MELANIE BARKER JOINS HNC AS DIRECTOR OF BEREAVEMENT

Carlsbad, CA … Hospice of the North Coast (HNC) announces the appointment of Melanie Barker, MPH, LCSW, to the position of Director of Bereavement Services. Prior to joining HNC in March 2010, Barker served in administrative and clinical capacities for the past 11 years at Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, and also served as a member of the bioethics consulting team. Her 20-year healthcare career includes positions in various capacities at SDSU, UCSD and Kaiser Permanente. She currently provides clinical supervision to Masters of Social Work graduate students and Licensed Clinical Social Work candidates.

HNC Executive Director Nerice Kaufman states, “As part of the life cycle of programs we provide, bereavement support is a significant focus of our nonprofit hospice. Melanie’s commitment to the empathetic delivery of exceptional services to the families of terminally ill patients, along with her leadership skills in coordinating programs, will help move HNC forward in serving our community.”

In addition to managing the day-to-day bereavement program, including facilitating on-site bereavement groups, Barker spearheads HNC’s acclaimed healing-outdoor-play-experience: Camp H.O.P.E., taking place on August 28, 2010 at Green Oak Ranch in Vista. Camp H.O.P.E. provides therapeutic healing within a fun environment for grieving children and their families. Participation is offered at a minimal cost to families, thanks to donations from individuals and organizations.

Barker believes, “In addition to my pediatric experience, my background in psychiatric and addiction medicine spanned all ages. This experience, along with my knowledge of diverse treatment modalities, including crisis intervention, grief counseling, group facilitation, insight and problem-solving management, enables me to serve as a contributing member of the HNC team as we provide transition and bereavement counseling to patients, families and the community at large. I am particularly looking forward to presenting a variety of innovative healing Camp H.O.P.E. experiences revolving around the theme of centering. Centering is a meditation practice in which we still our minds to find peace amid stressful circumstances. This practice helps the bereaved recognize grief as a normal process, integrate the death of their loved one, find new meaning and purpose, and begin their journey toward healing.”
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The nonprofit Hospice of the North Coast was established in 1980 to fill the need for comprehensive, compassionate hospice care in North County San Diego. Since its inception, it has grown in services, staff and clients; it currently provides a full spectrum of programs to terminally ill clients and their families, including bereavement support. To fulfill its mission of maintaining dignity, comfort and the highest quality of life for those it serves, regardless of ability to pay, Hospice of the North Coast hosts fundraising events, operates a family support camp and resale shop, and maintains a cadre of volunteers.

For more information about attending or supporting Camp H.O.P.E., please contact Melanie Barker at mbarker@hospicenorthcoast.org.