Dr. John Forsyth receives Community Service Award for Excellence in Long-Term Care

“I am excited to announce Southern Oregon’s first Community Service Award for our industry – healthcare for older adults and long-term care. We are here to recognize someone that we chose ourselves, and we believe that you will agree he is very deserving! We are genuinely honored to recognize one of the most giving, supportive and truly amazing people in Southern Oregon. When I reviewed the bio for today’s recipient, I was totally speechless! Since arriving in Southern Oregon he has paved an INCREDIBLE path in nearly every capacity of community service. Beginning his Southern Oregon journey as the first cardiologist in Medford in the 1970’s. ”Thank you, Jamie Callahan, Founder & Co-CEO

John practiced Internal Medicine and Cardiology in Medford, Oregon from 1970-2004.

Since 1994, he has been a volunteer clinical consultant (17 years), board member (6 years) and president (2 years) at Community Health Center. He has served on the Ethics committees of both Rogue Valley Medical Center and Providence Medford Medical Center since 1980. In 1994, he helped form VOLPACT, a collaborative venture between three local hospitals two safety-net clinics and 90% of the practicing physicians of Jackson County, Oregon to provide necessary charitable, specialty care for low income, uninsured patients. In 2008, he was elected chairman of Jefferson Regional Health Alliance. In 2010, he joined several community leaders to form COHO (Choosing Options, Honoring Options), a collaborative fostering community-wide education about end-of-life care options.

Previous Honors
1998- Oregon Medical Association, Physician Citizen of the Year
1998- Providence Health System, Mother Joseph Award
2003- Rogue Valley Hospital Foundation, ASV Carpenter Distinguished Citizen Award

Source of Passion
The reintroduction of palliative and hospice care into mainstream American medicine over the last twenty years is finally being recognized as a great benefit by the vast majority of those near the end of life and their families. Admittedly, my own profession (which holds the keys to those therapies) has only recently begun to incorporate the many blessings of both palliative and hospice care into the care of dying people. I, myself, have personally seen such care transform the end of life for many friends, patients, and families. Unfortunately, now, nearly half of those who elect hospice care are unable to accomplish such care in their own homes (the most preferred place). Hence the concept of a hospice house, a home-like place that focuses squarely upon providing superb 24 comfort care, facilitating meaningful conversations, closure of human relationships and spiritual support for those who wish it, makes abundant sense. Current plans for the Holmes Park House will address this great need in our local community. It will also elevate the level of end-of-life care for all Southern Oregonians. For all these reasons and many more, the Holmes Park House for hospice care has become the great passion of my late retirement years!

Team Senior Develops Award to Recognize Community Service Excellence in Long-Term Care
“Recognizing hard work is argued as important in the workplace, but it isn’t very often that we’re able to officially recognize our peers (perhaps competitors) for their commitment to the community, volunteerism, compassion and sheer dedication. Working in long-term care can be exhausting, and sometimes depressing. My peers deserve recognition and we are determined to give that to them!”

For more information regarding the Southern Oregon Community Service Award, call 541.295.8230 or visit Team Senior.org

https://www.teamsenior.org/nomination