Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice promotes Schetting to Hospice Administrator

NEWTON — Marlina Schetting, MSW, LCSW, CT has been named as Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice’s new Administrator.

She will work closely with Cecelia Clayton, Executive Director in overseeing the day to day operations of the organization. Additionally, the Administrator is responsible for the agency’s compliance with Federal, State and local regulations.

“Marlina has continuously risen to all the challenges and changes we face as health care providers with such things as HIPAA Compliance, Medicare and Medicaid regulations right on through Living Wills and Advance Directives. In addition, as Administrator, her knowledge of hospice care will strengthen our services as we continue to grow our programs,” Clayton said.

Schetting has been employed professionally with the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice for more than 23 years but her association with the organization goes back to February of 1986, where she started as a hospice volunteer.

“My interest in hospice work developed from a Death and Dying course I took at the University of Hawaii. Dr. Mitsuo Aoki was my professor and was the founder of Hospice Hawaii,” Schetting said. “His passion for the work resonated within me.”

Upon returning to New Jersey, that inspiration led her to the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice in Newton. Since joining Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice she acknowledges feeling privileged to work daily with a wonderful interdisciplinary team, patients and families who represent true caring and dedication.

Schetting is a licensed clinical social worker holding a Masters in Social Work from Marywood University, Scranton, Pa. and a BS from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Also certified in Thanatology from the Association for Death Education and Counseling, Schetting has served as a certified field instructor since 1999 mentoring many social work interns and social service professionals over the years. Currently she chairs the Reimbursement and Government Relations Committee of the New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

Former positions include working with the elderly and disabled and former planner for the Sussex County Division of Senior Services and a resident assistant with SCARC.

From a personal view, while always having been a proponent of hospice care, it was not until the death of loved ones dear to her that she learned the true meaning of caring for those at the end of life and the journey of those in bereavement.

“After many years in the industry, my hope is to give back to our profession and to make a difference. People approach me often and ask if what we do at hospice is depressing. I say, 'no, quite the contrary.' ” Schetting confirms.

Schetting believes that at hospice, life is seen as a gift and there is hope in every day lived. For her, being present for those who are in pain and encountering death and grief and to assist in giving them meaning to that experience represents the best example of hope.

Schetting lives in Stillwater, with her two sons and is also an active member of the Andover United Methodist Church.

The Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation is dedicated to providing Hospice care for the terminally ill and Bereavement for those who have lost loved ones. Serving Northwest N.J. and Northeast Pa. — call 800-882-1117 to reach any of our services. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, N.J. and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 104 Bennett Ave., Milford, Pa.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is an independently owned hospice program and the preferred hospice provider for the Atlantic Health Care System in the local area of service. For programs, events and more information visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org.