About Unity
About Unity
The industry leader in end-of-life care since 1977
Unity is a 501c(3) nonprofit provider of comprehensive end-of-life care including hospice care, palliative care and grief support across 13 counties throughout Northeast Wisconsin. A true pioneer in end-of-life care, Unity has the distinction of opening the state’s first hospice care program in 1977, the state’s first palliative care program in 2002 and the area’s first hospice residence in 2007. Unity operates financially independent of partner owners—Bellin Health, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center and HSHS St. Vincent Hospital. In addition, it is a member of National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and National Partnership of Hospice Innovation (NPHI).
The industry leader in end-of-life care since 1977
Unity is a 501c(3) nonprofit provider of comprehensive end-of-life care including hospice care, palliative care and grief support across 13 counties throughout Northeast Wisconsin. A true pioneer in end-of-life care, Unity has the distinction of opening the state’s first hospice care program in 1977, the state’s first palliative care program in 2002 and the area’s first hospice residence in 2007. Unity operates financially independent of partner owners—Bellin Health, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center and HSHS St. Vincent Hospital. In addition, it is a member of National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and National Partnership of Hospice Innovation (NPHI).
Mission, Vision & Values
Mission
Mission
To bring the best end-of-life experience to our communities by delivering unwavering strength, compassion and support.
Vision
Vision
Leading community transformation in aging, death and grief.
Core Values
Core Values:
Excellence: We continuously challenge ourselves and are intensely focused on exceeding all expectations.
Collaboration: We communicate openly and honestly with a focus of maximizing our shared knowledge to cooperatively achieve common goals.
Integrity: We consistently do what is right—not what is easiest or popular—even in the most challenging situations.
Compassion: We work from the heart to nurture the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of each other and those we serve.
Accountability: We take personal and professional ownership of our performance.
Mission, Vision and Values
Mission:
To bring the best end-of-life experience to our communities by delivering unwavering strength, compassion and support.
Vision:
Everyone will embrace end-of-life care as a fundamental aspect of life’s journey and choose Unity as their partner for expert physical, emotional and spiritual support.
Core Values:
Excellence: We continuously challenge ourselves and are intensely focused on exceeding all expectations.
Collaboration: We communicate openly and honestly with a focus of maximizing our shared knowledge to cooperatively achieve common goals.
Integrity: We consistently do what is right—not what is easiest or popular—even in the most challenging situations.
Compassion: We work from the heart to nurture the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of each other and those we serve.
Accountability: We take personal and professional ownership of our performance.
Why Choose Unity?
Unity is the only locally owned and operated nonprofit hospice in the region. With over 40 years’ experience as an innovator in hospice and palliative care, we are here to deliver strength, compassion and support. We remain committed to reinvest our financial resources back into patient care to improve the wellbeing of those in our community.
Nonprofit
Nonprofit hospices have been shown to provide*:
- wider ranges of services
- higher staff to patient ratios
- a more comprehensive grief support program
- charity care
*Source: National Hospice Survey Results For-Profit Status, JAMA Internal Medicine, April 2014
Most Experienced
Unity, the first hospice in the state of Wisconsin and the third in the nation, has provided high quality, compassionate end-of-life care for over 40 years. Trust that our well established protocols and seasoned staff will exceed your expectations of care.
Local Partnerships
Unity is the sole provider of inpatient hospice at Bellin Green Bay Hospital, Bellin Oconto Hospital, HSHS St. Clare Hospital, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center, HSHS St. Vincent Hospital, Marinette Aurora Bay Area Medical Center and Door County Medical Center. We also partner with area nursing homes & assisted living facilities to ensure seamless care in all settings.
Rapid Response Time
Unity’s local care teams, coupled with our partnership with area pharmacies and agencies enable us to ensure prompt pain and symptom control as well emotional and spiritual support to patients and families.
Veteran Care
Our end-of-life experts are specially trained in recognizing and supporting the needs of Veterans while promoting dignity, appreciation and respect. Our Veteran-to-Veteran Volunteer Program and other unique Veteran-centered services ensure a meaningful end-of-life journey.
Community Grief Support
Navigating through the grieving process after the loss of a loved one can be difficult. Unity’s grief programs support not only family and friends of Unity patients, but also all members of the community. Unity offers a broad offering of regional grief support groups including Generations, the area’s only support group for children and teens.
Jack and Engrid Meng Hospice Residence
Unity’s Jack and Engrid Meng Residence provides an alternative care option for those seeking either around-the-clock skilled nursing care or temporary caregiver relief. Located on 34 acres in De Pere, Wisconsin, experience compassionate care in a private room.
Community Impact
Each year with a grateful heart, Unity reflects on the patients, families, and community members we have been privileged to serve. We recognize each journey as unique and special and find inspiration in their stories. We invite you to review our annual report and learn how we continue to enhance the lives of our friends and neighbors throughout Northeast Wisconsin.
