DATE: Sunday, November 9, 1997              TAG: 9711070209

SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS     PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: CLOSE-UP 

SOURCE: Scott McCaskey 

                                            LENGTH:   79 lines

DOTTIE REISH EXPERIENCE LED TO HER WORK WITH TERMINALLY ILL

Dottie Reish brings first-hand experience to her job as the executive director of Hospice Volunteers of South Hampton Roads. She was the primary caregiver during the terminal illnesses of her father and brother.

Moved deeply by the family's experience, she earned a degree in social work from Christopher Newport University and joined the Hospice Volunteers of the Portsmouth Area, the forerunner of the current group.

``The hospice experience is very emotional and can be a roller coaster ride for any family,'' said Reish, 44, a Portsmouth native who lives in Suffolk. ``But it is a wonderful program.''

Hospice programs provide services to terminally-ill patients who wish to spend their last days at home. Reish's program is one of several offered by area health care providers.

``We started in Portsmouth, but we've expanded our services and training to all of the five major cities on the Southside,'' Reish said. ``So we decided to change the name to reflect our expansion and also to get more exposure.''

A hospice team consists of a range of personnel, including medical, social services, and pastoral professionals, as well as volunteers.

Reish's organization, a non-profit volunteer group, is supported by Bon Secours through the Wellspring Homecare Hospice, and the Portsmouth General Foundation. It has about 20 volunteers that provide services to about 25 patients a month. Services vary from offering warm company and personal assistance to performing light chores. Bereavement services also are provided.

Reish worked for several years as a discharge planner in the emergency room and telemetry unit for Obici Hospital in Suffolk before joining the Hospice.

For the future, she said she hopes to expand the ranks of volunteers and serve more patients throughout all of Hampton Roads. Norfolk is the most recent city to join.

``We're hoping to assign more volunteers to more families,'' Reish said. ``There's really a large need out there.''

Full name: Dottie B. Reish.

Birthplace: Portsmouth, June 20, 1953

Occupation: Executive director for Hospice Volunteers of Hampton Roads.

Marital status: Married to Joe.

Children: Joseph,17, Michael, 12.

Pets: Zack the dog.

Hobbies: Cooking, biking, walking, reading, and fishing - when my husband drags me out in the boat.

Perfect day off: Sleep late, lunch out, movie, shopping, then dinner out.

First job/worst job: Baby sitting was the first and worst.

If you could choose another job, what would it be? Interior designer.

What's your favorite hangout? The beach.

Favorite night on the town: Dinner at a nice restaurant with my husband. A Broadway play in New York.

Favorite food/drink: Lobster/Coke.

Favorite movie, TV show: ``The Sound of Music,'' ``Romeo and Juliet''/``Home Improvement,'' ``Seinfield.''

Book you wish everyone would read: ``When Bad Things Happen to Good People''

Ideal vacation: One with no phones, no beepers, no schedules.

Things you can't resist: Potato chips and Coke.

Few people know that you are a: Gourmet cook.

Most embarrassing moment: When my bikini top broke and fell off while I was sitting in a chair. Thank God for beach towels.

If you won the lottery, what would you do/buy? I would travel the world, and I'd buy a 450 SLC Mercedes Benz for myself.

Best advice you've been given and by whom: ``Just be yourself,'' from my husband.

Best thing about yourself: I am caring, and I like helping others.

If you trade places with anyone else in the world, who would you be and why? No one . . . I am just me.

What achievements are you most proud of: Being my brother's care taker when he was sick. And getting my degree, a bachelor's in social work from Christopher Newport University, while raising two children.

Something you wish you'd said, but haven't: I generally say whatever is on my mind. However, it really bothers me when people are hurtful to others. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL

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