We inspire hope by positively impacting the way our community experiences serious illness or grief – one family at a time.
Mission Support
Big Bend Hospice Foundation (BBHF) provides unwavering help and support to those individuals and families in their greatest time of need. Established in 1995, and through the generosity and compassion of our community, your Foundation ensures that the unfunded and underfunded programs such as Charity Care, Community Bereavement Services, Music Therapy and our Special Patient Needs Fund continue to thrive.
Big Bend Hospice Foundation is grateful for the outpouring of support from our eight-county community. Your generosity and heartfelt compassion make a profound difference in the lives of those facing life’s final journey, offering a sanctuary of peace amidst life’s most challenging moments. Together we stand as a beacon of love and support, making every moment count.
Please join us in our Mission and support your Hometown Hospice today.
Thank you for inspiring Hope!
Programs We Support
Music Therapy
“If I could ever imagine what an angels voice would sound like, I believe it would sound just like my music therapist.”
From a patient who passed away on February 16, 2024
Bereavement
“Big Bend Hospice provided every type of comfort. From caring so briefly for my husband to providing me with a supportive and insightful Grief Counselor. Their impact was so great on my life.”
Charity Care
“Thank you all for taking such great care of mama. She loved each and every one so very much. You were all so kind and loving to her. You have a very special place in my heart.”
Special Patient Needs
“You sent the new walker which arrived earlier today. My old walker was a ‘hand–me–down’ from long ago. I can manage the new one easily, even with my gnarled fingers! You are angels in street clothes!!”
First Commerce Center for Compassionate Care
“I just want to thank you for everything you did for my brother to get him to a beautiful place where he could pass peacefully. It was so hard, but meant so much to us. You ALL are special people in this world. I am forever grateful.”
McCully/Dozier House
“After being in the care of Big Bend Hospice for a year and a half at an assisted living facility, you kindly allowed my wife to stay at the Dozier House for a week, during a time where she needed additional medical care. The care that she received was exemplary. The Hospice House and personnel were outstanding. We cannot fully express our thanks for allowing her to stay there.”
Valor Program
Daddy and my Uncle proudly served our country through their military service, and we are so grateful to Big Bend Hospice for providing our two special veterans compassionate care and a dignified end to their lives. It relieved all of us knowing they were physically comfortable and so well honored. Big Bend Hospice is known for one of the best for helping families through difficult times. Thank you for all that you do.”
Spiritual Care
“Physical pain is easy to treat. Emotional is connected to the heart. And you have to connect with the spirit. We all took turns saying whatever was on our heart as she transitioned. Having our Hospice nurse there in those final hours to interpret the last stages was a godsend, right up until the moment that Mom breathed her last.”
Our Next Event
Songwriters For Hope 2024
Join us for an unforgettable evening with Nashville’s Hall of Fame Songwriters! Thursday, November 7th at 6:30pm.
Community of Supporters
To view our Giving Society, History, Leadership, Event Support and more Foundation information, please click the interactive button below.
Annual Report
Big Bend Hospice Foundation
President
Dena Strickland
Big Bend Hospice Foundation, Inc. Board of Trustees
The Big Bend Hospice Foundation Board of Trustees provides leadership and governance over the operation of the Foundation and supports the programs, services, activities and interests of Big Bend Hospice. Take a moment to meet the community leaders that give of their personal time to serve the mission of Big Bend Hospice Foundation.
Contact Dena Strickland, President, Big Bend Hospice Foundation, Inc. at
850-878 5310 or foundation@bigbendhospice.org
Board of Trustees
Stan Barnes
Chairman
Marty Sipple
Vice-Chairman
Patti Graganella
Secretary
Michael Kalifeh
Treasurer
Gwynn Virostek
Past Chairman
Scott Harrell
Big Bend Hospice Chairman
Alicia Crew
Emeritus
Greg Adams
Les Akers
Ken Boutwell
Beth Desloge
Makeba Earst, DDS
Mark Hillis
Rob Langford
Jane Marks
Martha Olive-Hall
Kenneth Pratt
Paul Sullivan
Marjorie Turnbull
Sharon Weeden
Bill Wertman
Big Bend Hospice CEO
Emeritus Members
John Aurell
Valerie Cattau
Gail Croy
Walter Culley
David Harvey
Judy Pate
Roy Young
Foundation Staff
Dena Strickland
President
Catherine Leonard
Executive Assistant/Board Liaison
Connie Palmer
Director of Special Events/Foundation Manager
Leila McClure
Events Coordinator Assistant
Michele Hood
Donor Services Coordinator
Samantha Carpenter
Administrative Assistant
Mission Support
Big Bend Hospice Foundation (BBHF) provides unwavering help and support to those individuals and families in their greatest time of need. Established in 1995, and through the generosity and compassion of our community, your Foundation ensures that the unfunded and underfunded programs such as Charity Care, Community Bereavement Services, Music Therapy and our Special Patient Needs Fund continue to thrive.
