Our History

In 1984, Calvert Hospice opened its doors to its first patients. Comprised entirely of dedicated volunteers, the new organization committed itself to providing care for those in the County living with a terminal illness and to supporting those grieving the loss of someone close.

The original idea came from a study done by the League of Women Voters on mental health needs in Calvert County. Marie Andrews, Chair of the study, became Program Chair of the newly formed Mental Health Association. Within that framework, those with a vision of hospice in Calvert County came together and began the work of creating Calvert Hospice.

After months of meetings, Marie Andrews, Dr. Craig Jeschke, June King, and Ruth Reid signed the Articles of Incorporation on October 5, 1983. The first Board of Directors began recruiting volunteers to develop the Hospice training and patient care programs, and to begin to meet the needs of the community.

From the beginning, it was clear that volunteers were essential to the existence of Calvert Hospice. The same is true today; without volunteers, Hospice could not offer bereavement programs, could not raise funds to support the Hospice House, and could not be part of the lives of patients and families in a way that is so vital to the unique model of care that is Hospice.

Because volunteers are so important to the mission of Hospice, ensuring that volunteers are well-trained has been an integral part of the Calvert Hospice mission from the outset. Twenty-one volunteers completed the first training, a 30-hour course that included Hospice philosophy, hands-on-care, needs of the dying, and caring for the family. Today, Calvert Hospice’s 33-hour training is offered three times annually and attracts about 50 participants each year.

In its first six months of operation, Hospice cared for 6 families with a loved one facing a terminal diagnosis.  In 2008, that number grew to over 300 for the year. The number of individuals supported by the hospice program, including family and caregivers was 27 in the first six months, and over 1,000 in 2008.

From the beginning, Hospice and its special type of care was warmly embraced by the community. Local health care providers, from Calvert Memorial Hospital to the excellent skilled nursing facilities in the community, from the Calvert County Health Department to physicians here and in surrounding jurisdictions, have recognized and supported the role Calvert Hospice plays in the lives of the families it serves.

In 1992, Calvert Hospice was certified by Medicare, allowing the organization to begin receiving funds. This enabled the organization to expand services and staff. In 2000, Calvert Hospice was accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations, demonstrating the quality of its care and services against nationally-recognized standards. In the fall of 2009, 25 years after it first began caring for patients, Calvert Hospice launched the Burnett-Calvert Hospice House, a home-away-from-home for those living their final days with a terminal illness. 

Calvert Hospice’s growth and accomplishments over the years are the product of a group of dedicated volunteers with a vision of an organization that, in the words of Marie Andrews, focuses on “excellence in providing the services that are now part of Hospice in the areas of the physical, the mental, the emotional, the spiritual, and the social relationship pieces of caring for terminally ill people.” From the beginning, the desire of the community for Hospice care, and its recognition of the need to sustain Hospice services have brought thousands of families to Hospice for support. With new challenges ever on the horizon, the years to come will be an exciting time for Calvert Hospice, as it builds on the strong foundation already established.