The History of Hospice Atlanta

The History of Hospice Atlanta

Hospice Atlanta has proudly served Georgia since 1975.

Hospice Atlanta logo

Providing hospice care in the home since 1975, Hospice Atlanta is the oldest hospice in the state of Georgia, founded and fueled by volunteers. At that time, two women from the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Frances West and Mona Casino, began the program in order to care for a member of their congregation. Members of the church gathered together to support that patient and their family.

As time went on, the number of volunteers increased, and they began to serve more patients. A board of directors was developed to assist in guiding the volunteer staff. Volunteer support groups met in the homes of various volunteers. Saint Joseph’s Hospital donated office space and an initial grant was obtained in 1981 for hiring professional staff. Patient and family services were still provided by volunteers and consisted primarily of emotional and practical support.

In 1983, Hospice Atlanta became a program of the Visiting Nurse Association of Metropolitan Atlanta, a United Way Agency. This affiliation enabled hospice to comply with newly enacted state and federal standards governing provision of hospice care. In addition, Hospice Atlanta hired professional caregivers (nurses and social workers) to provide direct services to patients and families. Both professional and paraprofessional volunteers served as members of the hospice team to provide care to patients and their families. During 1984 and 1985, Hospice Atlanta’s caseload and staffing increased significantly. This trend has continued, as hospice care has become better known in the community and among health care professionals. We now serve terminal patients and their families in 26 counties in the State of Georgia, and volunteers continue to be a central part of our organization today.

Learn more about our Hospice Care today!

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First in Georgia!
Visiting Nurse is proud to announce that our HeartCare at Home™ program is the first home health program in Georgia certified by the American Heart Association® for Home Health–Heart Failure care.
Because heart failure care doesn’t stop when a patient leaves the hospital. This certification reflects our commitment to evidence-based, high-quality care and our dedicated clinicians who bring specialized heart failure support directly to patients where they are most comfortable, in the place they call home.

After 78 years, we’re proud to continue advancing care at home. ❤️

#VisitingNurseHealthSystem #HeartCareAtHome #HeartFailure #HomeHealth #AmericanHeartAssociation

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First in Georgia! Visiting Nurse is proud to announce that our HeartCare at Home™ program is the first home health program in Georgia certified by the American Heart Association® for Home Health–Heart Failure care. Because heart failure care doesn’t stop when a patient leaves the hospital. This certification reflects our commitment to evidence-based, high-quality care and our dedicated clinicians who bring specialized heart failure support directly to patients where they are most comfortable, in the place they call home. After 78 years, we’re proud to continue advancing care at home. ❤️ #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #HeartCareAtHome #HeartFailure #HomeHealth #AmericanHeartAssociation

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We are so grateful for our volunteers who give their time, compassion and heart to serve our patients and families in need.
What a beautiful reminder of the lasting impact a caring volunteer can make through companionship, connection and simply being present.
Thank you to our volunteers for the meaningful difference you make for our patients and families every day.

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We are so grateful for our volunteers who give their time, compassion and heart to serve our patients and families in need. What a beautiful reminder of the lasting impact a caring volunteer can make through companionship, connection and simply being present. Thank you to our volunteers for the meaningful difference you make for our patients and families every day.

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Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta was proud to celebrate National Assisted Living Week all month long, with celebrations honoring the national theme “Shining Through the Years.”

We enjoyed celebrating with the residents and team at Brookdale Carrollton, GA, honoring the lives, stories and connections that make every year meaningful. (pictured below)

#NationalAssistedLivingWeek #ShiningThroughTheYears #HospiceAtlanta #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #BrookdaleCarrollton #SeniorCare #CommunityCare

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Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta was proud to celebrate National Assisted Living Week all month long, with celebrations honoring the national theme “Shining Through the Years.” We enjoyed celebrating with the residents and team at Brookdale Carrollton, GA, honoring the lives, stories and connections that make every year meaningful. (pictured below) #NationalAssistedLivingWeek #ShiningThroughTheYears #HospiceAtlanta #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #BrookdaleCarrollton #SeniorCare #CommunityCare

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🌟Congratulations to our Employee of the Month! 🌟

Please join us in celebrating our Hospice Atlanta Nurse Tasha for her dedication, hard work and commitment to our Hospice Atlanta patients and families. We thank you for all you do for our patients, families and team!

👏 Congratulations, Tasha!

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🌟Congratulations to our Employee of the Month! 🌟 Please join us in celebrating our Hospice Atlanta Nurse Tasha for her dedication, hard work and commitment to our Hospice Atlanta patients and families. We thank you for all you do for our patients, families and team! 👏 Congratulations, Tasha!

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Team Hospice Atlanta proudly participated in this year`s Kaiser Permanente’s Run, Walk & Roll 5K! As a valued healthcare partner, we are grateful for the opportunity to join forces and come together to support health, wellness and a healthier community.

Thank you to everyone who represented Hospice Atlanta and Visiting Nurse Health System. We are proud to support events that bring our healthcare partners and community together to in health!

