NEWS RELEASE
MARIPOSA HOUSE HOSPICE
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The Board of Directors of Mariposa House Hospice is welcoming a new member to the team! Dr. Neda Rowhani-Seki has accepted a position on the Board that was made vacant when Dr. Si Lowry completed his year as “past president.”
Charitable non-profit organizations like Mariposa House Hospice are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors where members typically serve a 3-year term and may serve a second term.
This model ensures that various members of the community have an opportunity to be involved in oversight and managing risk for the organization which, in turn, maintains transparency and appropriate use of public and donated funds.
Dr. Lowry has been a tireless advocate for residential hospice care in the Couchiching area for many years. He was one of the founding Board members of the new organization which incorporated in 2017, and he has given countless presentations to raise awareness and funds so that the vision of Mariposa House Hospice could become a reality.
“It has been an honour and privilege to serve my community and to help make residential hospice care available to everyone in this area,” commented Lowry.
Going forward, Dr. Lowry is leading a sub-committee to install solar panels on the hospice building and continuing to help keep the grounds looking beautiful (in partnership with hospice staff, volunteers, and Scott’s Garden Centre).
Dr. Neda Rowhani-Seki brings extensive personal and professional experience to the board member role.
“My father was cared for at Mariposa House Hospice for the last weeks of his life,” Rowhani-Seki shared. “As a physician who has practised palliative care, I was very familiar with the hospice model and was very grateful we had this as an option for my dad for his end-of-life care.”
Dr. Rowhani-Seki went on to explain that serving as a volunteer on the board of directors provides her with “an opportunity to give back to the community” to help ensure that others receive the same care her family did when they needed it most.
Our local hospice residence is situated in Severn, just outside of Orillia’s municipal boundary, surrounded by forest. Residents in all the surrounding communities (Orillia, Severn, Ramara, Oro-Medonte, and Chippewas of Rama First Nation) can access quality end-of-life palliative care in this welcoming, home-like space where services are offered at no cost.
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