Proud of Our Rich History of Volunteer Service

It’s amazing when a community comes together to care for each other. A small group of Pinellas County, Florida residents cared deeply about improving the quality of life for the dying and their families in the community, and made a giant leap to do it. In 1977 this group of volunteers gave birth to one of the first community hospices in America, the Elizabeth Kubler-Ross Hospice (today known as Suncoast Hospice). 

Our hospice started out small and humble with 50 volunteers operating from a one-bedroom bungalow in Largo. They carried out a mission of end-of-life care that was centered around patients and families. They cared for patients in their homes, giving them comfort and support physically, emotionally and spiritually. They also supported family members as they cared for, lost and grieved their loved ones.


Visionary Leadership, Innovative Care
Soon many more volunteers and employees joined in the mission, including the late Mary J. Labyak, who went on to lead the organization for more than 30 years. Innovative, specialized programs were launched as well, including hospice care for children and AIDS patients and a teen volunteer program.

President & CEO Rafael Sciullo

Suncoast Hospice has grown into one of the nation’s leading hospice and palliative care providers. Our new President and CEO Rafael Sciullo started this past February. He’s a mission-driven, visionary leader with close to 30 years of end-of-life care experience.

Rafael shared, “I believe our organization’s care should encompass the three founding principles of hospice: openness, mind matched with heart and uplifting the spirit. Those principles ignite the passion in what we do. When you uplift the spirit of someone you’re caring for, you transform the person, the experience and yourself.”

Under Rafael J. Sciullo's  leadership, our programs and services continue to expand and touch those who are affected by advanced and chronic illnesses, end of life and grief. This work wouldn’t be possible without the support of the more than 3,200 volunteers who serve. He greatly values all volunteers for their dedicated service.


A Founder Carries On Mission
Volunteer Mary Jean Etten, Phd, one of the Suncoast Hospice founders, is very proud of the organization’s mission. She continues to serve on three boards. Last year, she was honored for her outstanding, longtime service with the dedication of the Dr. Mary Jean Etten Center for Caring at our Mary J. Labyak community service center in Clearwater.

Dr. Mary Jean Etten

“It has been a precious gift to be a founding member of this organization and to watch it grow. Having cared for the dying for many years prior to coming to Florida, it became evident when I was teaching nursing here that there were many lonely, suffering and unattended deaths and families who received little or no support with their grief. The hospice movement brought hope, comfort and peace to our community. Together with our board members, staff and volunteers, we have made a dramatic 

difference in how people live and die in Pinellas County,” Dr. Etten said.   

Interested in becoming a Suncoast Hospice volunteer? Click here.