What Gilchrist does

Gilchrist is a nonprofit hospice and serious illness care organization headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, and identified as Maryland's largest hospice organization. Founded in 1994 by Jeanne Gilchrist Vance as Hospice of Baltimore, the organization operates with 501-1,000 employees under President Cathy Hamel (since 2015) and is affiliated with GBMC Health System, where Hamel also serves as Executive Vice President of Continuing Care. Services span the Mid-Atlantic region, including Maryland, South-Central Pennsylvania, and Northern Virginia, through three inpatient care centers (Gilchrist Center Baltimore at 44 beds, Gilchrist Center Towson at 34 beds, and Gilchrist Center Howard County at 10 beds), plus affiliates such as Hospice of Washington County and Franklin Hospice, and joint ventures with Luminis Health (The Lifecare Institute) and Inova.

The service portfolio covers a full continuum of serious illness care delivered across homes, senior living communities, hospitals, nursing facilities, and inpatient centers. Core product lines include Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Geriatric Care, Grief Care, and Pediatric Hospice (Gilchrist Kids), supported by specialized programs such as Music Therapy, the We Honor Veterans program (Level 5), Jewish Care & Support (NIJH accredited), AHA-certified cardiac care, and the CMS GUIDE Program for dementia. The organization has earned CHAP Accreditation with the highest survey results, the Circle of Life Award from the American Hospital Association, and Great Place to Work certification for eight consecutive years.

Gilchrist's revenue model is anchored in Medicare Hospice Benefit reimbursements (a Medicare entitlement under which most beneficiaries pay little or nothing), supplemented by Medicaid and private insurance payments. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the organization supplements clinical revenue with charitable donations, signature fundraising events (The Gilchrist Ball, Taste of Howard County), and grants that support programs not covered by insurance. Care is provided regardless of patients' ability to pay, and grief counseling is offered at no charge. The organization also maintains a Global Partners in Care partnership with Nkoaranga Lutheran Hospital in Tanzania, funded in part by an employee payroll deduction program that raises over $55,000 annually toward an $80,000 budget.

Name

Gilchrist

Legal name

Gilchrist

Website

https://gilchristcares.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Gilchrist is a Maryland-based nonprofit hospice and serious illness care provider serving Maryland, South-Central Pennsylvania, and Northern Virginia through home-based care, three inpatient centers, and affiliated programs for adults, children, veterans, and Jewish families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hospice and Palliative Care Services

NAICS

Nursing and Residential Care Facilities (623), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331)

SIC

Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Palliative Care, Hospice & Serious Illness Support (BPAGACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hospice Care in Assisted Living / Residential Care Facilities (HLADAHAE), Bereavement, Grief & Family Support Services (Hospice-Linked) (HLAFAEAO), Chronic Care & Complex Care Management (HSABAIAD)

Keywords

• Hospice care services
• Palliative care services
• Geriatric care services
• Grief counseling services
• End-of-life care

Headquarters

HQ city

Hunt Valley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Medicare Hospice Benefit: Hospice is a Medicare entitlement program, meaning most Medicare beneficiaries pay little or nothing for hospice care. This is the primary revenue stream for hospice services.
2. Medicaid and Private Insurance: Medicaid and most private insurers provide coverage for hospice and palliative care services.
3. Donations and Philanthropy: As a nonprofit organization, Gilchrist relies on charitable donations, fundraising events, and grants to support programs not fully covered by insurance, such as grief counseling, music therapy, and the Tanzania partnership.
4. Care Regardless of Ability to Pay: Gilchrist is dedicated to serving anyone in need of care, regardless of ability to pay. Financial assistance and charity care are available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Gilchrist is a nonprofit provider of hospice and serious illness care, delivering comfort-focused hospice services, palliative care, geriatric care, and grief counseling to individuals across the Mid-Atlantic region. Care is provided by interdisciplinary clinical teams in patients' homes, senior living communities, hospitals, and three dedicated inpatient care centers. The organization also offers specialized programs including pediatric hospice (Gilchrist Kids), Jewish Care & Support, We Honor Veterans, music therapy, AHA-certified cardiac care, and the CMS GUIDE dementia program.

