BCN Receives Grant Award from Disabled Veterans National Foundation

Jonathan Adams • March 19, 2021

Bluegrass Care Navigators will provide integrative medicine therapies to disabled veterans in Kentucky through a grant of $15,000 dollars from the Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF).


Using music, art and massage therapies, Bluegrass Care Navigators will help veterans alleviate stress, reduce pain and process emotions. The organization has plans to participate in a virtual reality program that gives veterans who cannot travel the opportunity to experience honor flights to national military monuments in Washington, DC. Additionally, Bluegrass Care Navigators will expand partnerships with veterans’ organizations in Kentucky, and develop our clinicians’ expertise in providing compassionate care to our veteran patients.


“Bluegrass Care Navigators serves more than 1,000 veterans each year in hospice and palliative care,” said CEO Liz Fowler. “We are so honored to partner with DVNF through this grant to provide therapies focused on disabled veterans in Kentucky.”


Joseph VanFonda (USMC) SgtMaj. Ret., CEO of the Disabled Veterans National Foundation said, “We are very proud to support Bluegrass Care Navigators as they continue to make a positive impact in Veteran’s lives with integrated medicine therapies. We would like to congratulate and thank them for their commitment and continued service and program assistance for the men and women who served in the defense of our country”


Disabled veterans cared for by Bluegrass Care Navigators will be offered integrative medicine therapies through their care team.

 

About Bluegrass Care Navigators


Headquartered in Lexington, Bluegrass Care Navigators provides hospice care in 32 counties across Kentucky. In addition, the agency supports those facing serious illness or chronic disease with private duty nursing, home primary care, transitional care, adult day health care, and palliative care services.


For more information about Bluegrass Care Navigators and our services, call 855-492-0812 or visit www.bgcarenav.org.


About the Disabled Veterans National Foundation


 Disabled Veterans National Foundation exists to provide critically needed support to disabled and at-risk veterans who leave the military wounded—physically or psychologically—after defending our safety and our freedom.

DVNF achieves this mission by:


  • Offering direct financial support to veteran organizations that address the unique needs of veterans, and whose missions align with that of DVNF.
  • Providing supplemental assistance to homeless and low-income veterans through the Health & Comfort program and various empowerment resources.
  • Providing an online resource database that allows veterans to navigate the complex process of seeking benefits that they are entitled to as a result of their military service, as well as additional resources they need.
  • Serving as a thought leader on critical policy issues within the veteran community and educating the public accordingly.

 

Disabled Veterans National Foundation Contact:



Communications Team

Datamize

explore@datamize.


Mother's Day flowers on pink backdrop
April 30, 2026
For many, Mother’s Day can be a particularly challenging day after the loss of a mother or maternal figure. This day often brings back waves of grief—even if you thought you had already worked through those feelings. Everyday moments, like passing by Mother’s Day displays in a store or seeing flowers, can unexpectedly trigger emotions and memories. As you navigate this difficult day, it is essential to give yourself permission to grieve. Take time to reflect on the joyful moments and cherished traditions you shared with your mother.
March 24, 2026
Marla Sowers was never defined by titles though she held many. A pianist and Miss Morehead State University, a valedictorian, a beautiful singer, and an excellent writer, she carried the practical wisdom of her farming family into everything she did. As a public school elementary music teacher, Marla shaped hearts by inviting students to see kindness as strength. When a dementia diagnosis altered the rhythm of her days, her husband Richard cared for her at home and then with the help of an assisted living facility for as long as he could. After several years, the facility referred her to Bluegrass Care Navigators (BCN) for hospice services.
Bill Papania's mother
March 24, 2026
When Bill Papania thinks about Bluegrass Care Navigators, he doesn’t just remember the end of his mother’s life, he remembers the time, comfort, and connection Team BCN made possible.
The Coleman Family
March 19, 2026
In 2024, the Coleman family’s world was shattered with a devastating cancer diagnosis and unexpected loss of Jessica, devoted wife and mother. Kyle and his three daughters were overwhelmed by grief and the daily reminders of life without her. They connected with Bluegrass Care Navigators’ (BCN) grief team whose compassionate support and counseling helped the family find comfort, connection and the tools to heal together.
Bluegrass Care Navigators Expands Bluegrass Transitional Care Program with Grant Award in Partnershi
March 17, 2026
Expansion will improve access to care and chronic disease management for high-risk patients across Laurel, Jackson, and Whitley Counties
Callie, one of our volunteer therapy dogs
By By Callie, Volunteer Therapy Dog (and very good girl) March 2, 2026
Hi. I'm Callie. Most days, my job is simple: walk into rooms with my human, Mary, wag my tail, and let people know they’re not alone. I’ve been doing this therapy dog work with her for a while now, and I take it very seriously, even if I’m small and fluffy.
Doug and Lois Gates, one of our hospice families.
February 25, 2026
For Lois and Doug Gates, home has always been a place of purpose, faith and shared life. Married for more than 63 years, the couple met as teenagers, built a family through adoption, and spent decades serving others together. Their moments together became even more precious after Lois received a serious diagnosis two years ago. After undergoing surgery, the cancer recurred, and the couple chose to forgo additional treatment and live the best quality of life possible with support from Bluegrass Care Navigators (BCN).
PACE participants at Thanksgiving meal
February 17, 2026
The Bluegrass PACE Care team and participants kicked off the holiday season with their annual Thanksgiving lunch. The atmosphere was filled with gratitude and joy, as everyone enjoyed a delicious meal and each other's company. The PACE team continued to celebrate the holiday season with fun activities in the weeks to come.
Bluegrass Care Navigators provides care in person and via phone
By Lisa Lewis, Support Center RN February 17, 2026
As a Support Center RN, I’ve witnessed many moments of compassion, but few have touched me as deeply as the call I received from a patient’s wife in our Pikeville region. She shared how our nurse, Tiffany Little (RN), provided care with such warmth and dedication that her presence brought genuine comfort and support to their lives.
Tim and Helen Hoffstedder
February 17, 2026
Team BCN brought compassionate, personalized care to Tim and Helen Hoffstedder during a challenging chapter in their lives. After receiving a dementia diagnosis almost seven years ago, Helen’s family did their best to care for her at home. When she required additional support, they moved her to ColdSpring Transitional Care where she could receive high-quality care around the clock. In February 2024, she began retaining fluid and had difficulty breathing. The team at ColdSpring Care referred the family to Bluegrass Hospice Care and that extra support brought her husband Tim immense reassurance.