Company Profile
VITAS Healthcare
Company Overview
VITAS Healthcare®, a pioneer and leader in the hospice movement since 1978, is the nation’s largest provider of end-of-life care. Our name is derived from the Latin word for “lives” and symbolizes the VITAS mission: to preserve the quality of life for those who have a limited time to live.
Headquartered in Miami, Florida, VITAS operates hospice programs in 15 states and the District of Columbia.
VITAS has enjoyed dynamic growth since its founding as a volunteer organization by a United Methodist minister and an oncology nurse. Today, VITAS employs 11,669 professionals who care for terminally ill patients daily-primarily in the patients’ homes, and also in the company’s inpatient hospice units as well as in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living communities/residential care facilities. VITAS team members include registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, home health aides, physicians, social workers, chaplains and other caregiving professionals.
Company History
VITAS was founded in 1978 as Hospice Care Inc., one of the nation’s first hospice programs. But our story really begins in 1976, when Hugh A. Westbrook, an ordained United Methodist minister, and Esther T. Colliflower, a registered nurse, saw a void in the treatment of people with terminal illnesses.
Read more about Hugh and Esther’s contributions to hospice care and the VITAS story.
In the more than 30 years since Hugh and Esther formed their partnership, we have continued to be a leader in the American hospice movement. We remain committed to finding and closing gaps in treatment. VITAS works to ensure that terminally ill patients and their families of all walks of life have ready access to compassionate and effective end-of-life care.
Read about VITAS' first patient, Emmy, and the lessons she taught us.
As a hospice pioneer, VITAS was instrumental in leading a bipartisan effort to add hospice to the healthcare payment system. As a result of these efforts, Medicare pays for hospice services. Many states have established Medicaid coverage for hospice, and virtually all private insurers and managed care plans provide coverage for hospice care.
Today, VITAS is America’s leading provider of end-of-life care, working in cooperation with hospitals, physicians, nursing homes, assisted living communities, insurers and community-based organizations throughout the nation.
Benefits
Competitive salary package
Health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
Pre-tax healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
Life insurance
401(k) plan with numerous investment options and generous company match
Cancer and/or critical illness benefit
Tuition Reimbursement
Paid Time Off
Employee Assistance Program
Legal Insurance
Affinity Program