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Ribbon Cutting for CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care

On September 7th, the Institute held a community gathering and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the new headquarters of the California State University Shiley Institute for Palliative Care. Truly a milestone celebration of the four years of the Institute’s success.

Ribbon Cutting
Pictured Left to Right: Helen McNeal, Darlene Marcos Shiley, and CSUSM President Karen Haynes.

CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care Executive Director Helen McNeal reflected on the Institute’s accomplishments in her remarks.

Helen McNeal

“Today is a celebration of three things: the progress of the CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care, the ribbon-cutting for our wonderful new facilities here at Cal State San Marcos, which marks a new era in the history of the Institute, and the launch of an award that recognizes those who are advancing palliative care, named in honor of San Diego palliative care pioneer, Dr. Doris A. Howell.”

– Executive Director Helen McNeal, CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care

CSU San Marcos President Karen S. Haynes, Ph.D., also addressed the gathering, noting not only the significant achievements of the Institute in a short period of time, but also the great need for the Institute’s work.

Karen Haynes

“America’s elderly are a growing population—10,000 baby boomers turn 65 each day. It was this reality, and the increase in chronic diseases among all age groups, that gave us the impetus for founding the Institute.”

– President Karen S. Haynes, Ph.D.

The inaugural Doris A. Howell MD Award for Advancing Palliative Care was established by the Institute to honor the leadership of professionals who help others suffering from serious or chronic illness to optimize the quality of their life by anticipating, preventing and managing suffering.

Group Shot Ribbon Cutting
Pictured Left to Right to Bottom: CSUSM President Karen Haynes, Suzi K. Johnson, Darlene Marcos Shiley, Dr. Daniel Hoefer, Helen McNeal, and Dr. Doris A. Howell.

“Even before I came to San Diego in 2007, I had heard the name of Dr. Doris Howell and was aware of her pioneering work, founding San Diego Hospice,” McNeal said. “Her commitment to providing compassionate, dignified, quality palliative and end-of-life care has been unswerving. Dr. Howell is a true role model and champion for palliative care.”

Recognizing Those Making a Difference Locally

As part of celebrating its new home, the Institute took the opportunity to launch a new award that focuses on honoring those advancing palliative care in local communities.  Named in honor of San Diego Hospice founder and the first woman to lead a medical school program, Dr. Doris A. Howell, it was given to two San Diego palliative care pioneers, Suzi K. Johnson, MPH, RN, VP Sharp HealthCare and Dr. Daniel R, Hoefer, Chief Medical Officer, Outpatient Palliative Care and Associate Medical Director, Sharp HospiceCare.  “My vision is that we will see this award given to pioneers in communities across the country in the years to come.”

Award Reception
CSUSM President Karen Haynes (Left) Bestows Awards on Dr. Daniel Hoefer (Middle) and Suzi K. Johnson (Right).

“Together, Dan and Suzi have been instrumental in Sharp’s leading edge work in incorporating palliative care across Sharp and in advancing the care of those with serious and chronic illness in San Diego and nationally,” McNeal said as she invited President Haynes to bestow the awards to Hoefer and Johnson.

The Institute was presented with a State Assembly Resolution on behalf of Assemblymember Marie Waldron of the 75th Assembly District. Additionally, U.S. Rep. Susan Davis also recognized the Institute by providing the Institute with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition. President Haynes and Darlene Marcos Shiley, Institute benefactor, wielded the giant scissors to officially open the Institute’s new headquarters.

Darlene Shiley and Dorris Howell
Darlene Marcos Shiley (Left) warmly greets honored guest, Dr. Doris Howell (Right).

Shiley concluded the celebration with the surprise announcement of an honorarium pledge for this year’s awardees. She told guests, “It’s a great honor for me to do something that would honor Dr. Howell. That’s why I do what I do.”

About the CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care

The CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care, located at Cal State San Marcos, is charged with positively impacting the critical shortage of nursing, physician, social work, spiritual and other professionals with palliative care skills and training. Now in its fourth year since its launch in September 2012, the institute offers 49 courses with 46 new courses under development. The Institute has eight campus partners, has trained over 3,200 health care professionals and, through its partner campuses, has educated over 6,690 community members about palliative care.

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