Mesilla Valley Hospice

Their mission is to provide comprehensive compassionate care to people with limited life expectancy and their families, community-wide bereavement services, and education regarding end of life issues. They strive to deliver excellent patient care and family support, while maintaining outstanding employer-employee relations. The original work of Mesilla Valley Hospice extends back to November 1980 when a small group of individuals got together to discuss the hospice concept. This founding group believed there was an immediate need to provide terminally ill patients with an alternative in end of life care. Founder Terry Meyer, MD was intuitively convinced that the hospice philosophy would be a valuable addition to the scientific support available to dying patients. Other founders include Irene Franco, RN, Esther Sherrod, RN, Lila Roberts and Don Combs. Don Beasley and Stephen Hubert were helpful with the accounting and legal systems, Emma Jean Cervantes joined the board and Wanda Bullock, RN served as volunteer nurse. The agency was finally incorporated in 1982 as a private not for profit organization. Medicare certification was achieved in 1984. Community support for a hospice program was evident from the beginning. Furniture and items needed to set up office were donated, and a Venture in Mission grant from St. Andrews Episcopal Church established Mesilla Valley Hospice as a viable program. In 1983 Mesilla Valley Hospice was accepted in the United Way program.

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