newsminer.com

Photo by John Wagner

Photo by John Wagner

Just seven short months ago, on a warm July day, Hospice of the Tanana Valley supporters broke ground for a new $2.5 million building to serve the terminally ill, their families and loved ones throughout the Interior.

On Thursday afternoon, staff members were smiling and walking wide-eyed and happy through the newly completed 4,000 square foot facility.

“This is such a dream come true for so many of our longtime volunteers and patients,” Hospice executive director Ann Kjera said.

“For the first time all Hospice staff members will be working out of the same location,” Kjera added with a sigh of relief.

Testing out her new chair behind a curving front counter, Vi Robinson, receptionist, said, “We’re going to be wandering around here for a while.”

The long-awaited move from the organization’s tiny, cramped quarters on Third Avenue to a woodsy, serene, 2.5 acre site at 2001 Gillam Way is the result of the community working together, Hospice board president Alice Hansen said.

“This town needs to be proud,” Hansen said. “We are a very giving, volunteering, community-minded town. We take care of our own.”

Kjera concurs.

“We have an amazing community,” Kjera said, standing in the airy entry area lit with natural light from clerestory windows. “When we said, ‘This is what we want to do,’ everyone asked, ‘How can we help?’”

“And the help came in all forms — individuals, businesses, organizations — which donated not only money, but time, talent and expertise,” Kjera continued. “This has truly been a community project.”

The new building, designed by architect Martha Hanlon, is warm and inviting, a blend of natural light, curves and wood trim.

“We wanted it to be a comforting and a comfortable place for people to go to,” Kjera said. “We didn’t want it to be intimidating.”

Jason Weiner, Hospice board member and chair of the design and construction committee, describes Hospice as “an organization where miracles seem to happen more often than not.”

“Everybody said no way can we get this done in time ... staying on schedule and within budget. We did and we hope this trend will continue and we will be able to provide a residential hospice center for those unable to receive services at home.”

The energy efficient new facility is designed to readily accept an extension which will provide four beds for patient care.

Board member and patient care volunteer Jo Wallis, a nurse practitioner, is looking forward to help set up the Hospice second phase — a patient care center.

“I thank the community again and again for their support of this and hope we can serve more people now that we have a bigger place, and increase the number of our volunteers.”

The new building has a conference/training room, offices for full-time staff and an extra office to grow into, a small kitchen, break room and a shelf-lined quilt closet for the many quilts and afghans donated for patients’ comfort.

A special area to wash and clean borrowed medical equipment such wheelchairs and walkers is highly anticipated.

“Before, we had a bathroom sink,” Kjera said.

Soon, the hospice director will be reorganizing the training and program supplies and equipment housed in volunteers’ residences — including her own — to be organized in a large storage area on the premises.

Hospice staffers Karen Callahan, volunteer coordinator, and Stacie Dublin, patient care coordinator, have offices for the first time and won’t be working out of their cars or homes anymore. And Joan Gaudin, office manager, won’t be interrupted constantly now that the copier, fax machine, files and coffee machine have new homes.

Plans for a memorial garden on the property will get underway when weather permits.

The transition to the new building also means that for the first time, Hospice will be paying utility bills for natural gas, water and sewer, electricity and snow removal that previously were taken care of in monthly rental payments.

Phase I of the Hospice project was made possible by a major grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration in addition to support from the community in helping to reach the capital campaign goal. Help also was received from the borough and state and a generous grant from the Rasmuson Foundation.

Once Hospice is settled into its home, Kjera said, work will begin on Phase II, a residential hospice program modeled after Advent House in New York state. The four-bed patient addition will provide volunteer services to those who are no longer able to live at home but who do not require the skilled care of a hospital staff or nursing home. It will also be available to persons from outlying areas who can no longer live in their homes and have no one to care for them at end-of-life.

“We’ll continue to need the support of the community,” Kjera said. “We’re here for the community, by the community. Hospice touches almost everyone.”

A Hospice open house for the community will be held in May.