Current and former staff and volunteers are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Comox Valley Nursing Centre, which has supported patients and clients with chronic disease, pain management and much more since 1994.
“Comox Valley is a community dedicated to caring for its families, and I’m so proud to congratulate the Comox Valley Nursing Centre for their 25 years of service,” said Ronna-Rae Leonard, MLA for Courtenay-Comox. “I remember when it first opened, a first in the province. I was and am still proud of the forward thinking and innovative spirit of those involved. The heart of their work shows in the dedication and commitment to patients suffering from chronic pain and other health concerns. Well done, everyone.”
The Centre was created as a pilot project to demonstrate how innovations in nursing practice could benefit patients by identifying and addressing unmet needs in the community. The Centre’s quickly began focusing on helping people manage chronic diseases, and has become a central hub in the Comox Valley for disease and pain management, counselling and support groups.
“When it was founded the Comox Valley Nursing Centre was breaking new ground in the field of primary care,” said Island Health board chair Leah Hollins. “Thanks to the hard work and dedication of staff and volunteers the Centre has grown to become an integral part of the spectrum of local health-care services. It’s wonderful to see the growth of this centre and know that it will continue to serve the community well in the future.”
An informal anniversary celebration will be held at the Centre on Wednesday, October 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Current and former staff and volunteers are invited to the centre to reminisce, learn about current services and enjoy cake and coffee.
“The Centre’s staff are dedicated to working in partnership with the larger medical community to support clients with their unique needs,” said Michelle Crosby, Island Health’s Community Director for the Comox Valley region. “That collaborative, patient-centred approach has made the Comox Valley Nursing Centre a tremendous asset to the community.”
Staffed by nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians and clinicians from a variety of disciplines, the Comox Valley Nursing Centre is a hub for a range of services and programs, including:
- Chronic disease management;
- Chronic pain management;
- Health Connections Clinic, which provides team-based care for people with complex medical and/or socio-economic needs;
- Positive Wellness North Island, which provides integrated support related to HIV and viral hepatitis;
- Men’s counselling;
- Support and educational groups and
- Information about and referrals to community resources.
For more information about the Comox Valley Nursing Centre visit: www.islandhealth.ca/our-locations/nursing-centre-locations/comox-valley-nursing-centre
Media Inquiries:
Island Health
Dominic Abassi
250.755.7966
Dominic.Abassi@islandhealth.ca