2008 Ribbon Cutting Event
– May 22, 227 Dunham Street, Norwich, CT

Over 100 people gathered amidst raining skies to officially open Hospice Southeastern Connecticut’s new administrative office and Community Bereavement Center on Thursday, May 22, 2008.

Carol L. Mahier, RN, MSN, Executive Director Hospice Southeastern Connecticut recognized the board of directors, staff, volunteers, fundraising committees, donors and legislators that helped to make the new facility a reality. Carol thanked Board President, John D. Lanza and Building Committee Chairman Nathan Beit for their constant support and vision throughout the project.

John D. Lanza shared that Hospice Southeastern Connecticut would not be here today had it not been for the generosity of Saints Peter and Paul’s parishioners, trustees, finance committee, the Reverend Philip A. Pusateri, S.J., and the Most Revered Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich. “Saints Peter and Paul Parish and the Norwich Diocese have a long- standing commitment of stewardship in the community and recognize the importance of caring for the dying”., stated John. The parish donated 6.4 acres of land enabling Hospice Southeastern Connecticut to build the new facility. John also recognized the agency’s sole members Lawrence and Memorial Hospital and The William W. Backus Hospital and for their commitment to Hospice Southeastern Connecticut.

Norma Gyle, Deputy Commissioner, State of Connecticut Department of Public Health presented a proclamation for Governor M. Jodi Rell proclaiming May 22, 2008 as Community Bereavement Center Day in the State of Connecticut.

Building Chairman Nathan Beit recognized the many people involved to make the new center a reality including former board member Kenneth Brown who first approached Bishop Daniel Hart about the possibility of a gift of land and board member Connie Hilbert who was instrumental in helping form the building committee.  Nathan also thanked and recognized David Atkinson, architect; Chris Ida, Hospice Southeastern Connecticut’s owners representative, Tom Cummings,CLA Engineers and John Carlin, Jim Elia and Scott Bianchi from Carlin Construction Company as well as John Dolan, Dime Bank. Dime Bank provided the financing for the building.

Bruce D. Cummings, President & Chief Executive Office Lawrence & Memorial Hospital shared the importance of the choice of hospice in the continuum of care for patients and their families and how far the hospice movement has come since Dame Cicely Saunders initiated the hospice concept in England in the 1950’s. Bruce praised the work of Hospice Southeastern Connecticut. Thomas P. Pipicelli, President and Chief Executive Office of the William W. Backus Hospital echoed Bruce’s sentiments and offered congratulation to Hospice Southeastern Connecticut its board, staff and volunteers.  

Father Philip A. Pusateri shared the joy he and parishioners felt watching the building go up and shared how grateful he was that Hospice Southeastern Connecticut was there to help care for his family members.   

Norwich City Manager, Allen Bergren welcomed Hospice Southeastern Connecticut on behalf of the City of Norwich and Mayor Benjamin Lathrop.   

 The new home will serve as a as a valuable resource of support to all of New London County. Through this new Community Bereavement Center, grieving adults, seniors, children and teens can access such services as bereavement and caregiver support groups, a special ongoing program for widows and widowers (called “Stepping Stones”), expressive arts for children, teenagers and adults, and educational materials and videos on coping with grief and loss. The Community Bereavement Center also offers easy access at a convenient location while our new administrative offices provide a home for the over 72 employees and 130 volunteers. An adjoining hospice residence facility is a vision for the future.

Hospice Southeastern Connecticut provides different support groups to New London County’s bereaved every year. These support groups are provided at no cost to anyone grieving a loss and are attended by people of all ages who come to understand that “grief shared is grief divided”. No one needs to go through their time of grief alone.

Since 1985, Hospice Southeastern Connecticut has provided excellent care before and after death to over 6,000 patients and their families in New London County. Hospice Southeastern Connecticut is an independent not for profit community based hospice program and the oldest Medicare Certified Hospice in New London County. Patients have been cared for by the Interdisciplinary team of Hospice & Palliative Care certified nurses and home health aides, physicians, licensed medical social workers, chaplains, trained volunteers and bereavement counselors. Most patients have been cared for in their own homes, some in area facilities. Care is provided in the home regardless of a person’s insurance or ability to pay. Many times care can also be provided to residents in Skilled Nursing facilities.

Click Here to see photographs from the 2008 Ribbon Cutting Event.