For Peggy Cummins-Polinksi, after grieving the loss of both of her parents – who were cared for at Marywood then Angela Hospice – she knew she wanted to give back to the Felician Sisters in some way.
And she’s been doing just that since 2015, when she joined the board at Angela Hospice.
“I feel very blessed, having been on the board and seeing the organization grow and change and become stronger,” she said. “It’s hard for me to step back, but I know it’s the right time.”
Throughout the last seven years on the Angela Hospice board, Peggy has seen a lot of change throughout Angela Hospice. When Marti Coplai became President and CEO in 2019, it was right around the time Peggy became Board Chair, and Peggy said the two were able to learn together, a moment she called fulfilling.
“The timing was right for…that change in perspective,” Peggy said. “Now, the organization is at a point where my financial expertise isn’t the most important skill on the board. With the whole healthcare industry changing, the individual who will take my place has more healthcare background. It’s kind of like handing off the baton.”
One thing that has stayed the same during Peggy’s time as a board member though, is how extraordinary the people who work at Angela Hospice are.
“If there’s anything I’ve learned facing death, it’s that it’s really hard. It’s hard to talk about, it’s hard to admit someone is dying,” Peggy said. “And when people choose that as a vocation, I just think they need to be so respected, because it’s not an easy decision to make. I look at all the caregivers and the nurses and everyone that works there, and it’s just such a unique talent that they have.”
With her time on the board ending in June, what does Peggy hope for Angela Hospice’s future? That’s simple. She hopes services are expanded, and more contributions are made to the community.
She also has one other hope.
“That it’s there in 30 years when I need it,” she laughed.
