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Hospice of the North Coast (HNC) is Celebrating 40 Years of Compassionate and Individualized Care This Year.

As the executive director, I am humbled to be part of this organization that has remained true to its mission, to alleviate pain and suffering at the end of life.

In 1980, Father Paul Camm of St. Andrew’s Church in Encinitas organized members of his congregation to care for a terminally ill church member in her home. From this effort grew an awareness of the need for hospice care in North County San Diego. This was the beginning of Hospice of the North Coast.

Today, we remain a non-profit organization serving North County, our local community. HNC has grown to include a palliative care program, an in-patient hospice home (Pacifica House), and a global partnership with Nkhoma Hospital in Malawi. Our commitment to veterans and their unique needs continues to grow. We also operate a nearly all-volunteer-run Resale Shop in Encinitas, the profits from which support the care of hospice patients at Pacifica House.

I am proud to be part of an organization that never says, “We don’t do that here.” Instead, we prioritize treating every patient and family individually regardless of their benefit status. In fact, Hospice of the North Coast offers bereavement programs free of charge to all in the community regardless of the hospice who may have served their loved one at the end of life. HNC also offers cancer support groups, loss of a child group and many other specific grief needs.

Throughout this year we will be reflecting on our history and looking forward to building our future. Please join us at this year’s key events and help us celebrate 40 years of community service.

Sharon Lutz RN BSN CHPN
Executive Director
Hospice of the North Coast