Empath Health and Trustbridge announced their respective boards of directors have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to begin the process of an affiliation between the two organizations.

Both Empath Health and Trustbridge are community-based not-for-profit organizations providing non-acute health care to individuals with chronic, advanced or terminal illness and those experiencing grief. Empath Health is the parent organization of legacy hospices Hospice of Marion County, Suncoast Hospice and Tidewell Hospice, in addition to Suncoast Hospice of Hillsborough and Empath Hospice. Trustbridge is the parent organization of Hospice of Palm Beach County and Hospice by the Sea.

“We are so pleased to begin the discussions of a possible affiliation with Empath Health,” said David Fielding, President and CEO of Trustbridge. “Trustbridge sought to partner with an organization that shares the same dedicated focus on providing expert, compassionate hospice and palliative care to the communities we serve; alongside the ability to add new non-acute and senior care services to Trustbridge’s service areas. Our board and executive team have given significant consideration to the culture and reputation of the organization we want to join. We feel Empath Health is that organization.”

The non-profit Trustbridge Hospice Foundation will remain a vital part of a new partnership, continuing to provide programs and services above and beyond traditional hospice care in both Palm Beach and Broward Counties.