Treasure Coast Hospice - Comprehensive Analysis Report

Summary

Treasure Coast Hospice is a non-profit organization established in 1982, dedicated to providing compassionate, expert, and professional hospice and grief support services. Its mission is to ensure access to vital end-of-life care, focusing on holistic, patient-centered comfort and support. The organization envisions delivering exceptional, quality end-of-life care to every patient, every time, with an emphasis on respecting patient choices throughout their life stages. Serving individuals and families across Martin, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee counties in Florida, Treasure Coast Hospice is a significant provider in its industry, recognized for the quality of its care and comprehensive services. Through its recent affiliation to form Treasure Health, the organization has expanded its reach and capacity in the regional healthcare landscape.

1. Strategic Focus & Objectives

Core Objectives

Treasure Coast Hospice's core objectives are centered on delivering holistic, patient-centered care and comfort, ensuring access to services regardless of ability to pay, and fostering community well-being.

Patient-Centered Care: Provide compassionate, expert, and professional hospice care in various settings, including homes, nursing homes, assisted living residences, and three inpatient units.

Specialized Support: Offer dedicated pediatric care for seriously ill children through the Little Treasures Program and comprehensive grief support for adults, children, and families.

Community Education: Educate the community on hospice care, grief support, and advance care planning.

Charity Care: Ensure that services are available to all, regardless of their financial circumstances, through philanthropic efforts.

Workforce Development: Invest in staff training, education, and innovative programs to address healthcare workforce shortages and enhance clinical skills.

Specialization Areas

The organization specializes in several key areas of end-of-life and supportive care:

Hospice Care Delivery: Expert hospice care provided across diverse environments including private residences, long-term care facilities, and dedicated inpatient units.

Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Care: Provision of specialized care for children with serious illnesses and their families.

Grief Support Services: Comprehensive counseling and programs, including individual, group, and family therapy, and Camp Good Grief.

Complementary Therapies: Integration of therapies such as music, massage, aromatherapy, and virtual reality experiences to enhance patient comfort and quality of life.

Target Markets

Treasure Coast Hospice primarily serves individuals and families requiring end-of-life care within Martin, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee counties in Florida. Following its affiliation to form Treasure Health, its expanded service area now includes Brevard County, reaching a broader demographic of patients and families in need of hospice and palliative care services. The organization also targets the wider community through its grief support programs and educational initiatives.

2. Financial Overview

Funding History

Treasure Coast Hospice operates as a community non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Treasure Coast Hospice Foundation is a critical component in its funding strategy, actively raising funds to support the organization's mission and services.
Funds Raised and Utilization:

Charity Care: Funds ensure that services are provided to all patients regardless of their ability to pay.

Grief Support Program: Supports comprehensive grief counseling, which is available to anyone in the community free of charge.

Inpatient Units: Contributes to the maintenance and renovation of the three inpatient units.

Community Education & Awareness: Supports initiatives to inform the public about hospice care and related services.

Staff Training: Funds professional development and training for staff.

Specialized Programs: Supports programs such as the Little Treasures Program for pediatric hospice and palliative care patients, and the Treasured Pets Program.

Complementary Therapies: Sustains therapies like music, massage, and aromatherapy for both adults and children.

Harper Fund: This fund, established by the Harper Family, assists with special needs of hospice patients and their families not covered by insurance, including housing, utilities, and meals.

Treasure Coast Hospice Foundation has received a 2025 Platinum Seal of Transparency and a 2020 Top-Rated Award from GreatNonprofits, reflecting its commitment to financial accountability and community impact.

3. Product Pipeline

Key Products/Services

Treasure Coast Hospice offers a comprehensive suite of services designed for holistic end-of-life care and support:

Product Name: Hospice Care
Description: Compassionate medical, emotional, and spiritual support for individuals with life-limiting illnesses.
Development Stage: Established and continuously refined.
Target Market/Condition: Patients nearing the end of life; offered in patient homes, nursing facilities, assisted living residences, and three dedicated inpatient units.
Features and Benefits: Focus on pain and symptom management, dignity, comfort, and quality of life; interdisciplinary team approach including physicians, nurses, social workers, spiritual counselors, and volunteers.

Product Name: Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Care (Little Treasures Program)
Description: Specialized hospice and palliative care services tailored for seriously ill children and their families.
Development Stage: Established and ongoing.
Target Market/Condition: Children with life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses.
Features and Benefits: Age-appropriate care, family-centered support, pain and symptom control, emotional and spiritual guidance for the entire family.

Product Name: Grief Support Services
Description: Counseling and support programs for adults, children, and families coping with loss.
Development Stage: Established and continuously offered.
Target Market/Condition: Bereaved individuals in the community.
Features and Benefits: Individual, group, and family therapy sessions; specialized programs like Camp Good Grief for children; available free of charge to the community.

Product Name: Community Education and Outreach
Description: Educational presentations and resources on hospice care, grief support, and advance care planning.
Development Stage: Ongoing initiative.
Target Market/Condition: General public, healthcare professionals, community groups.
Features and Benefits: Increases awareness of end-of-life care options, promotes advance care planning, and equips individuals with knowledge for difficult conversations.

Product Name: Complementary Therapies
Description: A range of supportive therapies to enhance patient well-being.
Development Stage: Established and integrated into care plans.
Target Market/Condition: Hospice patients (adults and children).
Features and Benefits: Includes music therapy, massage therapy, aromatherapy, and virtual reality experiences to alleviate discomfort, reduce anxiety, and improve quality of life.

