.
Wayfinders Network
Wayfinders Network
Patient Choices Vermont has launched the Wayfinders Network, an independent and collaborative group of hospice nurses, case managers, death doulas, and social workers who are available to help patients and their families. Our collective vision is that Wayfinders help people find the right services and connect with whatever support would be helpful. For non-residents, that may include lodging and logistics. For all patients, it may include arranging caregivers, providing emotional support, and guiding the family on care of the body after death. These services supplement the assistance available on the PCV Helpline, especially where more detailed support is required. PCV has assessed all Wayfinders to ensure they have the relevant skills and knowledge to assist patients and families. All Wayfinders have training and guidance from the PCV team and other network members. It is up to the patient and their family to decide whether a particular Wayfinder is a good match for them. PCV is developing this network to deepen the connections between people in various roles who support those who are in their last days and months of life. To find a Wayfinder, please review the profiles below and then contact the person who you think might be a good match for you. Please contact only one Wayfinder and allow 48 hours for the person to get back to you. If after that time, you have not heard back from them, feel free to then contact another Wayfinder. PCV values our relationship with each Wayfinder and asks you to give each person time to connect with you. |
Special Thanks to Rita Mannebach and her Family: Rita Mannebach, who recently traveled from Florida to use medical aid in dying in Vermont, has provided a generous donation to PCV to help us assist others who want the same option. We extend our deepest sympathy and thanks to her family, and also honor her Wayfinder, Meg Tipper. Rita's story is provided here. PCV gratefully welcomes donations in furtherance of our mission to empower people at the end of life. |
List of Wayfinders:
NORTHERN VERMONT
Offering support for M.A.I.D. in Chittenden County and some parts of Grand Isle, Franklin, and Lamoille Counties
Offering support for M.A.I.D. in Chittenden County and some parts of Grand Isle, Franklin, and Lamoille Counties
Joann Engelberth works as an embodiment coach teaching folks how to heal themselves by developing an empowered relationship with their bodies through trauma informed yoga and her roles as a Tension and Trauma Release Exercise provider (TREⓇ) and as a Trauma Informed Weight Lifting Coach (TIWL). She works a lot with grief, often with the loss that comes from traumatic experiences which started attracting folks working with bereavement, one of the threads that brought her to this work.
Joann lives in Essex, VT. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from UVM with a BA in Psychology. She completed UVM’s End Of Life Doula professional certificate program in October 2023 and Death Literacy Specialist training in the fall of 2024. She is an active Wayfinders member to support patients looking for access to Medical Aid in Dying and has been active in the North East EOL Doula Network, UVM EOL Doula Book Club, and attends local Death Cafés. She continues studying with the National End of Life Doula Alliance and the International End of Life Doula Association. Joann currently offers death doula services on a “pay what you can” donation-based model. As a PCV Wayfinder, Joann can assist you with identifying resources and working with emotional challenges while navigating end of life.
Contact Info: [email protected]
deathdoulajoann.com
instagram.com/deathdoulajoann
Joann lives in Essex, VT. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from UVM with a BA in Psychology. She completed UVM’s End Of Life Doula professional certificate program in October 2023 and Death Literacy Specialist training in the fall of 2024. She is an active Wayfinders member to support patients looking for access to Medical Aid in Dying and has been active in the North East EOL Doula Network, UVM EOL Doula Book Club, and attends local Death Cafés. She continues studying with the National End of Life Doula Alliance and the International End of Life Doula Association. Joann currently offers death doula services on a “pay what you can” donation-based model. As a PCV Wayfinder, Joann can assist you with identifying resources and working with emotional challenges while navigating end of life.
Contact Info: [email protected]
deathdoulajoann.com
instagram.com/deathdoulajoann
BURLINGTON AREA
Support for Medical Aid in Dying in the greater Burlington area, including BTV airport.
Support for Medical Aid in Dying in the greater Burlington area, including BTV airport.
Meg Tipper, Ed. D., is a teacher by training and calling. She spent her full-time work life teaching in high schools and colleges in Maryland. After moving to Vermont in retirement, Meg became a 500 hour Kripalu Yoga Teacher. Having retired from yoga teaching, she now devotes herself to work as a Death Doula, certified through UVM’s EOL Doula Program. Meg helped her mother die using VSED (voluntary stopping eating and drinking) and is deeply committed to accompanying clients and their families who make the hard decision to die with intention. As a PCV Wayfinder, Meg helps with the many logistical and emotional challenges of the process. Meg serves clients coming to Chittenden County. Her fee is paid by way of a tax deductible donation based on an hourly rate.
