For more than 50 years, LaVerne Kindree has been a vital force in his community. He served as the region's sole physician for many years, was the longest serving coroner in British Columbia's history, and was instrumental in establishing the Squamish General Hospital. Independently, he conducted field work that led the provincial government to declare Lyme disease endemic to the region. This resulted in many people being diagnosed and treated after years of suffering, and spurred the creation of the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation. Involved in every facet of community life, he is a founding member of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce and the founding chairman of the Squamish Hospital Foundation.