News and Events - Community Health Professionals

VAN WERT - There were a lot of laughs and, by the end of the night a few tears, as family, friends, co-workers and officials gathered at Willow Bend Country Club on Mar. 1 to wish Donna Grimm well as she officially retired from Community Health Professionals.

Grimm had started on the ground floor with Dr. E.E. White when CHP began, seeing the first patient 35 years ago exactly on March 1, 1975. The home health care service began growing immediately and was up to nine employees by the end of that first year. The next year, however, Dr. White passed away and Grimm became the driving force behind the CHP. Now, 35 years later, Community Health Professionals employs more than 500 people and provides home health care, private duty care, hospice and in-patient hospice services in 15 counties in Ohio.

While slide shows of photos down through the years played on big screens at each end of the room, family members told stories of what it was like growing up with Grimm as CHP expanded. Nurses talked about working for her and how much they learned while officials from around the state described just how far Grimm's influence has stretched.

Grimm spoke to the crowd near the end of the evening, sharing her own stories and talking about how many good people had been with her through all the ups and downs of the growth of CHP.

"Leaders are only as good as the employees they hire and work with," she said. "Tonight, there are many loyal employees here with lots of years with CHP."

Grimm shared her own stories of events from the past three-and-a-half decades, many of them funny but with more than a few of people who had helped to see CHP to its position today.

The list of recognitions Grimm has received over the years is long and distinguished. Some of them include the Governor's Special Recognition Award, Dorothy Royce Award, the Ohio Council for Home Care Legislative Award and the 2010 Ray Miller Award from the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce for her years of community service and volunteer work. At the retirement dinner she was also presented with Letters of Accommodation from State Senator Steve Beuhrer and State Representative Lynn Wachtmann for her service.

Although Grimm has retired form service at CHP, she will still be serving the Van Wert area. She will be the incoming president for the Rotary Club and is a member of several different service committees. Her colleagues teased her about how busy her "retired" life was going to be by presenting her with a carved rocking chair - minus the runners. They said when she finally settled all the way down she could have the rest of the chair.

###

The 17th annual Living with Grief national bereavement webcast will be presented Mar. 24, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Community Health Professionals’ Inpatient Hospice Centers in Van Wert and Defiance.

The topic this year is “Cancer and End-of-Life Care” and will examine care options related to cancer diagnosis as well as grief reactions for patients, families and professional caregivers. It will also examine the psychosocial aspects of cancer, pain management, and ethical issues related to the disease.

Moderated by Frank Sesno, Professor of Public Policy and Communication at George Mason University and Special Correspondent with CNN, the teleconference is targeted to reach individuals who offer education on loss, grief, dying or death.

Continuing education contact hours will be available for $25 online or $35 by mail through the Hospice Foundation of America for nurses, social workers, case managers, funeral directors, clergy and more.

There is no cost to attend the webcast and it is open to the public. To register, or to learn more click here: Defiance or Van Wert.

###