Florida Opens First Dedicated Pediatric Hospice Center

More than 300 community leaders and families gathered at Jacksonville’s Earl B. Hadlow Campus on June 11 to inaugurate the Dorion Family Pediatric Center. This facility marks a rare milestone in American healthcare, serving as the first specialized pediatric hospice and palliative care site in the state of Florida.

The new center functions as the permanent home for Community PēdsCare, an initiative designed to provide a pediatric-focused environment that prioritizes comfort and play alongside medical support. By centralizing therapeutic services, spiritual care, and caregiver resources, the facility aims to reduce travel burdens for families while allowing clinicians to dedicate more time to direct patient care.

Named for the Dorion family in recognition of their long-standing support, the project was realized through extensive community philanthropy. Annie Tuttle, Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Impact, noted that the space is intended to foster connection among families navigating similar medical journeys. Since its inception in 1979, the parent organization, Community Hospice & Palliative Care, has expanded to support roughly 1,500 patients daily across various care settings, maintaining a policy that ensures services remain accessible regardless of a patient's ability to pay.