Edgewood, KY— The Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile Jr. US Bank Foundation Hospice Center at St. Elizabeth Edgewood celebrated its 10year anniversary by honoring donors and staff during a small ceremony last week (Thursday, June 29, 2017).

The 16-bed center -- specifically built for those journeying toward the end of life -- provides care and comfort to terminally-ill patients and their families. St. Elizabeth Healthcare was the first hospital in Kentucky to provide inpatient care.

“We’ve cared for about 4,203 patients since opening in 2007,” said Brian Jones, director of hospice and palliative care programs at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. “It’s been a tremendous gift to the community and a continuation of the hospice care St. Elizabeth has been providing since 1986.”

Longtime philanthropists and hospice supporters Mary Bunning and her late husband Jim Bunning also were recognized during the ceremony. The grief center -- located next to the Hospice Center – was renamed to honor their contributions.

Jim Bunning was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996 after a 17-year Major League Baseball career as a pitcher. A Republican from Kentucky, Bunning served in the U.S. Senate for 10 years.

The Mary & Jim Bunning Community Grief Support Center provides free individual, family and group grief counseling to anyone in the community experiencing a loss, not just those who have been through the hospice program.

“We are so thankful to supporters like Mary and Jim Bunning who help St. Elizabeth provide quality and compassion to each person entering our doors,” said Garren Colvin, president and CEO of St. Elizabeth Healthcare. “Their support inspires us expand our services to the Northern Kentucky community.”