From Homeland to Inventor: Bob Green and The BobTail

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Bob Green holding the BobTail

Homeland HomeHealth nurse LuAnn Randall explains that the goal for any home care patient is universal: To fully return to their normal daily activities to the greatest extent possible. When Bob Green entered LuAnn’s care, that was his goal too. But Bob’s personal experience with his condition inspired another goal – that of helping others – which led to an invention, which is aptly known as The BobTailTM.

The Journey Begins

Bob’s story and the origin of The BobTail began on February 3, 2021, when he received a life-altering diagnosis: bladder cancer.

Like so many bladder cancer patients, Bob found emptying his urostomy bag awkward. A urostomy bag collects urine when the bladder is removed or bypassed. It needs to be pulled out from under the user’s clothing to be emptied, whether standing or sitting. Users must hold the bag with one hand while removing a plug or opening a valve to drain the contents. After Bob’s surgery, he was fitted with a urostomy bag and realized there had to be a simpler, more efficient way to manage the process of draining fluid from the bag.

“Bob felt stifled by the leakage and odor when emptying his pouch, especially in public restrooms or places outside of his home,” LuAnn recalls.

An Innovative Solution

Using his knack for tinkering, he developed The BobTail—a connector designed to seamlessly attach most ostomy bags to a bottle, enabling effortless fluid drainage into a receptacle like a toilet or another container. The simple yet effective device is beneficial for many users, including the elderly and those who might find traditional methods for draining more challenging. After creating an initial prototype, Bob shared it with his medical team. Their enthusiastic response gave him the confidence to pursue the idea further. Over the last two and a half years, Bob has refined his product, ultimately securing multiple patents.

“I didn’t invent this to make money,” Bob says. “I made it to help myself and now help others.”

Coming Together

Creating The BobTail was not without its challenges. Bob needed a valve that didn’t leak and was easy to operate, even for individuals with arthritis. After a long search, he found the perfect match — the Ugo Catheter Valve. With the valve in hand, Bob and his team set to work designing and refining The BobTail. Their efforts resulted in a product now manufactured in Pittsburgh, PA and assembled in Camp Hill, PA.

The BobTail is designed to be durable and user-friendly. Each connector is made using 3D printing technology and is intended to last for two weeks before needing replacement. Users can wash the connector with soap and water, ensuring it remains clean and hygienic. The product is suitable for both men and women and can be used in various settings, offering users a discreet and convenient solution.

“Seeing Bob’s success in inventing The BobTail makes me smile,” LuAnn says. “His story is such an awesome example of how Homeland walks alongside our patients to educate and instruct them in their disease process, and how those same patients move forward to make the world better for others.”

Support and Advocacy

Throughout his journey, Bob has remained committed to supporting others facing similar challenges. He’s been open about his experience, hoping to be a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of bladder cancer. His advocacy extends beyond the product itself. Bob also serves as a Survivor-to-Survivor Advocate for the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) and is a member of the executive committee for the Penn State Hershey Hospital Bladder Cancer Support Group.

Additionally, Bob has showcased The BobTail to health care professionals at the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses (WOCN) conference, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response that reinforced his belief that The BobTail can make a real difference.

“I view The BobTail not just as a practical tool, but as a symbol of resilience for those who use it,” Bob says.

Bob hopes his story will inspire others facing similar challenges, demonstrating that even in difficult times, it’s possible to create something meaningful.

“It’s been quite a ride,” Bob says reflecting on his journey. And with The BobTail, that ride is far from over.

Social Worker Andrew Humes Loves Homeland’s Team Approach to Care

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Andrew Humes, social workerYour choice. Our privilege. For Homeland Hospice this is a promise to deliver the most compassionate care possible to all patients and their families. In his role as a licensed social worker (LSW) with Homeland Hospice, Andrew Humes lives these words every day as he helps patients during their end-of-life journey. Homeland Hospice is a hospice program that serves communities throughout Central Pennsylvania.

Andrew has been with Homeland for nearly three years. He joined the staff after earning his undergraduate and master’s degrees in social work at West Chester University. During his academic tenure he focused on gerontology because he enjoys connecting with seniors and learning their life stories. Following his course work, Andrew interned with a hospice organization in West Chester. He loved his hands-on experience and admired the hospice philosophy of care.

“I was excited to learn about the position with Homeland,” Andrew says. “I was confident I could do the job and make a difference.”

Andrew returned home to Mechanicsburg and immediately embraced his role at Homeland Hospice. Homeland Hospice helps patients live as fully and comfortably as possible by providing symptom and pain relief; care services and therapies; spiritual support and on-call support.

