MOBILE, Alabama  — USA Health Providence Hospital announced the opening of a new in-hospital hospice unit, operated in partnership with Saad Healthcare, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on the hospital’s 11^th floor.

Both USA Health and Saad Healthcare leaders expressed gratitude for this new collaboration that offers another option for end-of-life care to patients and their families in the community.

“We are incredibly proud to open our first in-hospital unit and are honored to partner with USA Health Providence Hospital,” said Phillip Fulgham, vice president of hospice at Saad Healthcare. “This collaboration is a powerful testament to two organizations coming together to ensure that our community has access to the highest quality, most compassionate hospice care available.”

The newly renovated unit will provide hospital-based hospice care, offering specialized, compassionate support for patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families in a comfortable, dignified setting.

This addition reflects a growing national emphasis on integrating hospice services into hospital environments to enhance patient care, reduce costs, and improve quality of life during critical times.

Hospice care within a hospital setting allows for a unique blend of medical expertise and holistic support. By incorporating an interdisciplinary team of hospice professionals — nurses, social workers, chaplains, and physicians — patients benefit from specialized symptom management and emotional support, all while receiving care in a familiar hospital setting.

“End-of-life care is very complex, and Saad’s expertise will be a tremendous resource for patients and families throughout our health system and the community we serve,” said Rick Metzger, MMHC, BSN, CEO of USA Health Providence Hospital. “Having inpatient hospice available on our campus will allow more choices for patients and families as they face these very difficult decisions. We deeply appreciate the relationship with Saad’s as they begin this new journey.”

For more than 50 years, Saad Healthcare has provided home hospice care, but for some patients, their symptoms can be too complex to manage in this setting. According to Fulgham, the in-hospital hospice unit is a vital extension of the organization.

“Our goal is to create a beautiful setting where comfort and dignity is paramount, a very special place within a historic hospital,” he said. “We know that families feel immense stress, especially when a loved one is coming from a difficult hospital or nursing home stay, so we want them to feel a sense of relief and peace, knowing they are bringing their loved one to an environment designed specifically to provide the most comforting, life-affirming care possible.”

The unit can also provide a much-needed break for caregivers, facilitate an easier transition to hospice care, and offer peace and support to patients and their families in the end stages of life.

Recent studies, including those published by The Journal of Palliative Medicine and Health Affairs, have shown that inpatient hospice programs in hospitals not only improve patient satisfaction and comfort but also reduce hospital readmissions, ICU stays, and overall healthcare costs.

“This new unit reinforces our dedication to being with patients and families every step of the way,” Fulgham said. “It gives our community another exceptional option for end-of-life care, ensuring they have access to the expert, holistic support they deserve, whether it’s in their home or in our new, peaceful inpatient unit.”

About USA Health Providence Hospital

Part of USA Health, the academic health system for the University of South Alabama, Providence Hospital is a full-service 349-bed hospital providing 24/7 emergency care and a level III trauma center as well as exceptional birthing services, surgical procedures and specialty care to residents of the Gulf Coast. These two Mobile institutions are forging one bright future ahead. Founded in 1854, Providence has a history of service and charity, which aligns with USA Health’s mission to help people lead longer, better lives.

About Saad Healthcare

Founded 50 years ago as a retirement community, Saad Healthcare quickly grew into an organization offering home healthcare, hospice care, rehabilitation, private nursing, and medical equipment supplies along the entire Gulf Coast region. Today, Saad Healthcare is equipped to support patients or loved ones who are living with a chronic condition, recovering from, or facing a life-limiting illness.