Blog

Marine veteran Ashley Chambless, manager of hospice care center in Winter Haven, wearing uniform

From Marine to Caregiver in the Community She Calls Home

Ashley Chambless didn't grow up dreaming of becoming a Marine. She wasn't following a family legacy or chasing a lifelong goal. As a high schooler in Haines City, she danced and played softball. After graduation,...

There’s No Right Way to Feel on Mother’s Day When You're Grieving

If you've experienced your mother's death, Mother's Day has a way of finding you, even if you're not looking for it. It might be a reminder on your phone, a smell from the kitchen, or just a shift in your mood...

National Doctors' Day: Celebrating Dr. Tamara Lopez Diaz

Dr. Tamara Lopez Diaz When you speak with Dr. Tamara Lopez Diaz, you immediately feel it: her presence, her compassion, and the depth of purpose she carries into every moment of care. Her story is one of...

Healthcare instructor guiding students through a hands‑on simulation exercise using a manikin to teach basic clinical skills.

Building the Hospice Workforce Pipeline Starts in Middle School

By Anita Smith, Director of Nurse Residency & Academic Partnerships The Mobile Simulation Unit brings real‑world clinical learning to schools, giving students early exposure to healthcare careers. Most...

Honoring Dr. Mary Jean Etten and the Vision That Shaped Suncoast Hospice

At Suncoast Hospice, our story has always been shaped by people whose vision stretches far beyond their time. As part of Empath Health, one of Florida's leading nonprofit healthcare organizations, we're...

Ashley Sard, honored by Florida Governor's Commission on the Status of Women

Celebrating Ashley Sard: Honored by the Florida Governor's Commission on the Status of Women

Ashley Sard, Community Partnership Specialist and U.S. Air Force veteran, honored as a 2025 Spirit of Community Award Winner. Empath Health is proud to celebrate our Community Partnership Specialist, Ashley Sard,...

Dr. Bernice Catherine Harper in maroon outfit posed with hands raised against colorful checkered backdrop.

Dr. Bernice Catherine Harper: A Pioneer Who Shaped Modern Hospice Care

Dr. Bernice Catherine Harper stands among the most influential figures in the history of hospice care, a visionary whose leadership reshaped how people receive compassionate support at the end of life. Her decades of...

Close-up of glowing candles in glass holders creating a warm, serene atmosphere with soft bokeh lights.

Navigating Grief During the Holidays

The holiday season is often a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. For those who are grieving, the festivities can amplify feelings of loss and sadness. If you're facing your first holiday season without a...

Veteran in wheelchair salutes man standing nearby as elderly woman pushes wheelchair at event stage with musical instruments.

When Full Life Care Meets a Hero’s Final Chapter

At Empath Health, we often share the stories of families who have already said goodbye to their loved ones. This story was different. As a World War II veteran receiving hospice care at age 97, Bill King became the...