Donna Williamson

Director Donna Williamson

At Baxter Regional Medical Center, Donna Williamson (left), RNC Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse and nurse manager for Hospice of the Ozarks, gave an encouraging hug to her pain management patient and breast cancer survivor, Marie Baker.
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In these circumstances, I feel the responsibilities of my profession is to ease hurt," said co-chair of the Arkansas Partnerships in Compassionate End of Life Care, Donna Williamson, RNC, certified hospice and Palliative care nurse and nurse manager for Hospice of the Ozarks, a part of Baxter Regional Medical Center.

Palliative care programs specialize in treating the pain and suffering of seriously ill patients to maximize quality of life.

"I have seen hundreds of patients find relief and avoid the discomfort and the eventual despair that could drive a person to want to end his or her life," she said."Numerous studies show palliative care programs achieve similar results in a variety of healthcare settings."

Working to build a strong state partnership, Williamson, who is the representative for the Arkansas State Hospice and Palliative Care Association, serves on the Arkansas Pain Initiative Coalition.

"Our coalition is addressing the important economic issues," she said."I am hopeful that Medicare, Medicaid and commercial insurers will eventually increase the payments for palliative care to hospitals and nursing homes by building payments and quality incentives into the reimbursement system."

Families of the seriously ill can request palliative care services for their loved ones who are suffering, said Williamson.

"Typically, the level of suffering of a family member prompts the cry for help," she said.
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Williamson noted, "Pain is viewed as a damaging process in its own right that requires early and aggressive treatment.
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"Chronic pain alters the way people live their daily lives," Williamson said.

It is used on almost a daily basis, said Donna Williamson, clinical director and nurse leader of Hospice House.

"We are so appreciative of this gift," Williamson said, speaking on behalf of the Hospice House staff."It makes me so proud to live in a community like this."

She said families often express to her how thoughtful it is that Hospice House has a children's area.

"They can know while they're visiting a relative their kids are OK and not bored.They're watching a movie or playing games," Williamson said.

Donna Williamson, registered nurse and nurse leader of Hospice of the Ozarks, will discuss "Medical Information for End of Life Care."

Pictured are (from left) Hospice of the Ozarks Board Chairman Trieneke Self, Hospice House Director Donna Williamson, Community Outreach Coordinator Nancy Phillips and Hospice Director Phil Thompson. > >

Donna Williamson

Donna Williamson recently was selected as the fall 2005 recipient of the Lillian G. and Homer G. Proctor Nursing Scholarship at Arkansas State University Mountain Home.

The Proctor Scholarship provides a maximum of $950 to a student enrolled in the registered nursing to bachelor of science in nursing program or bachelor of science in nursing program.

Williamson is pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing degree through ASU Jonesboro on the ASUMH campus.She is active as a nurse leader with Hospice of the Ozarks and is in "National Register's Who's Who in Executives and Professionals."