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By the Bay Health, Mission Hospice & Home Care, and Hope Hospice Merge to Become the Largest Independent Not-for-Profit Hospice Network in Northern California

Newly combined organization aims to transform serious illness and end-of-life care with equitable access to high-quality, comprehensive, and integrated services across palliative, hospice, and home health care. 

LARKSPUR, SAN MATEO, DUBLIN, Calif., November 30, 2023 — By the Bay Health, Mission Hospice & Home Care, and Hope Hospice today announced they will merge to become the largest independent not-for-profit hospice network in Northern California, uniquely positioned to provide compassionate care and impactful community services to more patients and families throughout the region. 

The three organizations are among the longest-standing not-for-profit hospices in California: By the Bay Health was the state’s first hospice, while Mission was the first not-for-profit hospice in San Mateo County and Hope one of the earliest not-for-profit hospices serving the East Bay Tri-Valley. 

The new network will increase equitable access to the San Francisco Bay Area’s most vulnerable populations by providing high-quality and comprehensive serious illness and end-of-life care including hospice, home health, palliative care, transitional care, pediatric care for children with chronic and serious illness, bereavement counseling, dementia support, and Mission House – the only residential hospice house on the Peninsula. 

With the California Department of Finance reporting a 120 percent increase in the number of adults age 65 years and older projected to be living in the Bay Area by 2060, the new organization will be uniquely positioned to serve the growing needs of patients and families throughout the region. Together, it is anticipated that the new organization will have resources to serve more than 1,100 patients per day, supported by more than 500 community volunteers and 600 multidisciplinary staff. Through the new organization’s integrated, trans-disciplinary team-based approach to health care, patients and families will have comprehensive access to a clinically trained, compassionate team including physicians, nurses, social workers, spiritual support and bereavement counselors, home health aides, and physical and occupational therapists. 

The combined organization will continue to partner with health care systems and community services throughout the Bay Area to provide a continuum of care for seriously ill patients and their families. By the Bay Health is an affiliate of UCSF Health, recognized worldwide for its innovative patient care, reflecting the latest medical knowledge, advanced technologies, and pioneering research. This affiliation remains in place expanding a comprehensive Bay Area network that addresses the multifaceted health needs of patients and families.  

“Today is an incredibly proud day and a win for independent not-for-profit hospice organizations who put quality care and compassion over profit, working collaboratively through partnerships to ensure that all patients and families receive access to high quality, equitable care,” said By the Bay Health CEO Skelly Wingard, RN, MSN. “We are excited to partner with two respected and trusted mission-driven hospice organizations who deeply invest in, and care deeply about the local communities they serve. Together, we share a vision to transform care for our most vulnerable populations during one of life’s most important and honored moments.” 

“Mission Hospice, By the Bay Health, and Hope Hospice share a rich history and commitment to serving the Bay Area community with comprehensive end-of-life care, education, and grief support,” said Mission Hospice CEO Dolores Miller, RN, MN. “Together, we can provide even more families the compassionate care and comfort they deserve at one of the most vulnerable times of life.” 

“The vision of Hope Hospice was thoughtfully crafted 44 years ago by a small group of community leaders who wanted individuals to have every needed resource to care for loved ones in their final stages of life in the comfort of home,” said Jennifer Hansen, CEO of Hope Hospice. “Merging with these two excellent partners protects our legacy in the East Bay, and it secures access to additional quality resources and services. As a stronger combined organization, we can continue to provide compassionate end-of-life care that prioritizes the needs of patients and their families.” 

About By the Bay Health
For nearly 50 years By the Bay Health, a not-for-profit affiliate of UCSF Health, has been a progressive and innovative leader in hospice, skilled home health care, palliative care, grief support, and pediatric care in the counties of Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Sonoma, Alameda, and the cities of American Canyon, Napa, and Vallejo. For more information about our service call (415) 927.2273 or visit www.bythebayhealth.org.

