Sheila Dale’s wish was simple, yet meaningful: She wanted a salon day. Sheila is a Haven Hospice patient, and when her care team heard about her wish, they sprang to action. They connected with a Chiefland, Florida, salon, which graciously donated its services. “Oftentimes, patients struggle with losing their independence and feeling like themselves while [...]
A special group of volunteers skilled in a variety of gardening specialties joined together this summer to form the Haven Hospice Lake City Garden Team. The idea started after a volunteer was visiting with a patient in the outdoor garden area. They wanted to spruce up the areas around the care center and create an [...]
A group of Haven team members and volunteers got together on a Friday to help patient Jennifer Drew move. Jennifer, now unable to handle stairs, was relocating from a two-story townhouse to a ground-level unit. The team included Volunteer Coordinator Susie Gilson, Susie’s volunteer husband Ted, volunteers Jessica Duong and Kat Backlowski and RN Case [...]
A special group of volunteers meets just about every Thursday at the Haven Hospice Suwannee Valley Care Center in Lake City, FL. Over donuts and coffee, they catch up and discuss plans for the upcoming day. They then travel to the homes of Haven patients who are veterans and perform moving recognition ceremonies. The group [...]
Haven Hospice employees were awarded two Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Association (FHPCA) Awards of Excellence at the 2024 FHPCA 40th Forum in Orlando, Florida. Haven team members won two of seven awards given to hospice employees statewide for excellence in the delivery of hospice and palliative care. Haven Director of Clinical Operations Kristal Goodwin [...]
Lauryn Hornstein started as a medical student volunteer, then switched to nursing after her time at Haven Hospice. She graduated from the University of Florida in spring 2025, after being the president of Gator Students for Haven Hospice. The following was written by Hornstein as her nursing school application's personal statement. “I sat bedside in [...]
The Haven Foundation held its annual ViVA! event at the University of Florida Hilton Conference Center. The event, themed ViVA! 2025: A Night at Monte Carlo, raised more than $100,000 in support of Haven Foundation services and programs. The venue was transformed into a glitzy, gaming atmosphere as attendees tried their luck at a variety [...]
One pediatric patient who received care at the E.T. York Hospice Care Center in Gainesville touched the lives of patients, families and care center staff—all because we ensured that patient’s final wish came true. This reflects the fact that Haven's care center staff’s commitment to compassionate care ensures that love, support, and healing extend far [...]
WHAT: Camp Safe Haven – A Grief Support Day Camp for Children and their Families WHEN: Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. WHERE: Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center DETAILS: Haven offers camps at no cost for children, youth and their families who have lost a loved one. Children and youth suffering [...]
The Haven Hospice Foundation joins the Palatka community in mourning the passing of longtime supporter and business leader Danny Martinez. Mr. Martinez served the Palatka community with distinction for decades. “As a member of the Haven Hospice Community Advisory Board and as chairman of the Haven Hospice Foundation Board, Mr. Martinez showed a true heart [...]