Twin Lakes Hospice History

Hospice of Greater Golden Valley was first envisioned by the Inter-Church Ministry, an Ecumenical Board of Churches in the Lakes Region. Donna Kay Campbell met with several people from Golden Valley Memorial Hospital for the first time to talk about starting a hospice.  In April of 1984, it was announced that a hospice would be started in the area. The Constitution was established on September 24, 1984 and was signed in October of 1985.

One of two early sources of funds was a grant from the United Methodist Church. In addition, the American Cancer Society of Henry County gave the hospice organization a grant for start up costs.


HISTORY OF THE HOSPICE MOVEMENT

The word "hospice" originated in medieval times.  Derived from the Latin word "hospes" meaning host or guest. Travel-weary crusaders on their way to the Holy Land found refuge in monasteries. Eventually these places of rest came to be called hospices. Because great number of the pilgrims were in ill health, many spent their last days there.

  • 1963 - Dame Cicely Saunders established St. Christopher's inpatient hospice in London.
  • 1969 - "On Death and Dying" by Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross was published.
  • 1972 - Kubler-Ross testified at the first national hearing on the subject of death with dignity.
  • 1974 - America's first hospice, the Connecticut Hospice, Inc. began providing hospice services in the home.
  • Present Day - The term "hospice" refers to a steadily growing concept of humane and compassionate care which can be implemented in a variety of settings.  Patients in the home, hospitals, nursing homes, or freestanding inpatient facilities.

TWIN LAKES HOSPICE, INC IMPORTANT DATES

  • 1984 - September 6th - Incorporated (Linda Jones, Donna Kay Campbell, Barbara Elmore, Kathy Tarpley, Marlene Miller)
  • 1986 - February - First Patient Accepted
  • 1986 - April - 501(C)(3) not for profit tax exemption
  • 1989 - June - Medicare Certified
  • 1990 - November - Name Changed from Hospice of Greater Golden Valley to Twin Lakes Hospice
  • 1992 - August - Warsaw Building purchased
  • 1997 - Clinton Building purchased
  • 1999 - May - Main office moved to Clinton
  • 2004 - Addition to Clinton office completed