About Mission Hospice & Home Care 
Mission Hospice & Home Care serves patients and families in the San Francisco Peninsula and South Bay with personalized, compassionate end-of-life care and education. Founded in 1979, the local, independent nonprofit has supported thousands of patients and their families through illness and bereavement. Donations from the community support their exceptional care and educational programs and help them serve people regardless of their medical coverage or ability to pay. 

About Hope Hospice 
Hope Hospice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has been serving the Tri-Valley and adjacent East Bay since 1980. Hope currently serves approximately 2,000 individuals annually through its various service lines, including about 750 hospice patients per year. The addition of palliative care, dementia-care education, and family caregiver resources in recent years have made the organization stand out among local competitors. Donations and grants ensure that bereavement care and caregiver programs are available to the local public at no charge, even without having a loved one under Hope’s care. Learn more at HopeHospice.com.

Contact Details: 

By the Bay Health
Caroline Kawashima, ckawashima@bythebayhealth.org

Mission Hospice & Home Care
Frances Freyberg English, ffreyberg@missionhospice.org

Hope Hospice
Kendra Strey, kendras@hopehospice.com 

Tax benefits of the CARES Act

The CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act is designed to help you, businesses and nonprofits facing economic hardship during the coronavirus pandemic. The Taxpayer Certainty & Disaster Tax Relief Act (TCDTR) extends this deduction rule through 2021.

Here are a few key provisions of the CARES Act that may affect you and your charitable goals.

Required minimum distributions suspended

The law temporarily suspends the requirements for required minimum distributions (RMD). This probably comes as a relief to many of you who would have had to withdraw from your retirement accounts. Many of our donors use their RMD to make a gift from their IRA. Despite the RMD suspension, remember that if you are 70½ or older, you can still make a gift from your IRA or name Mission Hospice & Home Care as a beneficiary.

Why a gift from your IRA may still be a good idea

• Your gift will be put to use today, allowing you to see the difference your donation is making.
• You pay no income taxes on the gift. The transfer generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction, so you benefit even if you do not itemize your deductions.
• Since the gift doesn’t count as income, it can reduce your annual income level. This may help lower your Medicare premiums and decrease the amount of Social Security that is subject to tax.

New tax incentives

The CARES Act expands charitable giving incentives and allows taxpayers who take the standard deduction to make up to $300 of charitable contributions ($600 for married filers) to qualified charities. The Taxpayer Certainty & Disaster Tax Relief Act (TCDTR) extends this deduction rule through 2021.

You might think that this is a small amount and would not make a difference. But what if all of our donors gave “just” $300? Such support would have a huge impact on those we serve.

For those who do itemize their deductions, the law allows for cash contributions to qualified charities such as Mission Hospice & Home Care to be deducted up to 100% of your adjusted gross income.

We are deeply grateful for your continued kindness and support during this difficult time. Please consult with your tax advisor for more information, and please contact Marsha Eddleman by email or 650.554.1000 to discuss how your gift can help further our mission.

Auxiliary aims to make 2018 Fall Gala, Diamonds & Denim, the best yet

Once a month, the Mission Hospice office is filled with refreshments and an extra boost of energy when our Auxiliary volunteers come in for their monthly meeting. This group is dedicated to putting on fun community events that raise funds to support Mission Hospice. They enjoy a lot of laughs while they work hard for a serious purpose.

Right now, they are gearing up for their biggest event ever – the September 29 Fall Gala, Diamonds & Denim, featuring the popular soul dance band Pride & Joy.

“We’re so excited about this year’s gala – it really is a celebration of community,” says First Vice President Yolanda Crosby. “Our goal is to have 400 attendees all out there dancing!”

The Auxiliary has been working for months to plan the evening. They’ve lined up a professional auctioneer and some great auction items, including a cruise through Croatia and Greece, a week in a restored Italian farmhouse, and other unique experiences and collectibles. Thanks to sponsorships from organizations and individuals throughout the community, the Auxiliary is hoping to meet their goal of raising a record $300,000, which will support our hospice house campaign.

