The history of Hospice of the EUP begins in November of 1980. That’s when Dr. James Terrian and Ginny Walter – both of the Chippewa County Health Department – began to organize a hospice in the Sault Ste. Marie area. In January 1981, an ad hoc committee was formed consisting of several local agencies and what was then known as Sault Area Community Hospice was born. In 1983, it became incorporated as a home care program and over the years continued to expand, adding staff and programs as the patient census and the community need for bereavement and public education programs expanded. In 1990, the program became certified for Medicare funding, allowing the residents of Chippewa County to utilize all Hospice benefits through Medicare and other insurance programs. In 2009, the program expanded to include St. Ignace and the name was changed to Hospice of the EUP. In 2011, the organization began raising funds for a Hospice House. In November of that year, ground breaking occurred for the house and in August of 2012, the doors were opened to our first Hospice clients. Over the years, Hospice worked closely with a variety of partners, including the Chippewa County Health Department, United Way of Chippewa County, War Memorial Hospital, and nursing homes located within the area.
