The 15th Annual Suncoast Hospice Beach Stroll on Saturday, May 5, (see details in Sidebar) will be run under the organization’s new brand, Empath Health. Last November, Suncoast Hospice and its family of programs rebranded to become Empath Health. The “new” family is an integrated not-for-profit network of care encompassing hospice, palliative home health and physician services, independent living assistance and day care for seniors, HIV services, and advance care planning. Additional programs and services are in development.
“The new name allows us to build on the reputation of a trusted healthcare partner of more than three decades in the Tampa Bay area and helps families to understand that we are truly there for them through many stages of life,” says Rafael J. Sciullo, President and CEO of Empath Health. .
“We are well prepared to meet the ever-changing needs of those challenged by chronic and advanced illnesses. It is important that our name says we walk with you and that we understand and meet your needs with expertise, support and compassion.”
Empath Health and its members: Suncoast Hospice, Empath Home Health, Suncoast PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), AIDS Service Association of Pinellas, Inc. (ASAP), Empath Choices for Care (previously Project GRACE), Suncoast Hospice Foundation and Suncoast Hospice Institute will remain non-profit. Member Suncoast Solutions, a service dedicated to hospice, palliative and home care computer technology and support will remain for-profit.
Sciullo continues, “The name Empath Health was chosen after much thought. Empathy reflects concern and understanding for others. Empath employees and volunteers will walk with you and we strive to anticipate your needs with expertise, support and compassion.”
The mission statement of Empath Health is: Through every step of every journey, we offer compassion through extraordinary care, hope through innovative services and inspiration through endless encouragement. Their vision is: To be the leader in life-changing healthcare. Empath Health’s Integrated Care Network Suncoast Hospice is the original member of Empath Health. It was started in 1977 by a group of volunteers who came together because they were concerned about the lack of end-of-life care in our community. Today, Suncoast Hospice is one of the country’s largest non-profit hospice providers, serving more than 1,500 patients every day – almost 70% of all deaths in Pinellas County in 2014.
Hospice care is provided through a team approach with hospice and palliative care board-certified physicians, registered nurses, home health aides, various therapists, licensed clinical social workers, spiritual care coordinators (chaplains) and trained volunteers. Pharmacy services and medical equipment delivery are also included. This care is available anywhere a patient calls home — personal residence, nursing homes, assisted living facilities or hospitals and in one of our three inpatient care centers. A new innovative, and popular service is the Integrative Medicine Clinic. Located on the Clearwater campus, it helps patients reduce their pain, symptoms and anxieties through acupuncture, aromatherapy, biofeedback energy works (Reiki) and other comforting therapies.
Marci Pruitt, Vice President of Hospice Programs, emphasizes, “Suncoast Hospice was started by a dedicated group of volunteers who identified an unmet need in Pinellas County to serve those who were dying of a terminal illness and for the families and loved ones impacted by their death. Volunteers are at the core of who we are and provide a vital service in many areas of our organization. Our volunteers provide transportation to physician appointments, sit at the bedside of dying patients, provide needed relief for caregivers and a whole host of important services.”
“We could not provide the depth and breadth of care without our volunteers. Suncoast Hospice always admits patients and families regardless of their ability to pay. In fact last year, Suncoast Hospice provided over $4 million dollars in uncompensated care, made possible by the generous donations from our community and those we have served. These gifts are truly priceless.”
Empath Home Health is a licensed home health provider with more than 30 years of service. Palliative home health differs from traditional home health by offering services for those who need pain and symptom control for their advanced illnesses or conditions. Empath Home Health cares for people of all ages including young children. This 24/7 care includes wound care, infusions, disease-related education, and management and caregiver training. Trained volunteers provide companionship, take care of errands and offer some special therapies such as Reiki or massage.
Stacy Orloff, Vice President of Innovation of Community Health, explains, “We care for patients of all ages with a variety of illnesses in Empath Home Health. Our patients are homebound and really appreciate the friendly supportive visits, assistance with transportation, and socialization that volunteers provide. Our pediatric patients really enjoy their teen volunteers. Our volunteer coordinator talks with our patients and families to learn more about their needs, thus ensuring a good ‘match’ between the patient and volunteer”.
