Tri-State Veterans Support recognizes Blessing Health with first Veterans’ Choice Award

QUINCY — Together with Tri-State Veterans Support (TSVS) recognized Blessing Health with the first “Veterans’ Choice Award” during a ceremony at Blessing Hospital on Friday, Nov. 8, attended by more than 100 Blessing staff and volunteers.

In a press release, Richard Elsenpeter, coordinator and facilitator for TSVS, said, “The Veterans’ Choice Award appreciation program was created to honor the many wonderful businesses within the tri-state region that have made a difference in the lives of our great veterans and their families and have made a positive contribution within our communities.”

Blessing Health was honored for:

• its commitment to including veterans on its paid and volunteer staffs. More than 50 veterans serve patients and their families, including members of the medical staff;
• The Behavioral Health Services team being a partner in the TSVS veteran suicide prevention initiative; and
• The Blessing Hospice program’s involvement with the national “We Honor Veterans” program. The program recognizes caregivers with specialized education and skills in meeting the unique end-of-life needs of veterans and provides resources to enhance this care vital to veterans and their loved ones.

Blessing Health President and Chief Executive Officer Brian Canfield, a veteran himself, said of the award, “Being recognized by the people we serve is the greatest honor we can receive.”