Coming Soon: VITAS Healthcare in Marion County

Graphic of Florida counties over a picture of a nurse in purple scrubs smiling with an older woman outside

April 17, 2025

OCALA, FL – Florida is home to one of the country’s largest aging populations, with adults 65 and older making up 22 percent of its residents. As demand for hospice services rises statewide, VITAS Healthcare – the state’s most experienced end-of-life care provider – is expanding into Marion County. Beginning May 15, VITAS will accept patient referrals in the new service area.

Founded in Miami, VITAS has served Floridians for more than 45 years and will soon reach patients in 59 of the state’s 67 counties. With this latest expansion, the organization strengthens its presence in north-central Florida, ensuring that seriously ill patients and their families have access to expert, compassionate care close to home.

“Expanding into Marion County reflects VITAS’ ongoing commitment to improving access to high-quality hospice services for more Florida families,” said Angela Hamrick, vice president of operations. “We’re equally proud to create rewarding career opportunities for dedicated healthcare professionals who share our mission and are passionate about making a difference at the end of life.”

VITAS services for hospice-eligible Marion County patients will include:

Around-the-clock clinical support, available 24/7/365
Personalized care plans based on each patient’s goals and values
High-acuity care options for patients with complex needs
Access to a broad range of medications through an open formulary
Delivery and setup of home medical equipment for smooth transitions from hospital to home

To provide accessible care to residents, VITAS is actively hiring in Marion County for a variety of clinical and non-clinical roles, including registered nurses, hospice aides, social workers, chaplains and community representatives. The organization offers professional development and clinical education to enhance end-of-life care expertise.

VITAS also provides resources to support the medical community. Healthcare professionals can download the VITAS mobile referral app to access interactive hospice eligibility guidelines, easy referral tools and clinical education, including free monthly webinars for continuing education credit.

In 2024, VITAS served more than 52,000 patients across Florida, providing 5.2 million days of care. Today, the organization cares for more than 14,000 patients daily and employs 8,000 professionals statewide. With Florida’s senior population continuing to grow, VITAS remains focused on providing timely, patient-centered hospice care to every community it serves.