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HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE IN SOUTH FLORIDA

VITAS® HEALTHCARE IN THE BROWARD COUNTY PALM BEACH HOSPICE AND
PALLIATIVE CARE BY MORSELIFE
John Zaravinos, MD
Medical Director Virginia Ellaine Peck, MAET, ATR

John Zaravinos, M.D., has been passionate about medi- A master’s level clinician with 27 years of experience
cine since childhood. Watching his father practice oncolo- in the mental health field, Virginia Ellaine Peck is a reg-
gy and work with VITAS® Healthcare inspired him to pur- istered art therapist for Palm Beach Hospice and
sue a career in which he could help people enjoy the final Palliative Care by MorseLife. She has extensive clinical
stages of life. Board certified in hospice and palliative med- expertise using music and art therapy, life coaching,
icine, and internal medicine, Dr. Zaravinos joined VITAS movement/body image integration, mindfulness medi-
in 2016 as associate medical director. Recently promoted tation, stress reduction, guided imagery and breath
to medical director, he now oversees every VITAS inpatient work to treat individuals in a variety of settings. She
unit in Broward County. When asked about the most provides client-centered therapy to patients and fami-
rewarding aspect of his job, Dr. Zaravinos said, “I enjoy lies and has presented psycho- education nationally and
talking with the families, learning where they came from, locally on creative arts therapies, grief and life strate-
who they are.” Furthermore, he appreciates that a patient’s care isn’t “set in stone; every- gies. Holding a master’s degree in expressive arts thera-
thing is catered to their goals at the end of life.”Dr. Zaravinos earned a master’s degree pies from Lesley College in Boston, Virginia is also a registered mental health coun-
from Columbia University and a medical degree from St. George’s University. He per- selor intern and certified DreamBuilder coach. She is a member of the American Art
formed his internal medicine residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Therapy Association, Florida Art Therapy Association, International Expressive Arts
Therapies Association and National Association of Professional Women.

Maria Mora, RN Cheri Rapeye, LMT
Patient Care Administrator
Cheri Rapeye is a licensed massage therapist with
Maria Mora, R.N., felt drawn toward a career in hospice Palm Beach Hospice and Palliative Care by MorseLife
after performing clinicals with end-of-life patients during where she utilizes integrative therapy techniques to
her LPN training. “I knew I wanted to make a difference assist patients presenting with pain, respiratory distress,
for this type of patient. I just fell in love with hospice.” edema, medication reactions, anxiety, agitation and
Maria first joined VITAS in Broward County as a hospice ineffective coping. In addition to palliative massage, she
LPN in 2008 and returned again in 2015 to serve as a is skilled in aromatherapy, reflexology, Reiki, cranio-
patient care administrator, overseeing home care teams, sacral, guided imagery, breathwork and meditation.
coordinating care plans and following through on issues With 30 years of skilled observation and evaluation,
with patients and families. Maria is especially passionate Cheri designs treatment plans to include advanced mas-
about supporting her patients at the end of life. = “I can sage techniques utilizing a nurturing holistic approach.
teach the patient to let go of things and teach their family Certified in massage therapy, Cheri is a member of the
the process of letting go of their loved one. We’re taught Florida State Massage Therapy Association and former
how to walk, how to be independent, but no one teaches us how to be at the end of life.”
education chair of the American Massage Therapy Association.

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South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com November 2019 21