OSKALOOSA — The public is invited to attend a special groundbreaking ceremony and reception for Mahaska Health Partnership’s Hospice Serenity House on Friday, Oct. 24 at 3 p.m.

According to MHP CEO Jay Christensen, the ceremony will be a celebration of the incredible community support MHP’s hospice program continues to receive. “Thanks to the generosity shown by so many, we are well on our path to hit our goal of raising $2.45 million to build a local hospice house,” Christensen said.

The main partner for this building project is the MHP Foundation, but the project is unquestionably community-driven. To date, more than $1.9 million has been raised and donations are coming in daily. Christensen said the campaign goal also includes establishing an endowment to cover unique operating costs and expenses not covered through insurance.

In identifying the need for a local hospice house, Christensen said discussions were held with the medical community, local clergy, hospice personnel and local funeral home directors, as well as interested community members.

Land has been identified on Mahaska Health Partnership’s campus, north of the Medical Specialty Center. An architectural rendering for the project has been developed by RDG Architects of Des Moines. Graham Construction has been retained as the construction management firm. Christensen said local contractors will have the opportunity to bid on the building project, which is anticipated for completion in early 2010.

The house itself will consist of:

· Six private patient rooms with private bathroom facilities and sitting/sleeping areas for families

· A private deck off each patient room; patients can be wheeled outdoors in their beds or wheelchairs in good weather

· A Spa Room to offer massage therapy and other services designed to keep patients pain-free and comfortable

· Gardens surrounding the facility to provide a tranquil place for rest and reflection for patients, families and visitors

· Centralized kitchen and family dining area

· A library stocked with relevant reading materials on grief and the dying process

· Laundry facilities

· Chapel

Capital Campaign Chair David Ahmad said there has been a growing need for inpatient Hospice services in Mahaska County. Locally, Mahaska Hospice estimates that more than 87 percent of their patients in the last four years would have benefitted from a Hospice House located in Mahaska County.

“By building a hospice house in Oskaloosa, we are improving our community today and for future generations,” Ahmad said. “Our goal with the capital campaign is to create as many owners as possible. An investment in a local hospice house is an investment in humanity, because people are entitled to live and die with dignity.”

“We are truly humbled to receive such wide-spread community support for this project,” Christensen said. “We encourage the community to attend our groundbreaking ceremony and reception because we are all owners in this project that will improve end-of-life care in our region for many years to come.”

For more information regarding the Hospice Serenity House Groundbreaking, call the MHP Foundation at (641) 672-3369.