Wikipedia

Ksyen Regional Hospital

Ksyen Regional Hospital, formerly Mills Memorial Hospital, is a 78-bed regional medical facility located in Terrace, British Columbia.[1][2][3][4] It serves as the primary healthcare hub for northwestern British Columbia, including communities in the Nass Valley (Aiyansh and New Aiyansh, now Gitlax̱t’aamiks; Canyon City, now Gitwinksihlkw; Greenville, now Lax̱g̱alts’ap; and Kincolith, now Ging̱olx), the unincorporated community of Thornhill, and others.[5] The hospital, currently operated by Northern Health, offers a range of acute care services and acts as a referral centre for more specialized treatments.[6] A new, significantly larger and more modern hospital building officially started construction in 2021, and opened to the general public on November 24, 2024.[7][8][9]

Ksyen Regional Hospital
Northern Health
Main entrance of Ksyen Regional Hospital, formerly known as Mills Memorial Hospital, in Terrace, British Columbia, at night
Ksyen Regional Hospital is located in British Columbia
Ksyen Regional Hospital
Location in British Columbia
Geography
Location2800 Tetrault Street
Terrace, British Columbia
V8G 2W8
Coordinates54°30′37″N 128°35′46″W / 54.5104°N 128.5961°W / 54.5104; -128.5961
Organisation
Care systemMedicare
TypeGeneral
Affiliated universityUniversity of British Columbia, University of Northern British Columbia, Northern Medical Program
Services
Emergency departmentYes, Level III trauma center
Beds78
HelipadNo
History
Former name(s)Mills Memorial Hospital
Terrace and District Hospital
Construction started2021
Opened2024
Links
Websitehttps://www.northernhealth.ca/find-a-facility/hospitals/ksyen-regional-hospital

History

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Early healthcare in Terrace

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Healthcare in Terrace began informally with Tsimshian people utilizing the nearby Lakelse Hot Springs as a natural healing site.[10] With the construction of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway in the early 1900s, physicians like Dr. W.P. Johns and Dr. Seymour Traynor provided basic medical services, often traveling by canoe.[11] Early medical care was delivered in makeshift facilities such as homes, hotels, and temporary structures.[12]

Founding of Mills Memorial Hospital

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The need for a formal hospital became apparent during the 1936 Skeena River flood and the Second World War.[13] Dr. Stanley Gordon Mills, a decorated veteran of the First World War and a pioneer in Terrace’s healthcare, was instrumental in advocating for a proper hospital.[14] In 1948, the Red Cross opened a 10-bed outpost hospital in Terrace, marking the first significant step toward establishing modern medical infrastructure.[15]

Post-war expansion and advocacy

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By the 1950s, population growth and increased healthcare demands led to the formation of the Skeena Hospital Improvement District.[16] Through the collective efforts of local advocates, including Dr. Mills, George Little, and Bert Goulet, land was secured, and funding was raised for a larger, purpose-built hospital.[17] Construction began in 1960, and the new facility, then called the Terrace and District Hospital, officially opened in 1961.[18]

Naming of Mills Memorial Hospital

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In 1962, the hospital was renamed Mills Memorial Hospital to honour Dr. Stanley Gordon Mills and his wife, Edith Mills, who both tragically died in a house fire shortly after the hospital’s opening.[19] Dr. Mills had spent decades advocating for improved healthcare facilities, and Edith had been head nurse at the new hospital.[20] Their gravestone in Kitsumgallum (Kitsumkalum) Cemetery poignantly reads, “Life’s Work Well Done.”[21]

Modern era

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Upgrades and expansions

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Mills Memorial Hospital has undergone several expansions since its opening, including:

  • A $1.2 million expansion in 1968, adding an intensive care unit and more beds.[22]
  • A $6.3 million renovation in 1977, upgrading most departments.[23]

Despite these upgrades, the facility has struggled to meet modern healthcare standards due to aging infrastructure and increasing demand.[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]