The gala is one of two major fundraising events the Auxiliary plans each year. Their annual Bridge Day and Luncheon is a quieter affair – but just as filled with community participation.

Planning these and other events, of course, takes a significant amount of volunteer-power, and the Auxiliary is seeking new members. President Vibeke Gade says, “We’re looking for people who are well-connected in the community, like to fundraise and plan events, and want to do something meaningful.”

Auxiliary members are passionate about the patient care that their events support. Second Vice President Ann Nolan explains, “Mission Hospice provides a critical service for our community – something my family experienced firsthand. Being part of the Auxiliary, I can help ensure that this kind of care is available for all who need it.”

Buy tickets for the Gala here!

Completing volunteer competency forms

Here’s how to complete and submit your volunteer competency forms electronically:

• You will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader, Preview (Mac), or other PDF reading software on your computer. 
• Download the PDF file for the competency from the Mission Hospice website (volunteer portal) to your computer. Do not complete the form in your browser – you will be unable to save your work.
• Edit the filename to add your initials at the beginning, and add  Year, month, and day using dots and NOT backslashes.  (Do not change the date already in the filename, indicates the date the competency was last revised.)  
  For example, Core Comp Jan2019.pdf would become CS Core Comp 2019.03.05.pdf
  
• Open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader or other PDF reader, complete the form, and save it.
• Be sure to include required electronic signatures. You may need to configure Acrobat to allow you to do this; if you are stuck here, you can always print the completed form and sign the hard copy.
• Email the completed forms (as attachments) to Craig, Constance and Paul.

Return to Volunteer Resources page

Mary Chigos receives 2018 Lotus Award

Dedicated leader recognized for service as board member, fundraiser, outreach nurse, and more

Perhaps no one has worn as many hats at Mission Hospice as Mary Chigos. A Nurse Practitioner, she joined our board in 2002. Mary has served as Board Chair, long-time Development Committee Chair, and – most recently – the Co-Chair of our successful Hospice House Campaign. And when the organization had need for her professional skills on staff, in 2011 she joined our Clinical Outreach team, educating and connecting with local health care providers and potential patients.

Regardless of her role, Mary is quick to share a hug, a joke, or words of encouragement. A well-known community volunteer, she jumps in wherever help is needed, and always goes the extra mile.

Mary’s long-time dedication to Mission Hospice earned her the 2018 Lotus Award, presented at our 39th Anniversary Celebration in January.

“Mary represents some of the best of Mission Hospice,” says Lotus Award Committee member and Board member Sheila Young. “Her compassion makes her loved by her patients; her wisdom and humor makes her loved by the Board.”

The Lotus Award is given to someone who has shown outstanding support of our organization. Mary’s many years of passionate leadership made her a shoo-in for the award, but selecting her took some amount of stealth.

“As Committee Chair, Mary had always stopped any discussion about her potential receipt of this award,” says Sheila.

“This year, the Committee members were able to schedule a Lotus Award Committee meeting when Mary was out of town, and she was our unanimous choice. Next, the Board was able to approve the selection without Mary’s presence. The secret was safe until we lured her to a lunch to announce the good news.”

Mary’s commitment to hospice and palliative care – and about our community’s need for a hospice house – infuse everything she does. She has a comprehensive understanding from both a clinical and personal perspective, and she is eager to share this with others.

“Mary has a deep emotional commitment to Mission Hospice,” says Dr. Steve Weller, Board Chair and Co-Chair of the Hospice House Campaign. “She never hesitates to take on new challenges for the good of our organization, and takes great pride in the excellent care and leadership we provide to the community.” 

Social Work team helps families help themselves

From the Director of Social Work, Karri Kaiser, MSW

Social workers are often asked to explain what we do. My answer is that we help people learn to manage and solve challenges, both emotional and practical. Every day on the job is different, and that’s one of the things I love about social work at Mission Hospice. (Read “A day in the life of a social worker” for an example.)

