Drone view of Sojourn Center’s 27 acres of land with the building site in the central 6 acre field surrounded by woodlands
What is the current status of Sojourn Center?
Sojourn Center, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit made possible by a strong, 11- member Board of Directors and dozens of grassroots citizens of southwest Virginia. Since our beginning vision in 2007, Sojourn Center has made considerable progress toward three important goals:
Securing the land, 27 acres, to build a Hospice House
Establishing a relationship with a Hospice House Architect
Developing community support for the Sojourn Center
While we are encouraged with progress made, there are some pressing needs that must be addressed to make the Hospice House a reality:
First and foremost, a clinical operator must be obtained
Ideally, an endowment would help ensure the longevity of the Sojourn Center
Continue to plan and educate within the community to espouse the values and virtues of a community Hospice House.
The timelines below will demonstrate the significant inroads that have already been achieved.
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January- Marian Silverman, former clinical director for 300-400 patients/day agency, Hospice of Northwest Ohio, which operated two hospice houses, was guest speaker to the board on establishing a hospice facility.
January – Board members Ed Spencer and Nicole Thompson, were panelists on the Palliative Care Partnership of the New River Valley presentation at the Christiansburg Library on advanced directives. Sojourn Center financed the video production for distribution by Mike Gallagher and King Video.
June and July – Open house/ribbon cutting of the Good Samaritan Sheila S. Strauss Hospice House in Roanoke.Sheila S. Strauss Hospice House in Roanoke
July to November – Board member Andy Morikawa started discussions with the board to update Sojourn Center’s Mission and Vision Statements, as well as board by-laws.Andy Morikawa
September- Warm Hearth continues with intention to become a hospice clinical agency.
November – Sojourn Center board approved new Mission and Vision Statements.
2023
March – Board member Nicole Thompson presented end-of-life care information to Kiwanis, Rotary Club and Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
March – Schramm Consulting estimates it will be several years before Warm Hearth Village can become a hospice agency due to staffing and Medicare reimbursement issues.
March – Board members Ed Spencer, Nicole Thompson, and Anne Campbell joined the Palliative Care Partnership of NRV organization.Dr. Giovanni Elia
March – Dr. Giovanni Elia, Palliative Care specialist with Blue Ridge Cancer Care, spoke to the Sojourn Center board about palliative care and end-of-life support in the NRV and the need for education on different aspects of aging.
September – Board members Ed Spencer, Rick DiSalvo, and Anne Campbell visited the construction site of the new 16-bed GoodRick DiSalvo, Ed Spencer, Aaron Housh, Anne CampbellSamaritan Hospice House in Roanoke.
2022
January – The recent surge in Covid cases is creating issues for hospitals, daycares, parents, schools/universities.
January- Sojourn Center agreed to financially support the cost of a feasibility/explorative study about Warm Hearth Village becoming a hospice agency.
February – Sojourn Center applied for a $1 million grant from the Town of Blacksburg’s funds from the American Rescue Plan Act and sent email to our friends to advocate for Sojourn Center with supportive letters and completing the town’s online survey regarding our community’s hospice needs.
March – Warm Hearth Board passed a position statement as follows: “It is a strategic goal of Warm Hearth, Inc. to become its own hospice agency. Additionally, Warm Hearth is exploring the feasibility of operating the forthcoming Sojourn Center hospice house facility.”
February to June – Sojourn Center applied for a Town of Blacksburg American Rescue Plan grant which was allocated for civil engineering site prep and architect plans but contingent on having a committed facility clinical operator.
August to October – Schramm reports were received by Warm Hearth and Sojurn Center boards with the following findings:
National GIP use in hospice facilities has declined nationally by .5% since 2015 as a percentage of Medicare Hospital Days.
Most regional hospice facilities are “overbedded”. None of the CEOs polled would recommend building a freestanding inpatient facility under the current conditions. The average hospice occupancy in NC was 43% in 2021, and the occupancy rate needed to build a hospice facility is 85%.
GIP Days in hospice, as a percentage of total hospital days, has fallen significantly in VA, WVA, NC and PA due to additional audit scrutiny and ability to justify GIP care.
One 16-bed facility has an average monthly loss of $117K YTD, and $88K/month in 2021.
Hospice agencies are making money overall due to Home Care operations covering the losses of the inpatient facilities. The CEOs were quoted saying “You will lose money every day”, “the trend line for GIP is all the wrong way”, and “All over the country these are tough times for Hospice Facilities”.
