Joliet Area Community Hospice’s (JACH) Senior Director of Development and Communications, Jackie Bersano, has announced her retirement at the end of this year. During her six-year tenure with JACH, Bersano has passionately represented the organization at countless fundraising and networking functions in the community, has brought in new supporters to JACH’s numerous fundraising and friend-raising events that she has planned and directed (e.g. JACH Annual Dinner, 5K Family Fun Run/Walk, Timmy’s Garden Walk, and Golf Outing), and most recently has spearheaded a $3.5 million Remembering from the Heart Capital Campaign for the addition and renovation of the JACH Hospice Home inpatient unit.
Bersano’s support of the long-standing Hospice Guild for their Puttin’ on the Glitz Fashion Show and Ladies’ Card Party has been irreplaceable. Behind the scenes, Jackie writes and edits much of what is seen by the public as ‘Joliet Area Community Hospice’: in newspaper ads, articles, social media, brochures, appeals and flyers. Earlier in her time with the agency, she had overseen the Volunteer Department at JACH and is a trained volunteer herself, often working in the gardens surrounding the office and inpatient unit as the seasons change.
“Jackie has played a key role in our organization’s growth and her support of our patient-centered culture has been invaluable,” said Mary Sheehan, CEO of Joliet Area Community Hospice. “As a new member of the Joliet community when I joined JACH, it’s been Jackie who has guided me through what I need to know, what groups I need to join, and has made important introductions – all in order for our agency to be successful.”
Jackie’s devotion to Joliet Area Community Hospice is evident in the long hours worked without complaint, in the education and JACH history freely shared with new staff and volunteers, and in her sunny disposition toward all who come into contact with her. JACH is losing a valued member of the team with Jackie’s retirement and she will be truly missed. Everyone at JACH wishes her a wonderful retirement and adventure-filled days ahead.
