Kurt Satherlie
It is my distinct pleasure to nominate Kurt Satherlie as a hero in my life, and as a hero in the life of the countless people who he touches every day.
I have known Kurt since 1986. He was a Police Detective at the time. He dated and married my college friend and room-mate. Over the years, he responded to his calling, became a Minister, and retired from the Police Department. When our Home Healthcare Agency was starting our community based Hospice Program, we needed a Chaplain. As the CEO, and personal friend of Kurt, I reached out to him to see if he might join our Hospice program.
It has been a personal and professional blessing that Kurt joined our agency in May of 2011. His role has grown from Chaplain to Director of Pastoral Care and Volunteer Services. He also oversees our Bereavement Program, which provides bereavement services to those who have lost someone who was cared for by our agency. This service is provided for 13 months, and Kurt provides individual support as well as group activities to help people during this difficult time. His caring ways have also extended to those who work with him, as he recently started a Collegial Support Team for all agency employees. As leader of this team, he coordinates for supportive resources for employees who are going through a difficult time in their life.
He is my personal hero. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October of 2011. It seemed that Kurt had been brought back into my life at exactly the right time. His faith, support and strength helped me to get through my surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Since my recovery, he continues to be my hero, as he consistently reminds me of what is important in life and to take the time to do the right thing for myself and those around me. He helps to me to stay balanced and despite business demands, helps me to make the best decisions for our employees and for our patients. Words cannot express how much this is appreciated, amidst the many pressures of my position.
He is not only my hero, but he is the hero of our patients, their families, our hospice team and the many people who work in our agency. From coordinating a last meal for a patient, so that they can enjoy their most desired foods one last time, to dropping what he is doing, to immediately get to a patients home with an urgent need, he makes a difference in people’s lives every day. When I think of values, of making the world a better place, of how beautiful this wonderful, yet fragile life is, I think of Kurt!
I hope that you will consider Kurt as the Values monthly hero. He truly emulates what your organization represents! Thank you for your consideration.
With warmest regards,
Ann M. Olson
Cell # 860-913-5900
Submitted by Anonymous