Schramm observed that GIP beds require a high census of home patients to support them. They also see that a strategy to build dedicated GIP beds at the beginning of Warm Hearth Hospice Services is high risk.
Building a 4-bed facility will be almost as expensive as building an 8-bed one.
Schramm also noted big issues with clients now are wages, inflation, cost of regulatory demands for providing care, and levels of competition.
They do not see the environment for inpatient hospice facilities changing any time soon. Hospice care will continue to grow and be profitable, but inpatient hospice care will not. They feel that we need to be honest with ourselves on what we can reasonably expect to accomplish as an organization. Education programs/endeavors on hospice might be a future path for Sojourn Center.
November – Schramm Consulting to continue studies with Warm Hearth regarding their developing a hospice agency.
November- Sojourn Center Board to focus on education and awareness of hospice services and end of life needs.
2021
January – Launched new Sojourn Center website, www.sojourncenter.org. Automations Creations, Inc.Nicole Thompson
January – Nicole Thompson, palliative nurse specialist from Lewis Gale Hospital -Montgomery, joined the board of directors replacing the director of Nursing Amy Woods because of her pressing work related to the Covid pandemic.
The pandemic has accentuated the need for a regional hospice facility that focuses more on the New River Valley as a target service area and all of Southwest Virginia.Libby Calvera
Sojourn Center received significant donation from the Libby Calvera Estate.
Good Samaritan Hospice, in Roanoke/Salem announced plans to establish a hospice facility in the Roanoke/Salem area.
Discussions begin with Warm Hearth Village to determine interest in becoming a hospice agency in the future.
August – Positive discussion regarding the possibility of Warm Hearth becoming a hospice agency. Sojourn Center invited to make a presentation to the Warm Hearth Board of Directors in November.
November and December – Harry McCoy, Bob Sterrett, Ed Spencer and Anne Campbell met with the Warm Hearth Foundation board. Warm Hearth board to create a hospice task force with Sojourn Center Board members to serve on task force.
January – Continued relationship with fundraising professionals at Capital Development Services, Winston-Salem, NC
February – Potential operating partnership declined “at this time”
Consultation with another potential operating partner
March 1 – Sojourn Center declined Option to purchase B&B property
Beginning of Covid-19 pandemic in United States
May 27 – Roanoke Times opinion article: “Why New River Needs Sojourn Center”
May 29 – Andy Morikawa & Sojourn Center Executive Committee strategic planning consultation
June – Randi Lemmon, land planning consultant, completed pro bono preliminary evaluation report to provide valuation range of market value of Sojourn Center land
August – Pro bono aerial drone photography of Sojourn Center property by Shaun Lacy
October – Virtual ZOOM tour with 12 SC board/friends of Bon Secours Community Hospice House
Explored partnerships with several potential hospice and palliative care operators
Sojourn Center Executive Committee attended ZOOM Re-Envisioning Philanthropy workshop 2020 hosted by Capital Development
2019
January – Sojourn Center board member, Sue Ranson, retired as CEO of Good Samaritan Hospice; Aaron Housh chosen as new CEO.
February – Informational program to Blacksburg Noon Kiwanis.
March – Informational presentation to group of local medical professionals
April – Doey’s Hospice House Hospice of Washington County (12-bed facility in Hagerstown, MD designed by our architect, Tom Mullinax) awarded 1st place 2018 ABC Excellence in Construction / Healthcare Facility
Spring – Several “friend” groups toured Sojourn Center property
Continued friend-raising with many individuals in community
Friends toured the Sojourn Center property off Farmview Drive
May – Informational program for Christ Episcopal Church, Blacksburg
June – Pro bono bush hogging of property by Greg Miller of Willow Springs Farms
Fashion show and luncheon at Blacksburg Country Club with Sojourn Center as keynote for Blacksburg Battles Cancer
Trip of 4 Sojourn Center members/friends to Forest Rest Natural Cemetery Rocky Mount, VA to explore green burial information
July and August – Hospice General Inpatient Bed Needs Analysis by Evolve Consulting Group, Inc. received
Fall – Researched and explored an option to purchase and renovate a former bed & breakfast property in Blacksburg for the hospice house project
Visit to Forest Rest Natural Cemetery in Rocky Mount, VA
Conversations with potential operating partners about renovation of an existing building
Conversation with Blacksburg Parks & Recreation about the Huckleberry Trail
October – Significant donations received In Memory of Suzan Mauney, Glenn McMillion, & Bill Isenhour
Informational program for Blacksburg Newcomers
Received $1,000 Outreach Grant from Christ Episcopal Church
2018
January – Met with Jessica Wirgau, Community Foundation of the NRV
February – Montgomery County Board of Supervisors Tax Exemption Request meeting
May – Met with Town of Blacksburg Zoning official
June – Informational presentation for Blacksburg Partnership
Public hearing on Montgomery County real estate tax exemption; exemption passed
Rhonda Rogers and Anne Campbell participated in the AARP/VCOM Health Fair
July – Met with John Eustis, New River Land Trust
August – Attended one-day non-profit development conference in Asheville, NC sponsored by Capital Development
September – Met with VA Delegate Chris Hurst
Sojourn Center participants in AARP/VCOM Health Fair
Met with Blacksburg Town Council work session re: real estate tax exemption
October – Blacksburg Town Council Public Hearing re: tax exemption, passed favorably 7 – 0
Map of the Sojourn Center property donated by Roger Woody
2017
February – Met with Karen Roberto and Pam Teaster, Virginia Tech Department of Gerontology
Interview with Roanoke Times medical editor, Luanne Rife
March – 2nd grant from JMM for services of Rob Glenn, RG Research, LLC, non-profit consultant, to advise SC board
May – Launched new website designed by Automations Creations, Inc.
