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A group of people posing for a photo with a boy in a wheelchair.
Reflections of Life

Life Changing Gift of Dignity

Meet Brodie and Beau, brothers who both live with a disease that deteriorates their muscles to the point that they are unable to hold themselves up in a chair. Although their minds are active and their attitudes are bright, they are physically challenged and unable vocalize their needs. Their devoted mother, Melanie Armistead, relies heavily on visual cues and non-verbal communication to read the boys’ faces for pain, fatigue, or worry. These cues are hampered when a child is slouched over or reclining. Melanie knew that her sons needed specialized chairs to improve safety and mobility, enable them to sit upright,

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A blue heart with the words celebrating 45 years.
Reflections of Life

Serving Brevard for 45 years

What began as a dream of helping neighbors almost fifty years ago is turning 45 this year. Emilie Sasko was a nurse, volunteer, mother of 12 and a dreamer. She had a dream that she was being called to create a hospice, and supported by her deep faith, family and friends, founded the second hospice in the State of Florida. Emilie inspired others with her belief in the concept of neighbor-helping-neighbor, and Hospice of St. Francis began as an all-volunteer organization. Now known as St. Francis Hospice Lifestage Care, we continue to care for our community as an independent, not-for-profit provider.

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Wings - wonderful - inspiring - notable - gracious service.
Reflections of Life

When Angels Get Their WINGS

Wonderful. Inspiring. Notable. Gracious. Service. These words are frequently used to describe our staff at St. Francis Hospice Lifestage Care. We treasure these words in our hearts. Another phrase that we often hear from patients and families is, “You are our Angels.” “You are our Angels” inspired the WINGS Recognition Program. WINGS was created to honor team members who make a lasting impact on our patients, their families, or other team members. The first WINGS awards were bestowed at a recent All Staff meeting. An honored staff member shared, “Thank you for bringing attention to the many ways we uplift our

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St. Francis Hospice five-star quality rating logo
Newsletter

St. Francis Hospice Earns 5-Star Quality Rating from CMS

Brevard County Provider is Only Florida Hospice to Hold Top Rating TITUSVILLE, Fla. (Feb. 24, 2026) – Brevard, Florida-based St. Francis Hospice announced today that it has been recognized with a 5-Star Quality Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the highest rating awarded through the CMS Hospice Care Compare program. The designation is based on the most recent feedback from patients’ families and caregivers who shared their experiences through the nationally standardized Hospice CAHPS®[1] survey. According to the latest Hospice Care Compare data, St. Francis Hospice is currently the only hospice in Florida to hold a 5-Star

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Hospice Honors Award 2025 badge with star
Newsletter

St. Francis Hospice Earns 2025 Hospice Honors!

St. Francis Hospice has been named a 2025 Hospice Honors recipient by MatrixCare, a leading technology provider in post-acute care. Hospice Honors is a national program that recognizes hospices providing exceptional care and support, as measured from the caregiver’s point of view. Award criteria were based on Hospice CAHPS (Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey results for an evaluation period of January 2024 through December 2024. Award recipients were identified by evaluating performance on a set of 24 quality indicator measures. Performance scores were calculated using all completed surveys and were compared on a question-by-question basis to a national

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Group photo with certificate and quilt in office
Newsletter

Honoring a Lifetime of Service: Recognizing U.S. Air Force Veteran Rodney Iwan

St. Francis Hospice had the distinct honor of celebrating and recognizing Mr. Rodney Iwan for his dedicated service in the U.S. Air Force during both World War II and the Korean War. Volunteer veteran Janice Taylor, along with our devoted St. Francis Hospice staff, had the privilege of presenting him with a veteran pinning—a small yet heartfelt gesture of gratitude for his incredible contributions to our nation. Rodney, a humble and gracious man, expressed deep appreciation for the recognition and the Compassionate care provided by St. Francis Hospice. As a meteorologist in the Air Force, his service opened doors to higher

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Happy multigenerational family standing outside home.
Newsletter

Make a Lasting Impact: Leave a Legacy of Love and Compassion

Imagine a world where no one faces life’s final journey alone—where every person is surrounded by comfort, dignity, and love. You have the power to make that vision a reality. Through planned giving, you can ensure that compassionate hospice care remains available for generations to come. Hospice is not about giving up—it’s about embracing life, cherishing every moment, and providing peace for those we love. By including St. Francis Hospice in your estate plans, you become a part of something greater: a legacy of kindness, dignity, and unwavering support for families when they need it most. Your planned gift—whether through a

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Two smiling women at community event.
Newsletter

Become a Hospice Volunteer and Make a Difference

Looking for a way to give back to your community? Volunteering with St. Francis Hospice offers a meaningful opportunity to make a real impact. We’re seeking compassionate, empathetic individuals ready to help in various roles. Why Volunteer for Hospice?• Personal Fulfillment: Volunteering provides a deep sense of purpose, knowing you’ve made a positive difference in someone’s life during a challenging time.• Flexible Schedule: Whether you have a few hours or more to give, our programs offer flexible hours to suit your availability. You can serve as much or as little as your time allows.• Training and Support: No experience is needed.

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Lifestage care planning with financial advisor, attorney, social worker.
Newsletter

Successful Lifestage Care Planning Event Sets the Stage for More in April

The recent Lifestage Care Planning event was a resounding success, bringing together community members to learn about the importance of preparing for the future. Hosted by St. Francis Hospice, the event provided attendees with invaluable information on advance care planning, healthcare directives, and the resources available to support individuals and families as they navigate life’s transitions. Kaori Fischer, CFP®, Financial Advisor, spoke about financially preparing for the future, offering expert advice on managing assets and securing long-term financial stability. Dedra (Dee) Sibley, Esq., Estate Planning/ Probate Attorney, shared insights into getting legal affairs in order, including the critical differences between wills

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Christmas tree lot with string lights at night.
Newsletter

Knights of Columbus and Community Members Give Back to St. Francis Hospice

In a heartwarming act of generosity, Richard from the Knights of Columbus recently delivered a special donation to St. Francis Hospice. The funds represented the tips that the Knights received during their annual Christmas tree sale, a cherished holiday tradition that brings the community together in the spirit of giving. Adding to the generosity, Richard’s wife, Marsha, presented a check reflecting the tips she earned while volunteering in the kitchen and assisting with BINGO alongside the Knights. Her selfless efforts and Knights of Columbus and Community Members Give Back to St. Francis Hospice the kindness of those who contributed highlight the

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Three people enjoying lunch at a restaurant.
Newsletter

It Was a Great Day, Without a Shadow of a Doubt!

St. Francis Hospice was honored this year by a partnership with local French café and bistro, Chez Cani, in celebrating Groundhog Day! In France, the tradition is known as Candlemas, or “la Chandeleur” and celebrates the onset of spring, and longer days. To invite good fortune, one gathers with friends, eats crepes, and maybe enjoys a glass of cider. Chef Nicolas Memes, and his wife, Carine hail from the Bordeux region of France. Having both graduated from a top culinary school, food and celebrating French cuisine is their passion. They combined their first names to create the name of the café.

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