Squamish ER named after doctor's legacy

SQUAMISH – The newly expanded emergency department at Squamish General Hospital will now be referred to as the Dr. LaVerne Kindree C.M. Emergency Department, as a tribute to the lifelong work of the physician, Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon announced today.

“The naming of Squamish’s emergency department in honour of Dr. Kindree, who dedicated his life to this community, is extremely fitting,” said Falcon. “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 the region.”

The new Squamish General Hospital Emergency Department officially opened in January 2010. The $3.09-million project was completed in two phases and was made possible through a $1.3-million contribution from the Ministry of Health Services, $1.17 million from the Sea-to-Sky Regional Hospital District and $620,000 from the Squamish Hospital Foundation.

“Dr. Kindree dedicated his career and his life to public service in Squamish as a pioneer health-care provider serving the Sea-to-Sky corridor for more than 50 years, as well as being active in the community in many roles,” said West Vancouver-Sea-to-Sky MLA Joan McIntyre. “Naming the emergency department after him is a most fitting tribute to honour and recognize his astounding contribution for a lifetime of community service.”

Kindree arrived in Squamish in 1948 to assume the role of the area’s only physician. He was instrumental in establishing the 24-bed Squamish General Hospital in 1952, just in time to deal with the polio epidemic. Over the years, Dr. Kindree’s depth and breadth of public service has been called astonishing. His life and legacy ended last year when he passed away on Sept. 26, 2009 at the age of 88. “

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. In fact, his last wish was to see the Squamish Health Care Foundation’s ongoing CT scanner campaign through to successful completion,” said Norma Kindree, his wife of 62 years. “LaVerne never stopped thinking about the next advancement in health care for Squamish, and this new emergency department stands as testament to that fact. Our family is thrilled to dedicate it to his legacy, recognizing that his life’s work will live on through those people who continue to serve Squamish – the best place to live and raise a family.”

Throughout his 50 years in public service to the people of Squamish and the Sea-to-Sky corridor, Kindree was noted by all who knew him as a pioneer, a driving force and a visionary. He served as chair of the Squamish Health Care Foundation during the time it raised funds for the emergency department project.

“The dedication of this new emergency department to Dr. Kindree’s memory and legacy will continue to remind us all of a man whose dedication to community health and health care knew no end,” said Wendy Hansson, chief operating officer, VCH-Coastal. “Thanks to Dr. Kindree’s vision and commitment, residents along the Sea-to-Sky corridor have access to safe, high-quality health care right here in Squamish. For this, we will always be grateful.”

The new emergency department contains 12 treatment beds and new waiting, triage and trauma rooms. The reconstructed emergency department also includes two ambulance bays that replace the single portico-style ambulance entrance.

VCH is responsible for the delivery of $2.9 billion in community, hospital and residential care to more than one million people in communities, including Richmond, Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Sea-to-Sky corridor, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.

The Province has invested over $5 billion in hospital construction, renovation, and equipment since 2001, and over the next three years, the province will benefit from a $2.3 billion health sector capital plan.Learn moreFor more information, view Backgrounder: Biography of Dr. Laverne Kindree

Media contactMinistry of Health Services
Bernadette Murphy
Media Relations Manager
250 952-1887 (media line)

Vancouver Coastal Health
Trudi Beutel
Public Affairs Officer
604 708-5282