Keosha Simmons, community partnership specialist, is here to answer any questions you may have about Empath Health.
By Karen Davis-Pritchett, Empath Health Vice President of Access & Inclusion
PINELLAS COUNTY — Providing compassionate, full-life care is an honor we take seriously at Empath Health. Whether it is home health care, sexual health services, elder care, comfort care during a critical illness, or end-of-life care, everyone should have access to these vital services.
To ensure all members of our community understand the services available to them, we have a team of community partnership specialists dedicated to sharing resources and information. The most recent addition to the team is Keosha Simmons, community partnership specialist serving Pinellas County.
“I’m here to make sure everyone in the community has a clear understanding of the services provided by Empath Health and is able to access those services when needed,” explained Simmons.
Simmons knows the value of Suncoast Hospice services for the patient and the family.
In Aug. 2018, her father was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. It metastasized quickly, and in October of that year, the decision was made to place him under the care of Suncoast Hospice, a member of Empath Health. He spent the last week of his life in the Suncoast Hospice South Care Center, where he received extraordinary care to manage his pain and other symptoms.
“That was one of the hardest times of my life, but they wrapped us in so much love and care. We’re a large family of singers, and they allowed us to sit with him and sing,” added Simmons. “They were patient and gave us the time we needed.”
During her grief process, Simmons knew she needed to pay it forward. When the opportunity to join Empath Health presented itself, she knew it was the perfect way to give back to her community and the organization that brought compassionate care to her family.
“My goal is to dispel any misinformation as it relates to the services provided by Empath Health,” she adds. “I hope to bring a positive perspective and solutions while creating long-lasting relationships.”
Empath Health provides many services beyond the care of Suncoast Hospice, including Empath Palliative Care, Empath Home Health, Empath Community Counseling, Suncoast PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), and Empath Partners in Care (EPIC). All of these services work together to provide support for patients, caregivers, and family members throughout every stage of life.
Through community events, webinars, and partnerships with community centers, churches, and schools, Simmons wants to create opportunities to share information about the services and programs of Empath Health and continue to foster community engagement. She is available to present on topics such as caregiver support, living wills, grief conversations, an overview of Empath Health, and more.
“There is no question someone can’t ask. I want to hear what people’s concerns are or if they have feedback on previous experiences,” said Simmons. “I would love for people to reach out and take the time to get to know us and our services.”
Visit EmpathHealth.org to learn more about our services or schedule time for Simmons to speak with your group by calling (727) 512-9599.
