Hospice and Palliative Care: Making Smart, Careful Decisions

John L. Barnett MSN, CRNP graduated from Edinboro College in 2004 with his bachelor’s degree and from Clarion University in 2010. John has been employed in many different specialties including Gastroenterology, Interventional Pain Management and Family Practice. He has worked in Palliative Care in both the inpatient and outpatient settings throughout his career. His interest in end-of-life care and hospice was fostered by his time working as a Registered Nurse in the MICU. During this time, he came to understand that patients and families often need specialized guidance when making decisions and clarifying goals of care. A native of Erie, Pennsylvania John and his husband of 22 years enjoy spending time with friends and family, raising organic vegetables and playing with their Yorkshire Terrier, Boo-Boo.

Renee Plyler, B.S. is a Licensed and Certified Grief Professional who acts as the Bereavement Coordinator for LECOM Visiting Nurse Association. Renee holds a Bachelor of Social Work Degree (BSW) from Mercyhurst University and a Master’s in Science and Social Administration Degree (MSSA) from Case Western Reserve University where she focused on the study of Children, Youth and Families. Renee feels as though this field and career has chosen her to assist families with the various stages and challenges of grief following their loved one’s death. Renee has a PA Social Work License (LSW), Certification as a Grief Professional (CGP) and is in the process of obtaining her licensure as a PA Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). In addition to assisting families after their loved one’s death, Renee assists patients and families as they begin to adjust to their decision to place their loved one on Hospice services.

Christopher Strzalka, M.D. is the President of Julia Hospice and Palliative Care Board of Directors, and the Medical Director of JHPC. Dr. Strzalka brings passion, professionalism, and medical experience to these roles. A physician for over 32 years, he has spent his entire professional career in Erie, PA. After completing his surgical training at the University of Buffalo, he practiced as a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon at Hamot Medical Center for over 16 years and pioneered many new surgical procedures indicative of his commitment to improving both the safety and success of complex heart surgery. After retiring from the practice of surgery and completing a fellowship in hospice and palliative medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, he served as the Director of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care Services at Saint Vincent Health Center and as the medical director for Regional Hospice. During his training in Cleveland, he worked at a residential/inpatient hospice facility and recognized that this type of facility was needed in Erie County.

Laurie Grolemund, MSW is a social worker with Community Nursing Services of North East where she has served in many roles – hospice social worker, home health social worker, volunteer coordinator, bereavement coordinator, support group facilitator, community liaison, community educator, and memorial event planner.  She graduated from Slippery Rock University with a degree in Psychology and minors in Gerontology and Women’s Studies; she then received a Master’s Degree in social work from Edinboro University.  She has worked for over 15 years with aging populations, a specialty to which she feels she has been called.

Karen Adams, MTS is currently the Ex. Director of Inter-Church Ministries of Erie County and a VNA Hospice Chaplain after retiring from a career as a church music/ liturgy director and pastoral minister. She has been a NODA (No One Dies Alone) volunteer in Cleveland, Roanoke, VA and now at UPMC Hamot and was a hospice volunteer and doula in Roanoke prior to her return to Erie in 2019. She has been a strong proponent of hospice for 35+ years since both of her parents were in hospice care in rural upstate NY. Karen is also a member of the Board of Advisors for Julia Hospice and Palliative Care and believes that there is much education needed about the practices of palliative medicine and hospice care.