Mary DeMers RN, formerly Manager of Referrals and Admissions for Hospice Kitsap County has been promoted to Director of Patient Care Services. DeMers has been a practicing nurse for 43 years and has been with the Hospice since 2000.  She began her nursing career at the Hurley Medical Center, Flint, Mich. on a 32–bed coronary care unit.  During her career she has worked for the Guam Memorial Hospital, Harrison Medical Center, KPS Health Plans, and the Northwest Pain Management Center.

She is certified as a Hospice and Palliative Nurse and a Professional Utilization Review Nurse. She has also received recognition from the Kitsap County YWCA Women of Achievement in 1996 for personal career success, dynamic leadership qualities and the unique ability to serve as a role model.Her responsibilities will include the day-to-day delivery of clinical services both for the inpatient unit and the patients being cared for in their homes, ensuring the staffing of the professional hospice workers: the nurses, nursing assistants, social workers and chaplains, meet the patient’s needs and that families have support.  She also makes sure that all of this is done within the scope of practice for each professions’ license and is in compliance with all local, state and federal guidelines including Medicare. Founded in 1979 by a dedicated core of local volunteers seeking a better way to care for the dying in our community, Hospice of Kitsap County became this area’s first hospice care provider. Still governed today by a voluntary board who live and work in Kitsap County, Hospice of Kitsap County is an independent not-for-profit, Medicare certified, Washington State licensed agency generously supported by this community through memorial gifts, donations, grants, and annual fundraising events.