May 22 Donation of 27-acres of land from Roger Woody!
Roger Woody made a 27-acres of land donation to Sojourn Center
May 25 – SC hosted neighborhood informational session about Woody property
May 25 – SC Board met with Charlie Phlegar, VP of Advancement, Virginia Tech
May 27 – SC Board took 1st tour on donated land
September – 4-week hospice article series in the Roanoke Times
Visited Mountain Valley Hospice &Palliative Care hospice houses in Dodson and Yadkinville, NC by 8 Sojourn members/friends
Visited Transitions LifeCare Hospice in Raleigh, NC
Board met with Allan Burroughs of Capital Development in Winston-Salem
October – Withdrawal from LOI by a potential operating partner
December – Met with Capital Development Services from Winston-Salem, NC. Capital Development, Allan Burroughs, President, selected as SC fundraising consultants
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2016
February – Met with agency COO, CFO re: potential partnership
Board member, Rick DiSalvo, is always fun on a road trip!
March – Draper Aden Associates Civil Engineering Company and Blaine Keesee, landscape architect, offered pro bono Phase 1 Environmental Study Assessment report on possible land donation property from Roger Woody
March – Met with potential operating partner CFO re: pro forma
Discussion with Kissito PACE (Program for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly, Josh McGilliard, Executive Director) re: NRV program
April – Met with Blacksburg Zoning and Planning Departments
Signed LOI (Letter of Intent) to partner with area hospice agency
May – Completion of Phase 1 ESA study by Draper Aden
July – Formation and meeting of Ad Hoc Steering Committee re: Capital Campaign; Charles & Nancy Warren, facilitators; Ray Smoot, Jim Rakes, Bob Sterrett, Lindsay West, Anne Campbell & Rob Glenn
July – Met with Roger Woody and Jim Wesel, CPA to discuss land donation
Summer – Completed contractual relationship with Balzer & Associates
Continued conversations with potential operator
September – Meeting of SC Ad Hoc Committee
SC participant in AARP/VCOM Health Fair Christiansburg
Fall – Research and informational meetings with potential operator
Met with John Leehman, neighborhood leader of homes adjacent to Woody property
Met with Craig Meadows, Montgomery County Administrator re: real estate tax exemption
Informational presentation for Lion’s Club
December – Met with Blacksburg Town Manager, Marc Vermeil, and Town Attorney, Larry Spencer, and John Bush, town council and SC board member
Met with Warm Hearth CEO, Ferne Moschella
2015
Peyton Hospice House in Lewisburg, WV
January – Visited Peyton Hospice House of HospiceCare in Lewisburg, WV
February – Met with potential operating partner’s COO, director of hospice and Larry Robertson, President of HospiceCare in WV
March – Conference call with National Association for Home Care & Hospice re: multiagency efforts in the United States
October – Warm Hearth & Carilion partner together to build and operate a medical clinic at Warm Hearth Village
Met with leadership team: COO, CFO, Hospice Director to discuss partnership
Patient bedroom at Peyton Hospice House
November – SC Land Team met with Roger Woody to discuss idea of 27-acre land donation to Sojourn Center
2014
Spring – Visited directors/representatives of all area hospice agencies
April – Conference calls with Tim Rogers, President CEO Association of Home Care and Hospice of North Carolina
Met with Delegate Joseph Yost
Gardens at the Crystal Coast Hospice House, Newport, NC
April – Donation of $10,000 from Dr. Harry McCoy, his monetary award upon receiving the Frist Humanitarian National Award of HCA
July – Met with Virginia Department of Health Office of Licensure & Certification in Richmond on options for multiagency leadership in a hospice house project
August – Visited Crystal Coast Hospice House in Newport, NC
