Honoring Dr. Mary Jean Etten and the Vision That Shaped Suncoast Hospice
Dr. Mary Jean Etten
At Suncoast Hospice, our story has always been shaped by people whose vision stretches far beyond their time. As part of Empath Health, one of Florida's leading nonprofit healthcare organizations, we're grounded in a legacy nearly five decades in the making. It's a legacy built by leaders like Dr. Mary Jean Etten, whom we had the privilege of celebrating this week at our North Pinellas Care Center in Palm Harbor.
Many in our community remember that for years, Dr. Etten's name graced a building on our Mid-Pinellas Service Center campus in Clearwater. Earlier this year, Empath Health made a thoughtful, strategic decision to sell that underutilized administrative property so we could reinvest more directly in care that happens where people need it most — in homes and in the community. That decision allowed us to realign space and resources with our mission.
Fast-forward to the present and the dedication of the Dr. Mary Jean Etten Spiritual Care Center. This moment wasn't just a ceremony; it was a moment that connected the past, present and future.
A Founder Who Helped Define Community Rooted Hospice in Pinellas County
Dr. Etten helped launch what would become one of Florida's earliest and most respected nonprofit hospice programs, shaped by a belief in dignity, comfort, and presence at the end of life. Her work wasn't theoretical; it was deeply personal. She taught caregivers, nurses, and students across Pinellas County what it means to sit with someone, to listen, and to care with intention.
As our Suncoast Hospice President Travis Fogle reflected during the dedication, Dr. Etten consistently reminded our teams to lead with values first. That reminder still grounds us today as we continue expanding compassionate, community-based care across Florida.
Dr. Mary Jean Etten signing a copy of her book, A Caring Sanctuary.Dr. Etten in front of the newly dedicated, Dr. Mary Jean Etten Spiritual Care Center.A plaque sharing the imact Dr. Etten has made.Suncoast Hospice Foundation President, Adam Olson announcing endowment.
The newly dedicated Dr. Mary Jean Etten Spiritual Care Center is a space centered on calm, reflection, and the emotional and spiritual support that families need during life's most tender moments. It represents the very heart of what Dr. Etten taught: that caring for the whole person is not extra, but essential.
During the event, Suncoast Hospice Foundation President Adam Olson also announced the Dr. Mary Jean Etten Caregiver Advancement Endowment. This fund will support ongoing education and development for hospice caregivers, strengthening the next generation of professionals who will continue her work.
Dr. Etten with longtime friend and board member, Martha Lenderman.
What made the day truly special was having Dr. Etten right there with us. She was smiling, greeting familiar faces, sharing stories, and reflecting on how far this community has come. For so many colleagues and friends, it was a moment to personally thank the woman who helped shape the care they provide every day. And when she signed copies of her book, A Caring Sanctuary, it was a reminder of the wisdom and compassion that built the foundation for Suncoast Hospice.
Her Legacy Continues to Guide Us Forward
Today, Suncoast Hospice cares for thousands of people across Pinellas County as part of Florida's largest non-profit hospice provider, Empath Health. Our approach continues to evolve, but our roots remain the same: compassion, dignity, and the belief that every person deserves to be cared for in a way that honors the fullness of life.
Dr. Etten helped write the first chapter of that story. And her values still steady our steps as we continue the work she began.
We are grateful for her vision. We are grounded by her leadership. And we are proud to carry her legacy into the future of hospice care in Florida.