Suncoast PACE (Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) services began in 2013 and has steadily grown since. The goal of this program is to help seniors continue to live independently in their own homes by providing expert medical care as well as social activities. Suncoast PACE provides full medical care at our on-site medical clinic in Pinellas Park, at participants’ homes or with community care partners. In addition, Suncoast PACE offers various physical and occupational therapies as well as many ways for participants to stay mentally and physically active with daily recreational exercises and activities. Volunteers are an integral part at PACE and provide many social activities and companionship.
Stephanie Sessions, Executive Director, emphasizes, “Suncoast PACE relies heavily on volunteers who provide everything from companionship, music, art, Reiki therapy, sewing, crafts and a variety of other very important support to our frail elders. We are looking to expand our volunteer base even further, providing increasing support to participants in their homes for home companionship, shopping, light housekeeping and other household chores.This program is the future of healthcare for our frail elders in need providing a wide variety of support that includes full medical support, therapy when needed as well as nursing, social work and an adult day center. With the support from donations to the Suncoast Hospice Foundation, Suncoast PACE was able to move into a new building which houses the medical clinic, therapy suite and an adult day center.“
AIDS Service Association of Pinellas, Inc. (ASAP) joined the Empath Health network in 1999. ASAP believes they can help change the course of HIV in the Tampa Bay area through advocacy, testing and education to stop new infections. ASAP offers medical case management, testing, mental health and substance abuse counseling, registered nurse case managers, risk counseling and services, prevention and education, children’s program, limited emergency financial assistance, a food and personal services pantry, and pharmacy services. ASAP offers services at three offices in Pinellas County and a new Tampa office.
William Harper, ASAP Executive Director, notes, “Many of ASAP’s grant-funded programs rely on donations and volunteer support to fill in the gaps that funding does not cover. ASAP’s events such as AIDS Walk Tampa Bay and Dining Out for Life Tampa Bay would not be successful, or even possible, without the support we receive from hundreds of community volunteers. If it were not for community supporters bringing in food and/or making donations to the food and personal needs pantry, ASAP would not be able to serve the approximately 350 people per month who access the pantry. In other words, ASAP would not be able to provide the comprehensive range of services currently offered without our wonderful volunteers and donors.”
Empath Choices for Care, previously Project GRACE, has been a resource for holistic and compassionate advance care planning since 2006, not only for those served by Empath Health but also for the Tampa Bay community and beyond. Services include materials and resources to assist health care decision-making; delivering continuing education to health care professionals, social workers and faith professionals; providing community presentations and workshops; as well as offering private individual and family facilitations.
Tracy Christner, Executive Director, states, “Donations to Empath Choices for Care allow us to continue providing the community advance care planning programs and resources to the community at no charge. Everyone should have access to information and guidance on making their future healthcare decisions. Volunteers help extend our reach into the community by conducting informative presentations, assisting with events and helping to keep the office projects going.”Suncoast Hospice Foundation has financially supported the programs and services of Empath Health as the fund raising arm of the organization since 1983.
Kathy Rabon, Foundation Executive Director, emphasizes, “As a non-profit organization, our services are available to anyone, even if they are unable to pay. In addition, the Foundation has three Suncoast Hospice Resale Shoppes. Not only do they raise money in support of the programs and services of Empath Health but also allows those the money raised from sales to support our care, but patients, clients, participants and their families to use the stores for necessities if they cannot afford to buy them”.
“Volunteers are critical to the functioning of the Foundation, with a number working in the office doing data entry, and countless others working on a number of events before and day of events, and in our resale shoppes.”
Recent and upcoming Empath Health events include: Suncoast Hospice Fashion Show, held March 28; Suncoast Hospice Beach Stroll, May 2; Suncoast Hospice Golf Tournament, September 24; the Lights of Lake Park and Gift Wrap & Trees of Love, both throughout December; and Suncoast Hospice Ball, February 27, 2016.
Those interested in volunteering or donating to Empath Health can go to EmpathHealth.org or call 727-467-7423.
Story by Steve Traiman. Photos courtesy of Empath Health.
[Editor’s Note: Special thanks for the excellent comments and information to Sarah Varga, Empath Health Marketing & Content Coordinator; Rafael J. Sciullo, Marci Pruitt, Stacy Orloff, Stephanie Sessions, William Harper, Tracy Christner and Kathy Rabon.]
[Steve Traiman is President of Creative Copy by Steve Traiman in St. Pete Beach, offering freelance business writing services. He can be reached via his NEW email at traimancreativecopy@gmail.com.]