History


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Our Mission

CareFirst serves families throughout Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben counties. The mission of CareFirst is, “Affirming life through extraordinary, compassionate support and care for the seriously ill and grieving.”

History Timeline

1981: Southern Tier Hospicare is formed as a volunteer organization under Southern Tier Health Management Corporation.

1983: 95% of patients have cancer.

1984: Volunteers receive a Recognition Award for Community Service from President Reagan, one of six winners chosen from over 600 nominees.

1985: Name changes from Southern Tier Hospicare to Southern Tier Hospice.

1986: Southern Tier Hospice is one of the first NYS Medicare and NYS Department of Health certified hospices.

1993: InnCare Corporation formed to provide a place for patients without caregivers.

"In 2012, Southern Tier Hospice and Palliative Care underwent a re-branding process after determining that our name no longer encompassed everything the organization provides. Southern Tier Hospice & Palliative Care became CareFirst."

1995: Sliding fee scale established for patients without insurance.

1996: InnCare closes.

1997: First nursing home contract signed. Provider Relations program initiated.

1999: Hoops for Hospice 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament begins. The U.S. Postal Service issues the Hospice Care commemorative stamp to celebrate 25 years of hospice in America.

2001: Southern Tier Hospice becomes Southern Tier Hospice and Palliative Care. STHPC purchases its first building at 11751 East Corning Road in Corning.

2003: First Petal Pushers geranium sale nets $500.

2004: Annual Good Grief Day for children begins.

2007: Grief Resource Program piloted at Broadway Middle School in Elmira.

2009: LifeBeat, STHPC’s first diagnostic specific hospice program is launched. Grief Resource Program expands to include 28 schools.

2010: 49.8% of patients have cancer. Living with Dementia and We Honor Veterans programs begin. Significant increase in community needs leads to a doubling in patient numbers. A modular office unit is added to accommodate this dramatic growth.

2011: Breath program launched. Contract signed with Arnot Health to provide in-patient palliative care services.  Additional office space rented in Schuyler County as STHPC outgrows its original location.

2012: STHPC undergoes a re-branding process after determining that our name no longer encompasses everything the organization provides.  Southern Tier Hospice & Palliative Care becomes CareFirst.

2014: CareFirst purchases the former Frank Pierce Elementary School in Coopers Plains, NY and launches Strengthening Communities: the Campaign for CareFirst to raise the $600,000 required to make the necessary building renovations.