Homeland Health is a Family Affair for Mechanicsburg Couple

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For Maryann, a registered nurse, and Jules Canete, a doctor of physical therapy, Homeland is a family affair. The Mechanicsburg couple share their talents and passion for helping others as members of the Homeland HomeHealth team. They love spending time with patients to provide the most comprehensive care possible and to promote healing and independence. Homeland HomeHealth provides physician-ordered medical treatment in the comfort of a patient’s home or place of their choosing.

Maryann and Jules were drawn to Homeland’s personalized way of work and enjoy hearing their patients’ life stories and getting to know their families. While Maryann and Jules landed at Homeland, their careers and life experiences have been filled with travel, love of learning and determination to always do better for themselves and those around them.

“We met in college in the Philippines,” Jules says. “We both wanted to help others through medicine.”

Jules was born in the Philippines. He moved to New York City during elementary school where he stayed until he graduated high school. He returned to the Philippines where he studied to become a physical therapist. He met Maryann at college as she was earning her nursing degree. Following graduation, the couple married and welcomed their first daughter into their family.

“It was an exciting yet challenging time for us,” Jules says. “We made some difficult decisions to care for our family.”

Maryann and their daughter stayed in the Philippines as her father’s health was ailing and needed care. Jules returned to New York where he worked long hours as a traveling physical therapist. While his days where long, Jules earned valuable vacation time to return to the Philippines to be with his family. In 2010, the couple permanently moved to the Harrisburg region where they worked with patients in a nursing home setting.

Jules joined the Homeland team nearly five years ago and Maryann soon followed. They immediately connected with patients and the Homeland HomeHealth mission. For Jules and Maryann, the individualized time with patients fills their hearts and career goals.

“I often work with patients for several months,” Maryann says. “They become part of my family.”

In her role as a nurse, Maryann treats patients following their discharge from a hospital or rehab setting. Often times this comes after surgery when patients require additional care and select treatment in the comfort of their homes. Maryann works directly with the patient’s medical provider to determine the plan of care. This includes an initial assessment of the patient’s health. From this point, Maryann and her colleagues determine the frequency of visits to help the patients meet their goals.

“I love the team approach to care,” Maryann adds. “We are flexible, proactive and in constant communications with our patients.”

Jules couldn’t agree more. This spirit of dedication and teamwork help motivate his patients as they strive to increase their movement and exercise to regain their mobility. As a physical therapist, Jules sees many patients who prefer to rehabilitate at home.

“We love this work,” Maryann and Jules add. “We are proud to be part of this team.”

For more information on home health services, contact Homeland HomeHealth or call (717) 412-0166.

Record Crowd Participates in Homeland’s 5K and Memory Walk

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On a crisp, sunny October morning, a record crowd of more than 400 walkers and runners laced up their sneakers for the Homeland Hospice 11th Annual 5K and Memory Walk. This special Homeland tradition provides an opportunity for families to honor and celebrate a loved one they have lost surrounded by a community who understands the impact of grief. With every step taken, participants were welcomed with friendly smiles and words of encouragement. On this special day, no one walked alone.

Many runners and walkers wore blue event t-shirts with the names of loved ones remembered. Many participants walked in groups with their furry family members in tow wearing colorful bandanas provided by Homeland. Among the crowd adorned in the Welsh flag, Johanna Cook and her family proudly walked in honor of her father Bill Williams who passed away in 2020.

“My dad loved his Welsh heritage,” Johanna says. “We proudly wear our favorite Welsh gear in his honor.”

Johanna and her family have participated in Homeland’s 5K and Memory Walk since her father’s passing. This year’s walkers included Bill’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. As the group crossed the finish line, they held one another’s hands and cheered, “We miss you Pop-Pop.”

“Homeland provided significant support for both of my parents,” Johanna adds. “We love participating in this event.”

For Kay Carmines, the walk was her first in honor of her late husband Jim, who was a competitive racewalker in his 50s and a walking coach for the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. Taking each step alongside her was friend and avid walker Carlyn Chulick. Carlyn is the past chair of Homeland’s Board of Trustees.

“Jim had a wonderful sense of humor,” Kay says. “Today is about sharing the good memories.”

While many attendees enjoyed a leisurely walk, others came to run. Bryce Hampton was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 15:33. He intended to race last year, but had to cancel at the last minute because of an injury. Bryce, an active runner, chose this race to honor the memory of his grandmother who died two years ago and received hospice services from an organization close to her home.

“I wanted to support this race for my grandmother,” Bryce says. “I am happy to run this year.”

A unique aspect of the event included activity stations to help families deal with their grief. At one station, participants could write personal messages to their loved ones on a special piece of paper which dissolved when placed in water. Another station featured a rainbow arch where families could write the name of their loved ones. All attendees were given Rosemary-scented lip balm. Rosemary is a symbol of love and remembrance and has been used for thousands of years for aromatherapy.

Over $80,000 was raised in support of Homeland Hospice’s supportive services like massage, music therapy and additional in-home relief hours as well as residents of Homeland Center whose financial resources have been exhausted. Homeland Hospice is a nonprofit hospice program that serves communities throughout Central Pennsylvania.