Our team provides emotional support, family mediation, life review, and grief counseling. We also help connect people to the financial, insurance, and community resources they need.

One of my roles as the Director of Social Work is to play matchmaker between family and social worker, leveraging individual interests and talents in a way that honors and respects each patient’s values.

The diverse team of 15 social workers at Mission Hospice offers a breadth of expertise, including veterans’ affairs, conflict resolution, and bilingual support – we have social workers fluent in Spanish, Chinese, German, and Hebrew.

Mission Hospice thrives on teamwork. Our social work group meets regularly – often with other members of the care team – to discuss cases and work through challenges. We’ll discuss potential approaches, role play, and problem-solve, tapping the expertise and experience of the group as a whole.

Pre-bereavement and bereavement support is an important part of our job. I’m proud that in addition to our general drop-in grief support groups, we now also offer groups specifically designed for Spanish speakers, those who have lost a parent, those who have lost a spouse or partner, and young widows and widowers.

Sometimes people ask me how I can do this work, but it is truly a joy. We help people gain dignity and identify meaning, both in the past and in the present. By listening, we learn something from each patient about this road we will all go down.

2016 Gala breaks fundraising record!

Many thanks to those who attended the Mission Hospice Auxiliary’s 2016 Fall Gala, Diamonds and Denim, for a fun and successful evening. The event raised more than $174,000 to support our Hospice House Campaign – a new record!

Thank you to Event Co-chairs Martha Melton and Yoli Crosby and their entire committee for a festive evening with some great auction items, a delicious dinner, and a crowded dance floor. 

Thanks to the generosity of Carl Ward Photography, you can see lots of wonderful photos in the event photo album.

Special thanks to the major sponsors of the 2016 Gala:

Mills-Peninsula Health Services
Marilyn Porto, Realtor
BC Networks
Glenda Carney
Dr. Stephen & Nancy Weller
CHME, Inc.
Crosby-N.Gray & Co.

Rev. Walter E. Johnson, M. Div.

February 2015

For more than three decades, Rev. Walter E. Johnson, M. Div. and his wife Esther have supported Mission Hospice just about every way possible. They have been Leadership Circle donors for many years. Esther, a Mission Hospice Auxiliary volunteer since 2000, is now a sustaining member. And Walt has ministered to many, many patients and families, including conducting burials at sea. A private pilot, he has performed nearly 1,000 such ceremonies.

In honor of his lifetime commitment, Walt received the Mission Hospice Lotus Award at our 36th anniversary celebration in January. The award was created in 2005 to recognize individuals who have shown outstanding support of Mission Hospice. Kate Breaux, Lotus Award committee chair, said that the committee is grateful for Walt’s many contributions to Mission Hospice. “Walt’s positive nature, calming presence, and supportive thoughts have been a gift to so many patients – as well as staff.”

As chaplain at Peninsula Hospital for 30 years (and at Sequoia Hospital before that), Walt was an early supporter of the hospice movement. “I’ve had a growing commitment to helping people die well,” he said, “and to die with a sense of personal dignity and connection to their families.”

When he retired from the hospital in 1995, it seemed natural that he would become a chaplain for Mission Hospice, where he served for 12 years. And he’s not done yet. “I’m addicted to ministry,” he says, laughing. “I feel so fortunate to be a minister because I can continue practicing even though I’m not formally hired somewhere.”
Witty and warm, Walt is a good listener, and loves to tell a story – especially one with a laugh. “Many people assume that dying is dark and dreary,” he says, “but there’s an amazing number of times when there is laughter and light. Two things indicate that a person is dying well – one, that they can laugh, not take themselves so seriously, and two, that they have a sense of gratitude.”

And he feels thankful for his life’s work. “I have profound appreciation of the patients and the families who allow us to be with them at such a personal and meaningful time in their lives,” he said. “To me, it is an honor to be in people’s homes at these poignant moments.”

The many of us in the Mission Hospice family who have been touched by Walt’s warmth and ministry feel that gratitude as well, and congratulate Walt on his well-earned honor.