Redevelopment

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In 2019, a project to replace the existing Mills Memorial Hospital was announced.[32] Construction of the new facility began in 2021, and it officially opened its doors to the public on November 24, 2024.[33][34][2] The new facility, spanning approximately 356,500 square feet and featuring 78 beds, is nearly twice the size of the current hospital. Designed as a regional healthcare hub, the upgraded hospital provides expanded trauma services, orthopedic surgeries, pathology, radiology, and pharmacy services.[35]

Additionally, the new hospital aims to enhance healthcare delivery in northwest British Columbia and address staffing challenges by improving working conditions and supporting medical education.[36] It will continue to serve as a training site for medical students through the Northern Medical Program, a partnership between the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC).[37][38]

Renaming to Ksyen Regional Hospital

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In early November 2024, Northern Health announced that the new facility would be renamed Ksyen Regional Hospital.[39][40][41] The name “Ksyen” is derived from the Tsimshian language and refers to the Skeena River, an important cultural and ecological feature of the region.[42] The renaming reflects efforts to acknowledge the Indigenous heritage of northwest British Columbia and align the hospital’s identity with the local history and traditions of the area.[43]

Community involvement

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Ksyen Regional Hospital, formerly Mills Memorial Hospital, has historically been supported by community initiatives, from early grassroots fundraising efforts to the current advocacy for improved healthcare.[44][45][46][47][48][49][50] Volunteer organizations, such as the Dr. REM Lee Foundation, and auxiliary groups, such as the Mills Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, continue to play a vital role in supporting hospital operations.[51][52][53]

