As a young man growing up in New York City, Jerry Rothstein learned about the importance of caring for others from his parents.

Little did he know those early life-lessons would lead him to a career on the other side of the continent as one of the driving forces behind a movement founded on the principle of compassion for those most in need.

Rothstein, volunteer co-ordinator for Victoria Hospice, was recognized by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association for 25 years of excellence in his field.

"To me, it feels like kind of a joke on me because I've never felt I had a career and yet hospice has become it," he says.

A press release from the national association describes Rothstein as a pioneer and champion for hospice palliative care volunteers. He accepted the award in Montreal, Sept. 18 at the 15th International Congress on the Care of the Terminally Ill.

Rothstein reflects on his quarter-century of palliative care work while sitting in a small room reserved for quiet reflection and grieving families at the hospice society's Jubilee Hospital offices.

Light streams through a window behind him illuminating his frizzy, greying hair -- causing an effect not unlike a halo. He's does not come across as gregarious or forceful. Instead, Rothstein displays a quiet strength, offering an understanding ear and ready to share laughter or tears. It's a skill he's acquired in part from his academic background.

Rothstein originally started out as a psychotherapist, moving from the U.S. Atlantic coast to San Francisco. Once out west he obtained his master's degree under the tutelage of Frederick "Fritz" Perls, founder of the Gestalt school of psychotherapy.

Perls believed many people suppress thoughts, sensations and emotions that are uncomfortable so he sought to help people take ownership of their experiences.

In 1969, Perls, who died in 1970, dispatched Rothstein to the Cowichan Valley to start the Gestalt Association of Canada, an organization over which he still presides 35 years later.

As he ran the association and dabbled in private practice, Rothstein became involved with volunteer organizing.

Based on feedback from the community on what kind of volunteer service was most needed, he organized community meeting in the fall of 1978 to discuss setting up a hospice program.

"It's hard to get 30 people out to a meeting like that. We had about 75 people turn out and I knew it was the right idea at the right time," he recalled.

"There was a lawyer there who volunteered his services and we were up and running in two or three months. That was the beginning of 1979."

At the time, the hospice movement was in its infancy and the Cowichan Valley Hospice Society was one of nine in all of B.C. Rothstein proudly points out there are now 110 such programs.

The hospice movement began in the late 1960s as a rebellion against the throw-away attitude that prevailed toward terminally ill people, he said.

"It was a protest that human beings were not treated as human beings," Rothstein said.

"When the physician said 'there's nothing more I can do,' the hospice movement said 'that's not good enough.'"

In the 1980s, Rothstein emerged as a vocal advocate for the essential role of volunteers in hospice care.

"The volunteer brings the possibility of giving that humanistic element that's needed," he said. "When people are sick and dying, they often wonder 'Do I have any value anymore?' When somebody says 'I want to spend some time with you,' that answers the question. I wouldn't mean as much if they were paid."

There are many people who don't have a family support network to help them through their illness, he added.

"There are times when the volunteer is all they have," he said.

As the 1980s wore on and more hospice societies started up, the Ministry of Health gave the programs a positive evaluation and added some much-needed funding stability.

By 1987, Rothstein had developed a set of standards and training practices for hospice volunteers. Called The Caring Community: A Fieldbook for Hospice Palliative Care Volunteer Services, the book is used by hospice programs across North America.

"Since about the mid-80s, I've been a strong voice for the volunteer component being essential for the hospice component," he said.

"I've always seen hospice and palliative care as interdisciplinary, involving doctors, nurses, pharmacists. None of those people can do it all. It has to be a partnership."

Rothstein arrived at Victoria Hospice in 1991, bringing with him a cohesive approach to volunteer training

Volunteers at Victoria Hospice must undergo a thorough training program consisting of 36 hours of class time and 15-20 hours of on-the-job experience and his modern approach to volunteers training .The training focuses as much on self-awareness as it does on the needs of the patients.

"When you enter the world of someone that is dying, you need to know who that is that's entering their world," he explained.

"It's about understanding yourself in terms of motivation and sharpening your acuity and awareness."

Rothstein admitted that the grief and loss are an every day part of dealing with terminally ill people, but said the emotional rewards of helping someone in need are far greater.

"In my personal experience, being with someone when they are in need and making a human connection, I don't feel I lose," he said. "You never can tell when you might make a difference."

Now in his 60s, Rothstein is on the verge of retiring from Victoria Hospice. He's already moved many of his belongings to Minnesota, where he and his wife Miriam have a new grandchild.

His last day on the job will be Oct. 29, a move he neglected to mention during our interview but one that has not gone unnoticed by his staff.

"He knows this issue inside and out, he's just such a well-read man," said Donna Ryan, his long-time assistant.

"He talks to volunteers at all levels and he has a great sense of humour."

Volunteer Ingrid Shillington added that Rothstein "will be a hard act to follow.

"He has an innate sense of people," she said.

While Rothstein will be living in the United States, he still plans to stay active in the hospice movement.

He and Miriam are currently working on an updated version of "The Caring Community," which is slated for publication early next year.

Ryan said Rothstein also plans to stay in touch with Victoria Hospice and continue to help out with volunteer training, albeit from a distance.

"Knowing him he'll get involved with hospice programs down there," she said.

Copyright 2003 saanich