Product overview

Gilchrist is a nonprofit hospice and serious illness care organization offering a comprehensive continuum of services from early diagnosis through end of life. The core product portfolio includes Hospice Care (in-home, senior living, and inpatient center settings), Palliative Care, Geriatric Care, Grief Care, and Gilchrist Kids (pediatric hospice). Specialized support programs include Music Therapy, Veterans Support (We Honor Veterans), Jewish Care & Support Program, Volunteer Support, AHA Certified Cardiac Care, and the GUIDE Program for dementia care. The organization operates multiple inpatient care centers (Gilchrist Center Baltimore, Towson, and Howard County) and maintains affiliate relationships with Hospice of Washington County, Franklin Hospice, The Lifecare Institute (with Luminis Health), and Gilchrist Inova (with Inova in Northern Virginia). Gilchrist also provides Advance Care Planning resources and operates a Training Institute for professional education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gilchrist Kids: Pediatric hospice program providing compassionate and comprehensive end-of-life care for infants, children, and young adults with life-limiting illnesses, including perinatal support.
• Gilchrist Center Baltimore
• Gilchrist Center Howard County
• Gilchrist Center Towson
• The Lifecare Institute
• Hospice of Washington County
• Franklin Hospice
• Gilchrist Hospice (Inova Partnership)
• Jewish Care and Support Program

Products and services

• Hospice Care Comfort-focused care for people with serious illness in the final stages of life, emphasizing dignity, symptom relief, and quality of life. Services are provided wherever patients live (private homes, senior living communities, hospitals, inpatient care centers), with a full interdisciplinary team supporting both individuals and families.
• Palliative Care Specialized medical care managing symptoms and stress at any stage of serious illness, supporting comfort, communication, and decision-making alongside ongoing medical treatment. Available in select hospitals and long-term care centers.
• Geriatric Care Comprehensive support for older adults with serious illness, focusing on safety, independence, and chronic condition management. Provides coordinated care at home, in senior living communities, and hospitals to help seniors age well at home.
• Grief Care Compassionate services for those coping with loss, including counseling, support groups, workshops, and resources that foster healing and emotional well-being. Offered before, during, and after loss. Provided at no charge to families served by Gilchrist and community members.
• Gilchrist Kids (Pediatric Hospice) Pediatric hospice program providing compassionate and comprehensive end-of-life care for infants, children, and young adults with life-limiting illnesses, including perinatal support for parents facing prenatal diagnoses.
• Music Therapy Board-certified music therapists use evidence-based interventions including songwriting, improvisation, guided imagery, and relaxation techniques to enhance quality of life for hospice and palliative care patients and families.
• We Honor Veterans Program Comprehensive program recognizing and supporting veteran hospice patients through Salute to Service ceremonies, Vet-to-Vet Task Force, Veterans History Project, and Welcome Home Celebrations. Level 5 status (highest level) in the national We Honor Veterans program.
• Jewish Care & Support Program Hospice care enhanced with Jewish cultural and religious sensitivities, including specialized training in Jewish customs, a dedicated chapel and family area at Gilchrist Center Towson, and grief support through Jewish Community Services. Accredited by the National Institute for Jewish Hospice.
• AHA Certified Cardiac Care Specialized hospice and palliative care for patients with end-stage heart disease, certified by the American Heart Association. Gilchrist is among the first palliative and hospice organizations nationally to earn this certification, offering symptom management and reduced hospitalizations.
• GUIDE Program (Dementia Care) CMS-partnered program providing extra support for people living with dementia and their caregivers, including personalized care plans, dedicated care navigators, caregiver education, and in-home respite services. Selected by CMS to participate in the national GUIDE program.
• Volunteer Support Non-medical companionship and support through trained volunteers offering bedside presence, respite for caregivers, life review, and practical assistance for patients and families.
• Advance Care Planning Guidance and resources to help patients and families document healthcare wishes and make informed decisions about future care.
• Gilchrist Center Towson 34-bed inpatient hospice care center in Towson, Maryland, providing round-the-clock residential care, acute inpatient care, respite care, and counseling support groups.
• Gilchrist Center Howard County 10-bed residential hospice care center in Columbia, Maryland, providing 24-hour inpatient hospice care.
• Gilchrist Center Baltimore Residential hospice care center at Stadium Place in Baltimore City, providing inpatient hospice care for patients needing a safe living environment or without available caregivers.
• The Lifecare Institute Partnership with Luminis Health providing comprehensive serious illness and end-of-life care services across Anne Arundel County, Prince George's County, and Southern Maryland.
• Hospice of Washington County Affiliate hospice provider and the only licensed hospice provider in Washington County, Maryland, including Doey's House care center.
• Franklin Hospice Affiliate hospice provider serving South-Central Pennsylvania with expert medical, personal, emotional, and spiritual support.
• International Partnership in Tanzania Partnership with Nkoaranga Lutheran Hospital's Palliative Care Program in northern Tanzania through Global Partners in Care, funding home-based palliative care, support groups, and a Kids Club.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of employees report their work has special meaning and is not 'just a job'
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Nkoaranga Lutheran Hospital (Palliative Care Program)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Since 2009, Gilchrist has partnered with the Palliative Care Program at Nkoaranga Lutheran Hospital in northern Tanzania through Global Partners in Care. Gilchrist fully funds the program's annual operating budget ($80,000/year, with $55,000 raised through staff payroll deduction). The partnership provides home-based palliative care, support groups for adults and children with HIV/AIDS, and a Kids Club for children. In 2025, the team conducted over 574 home visits and served 860 patients monthly.
• Global Partners in CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Partners in Care sponsors Gilchrist's international partnership, linking end-of-life care organizations in 17 U.S. states with programs in 10 African countries. Gilchrist's Tanzania partnership is one of more than 37 programs.
• Luminis HealthflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture between Luminis Health and Gilchrist forming The Lifecare Institute to care for individuals and families in Anne Arundel County, Prince George's County, and Southern Maryland. Provides comprehensive services across multiple settings including home, senior living, and community.
• InovaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGilchrist Hospice in collaboration with Inova brings together two mission-driven, nonprofit leaders in serious illness care. The collaboration combines Gilchrist's award-winning hospice expertise with Inova's expansive healthcare network to ensure patients have access to high-quality hospice care wherever they call home in Northern Virginia.
• MedStar HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGilchrist partnered with MedStar Health to provide inpatient hospice in select MedStar hospitals, extending hospice care access to hospital settings.
• Avila Home CareminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAvila is a preferred home care provider for GBMC and Gilchrist, providing personalized home care services to complement Gilchrist's services. Avila offers companionship, personal care, meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation, and memory care.
• American Heart AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGilchrist is among the first palliative and hospice organizations nationally to earn certification from the American Heart Association for end-stage heart failure care. The certification reflects alignment with AHA's science-based guidelines and commitment to quality improvement.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGilchrist was chosen by CMS to participate in the national GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) Program, providing extra support for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
• Hospice of Washington CountyflagshipOthersAffiliate organization. Hospice of Washington County is the only licensed hospice provider in Washington County, Maryland. Since 1980, has served residents during vulnerable times with compassionate care.
• Franklin HospicecoreOthersAffiliate organization serving South-Central Pennsylvania. Franklin Hospice opened in March 2020, providing expert medical and personal care with emotional and spiritual support tailored to patients' needs.
• GBMC Health SystemflagshipOthersGilchrist is a subsidiary of GBMC Health System. Cathy Hamel serves as Executive Vice President of Continuing Care and President of Gilchrist.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Compassus: National hospice, palliative, and home health provider operating across more than 30 states. Comparable as a hospice-palliative organization with home-based and inpatient delivery models, though national rather than regional nonprofit.
• Amedisys: Large public home health and hospice operator with national hospice footprint. Comparable service mix to Gilchrist's home-based hospice and palliative care, though for-profit and broadly diversified rather than nonprofit-specialized.
• AccentCare (formerly Seasons Hospice): National hospice and palliative care provider with strong presence across the Mid-Atlantic. A broader incumbent offering hospice along with home health and personal care services, creating overlap with Gilchrist's service lines.
• Gentiva (formerly Kindred at Home Hospice): National hospice provider and one of the largest in the U.S. Overlaps with Gilchrist's hospice care services and competes for hospital referrals in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Regional players

