MANSFIELD – Hospice of North Central Ohio’s Board of Directors has unanimously voted to appoint Ruth A. Lindsey as its first board member emeritus.
To be considered for the designation of board member emeritus, a person must be a current or former member of the Hospice of North Central Ohio Board of Directors who has served the board with distinction; held an important leadership role and made significant contributions; engaged in major volunteer or advocacy activities; completed the term(s) for which s/he was appointed; and participate in one or more HNCO activity or event annually.
“Hospice of North Central Ohio would not be in existence if it weren’t for Ruth Lindsey. As the founder of our organization, she has spent her life contributing graciously toward our mission, and she continues to do so as an active volunteer,” said Steve Englet, Chair of the Board of Directors. “This is an appropriate honor for her.”
In 1988, Ruth Lindsey was named executive director of the newly formed Hospice of Ashland County. Working without pay for the first year, Lindsey wrote policies and care plans at her kitchen table.
The organization served its first patient and family in January 1989, and by the end of that year, the staff of three had served 29 patients and families.
The organization continued to grow throughout Lindsey’s tenure, and Hospice House with its 12-bed inpatient unit opened in 2006. Because of her vision and leadership, what began with one employee has become a dedicated staff of 120 people serving more than 1,000 patients throughout six counties annually.
Since her retirement, Lindsey has remained an active member of the Hospice of North Central family by volunteering at What Goes ‘Round Thrift Shoppe in Mansfield, Hospice House in Ashland, and at the annual Hospice of North Central Ohio Golf Benefit now named in her honor.
