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
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Our Mission
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.