Latest news with #Charleson
Hamilton Spectator
14-05-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
New healthcare model brings services directly to Nuu-chah-nulth families on the west coast of Vancouver Island
By Nora O'Malley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tofino, BC - An offering of dried Devil's Club, the plant used by Indigenous peoples for a range of medicinal, ceremonial and spiritual purposes, sat beside a sign-up sheet for traditional cedar brushings as members of the ʔuukʷinkpanač (ook-wink-panach) West Coast Primary Care Initiative (WCPCI) team welcomed guests to the Tin Wis Conference Centre on May 10 for a grand opening celebration. With ʔuukʷinkpanač WCPCI now officially launched, community members living in ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht), ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht), ḥiškʷiiʔatḥ (Hesquiaht), tukʷaaʔatḥ (Toquaht) and yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Yuucluthaht) can call to book appointments for some services, including traditional wellness and nursing services. 'One thing that all of us of as First Nations people know and are aware of is the ongoing racism in the healthcare system within not only B.C., but Canada. And when we have the opportunity for healthcare providers to come into our community, our people automatically feel more safe in our community rather than having to go into an institution like a hospital,' said Mariah Charleson, Nuu-chah-nulth's representative on the First Nations Health Council and elected chief councillor of Hesquiaht First Nation. 'It's everything that we've been needing for so many years. With opening of primary care initiative, it means we'll have access to a lot more resources to come into our community rather than having people having to travel to receive any type of healthcare resources,' said Charleson before sitting down to enjoy a smoked salmon lunch with Nuu-chah-nulth leaders from all five communities. Charleson was raised in the rural and remote Hesquiaht village of Hot Springs Cove, located about one hour boat ride away from Tofino's First Street dock. She said the boat fee to leave her village is $600 on a nice day, but if it's stormy, the cost soars to $1,500 for a one-way boat trip. 'It's massive. If it's a stormy day, you cannot charter a small boat. You have to charter a seaworthy boat just to be safe,' said Charleson. 'Hesquiaht, we are swimming in debt every year because we don't fit in the blanket policy that is across British Columbia for medical transportation.' But with the launch of ʔuukʷinkpanač WCPCI, Hesquiaht members – and all Nuu-chah-nulth members living in the Clayoquot Sound region – can now benefit from healthcare services coming directly to them. 'They are coming to us. This is exactly what we need,' Charleson re-iterates. Hesquiaht First Nation Councillor Kayla Lucas also grew up in Hot Springs Cove and has witnessed firsthand the struggle other members endure to access healthcare services, from catching boats to the lengthy waitlists at the nearby clinic in Tofino. 'This is western medicine finally coming to our communities to fill that gap that has been there for so long,' said Lucas. 'We will be able to conquer barriers with it coming into community. This is a huge step forward and I can't wait to see it take off.' ʔuukʷinkpanač WCPCI works through a partnership agreement with the Uut Uuštukyuu Society, a network of Indigenous healing practitioners guided by traditional healing law. Ahousaht Hereditary Chief Hasheukumiss (Richard George) said he is honoured to walk on this journey with ʔuukʷinkpanač, Uut Uuštukyuu and everyone involved. 'It's breaking down all of our barriers and all of our past to really heal as one,' said Hasheukumiss. 'We really need a lot of healing in our community. Intergenerational trauma is still upon us, we haven't even scratched the surface, and I see this as a real step forward.' 'It's our way and the western way together,' adds Charleson. 'That kind of medicine can't be stopped.' B.C. Minister of Health Josie Osborne attended the milestone day. She participated in a traditional healing practice, led by Ahousaht elder Dave Frank, that used a hemlock branch to shift energies within the body. 'First Nations people in B.C. often face barriers when it comes to accessing culturally safe primary care or trauma-informed health-care services that are close to home,' said Osborne. 'The opening of the ʔuukʷinkpanac West Coast Primary Care Initiative is a key part of furthering the First Nations Primary Care Initiative and will ensure that First Nations communities and families have access to the quality health care that they deserve,' she said. Nuu-chah-nulth members living in Ahousaht will meet at the Chah Chum Hill Yup Tiic Miss building for appointments. Hesquiaht members will meet practitioners at the Hesquiaht Health Centre, which has been renovated to facilitate more private and confidential spaces. Tla-o-qui-aht members will visit the Opitsaht Health Centre or Tiic-mis-aq'kin Health Centre in Ty-Histanis for appointments. Toquaht Nation citizens will use the Toquaht Gathering Place and Ucluelet First Nation citizens use Huupatu Health Centre in Hitacu. ʔuukʷinkpanač means 'walking in togetherness'. The new WCPCI health services model was funded by the B.C. Ministry of Health and the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA). ʔuukʷinkpanač is a non-profit organization made up of health care providers including physicians, registered nurses, mental health supports, harm prevention support, social work, elder support and traditional wellness supports. Recruitment for ʔuukʷinkpanač WCPCI is ongoing, according to director of operations Suzanne Williams, and job opportunities include a clinical manager, primary care community pharmacist, family physician, Primary Care Registered Nurse and a mental health clinician. Anyone interested in booking a healthcare appointment with the ʔuukʷinkpanač WCPCI, is encouraged to call 250-266-7974 or visit the website for more information.
