KITSAP – MultiCare Health System and Hospice of Kitsap County are in discussions for MultiCare to acquire the assets of Hospice of Kitsap County. The two organizations intend to close the transaction later this year, subject to certificate of need review by the Washington Department of Health.

MultiCare and Hospice of Kitsap County will work together to expand access to Hospice resources for adult and pediatric residents of Kitsap County and the surrounding region.

“When we issued our Request for Proposal, our Board was very intentional about the qualities we were looking for in a partner and what they could bring to our community. These included quality care, good stewardship, improving access to needed services and the ability and desire to share best practices — all from a community-based organization whose vision and mission were in line with ours. MultiCare was the clear choice,” said Suzanne Plemmons, president of the board for Hospice of Kitsap County, in a press release. “Their experience, expertise and commitment to community will support our patients and medical community.”

Hospice of Kitsap County has 50 employees and more than 60 volunteers. It is a not-for-profit, Medicare-certified, Washington state- licensed agency supported by the community through memorial gifts, donations, grants and annual fundraising events. MultiCare operates Hospice and Home Health services throughout Pierce and South King counties, including pediatric hospice services.

Hospice of Kitsap County will become part of MultiCare’s integrated not-for-profit health care system, which includes MultiCare Auburn Medical Center, MultiCare Allenmore Hospital, MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital, MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital along with numerous outpatient clinics and specialty centers. Patients at Hospice of Kitsap County will continue to receive expert care from its interdisciplinary team of physicians, pharmacists, nurses, social workers, health aides, spiritual counselors and volunteers.

“We will be honored to welcome Hospice of Kitsap County to the MultiCare family and look forward to helping improve access to Hospice care,” said Bill Robertson, MultiCare president and CEO. “We deeply appreciate their commitment to delivering the highest-quality hospice care for patients, as well as supporting patients’ families and loved ones.”

MultiCare Health System is a not-for-profit health care organization with more than 10,000 employees and a comprehensive network including Allenmore Hospital, Auburn Medical Center, Good Samaritan Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, Tacoma General Hospital, MultiCare Medical Associates, affiliated physicians, as well as numerous primary care, specialty and urgent care clinics and community outreach services.