Empath Health Adds Hospice of Marion County to Network

CLEARWATER, Fla. (August 22, 2022)—Empath Health and Hospice of Marion County (HMC) announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to begin the process of affiliating HMC with Empath Health. Empath Health currently has three hospice organizations operating within its network including Tidewell Hospice, Suncoast Hospice and Suncoast Hospice of Hillsborough. This year Empath Health was also awarded the initial certificate of need to operate hospice services in Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties.

“Hospice of Marion County and Empath, with their legacy not-for-profit hospice and community health organizations share the spirit of mission and are dedicated to the highest quality of care and innovation,” said Rafael J. Sciullo, CEO of Empath Health.

“Much thought went into the decision to partner with another organization and Empath was the natural choice,” said Rick Bourne, CEO of Hospice of Marion County. “We share values, dedication to the community and an unwavering commitment to our colleagues.”

HMC has served the community since 1983. Their service excellence has been recognized by the Joint Commission with deemed status exhibiting that they not only meet but exceed standards set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In addition to hospice services, the agency includes Carewell Supportive Care, a palliative care provider for pain and symptom management and durable medical equipment supplier Accent Medical that serves hospice patients and families and sells directly to the public. HMC also boasts four thrift stores that financially support the organization and will be establishing a foundation to ensure all donation monies remain in and continue to benefit the patient programs of Marion County.

“Looking towards the addition of Hospice of Marion County to Empath Health’s network of care is exciting,” said Jonathan Fleece, president of Empath Health. “Empath Home Health recently acquired Heal at Home Healthcare in Marion County, so with this new affiliation, Empath Health continues to expand our full life care to these communities.”     

The organizations expect the integration to finalize in early 2023. HMC will retain its name and the executive leadership, including Bourne, will remain in place as part of the larger Empath Health organization.

Visit empathhealth.org and hospiceofmarion.com for more information.