Born from a mother’s promise to her late daughter, Stepping Stone Palliative Care Services has achieved international recognition for revolutionizing palliative care across South Africa.
They have proven that world-class healthcare innovation can emerge from the most personal of tragedies.
Stepping Stone Hospice, founded in 2013, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Global Recognition Award for its ground-breaking approach to end-of-life care that has transformed how compassionate healthcare is delivered to vulnerable populations throughout the province.
The hospice was established by CEO Tersia Burger to fulfill a promise made to her late daughter Vicky. What began as a deeply personal commitment has evolved into a beacon of hope for thousands facing life-limiting illnesses, serving more than 4 000 adult patients and supporting 40 000 family members since its inception.
According to Tersia, this award represents far more than recognition of their work, she said it validates that Vicky’s legacy continues to touch lives across our region.
“When we started this journey from a place of grief and personal commitment, we never imagined we would become a catalyst for systemic change throughout South Africa’s palliative care sector. Every vulnerable population we serve, every unemployed youth we transform into a qualified caregiver, and every family we support in their darkest hour proves that compassionate healthcare can break down barriers and maintain dignity while delivering world-class standards,” she explained.
The award places them among Africa’s elite end-of-life care facilities, making it the only hospice in Gauteng to simultaneously hold dual accreditation from Council for Health Services Accreditation of Southern Africa (CoHSASA) and maintain a five-star 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 serves as the hub for a comprehensive service that currently manages at least 150 patients monthly.
Pioneering paediatric care
In 2024, Stepping Stone launched its dedicated paediatric unit, positioning the Raceview facility as only the fifth specialized registered children’s end-of-life care facility in the country.
Tersia said this milestone demonstrates the organization’s commitment to addressing critical gaps in healthcare provision for the country’s most vulnerable populations.
Her influence extends far beyond direct patient care through her leadership roles as chair of the Gauteng Palliative Care Centres and vice-chair of the Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC). These positions amplify Stepping Stone’s impact on national medical policy and protocols.
Global Recognition
The Global Recognition Award evaluation used the Rasch model evaluation system, with a panel of impartial industry experts measuring exceptional performance across multiple categories.
This quantifiable assessment set them apart from other international nominees through evidence of its world-class impact on both individual patients and broader public health outcomes.
“Stepping Stone Hospice & Care Services represents the very best of humanitarian healthcare innovation, combining clinical excellence with deep community engagement to create a model that other organizations worldwide can emulate,” said Alex Sterling, spokesperson for Global Recognition Awards.
He said the organization’s approach transcends geographical boundaries and cultural contexts.
For more information about Stepping Stone Hospice, visit their website: www.steppingstonehospice.co.za or contact them at 010 442 5059.
