Alberton Hospice Bags International Award

Matshidiso Selebeleng

In a story of personal tragedy turning into international triumph, Stepping Stone Palliative Care Services has been recognised for its groundbreaking approach to end-of-life care. The hospice, founded in 2013 by CEO Tersia Burger, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Global Recognition Award, which honours its transformative impact on compassionate healthcare for vulnerable populations.

This award represents more than just recognition; for Burger, it validates that her late daughter’s legacy continues to touch lives across the region. The facility was established in honour of her daughter, Vicky Bruce, who suffered from Osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic disorder that causes fragile, easily fractured bones. She founded the hospice after struggling to find adequate care for her daughter in Alberton.

What began as a personal promise has since evolved into a beacon of hope for thousands, serving over 4 000 adult patients and supporting 40 000 family members since its inception. The award places Stepping Stone among Africa’s elite end-of-life care facilities, as it is the only hospice in Gauteng to simultaneously hold dual accreditation from the Council for Health Services Accreditation of Southern Africa (CoHSASA) and a fivestar Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC) rating.

This dual recognition establishes the facility as a benchmark for continental healthcare excellence. The hospice’s eight-bed in-patient unit in New Market Park serves as the hub for a comprehensive service that currently manages at least 150 patients monthly. In 2024, Stepping Stone launched a dedicated paediatric unit in Raceview, making it only the fifth specialised registered children’s end-of-life care facility in the country.

Burger explained that this milestone demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to addressing critical gaps in healthcare provision for the most vulnerable populations. Burger’s influence extends beyond direct patient care through her leadership as chair of the Gauteng Palliative Care Centres and vice-chair of the APCC, which helps to amplify Stepping Stone’s impact on national medical policy and protocols.

The Global Recognition Award evaluation utilised the Rasch model evaluation system, with a panel of impartial industry experts measuring exceptional performance across multiple categories. Alex Sterling, a spokesperson for the Global Recognition Awards, stated: “Stepping Stone Hospice and Care Services represents the very best of humanitarian healthcare innovation, combining clinical excellence with deep community engagement to create a model that other organisations worldwide can emulate.” Sterling added that the organisation’s approach transcends geographical boundaries and cultural contexts.