VITAS began providing hospice services in South Florida in 1978. VITAS has maintained a strong, supportive relationship with the Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa since 1999.

VITAS has consistently sponsored participants to be a part of FHSSA’s annual Professional Seminar Tours to Africa, culminating with the sponsorship of five trip members in 2002. The VITAS trip members in 2002 visited two of VITAS’ five partner programs in Africa and met their partner’s staff and patients.

Staff members from five VITAS offices participate in regular employee payroll deductions to support the work of FHSSA. Many of these offices have sponsored fundraisers for their African partners, as well as awareness-raising events in their hospices and communities.

It is because of this compassionate commitment that we honor VITAS Healthcare Corporation with our Caring Partner Award.

Letter from Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D., to the Chair of the April 11th gala to benefit the Foundation for Hospices in
Sub-Saharan Africa on the occasion of the presentation of their Caring Partners Award.

"I write to recognize the Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa for your work to support the humanitarian efforts of African hospices struggling to care for people dying of AIDS and related diseases. The Foundation has become an international leader for advancing hospice care across many African nations, and espcially for the more than 6,300 people in Sub-Saharan Africa dying every day of AIDS or its opportunistic infections. The financial and materical support provided by the Foundation to the hospice and palliative care programs in Africa support their mission to relieve pain and provide dignified end-of-life care to the more than one million Africans who will die this year from HIV. Your organization provides the needed guidance and support for the children, family, friends and communities of those who are dying or who have already passed away.

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Based on my own experience participating in medical missionaries to South Sudan and Kenya, I realize the plight of the African people.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work with Hugh Westbrook and VITAS to improve federal hospice policy. As you know, VITAS has a strong commitment to this project and partners with five hospices in Africa. I'm told that VITAS was the first hospice provider in the U.S. to have put together patient care teams focused solely on caring for AIDS patients and thier families.

VITAS provides invaluable leadership, financial support, personnel and educational assistance to hospices throughout Sub-Sahran Africa. It is this type of private sector support that makes a true difference. The VITAS commitment to raise awarness globally serves to help support and improve the frail health care infrastructure in Africa. Their leadership and compassion deserves recognition."