Westminster, Md. – Steady rain didn’t keep more than 100 supporters from attending a groundbreaking ceremony for the first free-standing hospice facility in Carroll County. The event was held Aug. 28 at the corner of Washington Road and Stoner Avenue, the future site of the hospice building.

State Sen. Larry Haines, of District 5, and county commissioner, Robin Frazier were among the dignitaries in attendance. They were joined by Greg Lewis, D.C., chairman of the Carroll Hospice Board of Trustees; John Sernulka, president and CEO of Carroll County General Hospital; Todd Brown, chairman of the hospital’s board of directors; Marie Bossie, executive director of Carroll Home Care and Carroll Hospice; Flavio Kruter, M.D., medical director of Carroll Hospice and Jack Tevis, chairman of the hospital’s “Fulfilling the Promise” fundraising campaign.

The 16-bed hospice facility will provide acute and palliative care in a home-like setting for patients with life-limiting illnesses. Plans for the new facility call for all private rooms, a bereavement center, chapel, various support services and an inter-disciplinary team of physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers and volunteers.

The residential hospice will be built with funds raised through Carroll Hospice and Carroll County General Hospital’s “Fulfilling the Promise” campaign. Of the campaign’s $8 million goal, $2 million will go toward the hospice building.

Sixteen years ago, Carroll Hospice began providing in-home care for patients with terminal illnesses. It started as a volunteer program in 1986, and within one year, Carroll Hospice served 56 families. Today, Carroll Hospice provides care to 50 patients a day and nearly 500 a year.

###