As a social worker, Andrew helps families with the most emotional parts of their journey and ensures they have access to non-medical resources. Patients and families often need a friend who will not judge them as they deal with difficult and painful emotions. Listening and affirming beliefs and feelings helps patients and families find comfort and peace amidst grief. This can look differently depending on the patient.

“I fondly remember a patient whose last wish was to finish a book he was writing,” Andrew recalls. “It was an honor to help make this happen.”

Andrew and his patients often form unique levels of trust and bonds during a short period of time. Andrew knows everyone is different, and he works diligently to find a common ground for conversation and connections.

“Sometimes, patients want to talk about everyday life, like sports,” Andrew adds. “Talking about a recent game can help a patient feel like life is normal, if only for a few minutes.”

Andrew often includes his personal hobbies and passions in his work. As an avid runner, Andrew helped organize the Homeland Hospice 5K and Memory Walk in September of 2024. He shared his enthusiasm for the sport and his love of Homeland during guest appearances on Good Day PA on abc27 and WINK 104.

Two years ago, Andrew and his family were on the receiving end of hospice services when his grandmother was in her final days of life. She received hospice services from an organization close to her home. Andrew saw his mother step into the role of primary caregiver and the toll of grief and worry she carried. This experience made Andrew acutely aware of the impact one can make through extra kindness, support and attention to details.

“I have a better understanding of the needs of families,” Andrew says. “I am a better social worker because of this experience.”

As a sports fan and marching band instructor, Andrew knows it takes everyone working together to be successful. This is what he loves most about Homeland. The team approach to care sets everyone up to meet the needs of families.

“I love connecting with patients and families,” Andrew adds. “This work makes a more complete person.”

For more information about services for patients and families, call Homeland Hospice at (717) 221-7890.

Homeland HomeHealth Achieves Five-Star Quality Rating from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

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woman smiling at a homehealth patient

Homeland HomeHealth, a service of Homeland Center’s community outreach program Homeland at Home, has earned a five-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that works in partnership with the nation’s healthcare community to improve quality, equity and outcomes in the health care system.  

CMS created the Five-Star Quality Rating System to help consumers, their families and caregivers compare Medicare-certified home health agencies and other health care service providers. The system gives each service provider a rating of between one and five stars, five being the highest quality. 

Homeland HomeHealth is currently the only home health agency in its region with a full five-star rating. 

“Homeland HomeHealth’s five-star quality rating is a testament to our team’s dedication to quality care,” said Director of Homeland HomeHealth Lora Bierce, RN, WCC. “Quality is our number one focus every single day. Our patients count on it. They count on us. We are committed to earning their trust through the individualized care and treatment we provide in the comfort of their own home.” 

Homeland HomeHealth’s five-star rating comes on the heels of Homeland Center, Homeland’s Continuing Care Retirement Community in uptown Harrisburg, being named a Best Nursing Home by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025 nursing home ratings. 

Homeland Center is the only facility in Dauphin County that U.S. News awarded high-performing ratings for both long-term care and short-term rehabilitation and an overall rating of 5 out of 5. Ratings were determined by nurse staffing, patient outcomes and whether steps known to be effective in avoiding harm and improving health were built into nursing home routines. 

Occupying a full block in uptown Harrisburg, Homeland Center is a licensed not-for-profit Continuing Care Retirement Community offering personal care, skilled nursing care, memory care, and short-term rehabilitation. Homeland at Home, a community outreach program of Homeland Center, provides hospice care (compassionate end-of-life care), home health services (in-home physician-ordered medical treatment), home care services (in-home non-medical daily living assistance) and palliative care (comfort and relief from the symptoms and stress of serious illness). 

Art from the Heart: Celebrating Homeland Hospice’s 15th Anniversary

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anniversary heart created by Homeland Center Director of Nursing Jennifer Tate-DeFreitasWhen members of the Homeland community were invited to decorate canvas hearts to celebrate Homeland Hospice’s 15th anniversary, many chose to depict hands. 

“What comes out of our hands exudes from our hearts,” said Homeland Center Director of Nursing Jennifer Tate-DeFreitas. “These are the hands that care for you.” 

Homeland Hospice collected 52 decorated hearts from generous sponsors. All were displayed at the anniversary celebration themed “History, Heart & Honor.” The hearts were decorated by selected artists and crafters. 

Appropriately for February, 15 of the hearts are on display in Homeland Center’s Florida Room art gallery for residents, staff, and visitors to enjoy. Another 15 will be displayed in March. 

The idea was a spinoff from Homeland Hospice’s 10th-anniversary “Guitars, Gifts, and Gratitude” celebration when sponsors supported the decoration of wood guitar forms. For the 15th anniversary, hearts were chosen for their universal feel – accessible and relatable enough for anyone to participate. Sponsors ranged from Homeland staff teams and board members to donors and friends of Homeland, including Homeland Center’s new neighbor, the Catherine Hershey Schools for Learning Harrisburg.  

