MCH Opens Palliative Care & Hospice Center

Monroe Community Hospital (MCH) is proud to announce the opening of Faith 4 Center, a state-of-the-art Palliative Care and Hospice Center dedicated to supporting patients and their loved ones through one of life’s most profound and emotional journeys.

“The impact of this unit on families and out broader community cannot be overstated,” Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new center. “This isn’t just a new wing of a hospital; it is a beacon of comfort, compassion, and dignity for individuals and families navigating some of life’s most challenging moments.”

The approximately 17,000-square-foot center, supported in part by a generous $50,000 grant from the Max and Marian Farash Foundation, is staffed by a dedicated MCH team committed to providing specialized, dignified end-of-life care.

The unit blends medical excellence with compassionate, holistic care that supports patients and their families physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Key features of the Palliative Care & Hospice Center include:

• Private rooms, each outfitted with comforting amenities such as cable television, white noise machines, and large sleep chairs for loved ones.

• Family overnight accommodations, including dedicated overnight rooms, showers, a kitchenette, and dining spaces to ensure that families can stay close during the most critical moments.

• Communal gathering and conference spaces, created in direct response to families' needs for private, reflective, and supportive spaces.

• A chapel and on-site pastoral care services, offering continuous access to spiritual support.

“This unit represents more than bricks and mortar — it reflects MCH’s unwavering commitment to compassionate care and community support,” said Alyssa Tallo, Executive Health Director at MCH. “We are creating an environment that restores dignity and grace to life’s final chapter.”

With specialized training provided through MCH’s partnership with the University of Rochester Medical Center, staff across disciplines — including nurses, physicians, social workers, and chaplains — will offer personalized, holistic support to each resident and their family.

Voices from the Community

The new unit was shaped by heartfelt feedback from families and care providers:

• “You have no dignity at the end — and that’s really what they’re giving back to you.”

• “We called them angels on Earth. MCH staff is just incredible.”

• “To have a dedicated space where you have a private room, with room for your family, is an incredible opportunity.”

Dr. Thomas Caprio, Chief Medical Officer for UR Medicine Home Care and Hospital Medical Director, said: “MCH is absolutely one of the best places to develop a unit like this. The need for residential end-of-life care in our community is great, and this unit offers a beautiful, meaningful solution.”

A private ceremony was held on Friday, July 25, to celebrate the opening of the new Palliative Care & Hospice Center, built using local union labor supported by MCH’s own Facilities staff.

About Monroe Community Hospital

Monroe Community Hospital is a long-term care facility known for its excellence in geriatric and specialized care. With nearly 200 years of service to the Rochester community, MCH continues to lead in innovation and compassion, offering essential care across the healthcare continuum.