18 - Staff Retirement Tributes
'Highly respected' and 'great
mentors', are just some of the words
used by staff to describe Medical
Director, Dr. Kelvin Bengtson, and
Director of Patient Services, Verity
Jolly, who have retired, after many
years working for the charity.
Since 2008, Dr. Kelvin Bengtson served as
Medical Director, where he was responsible
for medical leadership and ensuring the
hospice delivered the highest level of personfocused
care to patients, and their loved ones.
While Verity Jolly worked at the hospice
since the very first day we opened our
doors in 1989. Starting as a Ward Nurse, she
progressed through each nursing leadership
role, including Clinical Care Manager before
becoming Director of Patient Services in 2007.
During her time, at the hospice, Verity
helped many staff with their development,
as well as leading on a number of service
enhancements, such as OneCall, which
has made a great difference to the lives of
thousands of patients and their families.
Both Kelvin and Verity enjoyed celebrations
with hospice staff, past and present, to
wish them well ahead of their retirements.
Verity also received a special 'Lifetime
Commitment to the Community Award'
from East Anglian Daily Times' Stars of
Suffolk Awards.
Judi Newman, St Elizabeth Hospice Chief
Executive Officer, said: "Kelvin and Verity
have made massive contributions to the
growth of St Elizabeth Hospice and have
touched the lives of so many throughout
the community.
"As a hospice, we are so grateful for their
fantastic work and we wish them, and their
families, all the best in their retirements."
Kelvin and Verity have been succeeded
respectively in their positions by Dr. Alison
Blaken, former Deputy Medical Director and
Consultant in Palliative Medicine at the hospice,
and Lisa Parrish, who has over 30 years of
experience in a variety of clinical roles in both
provider and commissioning organisations.
Hospice Pays Tribute to Kelvin and Verity
Kelvin Bengtson (centre)
Kelvin Bengtson (centre)
Verity Jolly (centre)
Verity Jolly (centre)