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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Emily Blackie
EBlackie@vnaohio.org /216-315-0805
CLEVELAND, Ohio (May 25, 2018) – Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio is pleased to announce that Maria Shinn was selected as the “Volunteer of the Month” by Busch Funeral and Crematory Services. Staff members from Busch presented Lois with the award at a surprise ceremony at VNA of Ohio headquarters on May 25. Guests enjoyed breakfast while staff from Busch read her nominations from VNA of Ohio staff members Dora Harper about why she deserved to be selected as “volunteer of the month.”
An attorney and the Senior Partner at Shinn Law Firm, LLC in Lakewood, Ohio, Maria has been providing pro-bono legal services to Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio Hospice patients and their families for almost 20 years.
She helps prepare living wills, powers of attorney and health care directives and provides guidance to patients’ families in administering estates. As all VNA of Ohio Hospice patients are homebound, she also drives all over Northeast Ohio to patients’ homes to help patients and families free of charge.
Maria demonstrates a humanitarian commitment to her community by offering legal support to all individuals in traditional and non-traditional households with quality services. Maria is so dedicated to her service that she has inspired and educated other legal professionals to the needs of families going through a terminal illness, and she has successfully educated these professionals on how to offer compassionate services to hospice patients and their families. She has also continued that education to the public through her numerous educational presentations that focus on end of life care and compassion for the terminally in traditional and non-traditional families.
“Maria provides her legal services with kindness, compassion, and generosity of spirit," said Dora Harper, VNA of Ohio Volunteer Coordinator. "Maria always says yes when I call her with referrals. It’s a blessing to work with her!"
Her dedication to patients, on top of a demanding job and her involvement in many local projects in Lakewood, is tremendous. In addition to her volunteer duties at VNA of Ohio, she also volunteers for LakewoodAlive serving as a board member from 2014-2016 and sitting on the governance committee during the same time. Maria also volunteers for LakewoodAlive special events like the Lakewood Summer Meltdown, Light Up Lakewood and Front Porch Concert Series. Lastly, she helps to chair a merchant beautification group on Madison Avenue in Birdtown by working to spruce up the commercial corridor with beautiful flowers.
About Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio
VNA of Ohio is a non-profit, community-based healthcare organization that has been helping patients for more than 100 years. The organization works with hospitals, doctors, community agencies and companies to provide services for patients in their homes. Services include skilled nursing care, mental healthcare, social work services, rehabilitation therapies, hospice and personal care assistance. VNA of Ohio provides high-quality, comprehensive home health and hospice care to promote health, independence and dignity to those living in our communities. Learn more at www.vnaohio.org.
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