Who We Are

At San Diego Hospice, we help people facing life-limiting illnesses find comfort and relief from suffering, and we’ve been a leader in this work since 1977.

Today, we are one of the 10 largest not-for-profit hospices in the nation. We have more palliative medicine specialists than any other hospice in the United States, and, with The Institute for Palliative Medicine, we are the largest resource in the world for training palliative medicine physicians and other specialists.

We care for almost 1,000 patients each day in their own homes or in other facilities throughout San Diego County. We do it in the compassionate hospice tradition, based on bringing comfort and recognizing the dignity of each person.

We exist to make a difference. To relieve suffering. To restore dignity. To comfort people living with a life-limiting disease. And to teach other medical professionals and organizations how to make a difference in their own communities.

We are more than the sum of medical knowledge, scientific research, and compassionate hospice care. It's what we do with it that makes the difference. Patient by patient by patient. We focus on you.

Because you matter.

Our Mission:

To prevent and relieve suffering and promote quality of life, at every stage of life, through patient and family care, education, research and advocacy.

Our History:

San Diego Hospice was established as the original hospice program in San Diego County in 1977. Since then, we have added comprehensive palliative care services, physician consultation services, comprehensive bereavement support and education, a specialized children’s program, and the nation’s largest physician specialty training program through The Institute for Palliative Medicine. 

Our Beliefs:

We believe:

• No one should live in pain.
• No one should live in fear.
• No one should die feeling alone.
• Everyone deserves to be a partner in her/his care, not just a patient.
• Children deserve to have their grief honored and their lives celebrated.
• We are changing the way people face living, dying and death for the better.

San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine facts:

• A 501(c)(3) Non-profit Organization
• A California Licensed Hospice
• A California Licensed Home Health Agency
• A California Licensed Special Hospital: Hospice
• A Medicare-Certified Hospice
• Accredited by The National Institute for Jewish Hospice

Community Outreach / Speaker’s Bureau

San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine participates in outreach events on various topics surrounding caregiver resources, healthcare decision making, grief and loss, and end-of-life care issues

Activities include speaking engagements, community tours of our Inpatient Care Center (the only freestanding, specially licensed hospice-hospital in California), information booths at health or community fairs, and other community events. Members of our Speakers Bureau are available to present at local organizations and businesses.

In addition, San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine is a proud member of Combined Health Agencies (CHAD) and participates in the United Way/CHAD Speakers Bureau program as well.

By educating the public about the programs and services we offer, it is our hope that some day everyone who can benefit from our services will know about their options and have the ability to ask for our help, sooner rather than later.

Speakers Bureau topics include:

• Promoting Quality of Life at Every Stage of Life: Information about resources for chronic or seriously ill patients
• Healthcare Decision Making: Take Control of Your Healthcare Future
• Other topics available

If you wish to have a San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine representative address your group or for more information regarding seminars, please contact Sherry Taylor-Englund at (619) 278-6297 or send e-mail to outreach@sdhospice.org.