Community Hospice of Northeast Florida

History

Community Hospice was founded by two nurses, one minister (Paul Richard Brenner), and a small group of volunteers who worked out of an office at Methodist Hospital. The program was certified by Medicare in 1983, and like all Hospice organizations in the United States, relies on Medicare for 80-85% of their revenue. Unlike most other hospices, Community Hospice receives no money from the local United Way; instead relying on the Community Hospice Foundation as a reliable source of funding. The remainder of their operating income comes from contributions from clients, fund raising initiatives throughout the year and private insurance payments.

Foundation

The Community Hospice Foundation, established in 2000, provides funding to support end-of-life care and education. Funding is made possible through individual and corporate donations, planned gifts from will and estates, and special fundraising events.

Community Hospice provides services to 90% of the Greater Jacksonville market area. The organization has several outreach centers and eight "Centers for Caring" for patients who require treatment for symptoms that cannot be managed in another setting. A facility in St. Johns County, Florida is the newest inpatient location.

Mandarin

The Earl B. Hadlow Center for Caring was Community Hospice's first residential facility. The 50,000-square-foot (4,600 m2) building in Mandarin opened in 1985 and now contains 38 beds.

Northside