For more information about Homeland Hospice, call (717) 221-7890.

Hospice Volunteer Tom Barry’s Life of Service

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Tom Barry of Harrisburg has lived a life of service through his military career and now as a Homeland volunteer. He brings his love of our country and joy of helping others to honor veterans receiving care through Homeland Hospice, a nonprofit hospice program that serves communities throughout Central Pennsylvania.

For Tom, volunteering with Homeland is an opportunity to thank the organization who helped his family during his wife’s end-of-life journey. Tom’s wife died two years ago after a courageous eight-year battle with cancer. Tom cared for her for 11 months and needed additional support to keep her comfortable during her final three weeks of life.

For Tom and his family, Homeland Hospice was a Godsend.

“I know both sides of the equation,” Tom says. “I understand the pain both patients and families feel.”

Tom actively participates in Homeland’s We Honor Veterans program, created by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The program works to improve the quality of health care for all veterans. Tom proudly wears his Army cap when he accompanies Homeland Chaplain Todd Carver to personally honor veterans with a special pin and certificate.

“The pinning ceremonies are very moving for patients and their families,” Tom adds. “I fondly remember a ceremony with three generations of family members in attendance.”

Tom also volunteers with Homeland Center’s Vet to Vet Café, which is an extension of the We Honor Veterans program. Through the Vet to Vet Café, veterans and family members of those who served have a chance to talk and share their memories. The monthly gatherings, held in Homeland Center’s 1950s-style Olewine Diner, offers these residents an opportunity to connect with others who understand the camaraderie and sacrifices of military service.

Tom appreciates this sacred time as it offers a safe space for veterans to share their grief over the loss of their military friends and remember a time when they were young with dreams of their futures. The group always recites the Pledge of Alliance, sings patriotic songs and reviews a presentation of historic events.

“People can be hesitant to share in the beginning,” Tom says, “but we ask them questions to help them feel comfortable about opening up to talk about themselves.”

Tom’s military service began when he entered the United States Army ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) while he was attending Hofstra University in Long Island, New York. Following college, he served with an attack helicopter squad for three years and as a Company Commander in the 2nd Army Division.

Following his military tenure, he began his career with Pepsi which took him around the country five different times as he managed fleets. He has been retired for nine years and enjoys time with his children and grandchildren.

Tom enjoys filling his days with service to others as it fills his heart with happiness and peace.

“The good you give is returned to you seven-fold,” Tom adds. “I am proud to do my part for an organization that helped me so much.”

To learn more, please contact Homeland Hospice at (717) 221-7890.

A Heart for Service Leads Nurse Elizabeth Terekh to Homeland HomeHealth

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The life we lead can be reinvented by taking chances and following our heart. Nearly 15 years ago, Elizabeth Terekh took a chance and moved to the United States to explore our great country and pursue her love of medicine. Today, Elizabeth is a registered nurse with Homeland HomeHealth and treats every day as an adventure and gift.

Elizabeth grew up in Kharkiv, Ukraine two hours from the Russian border. After high school she attended college, earning a degree in business administration. She soon realized a life in the business world did not feed her soul or bring her happiness. When a family friend invited her to Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, she jumped at the opportunity. She bravely boarded the plane with hope and determination to start a new life focused on serving others in need.

“I always loved medicine,” Elizabeth says. “I wanted my days to be filled with helping others.”

Elizabeth was fluent in English and quickly excelled in her courses at Harrisburg Area Community College where she became a registered nurse. She went on to work in a hospital setting for several years before joining the team at Homeland HomeHealth four years ago.

“Every day is filled with purpose,” Elizabeth adds. “I know someone needs my care and compassion.”

As a registered nurse, Elizabeth treats patients in the comfort of their homes after they have been discharged from the hospital or short-term rehab. Homeland’s HomeHealth program provides physician-ordered treatment to meet each patient’s unique needs in areas such as wound care, cardiac care, intravenous therapy, fall prevention and rehabilitation services.

Elizabeth works directly with each patient’s medical provider to determine the appropriate plan of care. This includes an initial assessment of the patient’s health. Elizabeth and the Homeland team then determine the frequency of visits to help the patient meet his/her goals of comfort and independence. In addition to nurses like Elizabeth, the Homeland HomeHealth team can include physical, occupational and speech therapists; a nutritional counselor and social workers.

For Elizabeth, spending time with patients and their families makes this a labor of love. She looks forward to learning about her patient’s lives and seeing them progress in their healing.

“Every patient is someone special,” Elizabeth says. “I treat everyone like family.”

Elizabeth is one to quickly admit she loves adventure and mental challenges. She recently earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing and hopes to pursue additional certifications in areas such as wound care in the near future. She strives to live her best professional life in service of Homeland and her patients.

“I love this work,” Elizabeth adds. “Serving others lifts my heart.”

For more information on home health services, contact Homeland HomeHealth or call (717) 412-0166.