The Cole Foundation recently received a donation from Rich Johnson’s family through the Honor Your Caregiver program, along with a message praising Dr. Andrea Heller’s outstanding care.

In memory of Rich Johnson, our family wishes to honor Dr. Andrea Heller for the exceptional palliative care she provided over the past 15 months.

Dr. Heller demonstrated deliberate thoughtfulness in her approach caring for Rich. During each visit, she engaged him on a personal level, discussing any and all issues that affected his quality of life, and she listened to his priorities. She guided and educated our family on the progression of his dementia and other health concerns, ensuring we always considered Rich’s personal wishes and treatment goals. She showed us an abundance of kindness, compassion, and knowledge.

Throughout this challenging time, Dr. Heller became a vital source of truth for our family. She instilled hope and confidence in us, reassuring us that we could meet Rich’s needs while honoring his wishes. She provided clarity and comfort as we navigated various medical options and potential outcomes. Her support brought great comfort to our family, and we will forever be grateful that Dr. Heller, affectionately known by Rich as “The Cute Minister,” was his physician.

Thank you, Dr. Heller, for being part of our dad’s team.

The Family of Rich Johnson

If you would like to make a donat ion to honor a caregiver, visit our website at

YourColeFoundation.org.