2013
February – Met with Fred Kyle, Virginia Department of Health Richmond
Gardens surrounding North Carolina hospice house
April – SC presentation at 7th Annual Palliative Care Partnership of the New River Valley Conference at VCOM Event Center
Visited Sentara Hospice House in Virginia Beach, VA
May – Completion of Pro Forma finance forms
Roanoke Times article published about Sojourn Center project, “Blacksburg Group plans New River Valley Hospice Center”
SC interviewed by WUVT 90.7 Table radio show
June – Three board members attended 3-day Hospice House Network Inpatient Conference in Rochester, New York
Butterflies, known as a hospice symbol of transformation, hope, life, and spirit
September – Met with LewisGale Hospital – Montgomery CEO, COO, CFO, CNO
Met with potential partner’s COO, CFO, VP and hospice director
December – Hospice House Demand Methods & Projections for the New River Valley document completed for the leadership team of potential partner
2012
January – Educational luncheon sponsored by John Dooley with Virginia Tech leaders
Keith Curtis delivered feasibility report to the Sojourn Center board
February – Completion of preliminary study to determine Sojourn Center’s fundraising potential with The Curtis Group from Virginia Beach
Spring – SC board changed model from ALF to “in-patient hospice facility” as defined by Virginia Department of Health to include care of critical patients and treatments. New focus for SC on partnering with a hospice provider operator
Spring, Summer & Fall – Visited approximately 70 community members, Warm Hearth, medical and hospice leaders to inform about SC including Senator John Edwards, Delegate Joseph Yost
Interviewed Andrew Reed, CPA with MultiView Systems in NC exclusively focused on financial management of hospice agencies and houses
Bedroom at Burke County Hospice House in Valdese, NC
Summer – Received $10,000 grant from JMM grant for services of Rob Glenn, RG Research, LLC, non-profit consultant to advise SC board
August – Visited Burke Hospice & Palliative Care in Valdese, NC
September – Visited Hospice of Rockingham County in Reidsville, NC
October – Visited Blue Ridge Hospice in Winchester, VA
November – Toured Warm Hearth property with architect, Tom Mullinax
2011
January – Signed contract with Wes Baker of Trenchinteractive.com for web design of www.sojourncenter.org
Completion of Sojourn Center green mountain logo by Wayne Thomas
1st printing of business and note cards
February – Selected Balzer and Associates architectural firm for beginning architectural programming
Received $4,000 grant from Luther Memorial Lutheran Church
Received $1,500 funding from Blacksburg Presbyterian Community Ministry Committee
Andy Morikawa and Linda Tegarden at the Strategic Planning Workshop May 2011
March – Visited Bedford House president (building under construction)
Memorial gifts received in memory of Herb Miller
1st SC flyer developed by Janet Keith Ellenbogen
April – Visited Duke’s Hock Pavilion Hospice Facility in Durham, NC and Duke’s Hospice at the Meadowlands Hospice House in Hillsborough, NC
Visited with Delegate Jim Shuler
Application accepted for VA Registration for a Charitable Organization
Continued presenting community group and individual meetings
Visited Hospice & Palliative Care Center of Alamance-Caswell in Burlington, NC
May – Visited Shenandoah House in Fishersville, VA,
May 22 SC Board and Friends Strategic Planning Workshop at BPC; Facilitator, Andy Morikawa, 22 attendees
June – Visited Burke Hospice and Palliative Care in Valdese, NC
Tom Mullinax, Sojourn Center architect
July – Received $17,000 grant from Blacksburg Presbyterian Church Endowment Funds for feasibility study
Hired Tom Mullinax, architect/owner Hospice Design Resources as primary designer. Tom has designed over 50 hospice facilities in U.S.
