Hospice of Palm Beach County: Thirty Years of Caring

The core value of putting patients and families first is taken very seriously at Hospice of Palm Beach County. It guides the organization to be there – providing comfort, compassion and healing. And, for thirty years, has made a difference to countless families during times of great need.

“We’re There” means providing the best – facilities, quality care and the most comprehensive array of services available anywhere. It is due to this spirit and dedication that Hospice of Palm Beach County is able to celebrate so many milestones in their 30 Years of Caring.

Started in 1978 by Stella Monchick-West and a small group of volunteers, Hospice of Palm Beach County has grown to be a leading provider and model for Hospice and Palliative Care. It was in the early 1980’s that John Brogan, Helen Messic and Mary Hulitar began their tenure as leaders for Hospice of Palm Beach County. Their vision for a magnificent free-standing inpatient unit and administrative headquarters became a reality in 1988 with the opening of the Charles W. Gerstenberg Center – the first of its kind in the southeast United States and an example for hospice inpatient units around the world.

Many of our accomplishments since the opening of the Gerstenberg Center are also firsts among hospice providers:

1988 – First in the State to operate its own pharmacy
1996 – Most comprehensive grief and loss support programs provided by the John J. Brogan Horizons Bereavement Center
1996 – First music therapy program in the area (and largest in the country)
1997 – Only hospice in the country with a SHARE program for pregnancy and infant loss
2001 – First and only to operate inpatient units in area hospitals, presently 6 units
2002 – Only hospice in the world with a Critical Incident Stress Management Team
2004 – First to implement LATIS, a proprietary web-based patient information system
2005 – First Integrative Therapies program
2006 – Purchased The Medical Store, a durable medical equipment provider

Today One of the largest non-for-profit hospices in the country, caring for nearly 1,200 patients and their families each day.

It is comforting for the community to know that, even with the challenges of an ever-changing healthcare environment, there are organizations that provide great healthcare experiences. Hospice of Palm Beach County is certainly one that does. Their compassion for all is evident. Through its stability as an organization, they are able to provide services to everyone who needs and wants them, regardless of what they have, who they are or where they live. Their wide variety of programs, above and beyond what other providers can offer, for patients, loved ones, and those in the community in stress, bring healing on so many levels.

Hospice of Palm Beach County builds relationships with every patient and family, and with the community, working together to create a plan of care that celebrates life and respects wishes, traditions and heritage. They are who they are today because of the many people who have supported their mission and vision – as employees, board members, volunteers, donors and healthcare partners. Hospice of Palm Beach County’s 30 year tradition of caring is based on establishing and nurturing these relationships: the organization with its healthcare partners and the community; staff with patients and families; staff with volunteers; and volunteers with patients and families – all equally important. These relationships are mutually beneficial with each person receiving as much as they are giving.

Creating programs and services to address unmet needs, building processes, and improving access to care have been tradition for Hospice of Palm Beach County over the past 30 years. Continued growth and development of programs and services will create the milestones for the coming decades – ever focusing on patients and families – “We’re There.”