Nominations accepted through Nov. 10 for Founder’s Award for Excellence at Hospice of Northeast Missouri

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Ron and Elsie Gaber of Kirksville recently offered a donation to create the Gaber Founder’s Award for Excellence in Hospice Services Endowment for Hospice of Northeast Missouri. 

The endowment assists in recognizing hospice care workers and volunteers and recognizing those who go above and beyond in their service to hospice care and the patients of Hospice of Northeast Missouri.  Nominations are open for this prestigious recognition. More on the award and nomination form can be found at hospiceofnortheastmissouri.org. Nominations are open until Nov. 10 and accepted for both hospice employees and volunteers. The Founder’s Award for Excellence will be announced in November.

Ron Gaber saw a need to address end-of-life care for people living in Adair County, and with the help of other dedicated volunteers, Hospice 2000 was created in 1993. He served as the founding president of Hospice 2000 from 1993-97, as well as the volunteer and bereavement coordinator in the early years.

Gaber was certified and taught thanatology courses at A.T. Still, Truman State and Ball State. He also provided numerous training seminars and workshops. Gabor is the author of  “The Death of Adult Children Through the Eyes of Grieving Parents” and is retired dean emeritus of students and vice president emeritus of student affairs at A.T. Still University.

Hospice 2000 eventually grew into Hospice of Northeast Missouri, which became a part of the Hannibal Regional Healthcare System family in 2022. It is supported in part by donations to Hospice through the Hannibal Regional Foundation. Most recently, more than $200,000 was raised for hospice services in northeast Missouri, with funds being used for financial assistance and gift cards for patients and families when on hospice services. It is rated 5 Stars by CMS and is one of the few non-profit hospices in northeast Missouri.

A team of professionals provides end-of-life care specially trained to address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the person, their caregivers and families. Hospice of Northeast Missouri serves Adair, Clark, Knox, Lewis, Macon, Putnam, Schuyler, Scotland, Sullivan and Shelby counties. To learn more about hospice services or the Founder’s Award, go to hospiceofnortheastmissouri.org or call 660-627-9711.