4. Technology & Innovation

Technology Stack

While not a traditional technology company, Treasure Coast Hospice demonstrates innovation in healthcare delivery and training, using technology to enhance patient care and staff development.
On-site Simulation Lab: Development of a simulation lab for small group and one-on-one training, providing hands-on orientation and skill development for nurses and nursing aides, and targeted education for experienced clinicians. This addresses healthcare workforce shortages and enhances clinical skills.

Electronic Medical Records (EMR): Information indicates successful electronic medical record integrations, implying a robust EMR system for patient data management and care coordination.

Informatics and IT Teams: Development of specialized informatics and IT teams to support clinical performance and compliance.

Virtual Reality (VR) Experiences: Utilization of virtual reality as a complementary therapy to enhance patient care and quality of life.

5. Leadership & Management

Executive Team

Treasure Coast Hospice's executive team provides leadership across its operations and strategic initiatives. Some executives hold roles spanning the affiliated Treasure Health entity.

Jackie Kendrick, CHPCA, Chief Executive Officer: Oversees the strategic direction and operations of Treasure Coast Hospice and is also CEO of Treasure Health, the parent company formed through the affiliation with St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care.
Lisbet Vandenberg, Chief Financial Officer: Manages the financial health and strategies of Treasure Coast Hospice and also serves as CFO for Treasure Health.
John Crouch, D.O., Vice President of Medical Services: Leads medical services, ensuring high-quality patient care and clinical oversight for Treasure Coast Hospice.
Kenneth "Murray" Fournie, MEd, CFRE, FAHP, VP of Philanthropy & Operations: Brings over 20 years of experience in philanthropy, assisting non-profit organizations in fundraising. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Eckerd College and a Master in Education from Vanderbilt. He is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and a Fellow with the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy (FAHP). His background includes roles at Eckerd College, American Cancer Society, St. Bonaventure University, Indian River Medical Center, and Jupiter Medical Center.
Jeff White, Chief Compliance Officer: Responsible for ensuring regulatory adherence. His career includes serving as Compliance Officer for Tenet Health and Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer for The Elizabeth Hospice and Hospice of the Comforter. He also held roles with CCS Medical and Medicare fraud investigations at Cahaba Government Benefit Administrators. He is certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) and holds a Master's degree in Health Science/Healthcare Administration from Mississippi College.
Jennifer Creel, MBA, BSN, RN, CHPN, Chief Clinical Officer: Oversees all clinical operations for both Treasure Coast Hospice and St. Francis Hospice as Chief Clinical Officer for Treasure Health, including patient care teams, inpatient services, admissions, and bereavement. She has a history of opening Inpatient Care Centers and integrating EMRs.
Shannon Cooper, RN, MPH, CHPN, Chief Operating Officer: Named Chief Operating Officer for Treasure Health, overseeing key operational functions across Treasure Coast Hospice and St. Francis Hospice. She joined Treasure Coast Hospice in 2011 and previously served as Vice President of Quality and Education.
Terry Fesler, VP of Business Development & Community Relations: Responsible for fostering strategic partnerships and community engagement for Treasure Coast Hospice. She was honored with the Catalyst Award by the Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association (FHPCA) for her leadership in building collaborations.

Recent Leadership Changes

Treasure Health, the parent company of Treasure Coast Hospice, has expanded its executive leadership team with significant appointments, reflecting the organization's growth and integrated operations.
Shannon Cooper, RN, MPH, CHPN: Appointed as the first Chief Operating Officer for Treasure Health at the end of 2025, providing executive oversight across key operational functions for both Treasure Coast Hospice and St. Francis Hospice. She previously served as Vice President of Quality and Education.

Jennifer Creel, MBA, BSN, RN, CHPN: Promoted to Chief Clinical Officer for the entire Treasure Health hospice enterprise around late 2025/early 2026, overseeing clinical operations for both Treasure Coast Hospice and St. Francis Hospice. This marks a new combined role previously held independently at St. Francis Hospice.

Lisbet Vandenberg: Appointed Chief Financial Officer for Treasure Health.

John Crouch, D.O.: Appointed Vice President of Medical Services.

Terry Fesler: Serves as VP of Business Development & Community Relations, recognized with the Catalyst Award for her contributions.

6. Talent and Growth Indicators

Hiring Trends and Workforce

Treasure Coast Hospice, as part of Treasure Health, has a significant workforce and actively recruits to meet demand.
Current Workforce: Estimated employee count for Treasure Coast Hospice alone is between 201 and 500 individuals. The affiliated Treasure Health entity serves over 7,000 patients annually and employs over 600 clinical and administrative staff across its four-county service area.

Hiring Patterns: Current trends indicate active recruitment for various roles, particularly in nursing. Open positions often include sign-on bonuses. Key roles being recruited are:

Registered Nurse Admissions (with a $4,500 sign-on bonus)
Registered Nurse Case Manager (with a $4,500 sign-on bonus)
Registered Nurse Crisis Care (full-time days with a $4,500 sign-on bonus)
Per Diem Registered Nurse (days & nights)
Licensed Practical Nurse Admissions (with a $1,500 sign-on bonus)
Licensed Practical Nurse full-time nights (with a $1,500 sign-on bonus)
Social Worker (Inpatient Unit and Per Diem Inpatient Unit)
Dietary Assistant (Per Diem)
Facilities Technician
Grief Counselor
Music Therapist (Per Diem)

Employee Benefits: The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 27 days off, night shift differential pay, medical/vision/dental insurance, a 403B retirement plan, an employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, and a loan forgiveness program.

Growth Trajectory: Treasure Coast Hospice has demonstrated consistent growth over four decades, expanding services, opening inpatient units, and establishing