September – SC Board met with Keith Curtis of The Curtis Fundraising Group from Virginia Beach re: feasibility study
November – Architectural Programming meeting with Tom Mullinax and Craig Balzer and 15 SC members
2010
March – Community educational luncheon at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church; 43 attendees
April – SC application made for 501(c)(3) non-profit status from US Treasury
May- 4 Visited Bowers Hospice House in Beckley, WV
Spring/Summer – Community presentations to Blacksburg United Methodist Church, Christiansburg Blacksburg Rotary Club, NRV Parish Nurses, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Chapter AU PEO, Blacksburg Noon Rotary
June – Received $7,640 endowment grant from Blacksburg Presbyterian Church
Summer – Consultation meeting with Minnis Ridenhour
Formed 3 working teams: Architect Selection, Market and Media, and Land Acquisition
Continued informational presentations to community civic clubs
SC approval for 501(c)(3) non-profit status
Visited Williamsburg Hospice House
Bowers Hospice House in Beckley, WV
Fall – Formation of Market & Media Team: Pam Forsythe, Linda Tegarden, Cindy Easterwood, Nancy Valett, Janet Keith Ellenbogen
Met with Heather Gearhart from Warm Hearth about land/building availability
Architectural Selection Team invited proposals from 13 architectural firms from which 4 were selected for interviews;
Formation of SC Land Acquisition Team: Greg Campbell, Brad Denardo, Mike Eggleston, Pam Forsythe
December – Began architectural firm interviews
2009
1st Sojourn Center logo 2009
Spring & Summer – Developed extensive business plan with initial financial projections: Linda Tegarden, Reed Kennedy, Cindi Easterwood, Anne Campbell
Selected consultant architect, Tom Mullinax, Hospice Design Resources to advise Balzer & Associates
September – Articles of Incorporation submitted to State Corporation Committee by Steve Wagner
Peter Ozolin reserved domain name, www.sojourncenter.org
Board Mini-Retreat October 2009
October – Mini-Retreat at BPC; Andy Morikawa, facilitator, 10 attendees
Peter Ozolin and Donald Sunshine presented 1st SC visual image
Reviewed 501(c)3 application process
Adopted the ALF model for Sojourn Center with the intent of creating an independent facility served by multiple hospice agencies – not a true “hospice facility” by Virginia regulations. (This plan would change.)
2008
January – NRV Assessment Survey of Potential Patient Referral Facilities document: 3 hospitals and 3 ALFs by Dr. Tina Smusz and Pam Forsyth, RN.
April – Research and presentations about 11 hospice houses by 35 MBA students of Linda Tegarden, VT Business Management professor
May – NREOLC organizational meeting with Andy Morikawa
Opened PO Box 295 Blacksburg, VA 24063
Interim board of directors formed with Founding Members: Nancy Valett, RN, Pam Forsythe, RN, Dr. Tina Smusz, Connie Fitzsimmons, RN, Anne Campbell, Peter Ozolin, Dr. Harry McCoy, Donald & Joanna Sunshine; Founding Advisors: Financial, Cindy Easterwood; Structure, Andy Morikawa; Legal, Greg Campbell & Steve Wagner
June – Steve Wagner approached re: by-laws and necessary organizational papers
September – Reed Kennedy consulted re: business plan
Fall – Name Sojourn Center (suggested by Dr. Tina Smusz) chosen. Sojourn meaning a temporary stay, an interlude in a journey
November – Blue mountains logo designed by Aimee Drysdale Design
December – Sojourn Center name reserved with VA State Corporation Commission
2007
September – Initial meeting of ten community members to discuss establishment of a hospice house in the New River Valley: Dr. Tina Smusz, Dr. Harry McCoy, Peter Ozolin, Pam Forsyth, RN; Nancy Valett, RN; Connie Fitzsimmons, RN; Donald and Joanna Sunshine, Anne and Greg Campbell
October – First meeting with temporary name New River EOL Center
This we wish for you above all else; comfort for you pain, respite from your sorrow, memory unyoked from regret, and peace for today and all your days.
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January- Marian Silverman, former clinical director for 300-400 patients/day agency, Hospice of Northwest Ohio, which operated two hospice houses, was guest speaker to the board on establishing a hospice facility.
June and July – Open house/ribbon cutting of the Good Samaritan Sheila S. Strauss Hospice House in Roanoke.
and sent email to our friends to advocate for Sojourn Center with supportive letters and completing the town’s online survey regarding our community’s hospice needs.
August to October – Schramm reports were received by Warm Hearth and Sojurn Center boards with the following findings:
January – Continued relationship with fundraising professionals at Capital Development Services, Winston-Salem, NC
May 27 – Roanoke Times opinion article: “Why New River Needs Sojourn Center”
September – Meeting of SC Ad Hoc Committee
January – Signed contract with Wes Baker of Trenchinteractive.com for web design of www.sojourncenter.org
Continued presenting community group and individual meetings
March – Community educational luncheon at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church; 43 attendees
June – Received $7,640 endowment grant from Blacksburg Presbyterian Church
