Big Bend Hospice

12/25/2025

12/24/2025

This season invites us to reflect and reconnect with the deeper meaning behind the care we give each day. 💚

In this thoughtful reflection from Big Bend Hospice's Jacqueline Pruit, we explore how compassion, resilience, and purpose shape not only the lives of those we serve, but our own hearts as well. Take a moment to read and reflect at https://bigbendhospice.org/blog/christmas-season-reflection/

12/24/2025

Holiday party recap:
✨ Great food
🎄 Festive vibes
😂 Lots of laughs
💚 The best team

We loved celebrating the season with our Big Bend Hospice family.
Thank you for all you do, every single day.

12/23/2025

We are proud to share that Big Bend Hospice CEO Bill Wertman was the featured speaker at the Exchange Club of Tallahassee last week. He shared stories of how Big Bend Hospice is helping patients and families with end of life care across the region.

When he asked the members who had a personal experience with their family receiving services from Big Bend Hospice nearly every hand went up. What a great opportunity to tell the Big Bend Hospice story and connect with community leaders!

If you’d like to learn more about hospice care in our region please visit bigbendhospice.org. If you have a civic group or other organization that would benefit from a visit with our team we would love to get on your schedule soon!

12/23/2025

✨🎄 The holidays have arrived at the Margaret Z. Dozier House and the First Commerce Center for Compassionate Care 🎄✨

Our amazing Big Bend Hospice volunteer elves have been hard at work, filling our halls with warmth, comfort, and beauty for our hospice patients, their families, and our staff. This season can be especially tender, and the gift of creating a peaceful, welcoming space where people feel loved is something our volunteers truly treasure.

From our BBH family to yours, may this season bring gratitude, peace, and moments that remind us to hold our loved ones close. As always, thanks to Trader Joe's - Tallahassee, FL for their generous donation of poinsettias to decorate the Jean McCully Family House front entrance.

12/22/2025

What exactly is hospice? It’s a question our CEO, Bill Wertman, hears often and one that many families quietly carry with them during difficult moments.

In this article, Bill shares what hospice truly means, why it’s often misunderstood, and how compassionate care can support patients and families sooner than many realize. Hospice is not about giving up, but about living with comfort, dignity, and support.

We invite you to learn more about the care that walks alongside families when it matters most.

Read more at https://bigbendhospice.org/blog/what-is-hospice/

12/21/2025

✨ Season of Gratitude ✨

During this season of love and giving, we are deeply grateful to recognize a special community partner, Quilters Unlimited of Tallahassee, for their heartfelt support of our mission to bring hope and comfort to those in our community facing serious illness in 2025.

In May, Quilters Unlimited generously donated more than 75 beautifully quilted purple Comfort Squares and Feelie Hearts to BBH. These meaningful creations offer warmth to caregivers and serve as a gentle, lasting reminder of the comfort, care, and support surrounding them and their loved ones.

We also extend our deepest thanks to Peggy Clark, whose incredible talent and generous spirit are reflected in the creation of 400 one-of-a-kind quilted mug rugs and bookmarks being gifted to Big Bend Hospice patients this holiday season. Countless hours and much love went into each unique piece, each thoughtfully crafted with patients in mind.

Patients across all eight counties we serve will be touched by this meaningful gesture, helping to brighten the holiday season in a truly special way. This generous donation was presented to Big Bend Hospice Director of IPUs Mary Beth Ervin, by Quilters Unlimited members Janet Taylor, Peggy Clark, and Ann Gaber.

From all of us at BBH, thank you to Quilters Unlimited for stitching compassion, comfort, and joy into the lives of those we serve.

12/20/2025

Oak Tree Treasures is a thrift store unlike any other, where every item on its shelves helps provide comfort, dignity, and support to Big Bend Hospice patients.

Since its opening, this community gem has offered more than just secondhand finds. It’s become a space where people come together through shared stories, quiet generosity, and healing. Many of our volunteers were once families served by Big Bend Hospice. Now, they give back by helping others feel welcome and connected.

Whether someone walks through the doors with a purpose or simply to browse, Oak Tree Treasures is a place of comfort and community, where grief is met with grace and every donation or purchase becomes part of something bigger. Learn more: www.oaktreetreasures.org

12/19/2025

Our Franklin County community is joining together to support the Big Bend Hospice Tree of Remembrance with help from local partners and friends. 💚

Residents and leaders across the county have visited our locations to honor loved ones and to show their support for compassionate hospice care. Retired Army Major General James Donald even stopped by Clinicare Medical in Eastpoint to make his tribute using the online QR code.

If you would like to purchase an ornament in honor or memory of someone special, you can visit any of our Franklin County sites:

Ornaments may also be purchased online at https://bigbendhospice.org/tree-of-remembrance.

Every tribute supports Big Bend Hospice services for families throughout the Big Bend region. Thank you, Franklin County, for helping us celebrate and remember those we hold dear.

12/19/2025

Congratulations to Florida State University College of Nursing Dean Jing Wang on being awarded the Fellowship Ad Eundem by the Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, one of the most distinguished global honors recognizing leadership and innovation in the nursing profession.

Bill Wertman, CEO of Big Bend Hospice, shared, “We are happy for Dr. Wang and celebrate this global recognition of her contribution to the Nursing Profession.”

In addition to this remarkable achievement, Dr. Wang serves on the Big Bend Hospice Board of Directors, where her expertise, leadership, and commitment to compassionate care help guide our mission each day. We are honored to recognize her accomplishments and grateful for the meaningful impact she continues to make, both locally and worldwide.

Read the full article to learn more about this well-deserved recognition.

Florida State University College of Nursing Dean Jing Wang has been awarded the Fellowship Ad Eundem by the Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery at the

12/18/2025

This season, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to Senator Corey Simon for his incredible support of Big Bend Hospice.

Thanks to his advocacy, our new Mobile Medical Unit is now on the road, bringing care, comfort, and essential services directly to individuals and families across our community.

Senator Simon’s leadership and dedication to expanding healthcare access help us reach patients where they are and ensure they receive the compassionate support they deserve.

Thank you, Senator Corey Simon, for championing our mission and strengthening the care we provide throughout the Big Bend. We are truly grateful for your partnership. 💚

12/17/2025

Members of our Taylor County Advisory Council helped decorate the Big Bend Hospice Foundation Tree of Remembrance and the Big Bend Hospice room at Doctors' Memorial Hospital, creating a beautiful holiday display for patients, families, and staff. A special thank you to the Piecemakers quilting group of St. Johns Christian Fellowship Church in Perry for donating two beautiful quilts that added a thoughtful touch to the room.

We also extend our thanks to the Doctors Memorial Hospital Auxiliary volunteers who helped decorate the Tree of Remembrance and hang ornaments purchased by generous donors, honoring loved ones and supporting our mission.

With heartfelt appreciation to Debbie Hoover, Lydia Andrews, Maddox Wiles, Debbie Howell, Chair, Gail Hillhouse, and Ann Gray, along with the dedicated Auxiliary volunteers, for their time, generosity, and compassion.

If you would like to purchase an ornament in honor or memory of someone special, you can visit any of our Taylor County sites:

• Doctors' Memorial Hospital
333 N Byron Butler Pkwy, Perry, FL

• Capital City Bank
2003 S Byron Butler Pkwy, Perry, FL

Ornaments may also be purchased online at https://bigbendhospice.org/tree-of-remembrance.