Who We Are

At San Diego Hospice, we help people who are dying find comfort and relief from suffering, and we’ve been a leader in this work since 1977.

Today, we are one of the 10 largest not-for-profit hospices in the nation. We have more palliative medicine specialists than any other hospice in the United States, and, with The Institute for Palliative Medicine, we are the largest resource in the world for training palliative medicine physicians and other specialists.

We care for almost 1,000 patients each day in their own homes or in other facilities throughout San Diego County. We do it in the compassionate hospice tradition, based on bringing comfort and recognizing the dignity of each person.

We exist to make a difference. To relieve suffering. To restore dignity. To comfort people living with a life-limiting disease. And to teach other medical professionals and organizations how to make a difference in their own communities.

We are more than the sum of medical knowledge, scientific research, and compassionate hospice care. It's what we do with it that makes the difference. Patient by patient by patient. We focus on you.

Because you matter.

Our Mission:

To prevent and relieve suffering and promote quality of life, at every stage of life, through patient and family care, education, research and advocacy.

Our History:

San Diego Hospice was established as the original hospice program in San Diego County in 1977. Since then, we have added comprehensive palliative care services, physician consultation services, comprehensive bereavement support and education, a specialized children’s program, and the nation’s largest physician specialty training program through The Institute for Palliative Medicine. 

Our Beliefs:

We believe:

• No one should live in pain.
• No one should live in fear.
• No one should die feeling alone.
• Everyone deserves to be a partner in her/his care, not just a patient.
• Children deserve to have their grief honored and their lives celebrated.
• We are changing the way people face living, dying and death for the better.

San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine facts:

• A 501(c)(3) Non-profit Organization
• A California Licensed Hospice
• A California Licensed Home Health Agency
• A California Licensed Special Hospital: Hospice
• A Medicare-Certified Hospice
• Accredited by The National Institute for Jewish Hospice

Community Outreach / Speaker’s Bureau

San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine participates in more than 300 outreach events a year on various topics surrounding end-of-life care issues and the relief of suffering.

Activities include speaking engagements, tours of the Inpatient Care Center and grounds, and information booths at health fairs and other community events. Members of our Speakers Bureau also visit local organizations and businesses at no charge.

By educating the public about the programs and services we offer, it is our hope that some day everyone who can benefit from our services will know about their options and have the ability to ask for our help, sooner rather than later.

Speakers Bureau topics include:

• Hospice & Palliative Care 101 : What Everyone Should Know
• Advance Directives : Take Control of Your Future
• Other topics available

For information on scheduled educational seminars, please check the Calendar of Events

If you wish to have a San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine representative address your group or for more information regarding seminars, please call Danielle Hoffman at (619) 278-6457, or send e-mail to dhoffman@sdhospice.org .