January West Oahu Hospice Hero

Like many of her colleagues, Marla Lukowski, LPN, was drawn to hospice care from a personal experience. She was a young nursing student when her grandmother was admitted to hospice on the mainland.

“I was there when the hospice nurse would come make her rounds. The nurse saw the compassionate care I gave to my grandmother and said, ‘You would make a good hospice nurse,’” Marla said. 

“That was the seed that sowed a new passion within me that sparked when I got the job working for Islands Hospice.”

She had always been interested in geriatric care, and when she moved to Oahu, she worked for an agency as she looked for a permanent position. She came across an ad for Islands Hospice, and as she says, “the rest is history.” 

“I’m in a place where I am happy and know I belong,” Marla said. 

Next month, Marla will celebrate her six-year anniversary at Islands Hospice. She has held several positions here, starting as a field nurse, then transitioning to a DCSA due to an injury. She also sometimes works as a weekend liaison. 

Some may recognize Marla from the Islands Hospice commercial that aired last year. “It is one of my ultimate experiences as I have never been in a commercial and it was awesome!” she said. “It brings a smile to my face when being recognized by people out in the community. At times, random families will walk up and share their stories of a family member on hospice or who passed away.”

Marla’s passion for hospice care is unmistakable. “There is a particular feeling of happiness I get when communicating with patient families,” she shared. “To be able to help with problem solving, give advice and tips, or hear families’ experiences they are going through or have been through. It’s just heartwarming and special.”