Ksyen Regional Hospital
Public hospital in Terrace, British Columbia, Canada
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ksyen Regional Hospital, formerly Mills Memorial Hospital, is a 78-bed regional medical facility located in Terrace, British Columbia.[1][2][3][4] It serves as the primary healthcare hub for northwestern British Columbia, including communities in the Nass Valley (Aiyansh and New Aiyansh, now Gitlax̱t’aamiks; Canyon City, now Gitwinksihlkw; Greenville, now Lax̱g̱alts’ap; and Kincolith, now Ging̱olx), the unincorporated community of Thornhill, and others.[5] The hospital, currently operated by Northern Health, offers a range of acute care services and acts as a referral centre for more specialized treatments.[6] A new, significantly larger and more modern hospital building officially started construction in 2021, and opened to the general public on November 24, 2024.[7][8][9]
Terrace, British Columbia
V8G 2W8
| Ksyen Regional Hospital | |
|---|---|
| Northern Health | |
Main entrance of Ksyen Regional Hospital, formerly known as Mills Memorial Hospital, in Terrace, British Columbia, at night | |
  Location in British Columbia | |
| Geography | |
| Location | 2800 Tetrault Street Terrace, British Columbia V8G 2W8 |
| Coordinates | 54.5104°N 128.5961°W |
| Organisation | |
| Care system | Medicare |
| Type | General |
| University of British Columbia, University of Northern British Columbia, Northern Medical Program | |
| Services | |
| Yes, Level III trauma centre | |
| Beds | 78 |
| Helipads | |
| Helipad | No |
| History | |
| Former names | Mills Memorial Hospital Terrace and District Hospital |
| Constructed | 2021 |
| Founded | 2024 |
| Links | |
| Website | https://www.northernhealth.ca/find-a-facility/hospitals/ksyen-regional-hospital |
History
Early healthcare in Terrace
Healthcare in Terrace began informally with Tsimshian people utilizing the nearby Lakelse Hot Springs as a natural healing site.[10] With the construction of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway in the early 1900s, physicians like Dr. W.P. Johns and Dr. Seymour Traynor provided basic medical services, often traveling by canoe.[10] Early medical care was delivered in makeshift facilities such as homes, hotels, and temporary structures.[10]
Founding of Mills Memorial Hospital
The need for a formal hospital became apparent during the 1936 Skeena River flood and the Second World War.[10] Dr. Stanley Gordon Mills, a decorated veteran of the First World War and a pioneer in Terrace’s healthcare, was instrumental in advocating for a proper hospital.[11] In 1948, the Red Cross opened a 10-bed outpost hospital in Terrace, marking the first significant step toward establishing modern medical infrastructure.[11]
Post-war expansion and advocacy
By the 1950s, population growth and increased healthcare demands led to the formation of the Skeena Hospital Improvement District.[11] Through the collective efforts of local advocates, including Dr. Mills, George Little, and Bert Goulet, land was secured, and funding was raised for a larger, purpose-built hospital.[11] Construction began in 1960, and the new facility, then called the Terrace and District Hospital, officially opened in 1961.[11]
Naming of Mills Memorial Hospital
In 1962, the hospital was renamed Mills Memorial Hospital to honour Dr. Stanley Gordon Mills and his wife, Edith Mills, who both tragically died in a house fire shortly after the hospital’s opening.[12] Dr. Mills had spent decades advocating for improved healthcare facilities, and Edith had been head nurse at the new hospital.[11] Their gravestone in Kitsumgallum (Kitsumkalum) Cemetery poignantly reads, “Life’s Work Well Done.”[13]
Modern era
Upgrades and expansions
Mills Memorial Hospital has undergone several expansions since its opening, including:
- A $1.2 million expansion in 1968, adding an intensive care unit and more beds.[11]
- A $6.3 million renovation in 1977, upgrading most departments.[11]
Despite these upgrades, the facility has struggled to meet modern healthcare standards due to aging infrastructure and increasing demand.[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]
Redevelopment
In 2019, a project to replace the existing Mills Memorial Hospital was announced.[22] Construction of the new facility began in 2021, and it officially opened its doors to the public on November 24, 2024.[23][24][2] The new facility, spanning approximately 356,500 square feet and featuring 78 beds, is nearly twice the size of the current hospital. Designed as a regional healthcare hub, the upgraded hospital provides expanded trauma services, orthopedic surgeries, pathology, radiology, and pharmacy services.[25]
Additionally, the new hospital aims to enhance healthcare delivery in northwest British Columbia and address staffing challenges by improving working conditions and supporting medical education.[26] It will continue to serve as a training site for medical students through the Northern Medical Program, a partnership between the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC).[27][28]
Renaming to Ksyen Regional Hospital
In early November 2024, Northern Health announced that the new facility would be renamed Ksyen Regional Hospital.[29][30][31] The name “Ksyen” is derived from the Tsimshian language and refers to the Skeena River, an important cultural and ecological feature of the region.[32] The renaming reflects efforts to acknowledge the Indigenous heritage of northwest British Columbia and align the hospital’s identity with the local history and traditions of the area.[33]
Community involvement
Ksyen Regional Hospital, formerly Mills Memorial Hospital, has historically been supported by community initiatives, from early grassroots fundraising efforts to the current advocacy for improved healthcare.[34][35][36][37][38][39][40] Volunteer organizations, such as the Dr. REM Lee Foundation, and auxiliary groups, such as the Mills Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, continue to play a vital role in supporting hospital operations.[41][42][43]
Amenities
- Emergency services
- Laboratory and radiology (x-ray) services
- Obstetrical care
- Outpatient ambulatory-care procedures
- Renal services and hemodialysis unit
- Mammography screening program
- A 20-bed psychiatric unit[7]