A Personal Melody

The story of us, music, and knights, is as much a personal journey as it is a mission. Growing up in a house filled with a diverse blend of musical genres was an experience that shaped my perspective on life. From an early age music was a cornerstone of our household. Jazz, classical music, pop, oldies, gospel…pretty much any and all styles of music I can still vividly recall being an everyday norm. I loved music then, I love music now. But I never meant to be a musician…

That was until I met this remarkable man’s dedication. His name was Donald Todd. 

As a violin teacher in public school, he did far more than just teach the notes. He had the patience of a diamond, indestructible really, considering that most of us just elected orchestra class to avoid the P.E. teacher, Coach Berry. Coach Berry's favorite saying was "inch by inch is a cinch, yard by yard it's too hard." He would say this after he made us run 30 laps around the gym so it wasn't really effective then.

But despite our young attitudes, Dr. Todd nurtured the soul of each student who came under his tutelage. As a young violinist, I was one of the fortunate ones to receive his instruction. I learned not only the technicalities of music but also the intricacies of harmony, rhythm, and emotional connection through sound. Many years later and after going to The New England Conservatory of Music, I still remember the level of care, dedication, and compassion that Dr. Todd showed us, his students. Dr. Todd's approach to teaching was far from conventional. His wealth was not in material possessions but in the love and care he showed his students, a wealth that was priceless. After transitioning into healthcare and becoming a nurse practitioner, I realized that the lessons I learned in music profoundly impacted the way I approached healthcare.

Reimagining Hospice Care through Harmony and Dedication

In the world of music, competition can often lead to detracting from the ultimate purpose: creating soulful, moving melodies. Similarly, in the realm of healthcare, excessive focus on competition and corporate profitability can undermine the primary aim: to provide holistic, humane, personal, and dignified care for patients.

Our goal is to revolutionize and update the philosophy of hospice care, moving away from a corporate, competition-driven paradigm to one that centers on advancing the art of comfort, laying the groundwork for a new hospice generation that is based on the testimony of our patients. In a symphony, the music played is the heart of the performance, and the audience's response is the testament of its impact. Similarly, at Knights of Comfort, the care provided is at the center, and the patients' feedback is the true measure of its effectiveness. Their experiences, needs, and desires are guides. Their stories and feedback help us to continually refine our approach, ensuring that we deliver the best possible care.

We reject the notion that healthcare is a competition to be won. Instead, we embrace the idea that it is a mission to be fulfilled.

Our philosophy is akin to a symphony of comfort, where, like musicians in an orchestra, we unite to offer harmony, balance, and dedicated service to our patients. Just as a symphony evolves over time, with each performance adding a new layer of depth and interpretation, our care philosophy evolves with each patient we serve. We learn from each experience, always aiming to enhance our service and better serve our patients. We understand that delivering exceptional care is a continuous process of learning, adapting, and improving.

In retrospect, Dr. Todd was more than a violin teacher; he was a maestro of life. His teachings resonate with me as I see patients on a daily, just as his violin melodies once echoed in the walls of that outside portable. His philosophy of wealth in care and dedication continues to remind me that the true measure of wealth is in the difference we make in people's lives. To us, it's not about reaching a final destination, but about the journey itself, each patient and family depending on our faithful day-to-day commitment to our mission.

We are Knights of Comfort, performing your "Symphony of Comfort."

-Waldo