Hospice Breaks Ground on Patient Services Building

Tucked into the woods, nicely shaded, just off of Route 2 south in Pasadena, sits 6.5 acres of land that will soon become a wellness and education sanctuary for the community—by way of the Hospice of the Chesapeake.

A groundbreaking was held Friday to officially begin the first phase of expansion and what will become (over the next few years): a bustling education, counseling, conference and all-around bereavement support and wellness haven for people of all ages.

The three-story, 26,000-square-foot building once housed Harms & Associates engineering. When renovated, it will house the administrative staff of about 200 and a 5,000-square-foot conference center.

The renovation of the existing building is slated to be completed in January 2013. Once open, it will offer expanded services to patients and families and  counseling-based programs provided to clients by The Life Center.

"This new campus is a realization of a dream—a dream in which we will create a loving and caring environment that also allows us to explore new and better ways to serve our patients and families," said Michael S. McHale, president and CEO of Hospice of the Chesapeake to the guests at the groundbreaking.

"Our vision for this campus is that it will be a place of serene beauty, a place of wellness for those struggling with advanced illness; a place of healing for those grieving; and a place of collaboration and partnership for those organizations who care for the aging and work to further our collective knowledge of advanced disease," he said.

An anonymous donation of $2.3 million enabled the Hospice of the Chesapeake to become landowners. The nonprofit, currently leasing office space on Defense Highway in Annapolis, purchased 6.2 acres of land in August 2011.

"We'll have more space and more education," said Marjorie Shipley, chief clinical officer for the Hospice of the Chesapeake. "We are excited to move in and be part of the community. It is important and we are a community-based program. It's all about partnerships, more education and research."

There are multiple buildings that will house the corporate office, grief support center and, further in the future, an inpatient hospice unit, like the Tate and Mandrin houses.

The offices of , but not the newly expanded thrift store, have already moved over to the new campus.

Founders of the Hospice of the Chesapeake, Dr. Hilary and Martha O'Herlihy of Severna Park, are proud of the nonprofit they founded in 1979.

"It is remarkable how people have come along and helped us—the lord is involved here," said Martha O' Herlihy.

Recognized for their support of the Hospice of the Chesapeake were Sen. Ed DeGrange; Delegate Pamela Beidle; Brian Gibbons, chairman of the Hospice Foundation Board; and Rev. Dr. James G. Kirk, Hospice of the Chesapeake Inc. chairman. Each were presented with a framed artist's rendering of the new building.

"This is going to be such a great addition to our services and function to the community," said Bill Lovelace, a Hospice board member.

The thrift store in Park Plaza is run by hospice volunteers and benefits the Hospice of the Chesapeake.

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