The late Dr. LaVerne Kindree did more for Squamishs healthcare than any man or woman in the towns history.
And on Thursday (Sept. 23), B.C.s Health Minister honoured Kindrees memory by naming Squamish General Hospitals newly renovated emergency department the Dr. LaVerne C. Kindree C.M. Emergency Department the C.M. denotes Dr. Kindrees induction into the Order of Canada, which occurred in the winter of 2009.
The naming of Squamishs emergency department in honour of Dr. Kindree, who dedicated his life to this community, is extremely fitting, said minister Kevin Falcon, who came from Vancouver for the presentation.
The funds we provided to help expand the emergency department this past year will ensure the exceptional standards of care put in place by Dr. Kindree will live on in this region.
Falcon went on to say how fortunate Squamish was to have such a man as Dr. Kindree in their town, whose depth and breadth of public service has been called astonishing.
Some of the best things in this world are delivered by government, but by people in the community.
During the dedication ceremony, Kindrees widow Norma Kindree made her first ever speech.
My husband was a beloved family man and dedicated physician who, even during his last days, was determined to improve health care for the people of Squamish, said Dr. Kindrees wife of 62 years.
Kindree moved to Squamish in 1948 at a time when local physicians had to make house calls as far flung as to Mt. Currie.
It wasnt an outreach clinic like today when you jump into an SUV, put in a tape and go for a drive, said Mrs. Kindree, who arrived with him as a registered nurse. He had to ride horses to access different parts of the Sea to Sky Corridor.
She went on to tell the story of his trek deep into the wilderness to save a prospector, who he then carried out of the woods by cutting two holes in the bottom of his canvas backpack and walking him all the way out. No fees were charged in exchange for the prospectors promise never to go that deep into the woods again.
Personal stories like this and Dr. Kindrees reputation as a pioneer, a driving force and a visionary drew more than 70 people to the crowded hospital cafeteria for the dedication.
Dr. Kindree played a key role in establishing the original 24-bed Squamish General Hospital in 1952, just in time to deal with the polio epidemic as the areas sole physician.
He was on call for 24 hours a day, seven days a week for over three months during the polio outbreak because no doctors would come in to the infected area to help him, said Mrs. Kindree.
Despite the obvious burden on his physical strength, this allowed Dr. Kindree to study and record the spread and impact of this infectious disease in an isolated community.
The new Squamish Hospital officially opened in January 2010. The $3 million project was completed in two phases and made possible through a $1.3 million contribution from the Ministry of Health, $1.17 million from the Sea to Sky Regional Hospital District and $620,000 from the Squamish Hospital Foundation, a charity Dr. Kindree was unwaveringly devoted to.
The new emergency department has 12 treatment beds and new waiting, triage and trauma rooms. It also includes two ambulance bays that replace the single portico-style ambulance entrance.
West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Joan McIntyre told the crowd the hospital expansions will provide locals with improved healthcare.
Squamish residents of all ages will benefit with better access to quality care with the official opening today, said McIntyre.
She also provided her own take on the man who helped establish the original hospital.
Dr. Kindree dedicated his career and his life to public service in Squamish as a pioneer healthcare provider for more than 50 years, as well as being active in the community in many roles, she said. On a personal note I like him.
It seems everyone did.
Dr. Kindrees longtime colleague and friend, Dr. Richard Cudmore, spoke to his achievements and his personal demeanor.
He was a prince of a man and it was amazing to work alongside him, he said.
Cudmore told a story about the early hospital days when he and Dr. Kindree were the only doctors on call. He was working late on night and saw the dedicated practitioner arrive apparently wearing a scarf not a typical style for men at that time.
Then I realized it indeed wasnt a scarf, said Cudmore. Being the practical but professional man he was, LaVerne had put his suit and tie over his pajamas.
Susan Gimse, Sea to Sky Regional Hospital District Chair, gave her own personal account of Dr. Kindrees dedication to his profession.
I had the pleasure of working with LaVerne for many years, and I can say he deeply cared about health services for everyone in the corridor, she said.
He would never let us get bogged down by the way things were done in the past,he was always moving us forward.
Dr. Kindrees friends, family and colleagues couldnt resist taking advantage of Falcons presence to propel the doctors longtime campaign of getting a CT scanner for Squamish General Hospital.
His last wish was to see the Squamish Health Care Foundations ongoing CT scanner campaign through to successful completion, said Mrs. Kindree.
LaVerne never stopped thinking about the next advancement in health care for Squamish, and this new emergency department attests to that fact, she continued.
Our family is thrilled to dedicate it to his legacy, recognizing that his lifes work will live on through those people who continue to serve Squamish the best place to live and raise a family.
Mrs. Kindree and Falcon then unveiled the plaque bearing Dr. Kindrees image that will forever honour his efforts towards healthcare.
