Our History

Hospicare’s roots in Tompkins County stretch back more than 30 years.

Here are some highlights:

1978

Community leaders begin meeting to determine the need for a hospice through a committee created by the Tompkins County Health Planning Council board.

1979

The committee develops an organizational plan for a local hospice.

1980

Hospicare of Tompkins County opens for business in space provided by the county government in the Biggs Building near the hospital. The first coordinator also provided nursing care for patients.

1983

Hospicare of Tompkins County is incorporated as a not-for-profit organization.

1985

Hospicare is recognized as an independent New York State hospice

mid 1990s

Hospicare supporters begin dreaming, planning, and fundraising for a hospice residence.

1994

Construction of the Hospicare Residence begins on East King Road.

1995

The first free-standing hospice residence in New York State opens. Nina Miller is named executive director of Hospicare.

2002

Hospicare is renamed Hospicare and Palliative Care Services of Tompkins County, to reflect the addition of a palliative care program, one of the first in the state.

2004

The first year for Women Swimmin’, which quickly becomes a major annual event in the Ithaca area and our major fundraiser.

2006

The beginning of our music program, with the help of a grant, which brings musicians to patients and their families to relieve stress, ease patients’ physical symptoms, and provide emotional support.

2007

Our building is named in honor of Nina K. Miller upon her retirement as executive director.

2008

The numbers of patients and families we served hits a record level. We served 322 patients during the year and had an average daily census of 40 people.