As Cranford Hospice edges close to the $15 million needed for its new build at Chesterhope, it has just appointed experienced health leader Andrew Lesperance, as its new Chief Executive Officer.
As of October 2022, $8.83 million had been donated by supporters, organisations, trusts, and community groups for the new build, with $5 million being contributed from the Cranford Hospice Foundation endowment fund. An additional $1.16 million is needed to reach the provisional target.
“We have been blown away by the support for our largest and most vital fundraising to date”, Cranford Hospice Foundation Chairman, Chris Tremain. “We’re over 90% of the way there and are so grateful for the generosity shown from our community.”
The new hospice is now at final design and costings stage. Building consent will be sought early next year with the target of a new hospice opening at the end of 2024.
One person who will enjoy the benefit of working at Chesterhope is Andrew Lesperance, who begins as CEO in mid-January 2023.
Originally from Canada, Andrew trained as a registered nurse and has been in New Zealand for more than 20 years. His experience includes being a hospital manager for Southern Cross, General Manager of Planning and Performance at Hawke’s Bay DHB, General Manager of the Cancer Control Network and CEO at the Hastings Health Centre, where he oversaw the build of the new Hastings Health Centre on St Aubyn Street.
Andrew has recently been working at Te Whatu Ora in Southland.
“Andrew’s wealth of leadership experience and extensive connections and relationships in Te Matau a Māui Hawke’s Bay will be a real asset to Cranford as we work through the health reforms and build our new home at Chesterhope,” says Frane Rosandich, Chair of the Cranford Hospice Trust.
“It is an exciting time for our organisation as we work through to ensure we are providing the best possible palliative care to the people of Hawke’s Bay.”
Andrew says that from his nursing training days, “through to my time with the Palliative Care Council of NZ, palliative care services have always been an area that I have strongly supported.
“Leading Cranford Hospice, an organization that facilitates and enables a compassionate environment and expert end of life care, during a time when people and their families are in need, fully aligns with my personal values. It is an essential service for the people of our community, and I am privileged to be provided the opportunity to guide the service through the next chapter of its growth and development.”
Andrea Jopling, Deputy Chair of the Trust, is Interim CEO.
Welcome back Andrew. We sure missed you. You’re the right person for that wonderful project