Sen. Andre Jacque Visits Unity Hospice in De Pere

De Pere, WI — Wisconsin Sen. Andre Jacque (R-De Pere) recently visited the Unity Hospice Jack and Engrid Meng Hospice Residence in DePere, WI, to meet with staff, tour the facility and discuss the important role of hospice and palliative care in the community. Jacque’s’ visit was part of a larger effort by the Wisconsin Hospice and Palliative Care Association (WiHPCA) to connect hospice professionals with their local state legislators to discuss the benefits of hospice and palliative care services.

“I am grateful to Sen. Jacque for visiting Unity and touring the Meng Hospice Residence to gain deeper insights into the state of the healthcare landscape in Northeast Wisconsin,” said Alisa Gerke, Unity Hospice Executive Director. “It is crucial for legislators to understand the evolving health care needs of our communities, especially for vulnerable patients and families, as well as the regulatory burdens faced by nonprofit hospices. We welcome Sen. Jacque’s interest in ensuring nonprofit hospices remain a sustainable care option for all.”

Hospice care is specialized care provided by a team of professionals, including physicians, nurses, and social workers, to provide physical comfort and emotional and spiritual support for patients nearing the end of life. Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness that is focused on providing relief from symptoms and improving quality of life.

Senator Andre Jacque (center) with Michelle Krueger (left), Unity Director of Nursing Operations and Alisa Gerke (right), Unity Executive Director at the Jack & Engrid Meng Hospice Residence

During his visit to Unity Hospice, Sen. Jacque was able to learn more about the value of hospice and palliative care for local patients and their families. He was also able to discuss with Unity staff the regulatory challenges faced by hospices across the state and the need for forward thinking policies to improve the quality of life for Wisconsin patients facing life-ending or life-limiting illness.

"I greatly appreciated the invitation to visit Unity's main campus and the dialogue I had with staff about the challenges they face in providing compassionate care in a loving environment,” said Sen. Jacque.

Jacque, who was first elected to the Senate in 2018 after serving four terms in the state Assembly, currently represents the 1st Senate District in northwest Wisconsin, which includes Door and Kewaunee Counties and portions of Manitowoc, Calumet and Brown Counties, including the City of De Pere. Unity Hospice is a nonprofit partnership of Bellin Health, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center, and HSHS St. Vincent Hospital. They are committed to providing holistic, highly specialized care and support for terminally ill patients and their families in northeastern Wisconsin.