Amenities

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References

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  1. ^ "The new hospital has been gifted with a Tsimshian name". letstalk.northernhealth.ca. 2024-11-07. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  2. ^ a b Link, Rod (2024-11-06). "New Terrace hospital given Indigenous name". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  3. ^ Matthews, Jaylene (2024-11-06). "Terrace Hospital Settles on Name Change". CFTK-TV. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  4. ^ "New Terrace hospital gifted Tsimshian name". stories.northernhealth.ca. 2024-11-06. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  5. ^ "Mills Memorial Hospital". find.healthlinkbc.ca. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  6. ^ "Mills Memorial Hospital Replacement". letstalk.northernhealth.ca. 2024-11-18. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  7. ^ "Construction starts on new Mills Memorial Hospital". news.gov.bc.ca. 2021-07-06. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
  8. ^ "It's Hospital Move Week!". letstalk.northernhealth.ca. 2024-11-18. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  9. ^ Spencer, Sabrina (2024-11-19). "It's Move-In Week for Ksyen Regional Hospital". CFNR Network. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  10. ^ Wiebe, Kelsey (2017-02-01). "Health history of Terrace, B.C." Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  11. ^ Wiebe, Kelsey (2017-02-01). "Health history of Terrace, B.C." Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  12. ^ Wiebe, Kelsey (2017-02-01). "Health history of Terrace, B.C." Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  13. ^ Wiebe, Kelsey (2017-02-01). "Health history of Terrace, B.C." Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  14. ^ Wiebe, Kelsey (2017-02-08). "This is how Terrace, B.C. got its first modern hospital". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  15. ^ Wiebe, Kelsey (2017-02-08). "This is how Terrace, B.C. got its first modern hospital". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  16. ^ Wiebe, Kelsey (2017-02-08). "This is how Terrace, B.C. got its first modern hospital". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  17. ^ Wiebe, Kelsey (2017-02-08). "This is how Terrace, B.C. got its first modern hospital". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  18. ^ Wiebe, Kelsey (2017-02-08). "This is how Terrace, B.C. got its first modern hospital". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  19. ^ Link, Rod (2024-02-13). "New Terrace hospital's name shrouded in mystery". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  20. ^ Wiebe, Wiebe (2017-02-08). "This is how Terrace, B.C. got its first modern hospital". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  21. ^ Wiebe, Kelsey (2017-02-08). "This is how Terrace, B.C. got its first modern hospital". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  22. ^ Wiebe, Kelsey (2017-02-08). "This is how Terrace, B.C. got its first modern hospital". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  23. ^ Wiebe, Kelsey (2017-02-08). "This is how Terrace, B.C. got its first modern hospital". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  24. ^ Link, Rod (2024-02-26). "Hospital move-in date set for later this year". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  25. ^ Link, Rod (2021-12-17). "New Mills Memorial project faces cost increase". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  26. ^ McRae, Bill (2016-09-18). "Madame Premier: hospital needs attention". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  27. ^ Link, Rod (2024-03-25). "Northern Health adds orthopedics to Terrace surgical services". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  28. ^ Link, Rod (2017-03-20). "Work underway for MRI space at Mills". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  29. ^ Lieuwen, Jackie (2017-08-11). "Terrace hospital increasing capacity for heart-scans". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  30. ^ Gervais, Brittany (2019-08-28). "Lack of long-term care keeping Terrace seniors in hospital for months". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  31. ^ Bogstie, Ben (2020-06-26). "Rotary Club of Terrace donates $10,000 to Dr. REM Lee Hospital Foundation". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  32. ^ Link, Rod (2021-07-06). "New Terrace hospital officially a 'go'". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  33. ^ "Construction starts on new Mills Memorial Hospital". news.gov.bc.ca. 2021-07-06. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
  34. ^ "It's Hospital Move Week!". letstalk.northernhealth.ca. 2024-11-18. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
  35. ^ "Mills Memorial Hospital Replacement". letstalk.northernhealth.ca. 2024-11-18. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  36. ^ "Terrace's Mills Memorial Hospital undergoes a sustainable transformation". BC Hydro. 2024-06-25. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  37. ^ Cameron, Grant (2022-03-09). "Mills Memorial Hospital build breathes new life into Terrace health care". Journal of Commerce. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  38. ^ "Tour our Campuses - Northern Medical Program". www.unbc.ca. 2013-01-07. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  39. ^ "The new hospital has been gifted with a Tsimshian name". letstalk.northernhealth.ca. 2024-11-07. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
  40. ^ Link, Rod (2024-11-06). "New Terrace hospital given Indigenous name". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
  41. ^ Matthews, Jaylene (2024-11-06). "Terrace Hospital Settles on Name Change". CFTK-TV. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
  42. ^ Link, Rod (2024-11-06). "New Terrace hospital given Indigenous name". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
  43. ^ "The new hospital has been gifted with a Tsimshian name". letstalk.northernhealth.ca. 2024-11-07. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
  44. ^ Kaur, Prabhnoor (2024-08-21). "Sikh community raises money to name cancer care unit at Terrace's new hospital". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  45. ^ Link, Rod (2023-06-15). "Northwest B.C.'s largest fundraising effort: $14.5M for new neonatal care unit at Terrace's hospital". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  46. ^ Vaz, Alexander (2024-02-01). "Seabridge Gold supports new Terrace neonatal intensive care unit". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  47. ^ Gervais, Brittany (2018-07-18). "Kitsumkalum Walk for Health raises $17,500 for new hospital microscope". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  48. ^ Link, Rod (2022-10-28). "Mills Memorial Hospital build budget increases". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  49. ^ "PRPA Helps Provide Northwest Newborns and Mothers with Specialized Care Closer to Home". Prince Rupert Port Authority. 2024-11-13. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  50. ^ Spencer, Sabrina (2024-05-17). "Prince Rupert Port Authority Enhances ENT Services at Mills Memorial Hospital". CFNR Network. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  51. ^ "Volunteers take pride in helping others". Terrace Standard. 2014-04-09. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  52. ^ "'Crazy' quilt to be raffled off for hospital auxiliary". Terrace Standard. 2012-11-18. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  53. ^ Elias, Viktor (2023-05-12). "Terrace's Mills Memorial Hospital Auxiliary faces volunteer shortage, reduced hours". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  54. ^ "Construction starts on new Mills Memorial Hospital". news.gov.bc.ca. 2021-07-06. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
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