If you have read the PCV website information for non-residents and feel that you are ready to begin your planning for coming to Vermont, then email Meg with information about the potential client and where you are in the Act 39 process. You can expect a response from Meg within 24 hours. Please email her only if you are not waiting to hear back from another PCV Helpline or Wayfinder contact.
Contact Info: [email protected]
If you have read the PCV website information for non-residents and feel that you are ready to begin your planning for coming to Vermont, then email Meg with information about the potential client and where you are in the Act 39 process. You can expect a response from Meg within 24 hours. Please email her only if you are not waiting to hear back from another PCV Helpline or Wayfinder contact.
Contact Info: [email protected]
UPPER VALLEY including towns like Hartford, Norwich, Windsor, and Woodstock
Licia Berry-Berard is a social worker who has worked in healthcare for over three decades. During her career she has been an advocate for at-risk older adults, provided long term care management services for patients living with complicated medical issues and supported patients and families during the end-of-life process. In the early 2000’s Licia co-designed and lead a hospital wide effort to improve patient, family and staff experience. Licia and her team created opportunities to listen to and partner with patient, family and health care team members to improve quality, safety and care experience.
Licia is experienced in building relationships, and understands the intricacies of navigating the healthcare system, living with and managing the challenges of a change in health. She is committed to bridging the gap between a patient's desired and actual experience. Licia believes in open communication and will work to support patients and families compassionately and collaboratively.
For more detail on Licia's services, please contact her.
Contact Info: l[email protected]
Licia is experienced in building relationships, and understands the intricacies of navigating the healthcare system, living with and managing the challenges of a change in health. She is committed to bridging the gap between a patient's desired and actual experience. Licia believes in open communication and will work to support patients and families compassionately and collaboratively.
For more detail on Licia's services, please contact her.
Contact Info: l[email protected]
SOUTHERN VERMONT
Support for Medical Aid in Dying in Brattleboro and Windham County
Support for Medical Aid in Dying in Brattleboro and Windham County
Kasey March, Ed. M., is an end-of-life doula, educator, and advocate. She believes that everyone can have a well supported death. In her work she helps clients understand the challenges at end-of-life and navigate them. Her goal as a doula is to assist and empower you, the client. She recognizes the importance of a dying person’s autonomy and realizes there are many who don’t know that they have access to choices and preferences at end-of-life. Kasey provides an open-hearted presence to the dying and their circle of care. She simplifies complex information so that clients can spend time on what matters most to them.
Kasey worked in higher education administration helping students navigate university systems to access supports, overcome obstacles, and complete their degrees until moving to Vermont. In 2021, she decided to utilize her skills in a new way and became a hospice direct care volunteer and trained with the International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA). She currently serves as a death doula and hospice volunteer in Vermont and New Hampshire.
For more detail on Kasey's services, please contact her.
Contact Info: [email protected]
www.doulacarefordying.com
802-546-1110
Kasey worked in higher education administration helping students navigate university systems to access supports, overcome obstacles, and complete their degrees until moving to Vermont. In 2021, she decided to utilize her skills in a new way and became a hospice direct care volunteer and trained with the International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA). She currently serves as a death doula and hospice volunteer in Vermont and New Hampshire.
For more detail on Kasey's services, please contact her.
Contact Info: [email protected]
www.doulacarefordying.com
802-546-1110
Questions & Answers:
Is the Wayfinder Service Free?
Some Wayfinders are volunteers while others provide their services for a fee. It is up to the patient and family to ensure that the Wayfinder they choose is a good match, both in terms of capabilities and fees. PCV has no financial interest in the work of the Wayfinders.
Is a Wayfinder a substitute for hospice?
No, the Wayfinders are not a substitute for hospice. PCV strongly recommends that all aid-in-dying patients be enrolled in hospice for the combination of medical, comfort, and emotional support they provide.
Is the Wayfinder Service Free?
Some Wayfinders are volunteers while others provide their services for a fee. It is up to the patient and family to ensure that the Wayfinder they choose is a good match, both in terms of capabilities and fees. PCV has no financial interest in the work of the Wayfinders.
Is a Wayfinder a substitute for hospice?
No, the Wayfinders are not a substitute for hospice. PCV strongly recommends that all aid-in-dying patients be enrolled in hospice for the combination of medical, comfort, and emotional support they provide.
PCV is an independent 501(c)(3) organization, not supported by any government agency.
While our services are free, our small staff and dedicated team of volunteers counts on individual donations to cover our month-to-month operations. Please, consider supporting the PCV team by making a donation.
Thank you.
While our services are free, our small staff and dedicated team of volunteers counts on individual donations to cover our month-to-month operations. Please, consider supporting the PCV team by making a donation.
Thank you.