Beyond the Misunderstanding: The Modern Face of Hospice in Medina County
By Sahana Manglani, BEAT reporter
BRUNSWICK, OH- Many people think hospice is just about giving up. But, in reality, it’s about the comfort and quality of life in the end. Hospice of the Western Reserve, which was recently rebranded on February 2, 2026 as Reserve Care of Medina County, provides a number of amazing services that consider each and every individual life.
Alexis Willoughby, Community Relations and Fundraising Manager, explained that the rebranding was announced to better reflect the wide array of services that Reserve Care provides. This includes not only hospice care but other services such as grief support, palliative care, and lots of volunteer and veteran programming. “Our goal is really that this rebrand as Reserve Care helps unite us under one clear brand, really opening the door and opening the conversation to more families and community members,” said Willoughby.
Willoughby, who comes from a family of hospice nurses, said that hospice has helped several of her family members. “Reserve Care really made a challenging time for my family so much more peaceful and so much more comfortable for my loved ones and really helped us navigate a challenging journey in a way that we couldn’t have on our own,” shared Willoughby’s about her personal experience with hospice and why she wanted to get involved.
Willoughby’s background in non-profit education allowed her to take the role of community relations. Working at Reserve Care is very important to Willoughby because it is her way of giving back to a cause that matters so much to her and helping to educate those in Medina County on this resource they have right in their own backyard.
Reserve Care, who is a non-profit, will conduct its annual fundraiser this coming fall. Feel free to visit their social media on Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram, and more. Or visit reserve-care.org to learn more about hospice and how you can get involved.
Sahana Manglani, Brunswick Middle School, is one of over fifty student “backpack journalists” (grades 6-12) in the award-winning BEAT Video Program. The program, celebrating its 25th year, is sponsored by Donut Land, Plum Creek Assisted Living Community, MODA Gifts, Scripps Howard Foundation and the Brunswick Rotary Club. Go to https://www.bcsoh.org/community/new-beat-site to learn more about the Program, or visit https://thebeat.viebit.com/?folder=ALL to view videos produced by the students.
PHOTOS: Reserve Care’s new logo, and Medina County building exterior.