A New Place for Comfort, Close to Home: Weems Memorial Opens Hospice Care Room
June 19, 2026
Franklin County hospice care just got more accessible, giving families a local option for one of life’s hardest journeys.
On June 18, George E. Weems Memorial Hospital and Big Bend Hospice cut the ribbon on the Franklin County Big Bend Hospice In-Patient Care Unit, a dedicated room designed to give patients and families compassionate, end-of-life care without having to leave the county.
“We’re fortunate to have a local hospital that can provide a service like this,” said Weems Governing Board Chair Duffie Harrison. “Our goal has always been to keep care close to home, in our own community. It’s our people taking care of our community, and our local volunteers and Weems staff are who made this happen.”
The room gives families a comfortable, home-like space to be present with their loved ones, while Weems’ clinical team and Big Bend Hospice coordinate care side by side.
“We can’t help with the outcome, but we can offer comfort in the journey,” said Doris Carmichael, APRN, a hospice volunteer and President of the Big Bend Hospice Advisory for Franklin County. Carmichael, who lost her husband three years ago, said the work is close to her heart. “This room allows families to be at the bedside to offer the emotional support their loved one needs, while skilled nursing takes care of their medical needs.”
That partnership is central to how the room operates. Big Bend Hospice Chief Operating Officer Amanda Gustafson called it a continuation of a long-standing relationship between the two organizations. “When you can no longer be cared for at home, here you have 24-hour care,” Gustafson said, adding that the room also offers respite for exhausted caregivers who need a safe place for their loved one to stay.
Just outside the room, the Weems Healthcare Foundation funded a Reflecting Garden, a quiet outdoor space where loved ones can step away for a private moment, a phone call, or simply some fresh air.
“This is what Weems is about,” said CEO David Walker. “Partnerships, caring for our community, and increasing local access to care.”
The hospice room reflects a broader commitment at Weems: building services that allow Franklin County residents to receive high-quality care without traveling outside the community they call home.
