Suncoast Hospice awarded for community outreach

Suncoast Hospice, a nonprofit member of Empath Health, received the Excellence in Program Innovation for Community Outreach for its Traditions (Tradiciones) program from the Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Association (FHPCA). The award recognizes programs and services that demonstrate the power of creativity and ingenuity to impact the hospice practice and the community.

The Traditions program was established to increase access to hospice services to underserved communities in our area: African American, Hispanic and Jewish communities. Nationally these communities use hospice services at lower levels than other communities. The Traditions team provided approximately 200 community events, presentations and educational opportunities breaking down hospice myths and misconceptions, and created advisory councils to increase their voices within the agency. The hard work culminated in Suncoast Hospice serving above “expected” national expected rates in these communities.

Suncoast Hospice operates in Pinellas County, home to the cities of St. Petersburg and Clearwater.