Fox News
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
'General Hospital' star Leslie Charleson's cause of death revealed
"General Hospital" star Leslie Charleson's cause of death has been revealed. The Daytime Emmy-nominated actress died as a result of "sequelae of blunt head trauma," Fox News Digital can confirm. Prior to Charleson's death, the actress was diagnosed with asthma, arthritis, atrial fibrillation and normal pressure hydrocephalus, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office. The Alzheimer's Association defines normal pressure hydrocephalus as "a brain disorder in which excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulates in the brain's ventricles, causing thinking and reasoning problems, difficulty walking, and loss of bladder control." Charleson's cause of death comes one month after the "General Hospital" executive producer announced she died on Jan. 12 at the age of 79. "It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson," Frank Valentini confirmed on the show's official Instagram account. "Her enduring legacy has spanned nearly 50 years on General Hospital alone and, just as Monica was the heart of the Quartermaines, Leslie was a beloved matriarch of the entire cast and crew. I will miss our daily chats, her quick wit and incredible presence on set." "On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to her loved ones during this difficult time." Charleson portrayed Monica Quartermaine in the beloved soap opera. She began working on the ABC drama in 1977 and appeared in more than 2,000 episodes. Charleson was the longest-tenured cast member on the series, according to IMDb. In addition to "General Hospital," Charleson played Dr. Monica Quartermaine on "General Hospital: Night Shift" and "Port Charles." Charleson was born on Feb. 22, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri. She began working in the industry in the '60s with roles in "As the World Turns" and "A Flame in the Wind." After appearing on more than 1,400 episodes of "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing," she caught the eye of Ron Howard and starred as Mrs. Dorothy Kimber on an episode of "Happy Days." Charleson's most recent television credits, aside from daytime television, included a stint as herself on "Friends," and she played a waitress in "The Return of the Muskrats."
USA Today
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'General Hospital' star Leslie Charleson's cause of death released
A month after the death of "General Hospital" star Leslie Charleson was confirmed, more details are emerging about the circumstances surrounding her death. Records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirm that Charleson's cause of death was "sequelae of blunt head trauma," meaning traumatic brain injury. While the case remains open, the office determined the death to be an accident. Charleson, a soap opera veteran best known for playing Monica Quartermaine on "General Hospital," died on Jan. 12, the show's producer Frank Valentini confirmed. She was 79. "It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson," Valentini wrote on Instagram. "Her enduring legacy has spanned nearly 50 years on 'General Hospital' alone and, just as Monica was the heart of the Quartermaines, Leslie was a beloved matriarch of the entire cast and crew. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. "I will miss our daily chats, her quick wit and incredible presence on set. On behalf of everyone at 'General Hospital,' my heartfelt sympathy goes out to her loved ones during this difficult time." Charleson made her "General Hospital" debut as Dr. Quartermaine in 1977 and went on to appear in more than 2,000 episodes over nearly five decades, according to the actress's IMDb page. Before joining "General Hospital," Charleson cut her teeth as an actress on TV dramas such as "A Flame in the Wind" and "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing." She also appeared in several other series throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, including "As the World Turns," "N.Y.P.D.," "The Rookies" and "Marcus Welby, M.D." Over the years, Charleson reprised her "General Hospital" role on the show's spin-offs "Port Charles" and "General Hospital: Night Shift." In the late '90s and early 2000s, Charleson didn't venture far beyond Port Charles, making the occasional guest appearance on sitcoms such as "Dharma & Greg" and "Friends." Charleson's final appearance on "General Hospital" was the December 2023 episode "Everything You Ever Wanted," per IMDb.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New Details Emerge in Death of 'General Hospital's Leslie Charleson
