SALISBURY, MD – February 19, 2020 – Coastal Hospice, the non-profit health care provider serving patients and families on the Lower Shore, has launched a 40th anniversary campaign created to raise further awareness of the organization, its mission and impact.
“Coastal Hospice serves patients and families during one of the most critical time of their lives – the delicate time leading toward death,” said Alane Capen, CEO. “Our services, which can begin long before those precious last few days, are meant to lift stress and strain from those patients and families and allow them to remain as active and engaged as possible during the final chapter of their lives.
She continued, “We have had the most extraordinary 40 years working in Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset and Dorchester counties, and we are committed to serving all those in need.”
Coastal Hospice has served tens-of-thousands of patients and their families in the region, treating them in their homes, at nursing homes and assisted living facilities; at Coastal Hospice at the Lake and at the new residential hospice, the Macky & Pam Stansell House.
“Coastal Hospice is a vital resource to the families on the Lower Shore,” said Sen. Addie Eckhardt, R-37 Mid-Shore (including Wicomico and Dorchester counties.) “Hospice is a free benefit covered by Medicare, and the value received by patients and families cannot be overstated. It provides an opportunity for loved ones to support one another in important transitions with respect and dignity.”
The organization also provides “palliative” care which treats the symptoms and relieves the pain of a terminal illness so that patients can enjoy the time remaining. It also offers Compass, which connects terminally ill patients with meals, transportation and other services, free of charge.
“Our partnership with Coastal Hospice goes back many years and has touched untold numbers of patients and their families,” said Steve Leonard, President/CEO of Peninsula Regional Health System. “From the time a patient is diagnosed with a terminal illness, no matter what the prognosis is, we encourage them to reach out to Coastal Hospice so they can make the best of the time they have left. Coastal Hospice are essential partners as we work together on the continuum of life.”
Reaching Out into the Community
The 40th anniversary logo was revealed at a celebration for more than 300 employees and volunteers earlier today.
“We felt it important for the people who serve our patients daily have the opportunity to celebrate this milestone first,” said Capen. “It was a joyous experience and we are pleased to share it with the community.”
During the event, Coastal Hospice honored employees and volunteers with milestone anniversaries, including 5, 10, 15, 20, and those over 20 years. Capen was honored for her 15th year of service to the organization.
The 40th celebration will continue throughout the year and include presentations to business and service groups. The organization will include the theme in all its events, including the upcoming Taste of Finer Things on April 1 at Harrison’s Harbor Watch and the 40th Anniversary Gala on July 17 at The Guerreri Academic Commons at Salisbury University.
The Coastal Hospice Speakers Bureau is also seeking opportunities to speak with Civic groups and organizations. For more information, please reach out to Bob Miller at 410-742-8732. To learn more about any aspect of Coastal Hospice, visit www.CoastalHospice.org or call for more information.
Timeline: 40 Years of Milestones
Coastal Hospice was formed in 1980 by a group of Salisbury residents. After meeting with Dr. Cicely Saunders, the founder of the first modern hospice, and other hospice groups around the country, they created the Coastal Hospice Society which would evolve into Coastal Hospice. The original logo featured the now-iconic sailboat stemming from the “H” in the logo.
Some key moments on the organization’s timeline include:
1980: Board of directors formed and 501(c)3 tax status obtained.
Dr. Joseph Grasso named Volunteer Medical Director.
Renamed Coastal Hospice.
1981: First office opens in an unused cloak room at Trinity United Methodist Church in Salisbury, MD.
Marion Keenan hired as the Executive Director.
1982: Patient load grows; moves to a larger space at Salisbury Unitarian Universal Fellowship.
Friends of Coastal Hospice formed to raise money for the fledgling organization.
1983: Usage continues to grow; Coastal moves to the first floor of a house on Division Street.
1986: Moving again; this time to a larger space at Wayne and Bateman Streets.
One of the first hospices in nation to earn Joint Commission Accreditation.
1992 Home for Hospice campaign provides a permanent headquarters in Salisbury on Old Ocean City Rd.
1996 Dorchester Hospice becomes part of Coastal Hospice.
2004 Opening of Coastal Hospice at the Lake at Deer’s Head Hospital Center in Salisbury
2006 Partners with PRMC to provide palliative care for patients receiving in-patient treatment
2008 Keenan retires; Capen, who had served first as Vice President of Clinical Services, named CEO
2011 Coastal Hospice Thrift Shop in Berlin opens.
Coastal Kids Supportive Care, a partner program of Alliance Kids, launched.
2014 Coastal Compass, a free service to the community developed by Coastal Hospice, launched.
Campaign to develop a residential home hospice in Ocean Pines launched.
2018 First Coastal Hospice office opens in Cambridge to serve Dorchester County Macky & Pam Stansell House, first residential hospice home on Delmarva, opens in Ocean Pines
2020 Coastal Hospice celebrates 40 years of service to Delmarva; Alane Capen celebrates 15 years of leadership with the organization
For more information about Coastal Hospice, visit www.CoastalHospice.org or call 410-742-8732.
