NorthCare Hospice & Palliative Care Joins Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care
July 7, 2015
Two of Kansas City’s most prominent not-for-profit hospice organizations have joined together. On July 1, NorthCare Hospice & Palliative Care became a subsidiary of Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care, creating the largest not-for-profit hospice system in the greater Kansas City area.
Talks between the two organizations began last summer during discussions about the increasingly complex financial and regulatory environment surrounding hospice care.
“We instantly recognized that the strengths between the two organizations offered a match unlike any other,” said Jody Abbott, board chair of NorthCare Hospice and North Kansas City Hospital’s senior vice president and chief operating officer. “NorthCare Hospice and Kansas City Hospice share a common mission, and together we can provide a greater level of support for families affected by terminal illness.”
“I’m thrilled that we have this new association with the NorthCare Hospice team. Our missions are highly aligned and our strengths complement each other perfectly,” said Elaine McIntosh, president and CEO of Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care.
As part of the final agreement, NorthCare Hospice will retain its name and operate as a subsidiary of Kansas City Hospice. The NorthCare Hospice House, which provides inpatient hospice care, will remain on the North Kansas City Hospital campus.
“It’s an exciting time for NorthCare Hospice and we couldn’t be happier for them,” said Peggy Schmitt, president and CEO of North Kansas City Hospital. “We believe that a strong, local, not-for-profit hospice organization is necessary to provide the most comprehensive care possible. North Kansas City Hospital will continue to support NorthCare Hospice by donating office and facility space on our campus so that high-quality hospice care remains in our community for a very long time.
About NorthCare Hospice and Kansas City Hospice
The combination of NorthCare and Kansas City Hospice creates the largest not-for-profit hospice system in the greater Kansas City area. Together, the two hospices offer the full continuum of home and inpatient care, along with specialized programs for heart disease, ALS, advanced lung disease, pediatrics, palliative home health, grief support and other specialized therapies. Since 1980, Kansas City Hospice has provided comfort and care to the seriously ill and their families.