Today we’d like to introduce you to Kay Tanner.
Hi Kay, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I will attach a document that tells my story in the email. This document tells the story from the very beginning and adds the details that might be interesting.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been many struggles along the way. We started the Angel Watch program under the umbrella of a local Hospice in 2000. This local hospice was fine with our desire to make the program available to anyone in the community, free of charge, and visit them in their homes. When our local hospice was sold to a large national hospice, we continued doing Angel Watch until they discovered what we were doing and they immediately put a stop to it. The program languished for a few years as Carolyn and I tried to find a new home for it. We decided that Intermountain, the largest healthcare provider in the state, might be the best option. Fortunately one of our patients was a doctor at Intermountain and he and his wife attended the meeting and spoke so strongly in favor of Angel Watch that Intermountain decided to take on the program as a “trial.” Carolyn and I met with families from Logan to Nephi mostly at night so the fathers could be present. Eventually Intermountain decided to expand the program and after years, we had providers in 5 different locations from one end of the state to the other. After Carolyn retired, we struggled to find the perfect director for the program, and had to wait several years for her schedule to make it possible. The new director was Amazing! However, after only 9 months, even though we were achieving outstanding results, Intermountain let her go due to budget cuts. We have never recovered from this huge setback.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The document I am attaching at the end of this survey should answer this question. I am so blessed to have been part of the creation of Angel Watch. It is a program that changes people’s lives because it provides support in their darkest moments and helps them know that they can not only survive the experience, but thrive because of it. I have received far more than I have ever given. I have met the most amazing people and I have learned how resilient the human spirit is. It has changed my life for the better and the person I am today is largely due to the experiences I had creating the program and providing services for 25 years. I always from childhood wanted to make a difference in the world, and Angel Watch has allowed me that privilege.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up on a ranch in Idaho and went to a very small school. It was sort of a “Leave it to Beaver” type childhood complete with a loving family, good friends, and a strong faith background.
As a teenager of the 60’s, I didn’t have any career aspirations. I was always a voracious reader, loved going to the movies, spending time playing outside with friends and feel I had a very blessed childhood.
I didn’t know what I wanted to study when I got to college, which was a huge disadvantage. I studied hard and always had good grades-just no sense of direction. My small town education had prepared me for college, even though there were not a lot of subjects to choose from. I had teachers who truly cared about each pupil.
I think I grew up believing I could do anything I set my mind to because that is what my beloved Grandmother told me and she was always right. I had self confidence, performed in public a lot and had many opportunities that came from living in a small rural community.
Pricing:
- Angel Watch is totally FREE