• Tidewell Hospice: Nonprofit hospice serving southwest Florida with multiple care centers and full continuum of services. Comparable as a regional nonprofit hospice with similar scale and mission profile, though geographically distinct.
• MJHS Hospice and Palliative Care: Nonprofit hospice, palliative, and home health provider in the New York metropolitan area. Comparable to Gilchrist in mission, service mix, and integration with a larger health system, with overlap in Jewish community programming.
• HopeHealth: Nonprofit hospice and palliative care organization serving Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Comparable as a regional nonprofit hospice with a similar continuum-of-care model and strong community reputation.

Direct peers

• Capital Caring Health: Large nonprofit hospice, palliative, and serious-illness provider in the greater Washington, D.C. and Virginia region. Directly competes with Gilchrist's Northern Virginia footprint and shares a similar continuum-of-care model and joint-venture strategy.
• Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY) Hospice and Palliative Care: Nonprofit hospice and palliative care program attached to the broader VNSNY home health system. Comparable as a mission-driven, full-continuum serious-illness provider serving a dense metropolitan region.
• Hospice of the Chesapeake: Nonprofit hospice and palliative care provider serving Anne Arundel, Prince George's, and Charles counties in Maryland. Directly comparable to Gilchrist as a similarly sized, mission-aligned Mid-Atlantic hospice nonprofit with comparable service offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/gilchristhospicecare
• Facebookfacebook.com/gilchristcares
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2920220
• Instagraminstagram.com/gilchrist_cares
• Xx.com/Gilchrist_News

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Gilchrist