Every address occupied at Empath Suncoast Hospice tells a story about our commitment to Full Life Care in Pinellas County. Below, you'll find a photo-rich timeline—five milestones that took us from a rented cottage to a 22-acre campus (A Caring Sanctuary: Suncoast Hospice Forty Years of Caring, Empath Health, 2018).
1977: First Suncoast Hospice Service Center
It all began in a two-bedroom cottage on Cleveland Street. Rented for just $250 a month, it was our first service center—more aptly described as "organized chaos." There, volunteers stored walkers in the bathtub, leapt over tables to answer phones, and saved every paperclip that crossed their path. That tiny cottage, filled with energy and purpose, embodied the grassroots spirit of hospice: Do whatever it takes to care for those in need.
Circa 1980: Finding Room to Grow
With increasing demand and space quickly running out, we found ourselves needing a bigger home. Our third service center, nestled at 8891 78th Avenue North in Seminole, became a haven for our growing team and mission. The move wasn't just about square footage. It was about creating a place where care could be delivered with dignity and purpose. Still modest, the new space reflected our devotion to serving the community.
April 20, 1989: From Ashes, a New Beginning
Just when momentum had built toward a bright new chapter, devastation struck. A fire consumed the East Bay Hospice Service Center at 300 E. Bay Drive in Largo. It was a heartbreaking setback. But in true Suncoast Hospice fashion, we didn't crumble. We rallied. We saw not only what was lost, but what could still be built.
June 23, 1990: A Ribbon and a Rebirth
Fourteen months later, hope triumphed over tragedy. With community partners at our side, we cut the ribbon on the newly rebuilt East Bay Drive Service Center. That red ribbon symbolized more than a new service center—it marked resilience, progress, and a promise kept to those we serve. It was a celebration not only of a physical space, but of the unwavering belief that care continues no matter the obstacle.
Early 2000s: The Roosevelt Campus—A Home for Tomorrow
In the early 2000s, a conversation over coffee with philanthropist William Hough changed everything. He offered our visionary CEO, Mary Labyak, the opportunity to purchase the 22-acre Roosevelt Campus—formerly Pioneer Bank's international headquarters. Surrounded by trees and tranquility, this property became our administrative home. It was a powerful milestone in our journey, reflecting how far we had come and preparing us for the road ahead.
Our Legacy, Your Community
From a tiny cottage to a sprawling campus, our Mid-Pinellas / Suncoast Hospice Service Center has always been more than buildings. It's about people. The volunteers who hauled walkers into bathtubs, the leaders who saw potential in ashes, the donors who believed in our mission, and the community members who continue to trust us with their care.
Each chapter in this journey reinforces our purpose: To provide Full Life Care, guided by compassion and strengthened by community. Thank you for walking this path with us.
Interested in more?
- Learn about Suncoast Hospice and volunteer opportunities.
- Read the press release behind Empath Health to Sell Service Center.
- Donate today to keep compassionate care close to home.