Given the challenge and opportunity, VITAS teams can accomplish a great deal in a remarkably short period of time. The VITAS home care team in Cincinnati can attest to this.

On a Wednesday afternoon during a team meeting, the request was made to arrange for a taxi to transport Fred, a VITAS patient, and his longtime companion, Gracie, to the courthouse to get married. In a matter of minutes creative ideas began to flow, and before anyone could say “Heart of Hospice,” elaborate wedding plans began to unfold. One of the team members called Gracie and Fred and asked if they could use some VITAS team assistance with their wedding plans. They replied that they could use all the help they could get! The wedding was set for noon on Friday, less than 48 hours away—the race was on!

Freda, the director of admissions, arranged for a limousine instead of a cab. Carol, the receptionist, arranged to have a wedding reception in the VITAS office conference room. Michael, the team chaplain, on the job all of three days, said he would officiate at the ceremony. Delores, the patient care secretary, volunteered to bake the cake and make the punch. Fred’s nurse, Mardee, said she wanted to make the sandwiches. Carol ordered the flowers and altar candles.

At 7 am on Friday, Delores and Carol met at the VITAS office and transformed the team meeting conference room into a wedding parlor worthy of the Ritz-Carlton. Meanwhile Dennis, the general manager, and Sharon, the administrative assistant, met the notary public at the couple’s home, ensuring that all the legal affairs were in order.

Ken, the team LPN, arrived at Fred’s house and helped him press his best suit and matching accessories. In the other room, Sharon assisted Gracie with her makeup and helped her put on her most elegant dress. Looking their best, and as excited as two young love birds, Gracie and Fred were whisked off to the VITAS wedding parlor in a beautiful white stretch limo.

At exactly noon , just about 48 hours after the initial request for a cab and a courthouse wedding, Gracie, the 72-year-old bride, walked down the aisle to the music of B.B. King. She was greeted by a handsome groom sitting in his wheelchair at the newly created altar. Michael performed the ceremony, while selected passages were read by VITAS staff. Gracie and Fred were pronounced husband and wife. The VITAS team gave them a standing ovation and hosted a reception. Afterward, 20 friends of Gracie and Fred showered them with rice as they made their way to the limo and to their honeymoon.