Suncoast Hospice Recognized for High–Quality Patient Care

By Laurie West
Suncoast Hospice director of quality and service

Laurie West

It was a big honor for Suncoast Hospice to receive Deyta’s 1st annual Hospice Honors Award this past spring. This award recognized our hospice as one of the top hospice agencies in the U.S. to provide the highest level of satisfaction in patient care as rated by the patients’ caregivers. 

We’re benchmarked nationally with the Family Evaluation of Hospice Care surveys, and to be honored as one of the top hospices for our patient and family satisfaction is remarkable. We’re committed to patient and family–centered care. The voices of our patients and families are extremely important. That’s what defines our care and leads us.

It touches my heart when I read the comments from our surveys. One common theme is  compassion. A lot also say, my loved one died at peace and my loved one died with dignity. Many also state, thank you for taking care of me, the caregiver.  

To me, this recognition shows that no matter what discipline you are, it’s what we all do together that touches our patients and families. From our physicians to our volunteers to our DME (durable medical equipment) drivers, we are all one team. 

Our care teams go above and beyond to provide compassionate care to our patients and families. I heard a recent story about one of our nurses who sat and held a patient’s hand and sang to that patient. Our staff and volunteers are always there to provide that wonderful human presence.  

Have you been touched by our care? Please share your story.

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.     

Caregivers Benefit from Support & Education

By Paula Di Landro–Everett
Director of Center for Living and Wellness




Paula Di Landro-Everett

Being a caregiver is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding jobs you can do. At our Center for Living and Wellness, we understand the importance of supporting our patients and those who provide care to them each day. Our center offers a variety of support and education for those in the caregiver role, including those whose loved ones aren’t in our hospice care. 

One of the most popular and growing services is our Caregiver Coffee Breaks. These are just as the name suggests, dedicated times to take a break and be supported by other caregivers. It can be extremely helpful and healing to know that someone understands what you're going through having experienced a similar journey. Some participants have described the breaks as extended families, which they have grown to count on. Others have expressed meeting some lifetime friends.

Another helpful service is our Caregiver Connect Seminars. These cover topics related to the most pertinent needs of caregivers, and are open to family and professional caregivers and those who support caregivers. The more prepared you can be to accept the challenges of caregiving, the more successful you will feel. Some past topics have included tips for managing finances, nutrition for the caregiver and tips for developing a daily routine.

Another valuable service is our Confident Caregiver Training. This program provides caregivers hands–on education around the activities of daily living for the people in their care who are declining in physical health. Our trained clinical staff assists participants with increasing their technical skills and confidence. Participants may work with the durable medical equipment provided, role play and discuss any emotional needs.   

It's also important to know that youth are one of the largest and fastest growing groups of caregivers in our community. We offer support services that cater to the developmental needs of youth who find themselves in the caregiver role. 

We are honored to support caregivers. We look forward to seeing and serving you soon.

Are you feeling in need of some support? Check out our upcoming events. 

Inside the Role of a Physical Therapist

Patient Joseph Luppens is guided by
 physical therapist assistant Marcia Warren

October is National Physical Therapy Month, recognizing physical therapists and physical therapist assistants who help improve people’s body movement. Physical therapy can greatly benefit those who have advanced illnesses and difficulty moving. Our physical therapy team helps our patients with their flexibility and teaches their family members and caregivers how to safely move them. 

The team visits patients in their homes or facilities and all three of our care centers. They find their work incredibly rewarding.

“We're doing palliative care for our patients. Physical therapy helps them to regain strength and function. There is a psychological component for patients, too, because this gives them some hope and self–determination to be able to maintain themselves as long as possible. It also can reduce stress with families when patients can do more for themselves,” said Connie Dykeman, physical therapist assistant.

Connie said she’s glad to provide this specialized care. “Suncoast Hospice stands out among other hospices because we offer therapies and understand the global aspects about what is needed to help our patients,” Connie said.

Patient’s Success

Marcia Warren, physical therapist assistant, is proud of the progress of her patient, Joseph Luppens. During a visit at his home, she assisted him with his bicycle pedal exercises and walks with his walker. She had him take breaks in between and checked his pulse and oxygen saturation. “You did a good job,” Marcia said. Joseph replied, “I had a wonderful partner.”

Marcia credited Joseph’s improvements to his positive attitude and will to learn. “When I first came he wasn’t able to do this. A big part of it is that he is motivated. He can do transfers without contact guard (being pulled up), which helps him and his caregivers. Walking with a walker is good for his energy level and safe for his balance,” she said.

Educating Families, Caregivers and Care Teams

The physical therapy team works a lot with families, discussing moving, walking, transferring, motion exercises, adaptive equipment needs, DME (durable medical equipment) needs and pain modalities. The team also speaks with our care teams, focusing on body mechanics, DME and disease processes and how to work with those patients.

Marcia checks out Joseph's new walker delivered by
DME driver William Selden

Michele Galanti, physical therapist, along with Julie Douglass, director of palliative care, have helped educate caregivers as instructors with our Confident Caregiver Training.

“We have addressed the caregivers’ specific needs, such as if they’re having trouble getting someone in to bed or a recliner. We also have covered general topics, such as safety, body mechanics, use of equipment and other things that would help them in the home. We have enjoyed doing the hands-on demonstrations and being a resource to the community,” Michele said.

Have you benefited from physical therapy? Post your story.

Are you interested in working for Suncoast Hospice? Check out our openings.