Our History
Members of the newly formed Desert Valley Hospice Society,
Left to Right, Back Row: Elizabeth Mann, Margaret Dietrich, Trudy Demorest, Jeannette Stapleton, Elaine Madaire. Front Row: Lois Clark, Mary Clare Bednarik, Kay Yuckin.
Missing: Adeline Frey, Merrill Bjerkan and Trish Soare.
In 2005, a group of hospice volunteers saw a need and discussed the practicality
of starting a society in order to accumulate and direct fund raised dollars as
the new society saw fit. The practice at the time was for funds to be directed to
the hospital’s foundation. On August 25, 2006, the society was formed under
the name, “Desert Valley Hospice Society”, with four directors at the helm:
Trudy Demorest, President
Kay Yuckin, Vice President
Jeannette Stapleton, Treasurer
Merrill Bjerkan, Secretary
Then in January 2007, the Society became a registered charity. The Society’s goals at the time were to raise awareness around hospice palliative care, and to fundraise to build a freestanding hospice house. The Society had success in fundraising through different events including large annual events such as the Hike for Hospice Palliative Care, an annual wine & cheese and auction, as well as smaller events including membership drives, car washes, and a fashion show among others. From the beginning, the communities of Oliver and Osoyoos have been very supportive, with many businesses and organizations donating funds and / or proceeds for the events.
By 2010, the Society had successfully fundraised $120,000. At the Annual General Meeting that year, additional members were added to the board. The new board consisted of: Janet Shaw, President; Lois Brummet, Vice President; Trudy Demorest, Past President; Henry Wiebe, Secretary; Merrill Bjerkan, Treasurer. Directors at Large were Hank O’Handley, Dave Shaw, Karen Fleming, Catherine Hahn, Darren Pottinger, Susan Capyk and Betty Lou Trimmer-Bahnsen.
In 2011, the DVHS Board of Directors recognized the critical importance of developing a Strategic Plan to guide the work of the Society. Without a strong framework from which to work, the Board believed it would struggle to achieve the Society’s mission and values. The Board engaged a consultant to help establish the Strategic Plan. As part of the first phase of the project, an assessment of the current end-of-life and palliative care services in the South Okanagan local health area was conducted. The state of care was measured against Provincial and Interior Health expectations. The assessment determined a current need for six palliative care beds, a need which was expected to grow to 10 beds within 15 years. From this assessment came a Business Case Proposal to establish a free standing six bed Hospice House. In 2012, a three-year Strategic Plan was completed. As well, a service contract between DVHS and Interior Health was signed allowing Desert Valley to provide hospice volunteer programs within Interior Health.
Currently, palliative care is provided in the South Okanagan General Hospital in two designated Palliative Care Rooms and two rooms at Mariposa in Osoyoos. The patients are cared for by a team consisting of Palliative Care Nurses, hospital and facility nursing staff and DVHS Hospice Volunteers. In addition, palliative care is provided cooperatively with Hospice Volunteers, Palliative Care Nurses and staff in care facilities, as well as at the homes of individuals. Desert Valley is committed to advocating for excellence in end-of-life care within Interior Health and the community at large. The Strategic Plan helped DVHS develop a better profile in the community from which to create awareness of the Society and its goals.
One of the key strategic objectives included the need to establish and maintain a Supportive Care Centre from which the society could operate. With the support of the provincial government and BC Housing, Desert Valley Hospice Society secured an agreement effective September 1, 2014 to operate a Supportive Care Centre at 22 Jonagold Place in Osoyoos. The building houses the administrative offices and provides the meeting space for the board and its committees. Hospice volunteer training and continuing education, grief and bereavement support, our weekly Supportive Care Day Program, and other programs and services. Future plans to include a Respite Care Centre for our community residents are in the planning and development stages.
By 2010, the Society had successfully fundraised $120,000. At the Annual General Meeting that year, additional members were added to the board. The new board consisted of: Janet Shaw, President; Lois Brummet, Vice President; Trudy Demorest, Past President; Henry Wiebe, Secretary; Merrill Bjerkan, Treasurer. Directors at Large were Hank O’Handley, Dave Shaw, Karen Fleming, Catherine Hahn, Darren Pottinger, Susan Capyk and Betty Lou Trimmer-Bahnsen.
In 2011, the DVHS Board of Directors recognized the critical importance of developing a Strategic Plan to guide the work of the Society. Without a strong framework from which to work, the Board believed it would struggle to achieve the Society’s mission and values. The Board engaged a consultant to help establish the Strategic Plan. As part of the first phase of the project, an assessment of the current end-of-life and palliative care services in the South Okanagan local health area was conducted. The state of care was measured against Provincial and Interior Health expectations. The assessment determined a current need for six palliative care beds, a need which was expected to grow to 10 beds within 15 years. From this assessment came a Business Case Proposal to establish a free standing six bed Hospice House. In 2012, a three-year Strategic Plan was completed. As well, a service contract between DVHS and Interior Health was signed allowing Desert Valley to provide hospice volunteer programs within Interior Health.
Currently, palliative care is provided in the South Okanagan General Hospital in two designated Palliative Care Rooms and two rooms at Mariposa in Osoyoos. The patients are cared for by a team consisting of Palliative Care Nurses, hospital and facility nursing staff and DVHS Hospice Volunteers. In addition, palliative care is provided cooperatively with Hospice Volunteers, Palliative Care Nurses and staff in care facilities, as well as at the homes of individuals. Desert Valley is committed to advocating for excellence in end-of-life care within Interior Health and the community at large. The Strategic Plan helped DVHS develop a better profile in the community from which to create awareness of the Society and its goals.
One of the key strategic objectives included the need to establish and maintain a Supportive Care Centre from which the society could operate. With the support of the provincial government and BC Housing, Desert Valley Hospice Society secured an agreement effective September 1, 2014 to operate a Supportive Care Centre at 22 Jonagold Place in Osoyoos. The building houses the administrative offices and provides the meeting space for the board and its committees. Hospice volunteer training and continuing education, grief and bereavement support, our weekly Supportive Care Day Program, and other programs and services. Future plans to include a Respite Care Centre for our community residents are in the planning and development stages.