Jeannie Gillian, Ph.D. is the founder and director of Hope Center, a member of Covenant Health, established in 1996 at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center to provide supportive services and education at no charge to patients and families affected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 

 

Hope Center resulted from Jeannie's doctoral research, a 2-year phenomenological study on the relevance of "hope" as perceived by women and men living with HIV and AIDS.  Jeannie's study gave her a unique understanding of the human perspective and the challenges faced by patients as they negotiate health care and community support systems.  She also experienced HIV caregiving first hand during the diagnosis and subsequent death of her son, Bobby. 

 

 Jeannie designed a Hope Model and developed the Oliver & Company Volunteer Care Team to address both anticipatory care and self-management strategies.  The purpose of anticipatory care is to identify concerns and needs that make up a patient's medical and social situation.  To the extent possible, potential problems are addressed throughout the illness to avoid unnecessary health complications and stressful medical procedures.  The self-management approach focuses on facilitating positive survival skills and education to promote patients' independence, wellness, and self-confidence. All the Center's education programs acknowledge that the "H" in HIV relates to the human perspective.