Interview with CEO of Hospice Fredericton
Can you tell me a little bit about how and why your organization began?
The concept for Hospice Fredericton began in 2001 with a group of community minded citizens who saw the need for a residential hospice to meet the needs of palliative patients outside the hospital setting.
Residential hospices are a national concept with hospices across Canada, however, each one is run independently by a board of directors.
Has the organization grown significantly since it began?
Hospice Fredericton has grown in the programs and services we offer to the public. The original concept of compassionate end-of-life care remains the same, however, there are now a significant number of additional services available. We have developed a model that provides continuity of care for patients and families with a Day Hospice Program for those not ready for admission, holistic end-of-life care upon admission and grief and bereavement programs for families following the loved ones passing.
Hospice Fredericton was the second hospice to open in Atlantic Canada with Saint John being the first. There are now hospices in four communities including Moncton and Miramichi.
Hospice Fredericton is a 10 bed facility consistent with national standards.
What is your role in the organization and what is the structure?
I serve as the CEO of the organization. Operationally we have a cross functional clinical team consisting of medical professionals and professionals providing psychosocial care; a support team of housekeeping, dietary and maintenance and an administrative team. Oversight is provided by a board of directors made up of members from our community. We also have a large number of volunteers who support the operational activities across each area.
What types of services does your organization offer and who are the people who use or take advantage of your services?
The primary service offered by Hospice Fredericton is holistic end-of-life care designed around goals of care created with the patients wishes. We also offer a variety of programs to meet the needs of individuals diagnosed with a life-limiting illness (Palliative Day Program) and grief and bereavement services for families and friends. These include grief programs specific to your grief, grief groups, a drop-in grief café, yoga for grief, a grief library and individual grief support when required. All services offered at Hospice Fredericton are open to the public (your loved one did not have to be a patient of Hospice) and all are free of charge. Donations are accepted but there is no fee to be admitted or to attend the programs available.
As a not-for-profit, what are your major fundraisers?
The Hospice Boutique is our biggest fundraiser. The regular fundraisers include the Annual Appeal, Hike for Hospice, 52 Split Lottery and the Memorial Tree Lighting.
What are the best ways to help your organization? (i.e. donations, volunteering, sharing on social media, etc.)
Hospice Fredericton relies heavily on volunteers for a lot of our programs and services. If you wish to support with time, please see us about volunteering.
Donations of items to our Boutique are always accepted and will provide retail revenue. The donor also receives a receipt for items they donated that were sold.Of course, as a non-profit, cash donations are always accepted. You can make a donation through our website or at Hospice House and the Hospice Boutique.
Can you tell me about one of the most rewarding experiences you’ve had while working for this organization?
As CEO, each day seeing the dedication and compassion of the staff is rewarding. The way patients are treated is above and beyond. The team at Hospice ensure, whenever possible, the patients time here is celebrated in a way they want. From celebrating birthdays and anniversaries to date nights and graduations, to tours of art gallery’s, they have made it all happen. We had a young son bake cookies for his dad who was a patient, families bring in pets, great-grandbabies meet their great grandparent – it would be hard to pick any one specific event as they are all special. Seeing the patients smiles makes it all worthwhile.
What kind of challenges has your organization encountered and how did you adapt to overcome them?
One of the greatest challenges for Hospice was during COVID with restrictions on visitation. Our patients are at the end-of-life and to restrict loved ones was indeed a challenge. A plan was developed whereby two family members at a time could visit for a period then another two etc. It did not allow families to gather as a group but allowed them to share special time with their family member while they were here.
If I were thinking about volunteering for a not-for-profit organization, what would you say to sway my decision to join your organization? What kind of impact can volunteers have within your organization?
The honour it is to be there and support the end-of-life journey for individuals and their families is something that cannot be described in words.
Volunteering at Hospice House or Hospice Boutique provides an opportunity to support this journey. Whether you sort donations at the Boutique or help with dishes in the kitchen, or greet visitors at the door, everything you do as a volunteer is helping deliver our mission.
Our volunteers are a family. Many have been with us wince the doors opened over eight years ago. They go above and beyond every day. I would encourage anyone who wants a feeling of fulfillment, purpose and connection to explore volunteer opportunities at Hospice – we have a place for everyone.
What sets you apart from other not-for-profits?
The obvious answer is often the type of work we do. As the only Hospice in the area our service is unique.
In addition to that, we offer programs for the general public, not just those with a direct connection to Hospice. Everything we do is free to participants; we operate as inclusive, diverse and equitable. Out reach is far beyond Fredericton, to the Upper River Valley and Grand Lake areas.
What is something that you wish more people knew about your organization?
We welcome anyone referred as a patient, there are no other criteria than a life-limiting illness. There is no charge for any service provided. Our services go beyond the clinical care to ensure families are cared for through the grieving process. Hospice honours life and is not a scary place, a lot of happy moments occur inside our doors.
Has your organization won any awards?
The Hospice Boutique has won the award for best thrift store in Fredericton four times. Hospice Fredericton was nominated and in the top three for the Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.
What are you most proud of about your organization?
The people who work here and the people we are able to support through the programming offered.