Alive Hospice to remain non-profit agency

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Alive Hospice Board of Directors determined Tuesday it will remain a not-for-profit, independent organization providing hospice, palliative care and mission-based support services to people across Middle Tennessee.

According to supporters, the board had been considering selling the agency to a for-profit corporation.

“This decision follows several months of working with third-party advisors to explore the industry and local dynamics that will impact Alive’s operations in the years ahead, from reimbursement changes to labor shortages and rising costs to privatization and consolidation across healthcare,” the Alive Board of Directors said in a statement.

In May, advisory board members, former board and staff members, donors and supporters of Alive Hospice worked together to keep the nonprofit from being sold to a for-profit corporation with their campaign. The group said four independent sources confirmed the hospice was at risk of being sold.

Among those working to keep Alive Hospice as a non-profit organization were Dr. David Barton and Lynn Barton, two of the co-founders in 1975. Alive Hospice is the nation’s oldest hospice serving patients in 10 counties.

“Securing the future of Alive for the long term will require a significant investment of time, expertise and resources of our community, and we are planning to solicit feedback from the community to engage Middle Tennesseans in this effort,” the board said in a statement.

“The last several weeks have demonstrated how much Middle Tennesseans truly care about Alive and are committed to supporting its mission. The Board recognizes the recent outpouring of care Alive has received. However, we also have been dismayed by the circulation of false reports and incomplete information that have only hurt Alive, its staff and the people they serve. The Alive Board is made up of volunteers who dedicated their time and passion to Alive. They would never do anything to hurt or jeopardize Alive’s future and ability to serve the community.”

The Board said it is looking forward to moving past this difficult chapter.

“We look forward to moving past this difficult chapter and engaging with members of the community to better understand what they value in Alive and seek their ongoing support for its growth. We are hopeful that we can harness the community’s energy and passion in tangible and constructive ways to ensure Alive continues to be the community asset it has been since 1975.”

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