Nancy Hinds is ready to retire

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- After thirty years of community service, the woman who's been called the Valley's "Mother Theresa" is stepping down.

Nancy Hinds founded Hinds Hospice in Fresno, and many people credit her with changing the face of hospice care in California.

After some 30 years in hospice care, Nancy wants more time with her six young grandchildren. "I cannot thank the community enough. For their support over the years, we truly would not be here without their support"

Nancy says it was the Valley's support that allowed her to care for the dying in this Simpson Avenue home in Central Fresno.

It was here, that she managed the sick and dying, while raising her children by herself. She admits, it wasn't easy, at one point, she was under state investigation. "There was no license to do what I was doing. I tried to get a license but nobody had done it before, care for the terminally ill."

The state shut her down back in the 80's, but Nancy lobbied for legislation. Eventually, she was able to change California's view of hospice. "Just because of having it in the home setting and creating a model of care that wasn't known before. I wasn't doing it to create a model. I was doing it because I wanted to care for the dying."

And while a fresh face is taking over, Kaiser Permanente's chief nursing officer says Nancy's "model of care" won't change.

Amy Tobin said, "I think I would just like the community know to feel comfortable Hinds Hospice is gonna continue to serve the community the way that it has with the high quality care and to know its in good hands."

And as for Nancy, her hands won't be idle, she'll be focusing on her pediatric care and prison hospice program. "It was just like I had to have that experience to have the strength I needed to get to this point in life."

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local, stephanie stone

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