Rowena Dean Steps Down As IRHH Chief Executive
Rowena Dean marked the conclusion of more than 19 years of service with the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home at a special party held in her honour at Tring School on Thursday 27th March. Over 200 people, including staff members past and present, volunteers, supporters, professional colleagues from across the hospice world, family and friends, gathered to thank Rowena for nearly two decades of service which began as a volunteer and ended as the IRHH's first Chief Executive.
Tributes were paid to Rowena, who has been IRHH Chief Executive since 2000, by President, Moira Rennie, and Chairman of Trustees, Steve Cuthbert.
In thanking Rowena for her enormous contribution, Steve commented, "The fact that IRHH currently looks after 850 patients and their carers each year, employs over 90 people, and has an annual budget of £3.3 million owes much to Rowena's professional contribution. Approximately 8,000 patients and their families have been cared for by our service, staff numbers have grown to over 90 people, and our volunteer supporters number over 1,000 people. All in all I think there must be well over 20,000 people in our community whose lives have been affected by either receiving or delivering our service, all of whom, even though some of them may not have even met her, owe Rowena a great debt of gratitude."
He continued, "It was Rowena, supported by her colleagues and the then Chairman, Peter Gell, who changed IRHH from a pioneering organisation with great aspirations into a modern, professionally managed charity capable of growing and adapting to meet the ever increasing demand for our services."
Moira Rennie, also commenting on the growth of the charity, said, "Your team attitude has been paramount and your strength, vision, enthusiasm and charisma has proved over and over again what an exceptional member of Team Rennie you have been. I do thank you most sincerely for your confidence, enthusiasm and overwhelming commitment to all things Iain Rennie over the past 19 years."
The focal point of the room was an 8 foot high photograph of Rowena seated on the back of a Harley Davidson motorbike taken at an IRHH fundraising event to mark the opening of the Aston Clinton bypass.
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Rowena was presented with a series of leaving gifts including a digital camera, an Iain Rennie Day Bag, a book of messages, a painting of the IRHH "Gatekeeper" butterfly and a "Round The World Ticket" Guests also enjoyed a spectacular butterfly cake made to mark the occasion.
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As a finale, Director of Nursing, Sue Varvel, with a 6 piece backing band and nursing colleagues dressed in leather jackets, performed a special version of "Leader of the Pack" with Rowena seated on a real Harley Davidson motorbike. The evening concluded with everyone joining together to sing the IRHH's unofficial anthem, "Lean On Me".
Leader Of The Pack
Lean On Me
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We have received the following message from Rowena who has now handed over to the new IRHH Chief Executive, Maddie Blackburn:
Dear Friends
Thank you all so much for the most wonderful leaving party last week and for the very generous and perfect gifts. I was completely overwhelmed with the whole occasion and very moved by the kind comments from Steve Cuthbert, Moira Rennie and all of you.
This is a new era for me and for IRHH and a really positive one. I wish Maddie every success as she takes the organisation from strength to strength.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart and I will always continue to support IRHH in whatever way I can.
With warm regards
Rowena
3rd April 2008
