For all who are touched by the need of hospice care, our organization is the most experienced hospice in the area. Iowa City Hospice is a not-for-profit, community-based organization that brings an unmatched combination of:
• A personalized approach to patient and family care,
• Quality staff with longevity and experience, and
• A large, dedicated volunteer base
The result is the most appropriate possible scope of hospice services and, ultimately, the respect, comfort, and peace of mind that patients and families need most.
At one of the most emotional, intimate transitions of your life, our compassionate staff and volunteers will be here to walk beside you – respecting your choices, and empowering you to retain control of your care.
Iowa City Hospice’s Mission:
is to be the leaders in providing exceptional patient-centered palliative care and grief support to anyone affected by a terminal illness.
Iowa City Hospice’s Principle of Practice:
As a community-oriented, not for profit organization, Iowa City Hospice is dedicated to offering services to everyone regardless of an individual’s ability to pay.
Iowa City Hospice’s exceptional care is reflected in everything we do. In addition to the thousands of calls, letters and emails we receive from grateful individuals, we regularly survey our families and healthcare professionals to assess our effectiveness.
A few figures from recent surveys…
PAIN CONTROL
Iowa City Hospice care teams are experts at pain control – 100% of families report the right amount of medication was provided to patients to relieve their pain.
QUALITY OF CARE 95% of families rate Iowa City Hospice’s overall care as Excellent or Very Good.
And, Iowa City Hospice’s staff are committed experts in end- of-life care.
STAFF EXPERTISE 92% of Iowa City Hospice staff are certified in hospice and palliative care, compared to a national average of 20%.
Still Here, Still Working, Still Benefiting Others
“Officially,” Iowa City Hospice served its first patient in 1983, which makes 2013 our 30th anniversary. The tireless work of our founders, however, began several years prior to 1983. Motivated by their experiences with loved ones at the end of life, in 1979, founders Martha Lubaroff and Mary Child began to discuss whether the relatively new field of hospice care could be supported in Johnson County.
They recruited a task force of numerous community members. Their charge—to find a way to provide practical, compassionate support to enhance quality of life for people who were at the end of their lives. “Looking back, it’s unbelievable how everything fell into place,” Martha Lubaroff says, though, she laughs, “it didn’t feel that way at the time.”
Martha admits there were many things that worried her and the task force during those early years. “Having enough money to hire staff and serve patients, educating the community, getting the medical profession behind us; at first there was a lot of skepticism.” But, she adds, task force members were willing to roll up their sleeves and jump in. “Where we were able to do something, we put our heads together and we did it.”
Initial funding came from grants and community donations. In 1982, widespread community support allowed the first board of directors to appoint a medical director, Charles E. Driscoll, M.D., who offered his services free of charge. That fall, the first class of volunteers was trained. These I Iowa City Hospice upporters and volunteers, along with their newly hired patient care coordinator, Laurie Neunaber, provided care to their first patient in March of 1983.
Martha is thrilled that Iowa City Hospice continues to provide exceptional hospice care and grief support services and that, over the years, the organization was able to expand to six more counties. She admits to being a little surprised, though, about Iowa City Hospice’s remarkable growth, and its acceptance in the community. “I’m happy that it’s still here, it’s working, and people are benefiting.”
Although she is honored to share the mantle of “founder” with Mary Child, Martha enthusiastically credits the many people whose commitment made Iowa City Hospice what it is today. “What we did in the early years—the commitment of the original ‘band’—was so important,” Martha explains. “Our mission never deviated, and we all believed in it so strongly. People came forward to help without being coaxed a lot.”
Martha adds that Maggie Elliott, Iowa City Hospice executive director since 1995, has played a critical role in continuing the task force’s efforts. “Maggie made it happen, with her ability to bring in other communities, other groups. Her vision and ability to involve others has been key,” Martha says.
Thirty-one years after she and Mary first contemplated the idea of a community-based hospice, Martha continues to be involved, sharing her story with others to encourage continued support of Iowa City Hospice, especially of the Iowa City Hospice Endowment Fund.
Martha sees many things for Iowa City Hospice’s future. “I see us continuing to grow, serving more patients and families. And because of the arrival of for-profit hospice providers to our community, we have to continue making it clear why Iowa City Hospice is the best choice,” she says.
“You love it, believe in it, and want it to keep going,” Martha explains. And, she says, “I’d like it to be there for me.”
Sara Krieger, MHA, RN, BSN, CHPN, has long been committed to the life-affirming principles of palliative and hospice care. A Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse since 2008, Krieger holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, as well as certification in Nonprofit Management from Iowa State University. She completed the University of Iowa Master of Healthcare Administration program, earning her advanced degree in June of 2019.
Krieger has been with Iowa City Hospice (Iowa City’s only community-based nonprofit hospice care provider) since 2005. She currently serves as the organization’s CEO, managing the staff and resources that support hundreds of patients a day over a seven-county service area.
Krieger has extensive experience in developing and guiding strategic initiatives toward positive outcomes. She is known for her proven ability to successfully implement process change across multiple disciplines while maintaining an exceptional commitment to regulatory compliance and a high degree of fiscal responsibility.
Nicole Brogden, PharmD, PhD, Board Chair Associate Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, the University of Iowa – College of Pharmacy
Randy McDonough Pharmacist, Owner, Towncrest Pharmacy, Solon Towncrest, and Towncrest Compounding Pharmacies
Steve Anderson Attorney, Anderson Houghton Law
Tammy Sebolt Nurse Manager, University of Iowa Health Care
Theresa Bechtel University of Iowa School of Nursing, Associate Professor of Instruction
William Schwickerath, Secretary Hills Bank, Department of Wealth Management
Sara Krieger, MHA, RN, BSN, CHPN, has long been committed to the life-affirming principles of palliative and hospice care. A Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse since 2008, Krieger holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, as well as certification in Nonprofit Management from Iowa State University. She completed the University of Iowa Master of Healthcare Administration program, earning her advanced degree in June of 2019.