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]
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.[11] Early medical care was delivered in makeshift facilities such as homes, hotels, and temporary structures.[12]
Founding of Mills Memorial Hospital
The need for a formal hospital became apparent during the 1936 Skeena River flood and the Second World War.[13] 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.[14] In 1948, the Red Cross opened a 10-bed outpost hospital in Terrace, marking the first significant step toward establishing modern medical infrastructure.[15]
Post-war expansion and advocacy
By the 1950s, population growth and increased healthcare demands led to the formation of the Skeena Hospital Improvement District.[16] 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.[17] Construction began in 1960, and the new facility, then called the Terrace and District Hospital, officially opened in 1961.[18]
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.[19] Dr. Mills had spent decades advocating for improved healthcare facilities, and Edith had been head nurse at the new hospital.[20] Their gravestone in Kitsumgallum (Kitsumkalum) Cemetery poignantly reads, “Life’s Work Well Done.”[21]
Modern era
Upgrades and expansions
Mills Memorial Hospital has undergone several expansions since its opening, including:
A $6.3 million renovation in 1977, upgrading most departments.[23]
Despite these upgrades, the facility has struggled to meet modern healthcare standards due to aging infrastructure and increasing demand.[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]
Redevelopment
In 2019, a project to replace the existing Mills Memorial Hospital was announced.[32] Construction of the new facility began in 2021, and it officially opened its doors to the public on November 24, 2024.[33][34][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.[35]
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.[36] 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).[37][38]
Renaming to Ksyen Regional Hospital
In early November 2024, Northern Health announced that the new facility would be renamed Ksyen Regional Hospital.[39][40][41] The name “Ksyen” is derived from the Tsimshian language and refers to the Skeena River, an important cultural and ecological feature of the region.[42] 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.[43]
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.[44][45][46][47][48][49][50] 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.[51][52][53]
