A proud history.

In 1983, a group of volunteers received approval to open a hospice. Nearly three decades later, we’ve grown into a post-acute care system, caring for more than 10,000 patients and families annually.

The evolution from Hospice of Hillsborough to Chapters Health System.

1983: Volunteers open hospice; began caring for patients in late November as Hospice of Hillsborough; total patients served: 5

1988: Received National Hospice Organization Award of Excellence, Honorable Mention for community education; budget grows to $1.5 million; total patients served: 626, number of staff: 59

1990: Children’s Bereavement Program began; moved into new 27,000 sq. ft. facility; University of South Florida School (USF) of Medicine added hospice to elective course-work

1992: Grows to sixth largest hospice program in the country, serving 1,652 patients; extended services to include ACLF residents

1993: Opened pharmacy, dispensed more than 3,000 medications in a 4-month period; first Camp Circle of Love helps grieving children heal; total patients served: 1,909; uncompensated care amount: $1.6 million; number of staff: 170

1994: Developed caregiver program to support families caring for those in need

1996: Created an in-house Durable Medical Equipment program to better serve hospice patients

1997: Received Certificate of Need to provide hospice services in Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties

1998: Received accreditation from Joint Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO), the preeminent accreditation program for healthcare organizations; opened in-house clinic in the Azeele office to better serve patients

2001: Changed name to LifePath Hospice, Inc.; total patients served: 4,883; uncompensated care amount: $2.5 million; number of staff: 625; prescriptions filled: 108,929

2002: Life’s Treasures Thrift Store opened; all proceeds support LifePath Hospice patient and family programs

2004: Acquisition of Good Shepherd of Mid-Florida to serve patients in Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties; cared for 52% of all deaths in Hillsborough County and 42% of all deaths in Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties

2006: Axis Palliative Healthcare formed as a consultation service to address pain control and symptom management of non-terminal patients

2008: HPC Healthcare, Inc. becomes not-for-profit parent company of LifePath Hospice, Inc.; Good Shepherd Hospice, Inc.; HPC Pharmacy Services, LLC; and Axis Palliative Healthcare, LLC

2009: HPC Healthcare forms HPC Staffing Services, LLC to centralize the coordination of staff between organizations

2011: HPC Healthcare changes its name to Chapters Health System; adds PACE and Nursing Home Diversion services in Hillsborough County to become a post-acute healthcare system

2011: The Bud & Donna Somers Hospice House opened