The Foundation
The Squamish Hospital Foundation is deeply committed to its vision of ensuring the Sea to Sky community has access locally to high-quality, comprehensive healthcare. The Foundation has been in existence since 1995 and has worked tirelessly towards this vision, constantly evolving to meet community needs.
Our History
The Squamish Hospital first opened in 1952 to serve the growing needs of the Howe Sound corridor. A new facility was built in 1988 increasing the capacity. In 1984, Hilltop House was opened as an intermediate and long term care facility to complement the acute care services provided by Squamish General Hospital. Community fundraising was essential to the completion of each of these facilities.
By 1995, significant changes were occurring in the healthcare field. Provincial support for capital funding was dwindling, equipment was aging and the population served by the Hospital was changing.
Under the leadership of Dr. Laverne Kindree, the Squamish Hospital Foundation was incorporated in 1995 as the official fundraising body for the Squamish General Hospital and its affiliated Hilltop House. Through the generosity of donors, the Foundation has raised more than $2.5 million to improve healthcare in the community and the wider Sea to Sky region.
Changes have continued in healthcare and the community since the inception of the Foundation. Governance and management of the Squamish public healthcare facilities is now led by Vancouver Coastal Health Authority; the population of the corridor has increased by over 10,000 people since 1995; and the industries at the core of the community have changed.
While the changes have been significant, local healthcare professionals and the Squamish Hospital Foundation remain dedicated to the ongoing evolution of the Squamish General Hospital, Hilltop House and other public healthcare services in the community. Our hospital now serves the community with 20 acute care beds, inclusive of obstetrics as well as surgeries, chemotherapy treatment, dialysis, imaging services, emergency care and laboratory services; while Hilltop House has grown to provide care for 85 complex care residents.
Looking forward, the Squamish Hospital Foundation remains committed to ensuring that our community has access locally to high-quality, comprehensive healthcare.
Message from the Foundation
As the principal fundraising partner for public health care in Squamish, the Board of the Squamish Hospital Foundation works hard to assist Vancouver Coastal Health in providing high quality healthcare to the people of Squamish and the Sea to Sky corridor.
Covid-19 has changed so much in our everyday lives, but it has been a strong reminder of the fundamental role our public health facilities play in our community. The past year has required a shift in the Foundation’s governance and fundraising models, but has presented an opportunity to redirect our energy and focus on the path that the Foundation will take in the coming years. We have spent many hours working on this 5 year Strategic Plan to ensure we continue moving forward in a direction that reflects the mission and vision of the Foundation.
The Squamish Hospital Foundation is committed to supporting public health facilities and services in Squamish and the Sea to Sky Corridor through working alongside our partners and donors. Thank you to our Community for your continued support, we look forward to working with you for many years to come.
Karen Vanzella, President Squamish Hospital Foundation
Message from Vancouver Coastal Health
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is exceedingly grateful to the Squamish Hospital Foundation for its significant and generous support. Sea to Sky residents and visitors needing care, and our staff and physicians, have benefitted immensely from the Foundation’s contributions to Squamish General Hospital, Hilltop House long-term care home, the Whistler Blackcomb Sea to Sky Community Hospice, and to our community and family health teams.
This five-year strategic plan builds on the Foundation’s enormous success over the past five years and will help VCH continue to enhance and expand supports and services, and deliver exceptional care to people in the Sea to Sky corridor. Thank you to everyone in the community who supports the critically important work of the Squamish Hospital Foundation. You truly make a difference and we are extremely grateful.
Sean Parr, Interim Vice-President
Coastal Community of Care, Vancouver Coastal Health
Message from the Community
Our community is built by so many dedicated volunteer organizations whose efforts improve the quality of life and well-being of Squamish citizens.
As a critical hub for healthcare access within the Squamish Lillooet Regional District, it is imperative that Squamish General Hospital has the ability to provide the up-to-date diagnostics and care that our residents expect and deserve.
Foundations, such as the Squamish Hospital Foundation, undertake this important work, to close the gaps through their fundraising and partnership development, and ensure the needs of the Sea to Sky community are met.
I am grateful for the ongoing commitment and efforts of the Squamish Hospital Foundation and I look forward to seeing the outcomes of this strategic plan, and the benefits that will result for community members across our region.
Karen Elliot, Mayor District of Squamish