Tate-DeFreitas decorated two hearts on behalf of Homeland Center’s skilled care team. She said that for people in the last phases of life, Homeland Center staff members share a commitment to heartfelt care with Homeland Hospice.  

“Your effect on that portion of their life can be very impactful, so you have to make sure that it’s meaningful and uplifting and quality, and that you respect dignity because all of those are important,” she said.  

Homeland at Home team members also contributed their funds and talents for hearts to join the gallery. Homeland HomeCare Assistant Director Bobbie Jo Weigel corralled her staff of CNAs to put their handprints on a heart under the phrase, “May your hands be an extension of your heart, and may you do the work of love with them.” 

The artwork aligns with the work of the HomeCare aides because “we go into people’s houses with our hearts and our hands,” said Weigel. “We provide hands-on care, and most of our clients are dear to us in our hearts.” 

The HomeCare aides who help their patients with daily tasks, such as light housekeeping and administering medications, found it easy to support Homeland Hospice because “with Homeland, we feel like we’re one big family,” Weigel said. “We all help each other out.”  

Homeland Hospice weekend on-call nurse Erin Zinobile appreciates the teamwork and “great crew” of her workplace, as well as the environment where she can get help and answers from a colleague at any time. 

“A lot of us say that it’s not easy by any means to be a hospice nurse, but I really do feel like you can put your heart into it and make a difference,” she said. 

Even amid their busy and consequential workdays, the Homeland Hospice nurses joined forces to sponsor a heart. Zinobile was the natural person to tap for decorating it, for her artistic and quilting abilities. As a working mom in a stressful job, art is the therapy that helps her care for herself and keep her own heart healthy, she said. Her Homeland Hospice heart, in mixed media, depicts words the nursing staff chose – care, faith, presence, comfort, compassion, grace, and love. 

“This was to represent all the nurses, and the idea was to put in words what we do,” she said. 

Joining the “History, Heart & Honor” celebration reminded nurses that “we’re part of something bigger than ourselves,” Zinobile added. “You get to see your footprint in the world.”  

Tate-DeFreitas also noticed a heart that the Homeland HomeHealth team encircled with a stethoscope.  

“That’s what we drape over our necks, and that lays over our hearts,” she said. “That’s the instrument we use to listen to your heart.” 

Staff members chipped in with their own funds in each Homeland department that sponsored a heart. 

What does it mean to Homeland staff to share their own treasure and talents to support and advance the work of Homeland Hospice?  

“That says to me that we are one, even though we’re many parts,” said Tate De-Freitas. “We’re still one.” 

View the full gallery of decorated hearts here: https://www.homelandevents.org/15th-anniversary-heart-photos/

Homeland Center Chief Human Resources Officer Nicol Brown Named a 2025 YWCA Woman of Excellence

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Homeland Center Chief Human Resources Officer Nicol BrownNicol Brown, NHA, chief human resources and compliance officer for Homeland Center, has been named a 2025 YWCA Greater Harrisburg Woman of Excellence. 

YWCA’s Tribute to Women of Excellence program honors women in the Capital Region who devote time and energy to making the organizations and communities with which they are affiliated better places to live and work. 

“I am incredibly honored that I have been chosen as a YWCA Greater Harrisburg Woman of Excellence,” Brown said. “This recognition reflects the amazing support and encouragement I’ve received throughout my journey, which inspires me to give back to others I meet along the way. It is truly a blessing to work with Homeland, YWCA and other local organizations with missions and core values that align with my own. Their support, along with the love and support of my family, motivate me to keep pursuing excellence and uplifting others in our community.” 

YWCA will celebrate Brown and 24 other honorees at its 36th Annual Tribute to Excellence Awards event on Wednesday, March 26 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey. 

In her role at Homeland, Brown promotes a culture of continuous learning and quality enhancement that fosters a supportive work environment and encourages personal and professional growth. 

Her community involvement includes serving as chair of the human resources committee for Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area and as an executive board member for Neighborhood Dispute Settlement, a non-profit community-based mediation center in Harrisburg that promotes and provides conflict resolution through direct services, training and education. 

The YWCA Greater Harrisburg is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. 

Occupying a full block in uptown Harrisburg, Homeland Center is a licensed not-for-profit Continuing Care Retirement Community offering personal care, skilled nursing care, memory care, and short-term rehabilitation. Homeland at Home, a community outreach program of Homeland Center, provides hospice care (compassionate end-of-life care), home health services (in-home physician-ordered medical treatment), home care services (in-home non-medical daily living assistance) and palliative care (comfort and relief from the symptoms and stress of serious illness).