Hospice of Chattanooga

Mission: To care for those nearing the end of life and supporting their families by providing physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort through compassionate care.

Hospice of Chattanooga was started in 1980 by a group of wonderful volunteers who caught the vision of what a plan of care called “hospice” could mean to a patient who was facing death due to a disease. There were local nurses in the hospitals who knew there was a better way to take care of patients in the dying process than what was offered at the time. Nurses within the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Home Health Department began training under the model of Riverside Hospice in New Jersey. Lena Adams and Agene Parsons were the first two hospice nurses in the new program in Chattanooga.

Over the decades, the reach of Hospice of Chattanooga has grown as the area’s population grew into the outlying regions of southeast Tennessee. Families were hearing about how wonderful hospice care was for loved ones of friends, and when the time came for someone in their family, Hospice of Chattanooga was their choice. It remains the same today, as Hospice of Chattanooga now serves people in 10 counties across Southeast Tennessee.

One of the nurses in 1980 who played a significant role in founding Hospice of Chattanooga is Christine Little, who was a volunteer and stalwart supporter of what began in a little corner room at the local health department.

As a volunteer with Hospice of Chattanooga, you will have a profound impact on the quality of life experienced by our patients. Your very presence and the simple act of holding a hand can sometimes be the most precious gift you can give.

Our Hospice of Chattanooga volunteers are an integral part of what we do. They provide an extra-layer of support for our patients and families, through volunteer positions such as grief companions, tuck-in callers, patient/caregiver support in homes and facilities, pet therapy volunteers, office support volunteers, and so much more.

Hospice of Chattanooga provides hospice care to 18 counties across Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia, with offices located in Athens, TN; Chattanooga, TN; Cleveland, TN; Dayton, TN; Jasper, TN; and Ringgold, GA.

Alleo Health System, the parent organization of Hospice of Chattanooga, serves 46 across Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and Alabama. This includes additional offices in Cookeville, TN; Murphy, NC; Rainsville, AL; and Marietta, GA.