Leslie Charleson's cause of death has officially been revealed. The actress, who replaced Patsy Rahn as Dr. Monica Quartermaine on General Hospital for more than four decades and 2,000 episodes, passed away in January at the age of 79. Now, almost a full month to-the-day that the devastating news broke, new details surrounding her death have been made public. SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox According to documents filed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office and reviewed by TMZ, the longtime soap opera star died of "sequelae of blunt head trauma" or the long-term effects of sustaining a serious head or traumatic brain injury. The paperwork also illustrated Charleson's history of asthma, arthritis, atrial fibrillation, and normal pressure hydrocephalus, which is a condition where cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain, according to Johns Hopkins, as contributing factors. Where or when Charleson sustained the initial head trauma that ultimately led to her death is unclear, but she had experienced a series of falls shortly before she was hospitalized, as reported by several outlets. Frank Valentini, the executive producer of the long-running soap opera, mourned the loss in a statement on social media on Sunday, Jan. 12. 'It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson,' Valentini's statement began. "Her enduring legacy has spanned nearly 50 years on General Hospital alone and, just as Monica was the heart of the Quartermaines, Leslie was a beloved matriarch of the entire cast and crew.' 'I will miss our daily chats, her quick wit and incredible presence on set,' he added. 'On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to her loved ones during this difficult time.' Next:
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'General Hospital 'Star Leslie Charleson's Cause of Death Revealed 1 Month After She Died at 79
Leslie Charleson's cause of death has been revealed. On Wednesday, Feb. 12, the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner determined the longest-tenured General Hospital cast member died from "sequelae of blunt head trauma,' a condition caused by a previous head injury, according to online records viewed by PEOPLE. The online records indicate the actress — who starred as Monica Quartermaine on the soap opera — also was diagnosed with asthma, arthritis, atrial fibrillation, and normal pressure hydrocephalus, which Alzheimer's Association defines as 'a brain disorder in which excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulates in the brain's ventricles.' TMZ, which obtained Charleson's death certificate, was first to report the news. Related: Paying Tribute to the Celebrities Who Have Died in 2025 Charleson's cause of death comes one month after the four-time Daytime Emmy nominee died at age 79 on Jan. 12. At the time, General Hospital's executive producer Frank Valentini announced her death on the show's official Instagram. "It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson," he shared. "Her enduring legacy has spanned nearly 50 years on General Hospital alone and, just as Monica was the heart of the Quartermaines, Leslie was a beloved matriarch of the entire cast and crew." "I will miss our daily chats, her quick wit and incredible presence on set,' he continued. "On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to her loved ones during this difficult time." Related: Jeff Kober Reflects on Deaths of General Hospital Cast Members: 'Always Makes Me More Aware of Where I Am' (Exclusive) In 1977, Charleson joined General Hospital as the series' ratings were floundering, replacing Patsy Rahn, who had debuted as Monica Bard Webber (later Monica Quartermaine) a year earlier. Monica, a doctor, filled the bad-girl archetype on the show, and Charleson loved playing her. 'She's interesting, dedicated in all areas,' Charleson told Soap Opera Digest in 1981. 'Her dedication in her social life can be a bit over the top, but it's true. When she loves, it's passionately. She puts her effort into it, sometimes at the expense of others.' At the time, the actress was happy with her character's growth. 'I'm delighted with the progress she's made, her sense of humor," she said. "As an actress I enjoy Monica because she can wear any hat, go any place, do any thing.' Of her character's reputation, she added, 'When you're all good, you're boring. And nobody is just 'good,' unless she's a saint.' Monica's most impactful relationship on the show was with fellow doctor Alan Quartermaine, played by the late Stuart Damon. The Quartermaine family joined the show the same year Charleson did, ultimately giving Monica deep ties to the show. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Beginning in 2010, Charleson began to appear on General Hospital on a recurring status and made less frequent appearances in the last years of her life. Looking back at her GH tenure, she told Soap Opera Digest in 2001, 'I really do love this job. Look at it this way — what better job can you do than get up in the morning, roll out of bed, throw something on and then have someone take care of how you look and how you dress and what you say? How much more grateful could you possibly be? Not bad, not bad at all." Read the original article on People
