This Op-Ed by Fred Briccetti, MD, retired oncologist; and Nick Perencevich, MD, retired surgeon; was recently published by the Concord Monitor.

When one of us was considering oncology opportunities in the Northeast early in his career, New Hampshire stood out because it already offered something rare: a strong hospice program and access to a dedicated Hospice House. Such facilities were virtually unheard of where he had trained in New York City. It reflected a community that understood the importance of caring for people not only when they could be cured, but also when they – and their loved ones – needed comfort and support.

When the other arrived in Concord in the late 1980s he was immediately struck by the area’s spirit of compassion and service. That commitment extended into health care, where he saw a talented nursing community and dedicated providers working together to meet the needs of patients and families.

When Hospice House opened in Concord in 1994, it represented a groundbreaking step forward. As the first hospice house in New Hampshire and among the first in the U.S., it gave families another option when care at home was no longer possible and a hospital setting was not the right fit. For physicians caring for seriously ill patients, it filled a critical gap in the continuum of care.

More than three decades later, the need remains just as urgent, if not more so.

Families continue to face difficult decisions when a loved one approaches the end of life. They deserve access to a place designed specifically to provide expert clinical care, emotional support, and a comforting environment during those moments. Hospice House has done exactly that for countless individuals throughout the region.

It is no secret that New Hampshire has one of the oldest populations in the country, second only to Maine. As our population ages and demand for end-of-life care grows, it is our responsibility to ensure that this resource remains available for future generations. Renovating and strengthening Hospice House through a dedicated endowment is not simply about preserving a building. It is about reaffirming our community’s commitment to caring for one another with compassion and dignity.

We are honored to serve on the Hospice House Capital Campaign Steering Committee because we believe this mission reflects the very best of New Hampshire. Hospice House has offered care and comfort to our neighbors, friends, and family members for decades. Now it is our turn to care for and preserve Hospice House.

The measure of a community is not only how it celebrates life, but how it supports people at the end of their lives. Hospice House has long been there when New Hampshire families from all walks of life needed it most. Together, through the Legacy & Promise campaign, we can ensure it remains a vital community resource for generations to come.