HEALTH CARE
Filling in the Gaps:
Suncoast Hospice Foundation
THE MANY EXPERT SERVICES
and compassionate care provided
by Empath Health and its member
organizations are truly only possible
because of the generosity of our donors,
volunteers and other community
supporters like you.
Our Foundation steps in and fills the
many gaps that can exist for those who
don’t have insurance; are under-insured;
can’t afford to pay for services; have family
members who are impacted by their illness;
have needs the insurance companies won’t
cover; have non-medical needs affecting
their overall wellbeing – and many others.
One of the most touching examples
I can give you of how the Foundation
stepped in to fill a major gap is the story
of a newborn baby who had an inoperable
brain tumor and doctors said she would
not live without a ventilator. The parents
wanted so badly to take the baby home
but the costs associated with transporting
the infant and all the necessary medical
equipment to the family’s home were
extremely high and not covered by
insurance. The Foundation stepped in
to help us continue providing expert,
compassionate care to the community.
Monetarily there are various opportunities
through planned gifts; tribute gifts;
corporate partnerships; commemorative
plaques; naming opportunities; and others.
In addition to monetary gifts, we have
three Resale Shoppes in Pinellas County,
where you can donate gently-used items
or volunteer your time to work. We have
numerous other volunteer opportunities
available as well.
Please check out EmpathHealth.org to
see how you can get involved today, or
continue to help the Suncoast Hospice
Foundation fill in the gaps for those in
need.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Rafael J. Sciullo is president
and CEO of Empath Health, an integrated network
of care. For more information about services, call
(727) 467-7423 or visit EmpathHealth.org.
H E A L T H C A R E
By Rafael J. Sciullo
Rafael J. Sciullo
and made it happen. And wouldn’t you
know, once the ventilator was removed,
the baby lived for 43 days and the family
was able to have the meaningful experience
of having their baby at home? They were
surrounded by our medical and spiritual
experts and knew exactly what to expect
throughout the process.
In 2014, the Foundation, which supports
all the member organizations of Empath
Health, raised nearly $7.7 million to
support hospice care, home health,
all-inclusive care for seniors, advance
care planning, HIV/AIDS services and
physician services to Pinellas, Pasco and
Hillsborough Counties.
The support our Foundation – your
Foundation – provides the community
would not be possible without all of us
working together to make it happen. There
are many ways to support Empath Health
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