Hospice of Salina, Inc. was formed as a joint department of Asbury Hospital and St. John's Hospital in January 1979.  The first staff person, Kaye Pogue, was the Program Director, Staff Nurse, Educator and liaison to other health care professionals.  The charter Board of Directors included health professionals, interested community volunteers and clergy.

In 1980 a second nurse was added to the staff and the first Hospice Volunteer training and community education programs were held.  Support for patients and their families was provided by hospice nurses, hospital social workers and clergy, and hospice volunteers.

The Association of Kansas Hospices was formed in 1981 with Hospice of Salina as a founding member.

By 1988 major changes in structure and service delivery occurred and Hospice achieved Joint Commission accreditation.  Staff had grown over the years and now included three nurses, with Kaye Pogue serving as Clinical Coordinator, and Kim Fair serving as program director.  Programs continued to expand to meet needs and the Inner Peace bereavement support group was formed.

By 1993 tremendous growth had occurred in the geographic service area, programs and staff.  Hospice began serving the Lindsborg-Marquette-Roxbury area on request, implemented an annual community memorial service, and published a general newsletter.  In July of 1993, Hospice became "Hospice of Salina, Inc.", an independent not-for-profit corporation, moved into its own facility and achieved certification for the hospice Medicare benefit and state licensure.  Staff increased to nine persons.

Program expansion has been a constant over the years in order to meet the changing and increasing needs of those served by Hospice.  Griefbusters children's grief support group was started in 1995 and New Horizons for grieving teens started in 1997.  Individual counseling for children and teens also became available, and Inner Peace monthly bereavement newsletter grew to a circulation of 1,000.  Grief and the Holidays has been an annual education event, as has co-sponsorship of an annual grief teleconference in April.

Service expanded to include Ellsworth County in 1998.  Working with Friends of Hospice in Ellsworth County, Inc. Board of Directors enabled citizens of that county to receive comprehensive hospice services.  The Friend of Hospice Board has been a great help and support to Hospice of Salina in delivery and support of services.  This partnership has been of benefit to all involved. 

The current Hospice service area is Saline and Ellsworth Counties, the Lindsborg-Marquette-Roxbury area, and a 40-mile radius of Salina.  Staff has grown to 15.  Hospice sold its facility on Santa Fe to Salina Regional Health Center, which is housing Hospice currently at Penn Campus.  Plans are being made to construct a new hospice facility that will house all hospice functions in one location.

The Task Force for the Future Direction of Hospice, with membership from the Board of Trustees, has published two reports, both of which have been adopted by the full Board.  The documents have become the vision of Hospice of Salina, Inc.  The vision statements are: Hospice of Salina will...

	Be the center for grief and loss education, support and therapy in the community;
	Provide ongoing community and professional education on end-of-life care, grief and loss;
	Maintain employee policies and practices that are competitive in the market to recruit and retain highly qualified staff.
	Offer special programs, services, staff and volunteers to meet the needs of persons without primary caregivers, including case management, "Living Alone", adult day care, support care program, inpatient hospice care, and
	Have facilities that meet staff, community and program requirements that promote comfort for persons served by Hospice, including office space necessary for daily functions, storage space adequate to maintain necessary patient supplies and equipment, space to accommodate education and community services, and provision of appropriate inpatient general care and respite care.

 The future looks exciting! With the continued commitment of the communities we serve and the dedication of our employees, volunteers and Trustees, Hospice of Salina, Inc. will continue to provide needed services far into the future.

(785) 825-1717
Hospice@srhc.com