#HospiceAtlanta #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #KaiserPermanente #RunWalkAndRoll #CommunityHealth #HealthAndWellness #HealthyCommunity #AtlantaCommunity #HealthcarePartners

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Team Hospice Atlanta proudly participated in this year's Kaiser Permanente’s Run, Walk & Roll 5K! As a valued healthcare partner, we are grateful for the opportunity to join forces and come together to support health, wellness and a healthier community. Thank you to everyone who represented Hospice Atlanta and Visiting Nurse Health System. We are proud to support events that bring our healthcare partners and community together to in health! #HospiceAtlanta #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #KaiserPermanente #RunWalkAndRoll #CommunityHealth #HealthAndWellness #HealthyCommunity #AtlantaCommunity #HealthcarePartners

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Georgia is aging. Are we ready?

Join Visiting Nurse Health System`s Healthcare Champions for The Future of Aging at Home-What Georgia Must Do Next, Friday, October 9, as we bring healthcare, business, philanthropy and public policy leaders together for an important conversation about the future of aging in our state.

We’ll explore how Georgia can strengthen infrastructure, encourage innovation, build collaboration and shape policies that support people aging at home.

Hosted by Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, featuring Bill A. Dombi as our keynote speaker.

Friday, October 9, 2026
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Complimentary Executive Luncheon Space is limited

Let’s shape what comes next, together.

#HealthcareChampions #AgingAtHome #AgingInGeorgia #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #HealthcareLeadership

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Georgia is aging. Are we ready? Join Visiting Nurse Health System's Healthcare Champions for The Future of Aging at Home-What Georgia Must Do Next, Friday, October 9, as we bring healthcare, business, philanthropy and public policy leaders together for an important conversation about the future of aging in our state. We’ll explore how Georgia can strengthen infrastructure, encourage innovation, build collaboration and shape policies that support people aging at home. Hosted by Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, featuring Bill A. Dombi as our keynote speaker. Friday, October 9, 2026 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Complimentary Executive Luncheon Space is limited Let’s shape what comes next, together. #HealthcareChampions #AgingAtHome #AgingInGeorgia #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #HealthcareLeadership

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Hospice Atlanta was proud to be out in the community today at JenCare Riverdale’s Patient Appreciation Event!

Visiting Nurse Health System / Hospice Atlanta is proud to partner with JenCare, bringing care, education and resources to our Atlanta communities, and working together to improve patients` quality of life, through both Palliative Care and Hospice programs.

Through these dynamic partnerships, we help our communities thrive, by allowing us to move beyond simply providing services, truly making a difference through quality healthcare and better results for the patients and families we serve.

#ValueBasedCare #ACO #PatientCenteredCare #PalliativeCare #HospiceCare #CommunityHealth #HealthcarePartnerships #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #JenCare

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Hospice Atlanta was proud to be out in the community today at JenCare Riverdale’s Patient Appreciation Event! Visiting Nurse Health System / Hospice Atlanta is proud to partner with JenCare, bringing care, education and resources to our Atlanta communities, and working together to improve patients' quality of life, through both Palliative Care and Hospice programs. Through these dynamic partnerships, we help our communities thrive, by allowing us to move beyond simply providing services, truly making a difference through quality healthcare and better results for the patients and families we serve. #ValueBasedCare #ACO #PatientCenteredCare #PalliativeCare #HospiceCare #CommunityHealth #HealthcarePartnerships #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #JenCare

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At Visiting Nurse, the work we do is mission-driven.
Every visit, every conversation and every act of care is an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life and to serve our community when it matters most.
This Labor Day, we’re grateful for our employees who keep moving forward, showing up and making a difference every day.
Thank you for all you do.
#LaborDay #MissionDriven #visitingnursehealthsystem #HealthcareHeroes #ServingOurCommunity See less

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At Visiting Nurse, the work we do is mission-driven. Every visit, every conversation and every act of care is an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life and to serve our community when it matters most. This Labor Day, we’re grateful for our employees who keep moving forward, showing up and making a difference every day. Thank you for all you do. #LaborDay #MissionDriven #visitingnursehealthsystem #HealthcareHeroes #ServingOurCommunity See less

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At Visiting Nurse Health System and Hospice Atlanta, we’re honored to care for the veterans in our community, recognizing not only their healthcare needs, but the lives, sacrifices and service that shaped who they are.

From bringing compassionate care into their home, we’re committed to making sure those who served our country are treated with the dignity, respect and gratitude they deserve.

We are honored to serve those who served. 🇺🇸

#Veterans #HonoringVeterans #HospiceAtlanta #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #VeteransCare #CommunityCare

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At Visiting Nurse Health System and Hospice Atlanta, we’re honored to care for the veterans in our community, recognizing not only their healthcare needs, but the lives, sacrifices and service that shaped who they are. From bringing compassionate care into their home, we’re committed to making sure those who served our country are treated with the dignity, respect and gratitude they deserve. We are honored to serve those who served. 🇺🇸 #Veterans #HonoringVeterans #HospiceAtlanta #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #VeteransCare #CommunityCare

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