Big Bend Hospice Foundation is grateful for the outpouring of support from our eight-county community. Your generosity and heartfelt compassion make a profound difference in the lives of those facing life’s final journey, offering a sanctuary of peace amidst life’s most challenging moments. Together we stand as a beacon of love and support, making every moment count.
Please join us in our Mission and support your Hometown Hospice today.
Thank you for inspiring Hope!
Programs We Support
Music Therapy
“If I could ever imagine what an angels voice would sound like, I believe it would sound just like my music therapist.”
From a patient who passed away on
February 16, 2024
Bereavement
“Big Bend Hospice provided every type of comfort. From caring so briefly for my husband to providing me with a supportive and insightful Grief Counselor. Their impact was so great on my life.”
Charity Care
“Thank you all for taking such great care of mama. She loved each and every one so very much. You were all so kind and loving to her. You have a very special place in my heart.”
Special Patient Needs
“You sent the new walker which arrived earlier today. My old walker was a ‘hand–me–down’ from long ago. I can manage the new one easily, even with my gnarled fingers! You are angels in street clothes!!”
First Commerce Center for Compassionate Care
“I just want to thank you for everything you did for my brother to get him to a beautiful place where he could pass peacefully. It was so hard, but meant so much to us. You ALL are special people in this world. I am forever grateful.”
McCully/Dozier House
“After being in the care of Big Bend Hospice for a year and a half at an assisted living facility, you kindly allowed my wife to stay at the Dozier House for a week, during a time where she needed additional medical care. The care that she received was exemplary. The Hospice House and personnel were outstanding. We cannot fully express our thanks for allowing her to stay there.”
Valor Program
“Daddy and my Uncle proudly served our country through their military service, and we are so grateful to Big Bend Hospice for providing our two special veterans compassionate care and a dignified end to their lives. It relieved all of us knowing they were physically comfortable and so well honored. Big Bend Hospice is known for one of the best for helping families through difficult times. Thank you for all that you do.”
Spiritual Care
“Physical pain is easy to treat. Emotional is connected to the heart. And you have to connect with the spirit. We all took turns saying whatever was on our heart as she transitioned. Having our Hospice nurse there in those final hours to interpret the last stages was a godsend, right up until the moment that Mom breathed her last.”
Our Next Event
Songwriters For Hope 2024
Join us for an unforgettable evening with Nashville’s Hall of Fame Songwriters! Thursday, November 7th at 6:30pm.
Community of Supporters
To view our Giving Society, History, Leadership, Event Support and more Foundation information, please click the interactive button below.
Annual Report
Big Bend Hospice Foundation
President
Dena Strickland
Big Bend Hospice Foundation, Inc. Board of Trustees
The Big Bend Hospice Foundation Board of Trustees provides leadership and governance over the operation of the Foundation and supports the programs, services, activities and interests of Big Bend Hospice. Take a moment to meet the community leaders that give of their personal time to serve the mission of Big Bend Hospice Foundation.
Contact Dena Strickland, President, Big Bend Hospice Foundation, Inc. at 850-878 5310 or foundation@bigbendhospice.org
Board of Trustees
Stan Barnes
Chairman
Patti Graganella
Secretary
Gwynn Virostek
Past Chairman
Alicia Crew
Emeritus
Les Akers
Beth Desloge
Mark Hillis
Jane Marks
Kenneth Pratt
Marjorie Turnbull
Bill Wertman
Big Bend Hospice CEO
Marty Sipple
Vice-Chairman
Michael Kalifeh
Treasurer
Scott Harrell
Big Bend Hospice Chairman
Greg Adams
Ken Boutwell
Makeba Earst, DDS
Rob Langford
Martha Olive-Hall
Paul Sullivan
Sharon Weeden
Emeritus Members
John Aurell
Valerie Cattau
Gail Croy
Walter Culley
David Harvey
Judy Pate
Roy Young
Foundation Staff
Dena Strickland
President
Catherine Leonard
Executive Assistant/Board Liaison
Connie Palmer
Director of Special Events/Foundation Manager
Leila McClure
Events Coordinator Assistant
Michele Hood
Donor Services Coordinator
Samantha Carpenter
Administrative Assistant