It’s rare that people really love their jobs, but rarer still are those who find the meaning of their lives through the work they do.
One such rarity is Dr. Hanan Budeiri, M.D., a Richmond internist who has found life’s meaning working with people who are terminally ill and those with chronic wounds.
Hanan serves as medical director of Hospice Care Plus, which includes the Compassionate Care Center, and works with the recently established Pattie A. Clay Wound Care Center in Richmond.
She is board certified in internal medicine and hospice and pallative care by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Hospice and Pallative Medicine and is in the process of being certified in wound management.
While they are both virtually full-time jobs, Hanan would not have it any other way. Asked about hobbies, Hanan said, “I feel that my work is my hobby. I really, really love what I do, and I feel this is what I was put on this earth for — what I was meant to do.”
Born in Austin, Texas, of Jordanian parents, Hanan went to medical school in Egypt and followed her parents after they retired to the United States. She did her U.S. residency in internal medicine in a hospital in New York City. She came to the bluegrass about 11 years ago after accepting a position at Central Baptist Hospital clinic in Richmond. She fell in love with the area and said she would never want to be anywhere else.
She and her husband of 25 years, Adam, live in Richmond.
During her internal medicine practice, she become involved in end-of-life issues and began working with Hospice Care Plus, helping to manage the needs of at-home patients facing terminal diagnoses and provide pallative care to prevent and relieve suffering and improve the quality of life for people facing serious, complex illnesses.
As part of her duties with Hospice Care Plus, she works at the Compassionate Care Center, a 13-patient residential facility opened in Richmond about a year ago. She also works with the Pattie A. Clay Wound Care Center in Richmond.
The Compassionate Care Center provides spacious home-like rooms for patients diagnosed with terminal illnesses who need in-patient services, complete with their own small outdoor patio. The facility takes Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance patients, but also will take patients with no insurance. No one is turned away because of inability to pay. The facility is supported by insurance and private payments, and also by contributions and donations by businesses, organizations and individuals. It serves people in Madison, Jackson, Clark, Lee, Rock Castle and Owsley counties.
Not all patients who come to the Compassionate Care Center end their lives there. Hanan said about 40 percent have their symptoms managed and are able to return home.
The Wound Care Center manages and works on healing chronic wounds that result from such conditions as diabetes.
“At the Wound Care Center, we take a multi-disciplinary approach. We bring in the patient’s primary physician, consultants and the resources of Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center to facilitate wound healing,” Hanan said.
She stressed that her work at the Wound Care Center is just as important as her work with hospice.
The Compassionate Care Center relies heavily on volunteers who undergo training before working there in various capacities. Anyone interested in volunteering can call 986-1500 or 626-9292 for further information.
Among the more interesting “staff members” at the Compassionate Care Center is Annie The Dog, a golden retriever who is specially trained to work with patients and who dutifully visits with those patients and bring them comfort.
“Annie is the darling of both the staff and the patients. She works with the patients, and frequently grieves when one of them passes away,” Hanan said about the dog.
Because the mission of The Compassionate Care Center is to provide terminally ill patients with symptom management while allowing them to maintain their personal dignity, their beloved pets are welcome to visit, along with other family members.
While many of us are fortunate just to be able to tolerate our jobs, Dr. Hanan Budeiri not only loves her job, but feels it is her mission on Earth.
Lifestyles & Community
Related Photos
-
Frank Kourt
Dr. Hanan Budeiri: ‘I know what I’m here for’
- Lifestyles & Community
-
-
Happy are they who finish what they start
Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.
— Psalm 144:15 -
Looking at various things
During my eight years away from home (Richmond and Madison County) the post office tower was a beacon welcoming me home.
Today, the the stone edifice completed in the 1892 as a post office and federal courthouse is the Madison Hall of Justice. -
Things are different than when we were young
I was just thinking the other day about how confused we seniors are most of the time. Things are so different than when we were young. We find it hard to understand much of what we are confronted with.
Some things like this happen to us frequently. We begin a conversation with, “In my day.” We look so old we are followed around by archeologists. We tell our kids that old age causes us to become wiser and they tell us, “Then you must be a genius.” We no longer look forward to a wild evening out, but look forward to a dull evening in. -
We are heirs and joint-heirs to His kingdom
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. — Rom 8:14-19 -
How little exercise is necessary for good health?
How little exercise is necessary for good health?
That question was the subject of a recent investigation by a team of exercise scientists at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and the answer seems to be a lot less than we might think, as long as we’re willing to put in the effort. -
A mother’s love never stops
A mothers love will always be there. Even when everyone else stops to rest, her love for her family continues. She is always working, carring and sharing what she has with her children, even if she has to do without for herself.
-
Start planting your hot weather vegetables now
Hopefully, the unusual spate of unseasonably warm weather we had earlier this spring did not fool you, and you’ve been patiently waiting to get your hot weather veggies, such as tomatoes and peppers, into your summer vegetable garden.Now is a good time to start planting these delectable goodies.
-
Rethinking the benefits of crunches
I’ve been doing crunches all my adult life and it may be one of the reasons I have back problems. Research from the University of Waterloo in Ontario has found that repeated bending of the spine, such as occurs when doing crunches, can contribute over time to damage of spinal discs. The results are presented — along with a lot of other useful information — in the book, “Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance” by Stuart McGill.
-
Is 401(k) good for America?
Internal Revenue Code section 401(k) is the only section of the US tax code that average people can cite.
They know it has something to do with whether or not they can retire with dignity. Or retire at all. -
He is there when you need Him
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. — Psalm 139:7-10 - More Lifestyles & Community Headlines
-
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