View highlights from our most recent annual report
View past issues of our full annual reports
Our Leadership
Alisa Gerke
Executive Director
Katie Bischoff
Senior Director of Nursing Services
Jessica Grimm
Senior Director of Finance and Support Services
Christi Schlueter
Senior Director of Business Development, Quality and Psychosocial Services
David Schrier, MD
Medical Director
Executive Team
Tom Bayer
HSHS Eastern Wisconsin Divison
Doreen Kluth
HSHS EWD/Prevea
Jody Wilmet
Bellin Health
Management Committee
Functions as Unity’s Board of Directors
Tom Bayer
HSHS Eastern Wisconsin Division
Brian Burnette, MD
Green Bay Oncology
Amy James, MD
Bellin Health
Doreen Kluth
HSHS EWD/Prevea
Sally Luehring
HSHS Eastern Wisconsin Division
Paul Pritchard, MD
Prevea Health
Lois Van Abel
Bellin Health
Helen Wellens, APNP, NP
Bellin Health
Jody Wilmet
Bellin Health
Community Development Council
Functions as Unity’s Philanthropy Ambassadors
Jo Beno
Nicolet National Bank
Mike Blaney
Retired Funeral Director
Dee Geurts-Bengtson
St. Norbert College
Tom Mahoney
St. Francis Xavier & Saints Peter and Paul Church
Joe Schinkten
Director Emeritus, Ryan Funeral Home
Patient and Family Advisory Council
Was someone close to you served by Unity? Would you like to share your personal experience about Unity’s care and support in a small group setting to help guide and improve our services?
Please consider joining Unity’s Patient & Family Advisory Council, a small group of volunteer advisors who meet the first Tuesday of every other month. Special background or training is not required. We simply want your constructive feedback and opinions on a range of topics including Unity’s admission process, care program offering, community outreach and more. To join the Council or learn more, call Tracey Mayo, Quality Manager at 920-338-1111.
Our Story
A true pioneer in end-of-life care, Unity has the distinction of having opened the state’s first hospice care program in 1977, the state’s first palliative care program in 2002 and the area’s first hospice residence in 2007.
Timeline
2017
Unity Resale Shoppe, LLC Opens
Unity opens the Unity Hospice Resale Shoppe, LLC, providing a meaningful and inviting place for the community to donate or purchase cherished household goods and clothing.2007
Jack & Engrid Meng Hospice Residence Opens
Unity opens the Jack and Engrid Meng Hospice Residence, the first end-of-life care facility in the community.2006
Unity Breaks Ground on New Campus
Unity breaks ground on a new 34-acre campus in De Pere, Wisconsin, for its Hospice Residence, Administrative Office and planned Memorial Gardens.2002
Unity Offers Palliative Care
Unity begins offering palliative care. It becomes the first hospice organization in Northeast Wisconsin to offer a free-standing palliative care program, providing holistic physical, emotional and spiritual care to patients diagnosed with a life-limiting illness.1993
Unity Begins Offering Hospice & Bereavement Care
Unity, a partnership of Bellin Health, St. Mary’s and St. Vincent Hospitals, begins offering hospice and bereavement care to the community on March 1. A staff of 18, assisted by 85 volunteers, serves the daily needs of 30 patients in a 25-mile radius of Green Bay.1990
Bellin Health & St. Mary’s Hospital Combine Efforts
Realizing that a hospital-based hospice cannot meet all community needs, representatives of Bellin Health, St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center and St. Vincent Hospital create a plan to combine efforts.1977
Bellin Health Founds Bellin Hospice
Inspired by changing attitudes in London to alleviate human suffering, leaders from Bellin Health travel to England to learn from Dame Saunders’ experience. In June, Bellin Health founds Bellin Hospice, the first hospice in Wisconsin and one of the first hospices in the nation.1974
First Hospice Established in Connecticut
The United States’ first hospice, Connecticut Hospice, is established in New Haven, Connecticut.1967
Dame Cicely Saunders Founds St. Christopher’s Hospice in London, England
Dame Cicely Saunders (1918-2005), a nurse, medical social worker and physician, recognizes the importance of her patients’ emotional and spiritual needs, as well as physical symptoms, and founds St. Christopher’s Hospice in London, England. It is the first research and teaching hospice linked with patient care.Blog & News Releases
View the latest announcements to learn more about organization news and community involvement.
Myth: Hospice Care is the Same as Home Health
Read More
Myth: Hospice is Expensive
Read More
Myth: Hospice is Only for the Last Days of Life
Read More
Media Room
Press Kit
Media Contact
Christy Brozak, Director of Marketing
(920) 339-6772
Images
If you are a member of the media and would like to obtain high resolution images for editorial coverage, please contact our Director of Marketing at (920) 339-6772. Proper photo credit must accompany each use: “Courtesy of Unity Hospice”.
Photos may not be used for advertising or other commercial purposes without prior written consent from Unity Hospice.
Digital Assets
Do you have a personal interest in supporting quality end-of-life care? Consider joining Unity’s Community Development Council.
