Values, Mission and Vision

VITAS^® Healthcare is defined by the needs of the patients and families we serve. In 1978 our first patient, Emmy Philhour, made us this offer: “Help me stay at home, and I’ll teach you how to care for me.” We agreed, and this commitment to service and learning still drives us today. 

Like Emmy, each of the hundreds of thousands of patients and families we’ve served has taught us something about compassionate care. Today, as a leader in the hospice movement in the United States, we are continuing to evolve and meet the changing needs of those with a life-limiting illness and their families. As we adapt to the ever-changing healthcare environment, however, we are guided as always by our VITAS Values. 

VITAS Values 

• Patients and families come first. 
• We take care of each other. 
• I’ll do my best today and do even better tomorrow. 
• I am proud to make a difference. 

VITAS Mission 

We are a growing family of hospices providing the highest quality human services, products and case management to terminally ill and other appropriate patients and their families with measurable advantages for the patient, the family, the medical community, the employee and the stockholder. 

VITAS Vision 

For over 40 years, VITAS has advocated for the rights of terminally ill patients and their families. We believe that patients should be apprised of their clinical prognosis and be involved in the decision-making process that determines how their end-of-life care is provided.