Visiting Nurse / Hospice Atlanta Blogs

Joe Biden Shares Personal Hospice Stories at Luncheon for Hospice Atlanta

By Dabney Hollis, Vice President of Advancement and Communications

We couldn’t think of a better way to kick off our 70th Anniversary than with the warm and touching personal stories shared by former Vice President Joe Biden at our May 17 luncheon held at The Whitley in Buckhead.

The audience of more than 375 supporters, community members, partners and nursing professionals listened intently as Mr. Biden recounted his hospice experiences. Mr. Biden experienced hospice care with both of his parents and his son Beau, who died in 2015 after a prolonged fight with brain cancer. Mr. Biden went on to share the emotional story of his own illness and his experience with the nursing professionals who cared for him. He made a point of saying “Doctors can tell you if you’re going to live, but nurses make you want to live.”

 

Vice President Biden Recognizes Hospice Atlanta Nurses

Board Chair David Martin, RN, and Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta CEO Norene Mostkoff with Vice President Joe Biden

Vice President Joe Biden with Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta Leadership

Several times during his moving speech, Mr. Biden praised the work of Hospice nurses. At one point, he asked all the nurses in the room to stand and be recognized. “I just want to personally thank you from the bottom of my heart. You’re the most underrated profession in all the world,” he said.

Mr. Biden, we couldn’t agree more. We are very proud of our outstanding Hospice Atlanta nurses who provide compassionate care every day, for every patient and every family member.

We are so very grateful to Mr. Biden for donating his time to Visiting Nurse Health System to benefit the patients and families in the care of Hospice Atlanta. Many thanks, as well, to our corporate and community sponsors who made it possible for many of our nursing staff to join us that day.

See more coverage of the event from Atlanta Magazine.