Angels Among Us
How Practice Administrator Crystal Davis leads the Hospice of Light team in the compassionate care, guidance and support of South Mississippi hospice patients and their families.
It was over eight years ago when Crystal Davis returned home to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to become a caregiver for her mother, who had recently become ill. Leaving a successful career in agriculture behind her, Crystal became consumed by the desire to learn more about healthcare so she could better care for her mom.
That degree of tenacity led her to pursue another degree in nursing before joining the care team at Singing River Health System.
“I learned so much caring for patients on the hospital floor,” said Crystal. “I have such an admiration for fellow nurses. They are the hardest working angels among us.”
Crystal Davis, RN and Practice Administrator; Amanda Turner, CNA; Shonda Matthews, CNA; Rhonda Deschesnes, RN; Shekindah Wallace, DON, RN; Cynthia Hamm, RN; Nickie Pascley, CNA; Christy Myers, RN; Shelia Hinton, CNA; and Christie Thomason, Office Supervisor
Crystal joined the Hospice of Light team in 2013, where she would not only begin a new career, but discover her calling. Her nursing background, as well as her experience caring for her mother, prepared Crystal for the highest honor in healthcare–providing compassionate quality care and guidance for terminally ill patients and their families.
“There is an overwhelming need for our services here in South Mississippi,” said Crystal. “So often, families and caregivers find themselves overwhelmed, without guidance or understanding when their loved ones receive a terminal diagnosis. That’s where our team comes in,” she continued. “We care for the whole family with our family.”
Each Hospice of Light patient care team consists of a Registered Nurse, a Certified Nursing Assistant, a Licensed Social Worker and Chaplain who work together to cover all aspects of 24-hour care in the patient’s home from medication to bathing, nutrition and spiritual services.
The care team is led by Dr. Edgar Hull, board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, hospice and palliative medicine and is the only physician in South Mississippi to be named a Fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
While the role of the hospice team requires the highest attributes of strength and compassion, those who serve in hospice are often met with an equal outpouring of love and support from their patients’ families.
“Our team members are both compassionate and resilient,” said Crystal. “They have a very special quality about them that our families recognize and appreciate.” She continued, “Hospice isn’t about giving up on life, rather it’s about living well until death–and our team ensures that every life is honored with the highest quality care possible.”
As a We Honor Veterans Level 2 National Partner, Hospice of Light staff members participate in extra training for veteran care, including training from the local VA, attend in-services regarding special veteran needs and benefits, and have integrated a “military history checklist” into the admissions process.
In addition, patients who elect Hospice of Light services have access to Singing River Health System hospitals for treatable conditions and respite care, as well as access to durable medical equipment and bereavement services for family members.
Discover more about the services provided by Hospice of Light. Hospice of Light serves Jackson, Harrison, George, Stone, Greene and Perry Counties from two offices in Lucedale and Ocean Springs.