NW Missouri Times

Northwest Missouri State University alumna Lori Palik has initiated a volunteer-based hospice care program for inmates at the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS). This initiative stemmed from her capstone project during her studies in the nurse executive program at Northwest.

Palik, who graduated last year with a Master of Science in Nursing degree, is currently the director of nursing at NDCS. She decided to create this hospice program to improve the lives of inmates she works with. "I figured if I was going to put this much time and effort into a project, I wanted it to be something that would be useful for the environment that I work in," Palik said.

After completing her project, Palik presented it to the assistant warden of NDCS. The program started operating last June with support from her colleagues. It includes a 10-week training course led by NDCS team members where volunteers learn to address both physical and emotional needs of terminally ill inmates. Once trained, these volunteers provide emotional support and comfort during inmates' final stages.

The program is still new but has already shown positive impacts. Palik mentioned an inmate who was able to see his daughter after eight years due to this initiative. The program also involves discussions about end-of-life plans and equips inmates with necessary skills and resources for making informed decisions regarding their final stages.

"We’ve now developed a program where we talk about that here because we aren’t scared of it, and their lives matter," Palik stated. "I’m here because their lives matter. This program is in place because their lives matter, and I want to do death better for them."

Dr. Machelle Skinner, an assistant professor of nursing at Northwest, praised Palik's project: “Lori's project is special because of the impacts it is having on so many people – patients, patient families, hospice volunteers, nursing staff and prison staff.”

Palik attributes part of her success to the skills she acquired during her time at Northwest Missouri State University. "I think my coursework at Northwest has really enabled me to be a better leader," she said.