Kelly Racine is a social service specialist with Community Hospice. She has been there for a year.
WHAT’S DOES HER WORK ENTAIL?
“I do a psycho-social assessment on each family. I go into the home, get to know the family, what their needs are and how they are dealing with the terminal illness. We talk about what’s going on physically, emotionally and spiritually.” Part of an interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, patient care coordinators, volunteers and home health aides, Racine is there to provide emotional support and act as a referral guide for other services they may need.
WHO DOES SHE SERVE?
Through physician referrals, Racine provides supportive counseling services for terminally ill patients and their families of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Her territory includes Yulee, Callahan, Fernandina Beach, Hilliard and north of the Trout River.
HOMETOWN
A military brat, Racine has lived all over the globe, including six years in Central America. She was born in Albuquerque, N.M.
EDUCATION
Racine holds a bachelor’s degree in social science from Flagler College and a master’s degree in social work from Florida State University.
WHY GO INTO THIS FIELD?
“I always knew I wanted to be in a helping profession. I love being with people in their home, that in and of itself is awesome. It’s like walking on holy ground. They’re allowing us to be part of their lives and to walk with them in the most difficult time of their lives.”
WHAT MAKES IT WORTHWHILE?
“I wanted to help people, especially when dealing with death. It’s their openness and allowing us to be there with them, having the privilege to walk with people at the end of their life and be a support.”
WHAT’S MOST CHALLENGING?
“Letting them go and having to work through those feelings. In this work, there is a lot of listening to their needs and sometimes a lot of crying. It’s hard work.”
WHERE ELSE HAS SHE WORKED?
Racine spent three years at Methodist Hospice, which was converted to Shands Hospice. She also spent a year in Costa Rica home-schooling the child of missionaries. She worked for Covenant House (a shelter for street children) in Texas and Honduras.
FAMILY
Racine and her husband of 17 years, Peter, reside on the Westside. They have one adopted child, Miriam from Honduras.
LINKS TO THE PROFESSION
Racine is a board member of ICARE — the Interchurch Coalition for Action, Reconciliation and Empowerment.
HOBBIES
Tennis, swimming and reading mystery novels are her preferred pastimes. For a good cry she likes the movie “Beaches.” For lighter fare it’s the television show “Judging Amy.” She gives two thumbs up to Uncle Charlie’s Pizza on Lane Avenue.
WHO’S YOUR HERO?
“The heroes I’ve met are the caregivers of the people I work with. To take care of someone who’s dying is to die yourself. It’s a 24/7 commitment, including sleep deprivation. They’re amazing.” Racine gives honorable mention to the late Henry Nowen, a Catholic priest who devoted much of his time to the mission of Hospice.
—by Monica Chamness