The BC Rural Health Network has named BCHPCA Executive Director Pablita Thomas its September 2026 Member of the Month, highlighting her leadership and BCHPCA’s work to strengthen hospice and palliative care across British Columbia, including in rural and remote communities.

In the feature, Pablita discusses what good end-of-life care can look like when it is close to home, community-based and centred on the needs, values and choices of each person. She highlights how hospice care is not limited to dedicated facilities, but is delivered by organizations and care teams in homes, long-term care, assisted living and other community settings across BC.

The feature also explores issues that are important to BCHPCA members and the broader sector, including improving access in rural and remote communities, strengthening the palliative approach among local healthcare providers, and recognizing the cultural and spiritual dimensions of care. Pablita also speaks to the important role that community-based services can play in helping people remain in their communities while easing pressure on the acute-care system.

For BCHPCA and our members, these conversations reinforce the importance of building a strong, sustainable and responsive community hospice sector that reflects the diverse needs of people and communities across BC.

As Pablita shared:

“Hospice palliative care is not about dying. It's about living your full life until you pass.”

We congratulate Pablita on this recognition and thank the BC Rural Health Network for highlighting the important work of hospice and palliative care organizations across BC.

Read the full feature: Member of the Month September 2026: Pablita Thomas – BC Hospice and Palliative Care Association - BC Rural Health Network