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“Hospice Chose Me” – Malita Williams

Staff Spotlight on SSD & Social Worker Malita Williams

She’s a Fierce Advocate who knows How to Laugh

This National Social Work Month we shine a second spotlight on Dayton SSD Malita Williams, MSW.

When a friend suggested that Malita Williams would excel as a social worker in hospice, she immediately answered: "Absolutely not." Seven years later, Malita’s compassion and commitment impact the care patients and families receive at Crossroads in Dayton and her job satisfaction is at an all-time high. 

Hospice wasn’t on Malita’s radar screen at all before she joined Crossroads. After completing both a bachelor’s and master’s degree at the University of Cincinnati, she had spent a decade working in child welfare and didn’t yet understand the incredibly important role of hospice for patients and their families. 

Taking the leap of faith to work at Crossroads led to an unexpected but rewarding experience. “I didn’t choose hospice, hospice chose me,” Malita said.

Working on both ends of the life spectrum equips Malita with special insight. She said society highly values child welfare and the beginning of life. Now Malita knows that end-of-life care is equally vital. Her hospice patients need just as much support as the children she once served, and she hopes society will one day recognize that.

Finding Strength in End-of-Life Care

Malita finds strength in comforting and caring for patients and their families as they navigate the end-of-life journey. She said she loves working for Crossroads, an organization “that truly cares for the people it serves.”

End-of-life care isn’t without its challenges. Just two years ago, a staff shortage left Malita without any staff social workers. To navigate this predicament, she had to shift her perspective and take on responsibilities beyond her usual role, serving patients directly while administering the overall social work function. She made it work and earned a lot of stripes in the process.

Fast forward to today. What was once a challenge to juggle with her intense administrative duties has become one of her favorite parts of the job. Reflecting on this experience, Malita describes herself as the kind of person who needs to vent first and then say, “Alright, now what’s the plan?” Currently, there are two open full-time social worker positions in Dayton.

Malita is married with three small children, ages 9, 4 and 3 who keep her busy beyond words. She finds time to be an active ordained deacon of her church where she is a popular member. 

Work is extremely important to her, but Malita knows that it is even more important to laugh, have fun, spend time with her family and “love the Lord.” She loves telling jokes and believes people should laugh more.

Get Your Green on in March

Wait! Crossroads is Always Green

Another St. Patrick’s Day is in our rear view mirror this week. What a great time to be reminded why the color green is so important to Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care.

At Crossroads wearing green has deep meaning. The green we wear every day embodies the ideals of Crossroads’ mission to always “do more” for our patients and their families.

Our soothing signature sage green color represents life, renewal, energy and spiritual harmony. It inspires and unites team members around our shared promise to provide the best and most compassionate end-of-life care. 

In our Crossroads green we understand the importance of treating one another with respect and empathy while being deliberately ethical and nurturing in our end-of-life care. This is what Crossroads is known for.

About St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day started in the 17th century as a religious observance honoring the saint who brought Christianity to Ireland. Today it is a world-wide secular holiday of revelry and celebration of all things Irish including the color green, the national color of Ireland and shamrocks, a little clover, which is the national plant of Ireland.