Thanks to the continued support of the Providence Foundation and undying commitment by Dr. VandeKieft
SOUTH PUGET SOUND – When we think of Providence, palliative care is a true reflection of the values we hold so dear. Patients with very complex and often serious diseases can be helped by specialists who are trained to compassionately relieve pain and suffering.
The beginning
Prior to 2006, the only source of specialized palliative care in South Puget Sound was for people on hospice. Palliative care programs were just starting to be developed. After an effort by local clinical leaders, including Dr. Gregg VandeKieft, and grant support, inpatient palliative care at Providence St. Peter Hospital began in 2006 and was later expanded to Providence Centralia Hospital.
“Palliative care isn’t just about the end of life, it’s about the fullness of life and allowing people to live it as fully as possible,” said Dr. VandeKieft. “It can enable a patient and their family to be together in a loving way, to feel that their loved one is being cared for and comforted, they’re going to be left with a very different story when all is done.”
For years, palliative care was only available part time to patients who were admitted to the hospital, when they were most often in acute crisis and all too often at the end of life.
Outpatient care innovation
Providing these life-affirming services early was being shown to increase both quality of life and length of life. To better serve patients, Providence wanted to create an innovative outpatient palliative care clinic, allowing the benefits of palliative care for the first time to all in our community before patients were in an acute crisis. With the realization of this clinic, patients would be better served by specialized care that relieved pain and suffering, enhanced quality of life, integrated many aspects of care, and incorporated family and friends.
But an expansion of this kind required the support of a generous community. In 2014, the Providence Foundation designated the Providence Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic as the annual Fund-a-Need program for Christmas in the Forest. View the Fund-a-Need video here to see inspiration behind outpatient palliative care in our community.
With this support, the clinic opened in May of 2015. The impacts of the new outpatient clinic were immediately felt by patients and families seeking care, as shared in a feature in ThurstonTalk, Changing Lives with Palliative Care.
“The Foundation’s role in this development was pivotal,” added Dr. VandeKieft. “…my commitment to continue giving to the Foundation stems from a desire to ensure ongoing contributions with long-term effects, translating intentions into meaningful actions. My hope is that others share that vision and, by giving to what matters most to each of us, we can collectively work towards a future where compassionate care is accessible to all who need it.”
2025 Fund-a-Need
Fast forward to 2025. The Providence Swedish Palliative Care Program in South Puget Sound is now widely regarded as one of the premiere palliative care services in all of Providence and in all the Puget Sound. The program includes seven-day-a-week inpatient services and outpatient services.
The Providence Foundation has once again selected palliative care as its Fund-a-Need program for Christmas in the Forest. To help ease the way for local patients and families when they need it most, donate here.
* Photo caption: Outpatient palliative care clinic team members include pharmacists, physicians, nurses, social care workers, and more, all focused on easing pain and helping patients live more comfortable lives. (Photo from 2006)
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