Former Hospice CEO Joins Local Grief Centre

A new grief centre in Greater Saint John that helps people cope with loss is adding a new team member.

Sandy Maxwell is joining the Compassionate Grief Centre in Rothesay as their director of operations.

“When they asked me to come work with them, I thought ‘this is fabulous, another opportunity to drive a major health-care initiative that will make a significant difference to people in need,'” Maxwell said in an interview.

Maxwell spent the past 21 years as CEO of Hospice Greater Saint John, which provides palliative and grief support in the region.

She played a key role in bringing the idea of residential hospice to Atlantic Canada with the opening of Bobby’s Hospice in 2010.

“I’ve seen a lot of grief in my 21 years with Hospice dealing with palliative care,” said Maxwell, “so I’ve always been a strong believer in the need for a comprehensive grief centre.”

The centre, which opened last year, provides counselling and community support programs to people across southern New Brunswick.

Maxwell said the opening of the centre could not come at a better time, especially with the ongoing pandemic affecting many people.

Grief is not just about death, she said, but about the loss of significant attachments in our lives that trigger grief.

“It’s incredible what we deal with in our everyday lives in terms of loss that triggers grief, but that pandemic has really heightened that,” said Maxwell. “In fact, they call it the ‘hidden health-care crisis’ in the pandemic.”

Maxwell will look after finances and fundraising at the grief centre, but one of her big priorities will be program development.

The centre currently offers a peer-support program called Compassionate Neighbours but there are many requests for new programs, she said.

“For example, a widowers group, a walk-in group, not just in-person groups in the Greater Saint John area but also virtual groups,” said Maxwell.

After spending more than two decades leading an organization, Maxwell said she is looking forward to her new role. But she is also looking back on the many accomplishments from her time at Hospice Greater Saint John.

Maxwell said she is most proud of bringing the idea of residential hospice to New Brunswick and helping other communities throughout Atlantic Canada develop their own.

She is also delighted with the work Hospice Greater Saint John has done to put the city on the map nationally in this field of care.

“It’s hard to say goodbye because I’ve been there a long time, but I’m really excited about this new challenge,” said Maxwell.

Jamie Godfrey, the CEO of the Compassionate Grief Centre, said they are looking forward to having Maxwell join their team.

“She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise and is the perfect addition to our professional staff team,” Godfrey said in a statement.

Maxwell will begin her new role on April 1.