Reflections of Life

Partnered with Parents

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When a mother says to you, “I want every person to see my child as a miracle and not a disability.” We listen. St. Francis commits to being that champion for every child and their particular needs. When illness or injury creates life-limiting situations our goal is to provide the best life possible for each patient. We also align with their loved ones so they are assured that we will always consider and see their child as an exceptional gift in the world.

Our pediatric palliative program is specialized medical care for children with serious illness. Every day we focus on providing children with relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of a serious illness, whatever the diagnosis. We endeavor to improve quality of life for both the child and the family. Team Francis includes doctors, nurses and other specialists who work with a patient’s primary health care team providing support and various services for the child and for the child’s family. Children are cared for at any stage in a serious illness, and it can be provided together with curative treatments​ such as chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, hospitalization.

Who We Treat

We treat a wide range of conditions, including:
♥ Cancer
♥ Genetic disorders
♥ Premature birth
♥ Heart and lung conditions
♥ Neurological disorders

If your child’s condition is not listed, please contact us to learn how we can help. Click Here

Our Services

Our team provides a variety of support services, including:

Easing pain and other symptoms. We improve the patient’s and family’s quality of life by easing the child’s pain and managing symptoms.
Establishing goals of care. We work closely with the family and the child’s health care providers to establish treatment goals and clarify priorities of care.
Health care decision making. Our team explains complicated terms, discusses care options with the family and helps them make decisions based on their values, traditions and preferences.
Emotional support. We provide emotional, social and spiritual support to help patients and families carry on with everyday life.
Communicating with providers to coordinate care. We provide communication among the patient, family and health care team to give families the information and guidance needed to make the best health care decisions for their child. We also promote continuity of care between services and multiple admissions.
Sibling support. We understand that when one family member is hospitalized, the entire family is affected. Our team helps siblings understand their brother’s or sister’s diagnosis or medical care. We also help support continued bonds and normal family experiences during extended separations and disruption to family routines caused by hospitalization.
Integrating community resources. We work with community resources to link hospital programs with community-based home care.

 Reflections of Life Articles: Winter 2023

Rockin the Sunset

The 2023 Rockin the Sunset Concert for a Cause is almost here! This year we are featuring the sounds of the legendary Sir Elton John presented by Greggie and the Jets. The evening will be fun for all ages. Wear your favorite Elton John inspired outfit for a chance to win prizes. February 24th at …

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On My Honor

“On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.” – Scout Oath. The Scouts from troops 525 and 4117 who came to volunteer their …

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Gift of Leadership

St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care and St. Francis Reflections Foundation are both nonprofit organizations lead by volunteer boards. Each board member commits to serve up to nine years to help St. Francis best serve those who need end of life care. Some might call them the invisible heroes. They attend meetings and contribute their talents …

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Getting Ready to DASH Again

It was a cool morning at the Veterans Memorial Center on the Indian River as the horn sounded for the start of the first annual 2022 DASH in Life 5k on November 12. There were over 170 registrants and many cheering friends, family members and volunteers all along the beautiful course to provide encouragement and …

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Holiday, Hope, and Happy Moments

For the first time in several years, the staff at St. Francis Reflections was able to get together for some holiday fun, enjoying great food and white elephant gifts. A time to visit, laugh and thanks to Tammy Rolfe try their hand at fused glass. Senior leadership was on hand and they brought some of …

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Affirming Life

There are those who find it difficult to discuss the purposes of hospice. For us, hospice is our every day. We consider it affirming to be a part of those last months and days. We know much can happen to create wonderful moments and to help people with personal wishes, closure, and putting their houses …

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Welcoming Warriors Home

Our commitments in life comes with purpose. At St. Francis Reflections, through our We Honor Veterans program we are deliberate in our yearly welcome home to our Vietnam Veterans. This commitment is to rectify and restore that which did not happen when our individual heroes returned home. During that politically charged time, Veterans suffered emotional …

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