L to R: Todd Stern, Greg Grabowski, Annmarie Swichulis, Katy Bliss, Marion McEttrick, Connie Mills NP, Katie Conlon, & Aidan Walsh

by Frank Schroth

Executives and employees of Seasons Hospice, Milton officials, and local residents convened at the site of the old St. Elizabeth’s Rectory yesterday afternoon for a groundbreaking celebration to welcome Seasons to our town. It was a warm occasion in every sense as Seasons marked an historic event for the company. This will be their first in patient care facility in Massachusetts.

Seasons Hospice is a nationwide firm that was founded in 1997. They are the 4th largest hospice operator in the US with approximately 20,000 families under their care. They also have a foundation, Seasons Hospice Foundation, which has donated $3,000,000 in charity care.

Father Aidan Walsh of the St. Elizabeth’s Parish began the event with a blessing. The Executive Director of the new facility Kathy Bliss thanked the town for their warm welcome. These comments were echoed by all who spoke. These included the CEO of Seasons Todd Stern, COO Annmarie Switchulis, and Greg Grabowski, President of the Seasons Hospice Foundation who said the mission of the foundation is to “celebrate life and honor its end.”

Grabowski explained that the Foundation, a 501C3 non-profit, will be the owner of the property and will lease it to Seasons Hospice. Proceeds will be a applied to the Foundations activities which he said were similar to those Make  a Wish Foundation.

Katie Conlon, Chair of the Board of Selectmen also spoke as did former Selectman Marion McEttrrick. Ms. McEttrick was retained by Seasons to assist in introducing them into the community and provide them with insights into the town. Ms. McEttrick said that every level of the town had been involved and ultimately supportive of the development and she especially thanked the neighbors whose “input on a certain approach that would be the right approach.”

Kathy Bliss in her remarks said, “I can’t describe the feelings I have right now.” She said every day that she was in “awe and wonder at the faith that families bestow on us.” She cited Cicely Saunders who founded the first hospice in London whose purpose was to help you live until you die.

The facility in expected to open in the spring of 2015. You can view renderings of the proposed facility here.