Happy Helen (11 photos)

No, Algoma Residential Community Hospice Executive Director Helen Ross is not impersonating Richard Nixon.

Ross is celebrating the official opening of ARCH, which began construction in June 2007.

"Today is a glorious day because today represents a dream come true," Ross told attendees at a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning. "Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to build a hospice."

Located at 229 Forth Line West (a lush 3.2-acre lot donated by Algoma Central Properties Inc., the palliative care facility will be open for public tours on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.

The hospice expects its first resident to arrive a week from today.

Others who offered words of encouragement, dedication and thanks during the ceremony included Mayor John Rowswell, Dr. Sylvana Spadafora, Tony Martin MP and David Orazietti MPP.

The following press release was issued by David Orazietti.

************************* Orazietti announces opening of Sault Ste. Marie's first residential hospice

McGuinty government invests $2,725,000 to improve local palliative care

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - (September 15) - David Orazietti, MPP was on hand today to officially open the new 10-bed Algoma Residential Community Hospice (ARCH) which will provide compassionate end-of-life care and other palliative services to the community.

“Our government is proud to have provided significant support to help build Sault Ste. Marie’s first residential hospice,” said Orazietti. “In addition to providing important care and support to loved ones and their families at a dire time, the hospice will help draw new health care professionals to the community and complement our existing health care services.”

Orazietti previously announced $1 million in support toward the project in the summer of 2006.

The McGuinty government has since provided an additional $1,725,000 bringing the total provincial capital contribution to $2,725,000.

The province has also committed to providing $580,000 in new annual operating funding to the hospice.

"Access to quality health care, when and where it is needed, continues to be a priority for this government," said David Caplan, minister of health and long-term care. "Algoma Residential Community Hospice will provide people in the Sault Ste. Marie community with dignity and comfort in their last days of life."

The 10,000-square foot, 10-bed, free-standing new facility is located on the corner of Fourth Line and Brule Road in Sault Ste. Marie.

It is fully accessible and will provide compassionate end-of-life care to those in need.

“We are excited that our dream of a residential hospice is soon to be a reality," said Helen Ross, ARCH executive director. "ARCH is most grateful for all the support the provincial government has shown us and the other hospices in the province.”

Other McGuinty government investments to improve patient care in Sault Ste. Marie include:

- $408 million for new Sault Area Hospital, including radiation therapy bunker.

- $311,962,900 over three years for SAH: historic multi-year funding.

- $13.2 million to reduce wait times at SAH.

- $3,776,421 for new medical equipment at SAH.

- 48 Interim long-term care beds.

- 12 new convalescent care beds.

- $25.9 million for a new group health centre contract.

- $4,802,031 for home care and community support services since 2003.

- $1,294,594 for long-term care since 2003.

- Opened Northern Ontario School of Medicine - first new medical school in 30 years - 56 new seats.

- Increased provincial funding from 50-75 percent for Algoma Public Health Unit.

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