-made quilt at auction and signing autographs for more than an hour after the program's end.
Six deserving football players as chosen by their coaches represented the Kern County High School District's football program at Voices 2010. The players were guests of Hoffmann staff and shared their table with Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Williamson.
Lou Holtz autographs a book for a fan. 