Gilchrist Howard County Hospice Center Celebrates 10 Years of...

Gilchrist Howard County Hospice Center Celebrates 10 Years of Compassionate Care

In May 2011, Gilchrist opened its 10-bed inpatient hospice center in Howard County. Before the center opened, county residents had no local options for inpatient hospice care. Those who needed it had to travel long distances when they were frail and seriously ill. A decade later, Gilchrist Center Howard County remains the only inpatient hospice center in the county.

Located off Cedar Lane in Columbia, Gilchrist Center Howard County serves patients needing acute care for pain and symptoms that can no longer be managed at home. The unit provides 24-hour medical, emotional and spiritual support for patients and their families in a home-like setting. It is staffed by physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains and hospice aides, as well as a large network of community volunteers.

“Over the past decade, Gilchrist Center Howard County has provided compassionate care and support to more than 3,500 patients and their families,” said Catherine Hamel, president of Gilchrist. “We are incredibly proud to be the only inpatient hospice provider in the county, and we are grateful to our generous donors, community partners and employees who make this care possible for so many.”

In addition to care at the center, Gilchrist provides care in homes and residential care communities in Howard County and throughout Central Maryland. Gilchrist also offers grief counseling and support services to the community. The Howard County facility is one of three Gilchrist centers, including locations in Towson and Baltimore City.