Published: Oct. 10, 2018
LANSING, MI – The recently retired director of Sparrow Hospice Services will be honored Thursday by St. Johns Kiwanis 707 Club for a lifetime of work to improve end-of-life care in Clinton County and throughout mid-Michigan.
Michele Wiseman, of St. Johns, will receive the Terry Cornwell Human and Spiritual Values award for “dedication to God and for outstanding contributions to the spiritual life and welfare of the community.” The award is named for a beloved teacher and counselor at St. Johns High School who died in 2005 at age 58 after battling diabetes for many years. Wiseman will be honored at a banquet held from 6-8 p.m. at the Emerald Golf Course in St. Johns.
Wiseman served for 20 years as Administrative Director of Sparrow Hospice and Palliative Care Services and her research and dedication led to Sparrow’s inpatient hospice service, Hospice House of Mid-Michigan. Wiseman began as a nurse who researched and developed a special care unit for cardiac and critically ill Patients at what is now Sparrow Clinton Hospital. She then led hospice care at the Clinton hospital.
The stories of Wiseman are legendary, said Saralee Howard, co-chair of the Kiwanis Human and Spiritual Values Committee.
“Michelle drove out on dark country roads to help dying Patients and their families. If someone was dying alone, Michelle became their family and brought hospice alongside. Her compassion was unflagging, and she communicated the intensity of her mission to others,” Howard said.
Dinner tickets to Thursday’s event may be obtained by calling or texting Kiwanis President Katie Eccleton at 517.930.1306.
Sparrow Hospice Services provides quality, compassionate care to relieve physical, mental and spiritual pain. Our comprehensive approach offers in-home care in eight counties throughout mid-Michigan, as well as Hospice House of Mid-Michigan at Sparrow Hospital at the St. Lawrence Campus.