In 1978, Ohio became one of the first communities in the country to offer hospice care. Nurse and Dayton resident Betty Schmoll lead the effort to establish hospice care, pulling together support from all area hospitals and a group of dedicated volunteers. Hospice of Dayton was founded, and remains, a community based, non-profit care provider committed to providing superior care and superior services to those with life-limiting illnesses.

Services were initially offered in patient homes and 13 inpatient beds at St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Thanks to over 14,000 donors, large and small, dreams of a Hospice House designed specifically for hospice patients became a reality. Construction on 17 acres on Wilmington Avenue was completed in 1990, and expanded in 1996. The grounds and gardens are designed to provide serenity, comfort and pleasure to patients and their families in every season.

In 2011 Hospice of Dayton joined with Hospice of Miami County to form Ohio’s Hospice, an alliance of non-profit hospice providers across the state sharing in best practices, established high standards and a shared vision of strengthening and preserving community based hospice.