As we move into the holiday season, Big Bend Hospice CEO Bill Wertman shares a heartfelt reflection on what this time of year can mean for families who are grieving. His message reminds us that while the holidays can be filled with joy, they can also bring moments of deep reflection and longing for those we’ve lost. 

In the spirit of support and community, he offers insight into how Big Bend Hospice continues to walk alongside families long after a loved one’s passing.

Hospice care is changing. Across the country, hospices that were once born from grassroots compassion are being bought and sold, turned into assets on corporate balance sheets.

In this article from Scott Harrell, Chair of Big Bend Hospice’s Board of Directors, learn why nonprofit care plays such a vital role in ensuring every patient and family receives compassionate, dignified support at the end of life, regardless of their ability to pay.

Discover how mission-driven care is making a difference right here in our community.

In our community, stories like Emory Mayfield’s remind us why compassionate end-of-life care is so important. When illness changes everything, families need reassurance, clarity, and calm. 

Emory’s family experienced this firsthand when Big Bend Hospice helped bring him home and guided them through his final days with dignity and love. We invite you to read their heartfelt story and join us in ensuring this care remains available for every family who needs it.

When someone you love is nearing the end of life, every moment and every interaction matters. Hospice care is more than medical support, it’s about honoring the person behind the diagnosis

That includes understanding their cultural background, beliefs, traditions, and values. At Big Bend Hospice, we believe culturally competent care is essential to providing true comfort and dignity in a patient’s final chapter.

At Big Bend Hospice, care knows no boundaries. From small towns to country roads, our team travels far and wide to ensure that patients and families in rural communities receive the same compassionate, high-quality hospice care as those in the city.

Our promise is simple: to meet people where they are, bringing comfort, dignity, and peace to every home across the Big Bend region.

Behind every story of care at Big Bend Hospice is another story, the story of support that makes it possible.

In his latest article, CEO Bill Wertman shares how the Big Bend Hospice Foundation provides the resources that allow us to say “yes” to patients and families across our region, no matter their financial situation. From raising record-breaking funds at the Dr. Glenn Bass Golf Tournament to sustaining vital programs like music therapy, bereavement support, and Valor Ceremonies, the Foundation makes hope possible every day.

When most people think of hospice, they picture the end. But at Big Bend Hospice, it’s just as much about how life is lived, especially in times of vulnerability.

Our only locally-owned, nonprofit status means we answer to neighbors, not stakeholders, so every decision and every service is rooted in compassion for our community. From music therapy to grief counseling, from volunteer companionship to tailored supportive care, we’re here because “we care.”