About the Fund
In the 1970s, hospice care was virtually unknown in South Florida. Thanks to the vision and determination of Stella Monchick, the concept was introduced to Palm Beach County, where it continues to thrive today.
A longtime nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital, St. Mary’s Medical Center and in private practice, Stella witnessed firsthand the challenges families faced during a loved one’s final days. One experience, in particular, left a profound impact on her: watching the husband of a terminally ill patient break down outside her hospital room door. “Throughout my nursing career, I realized that family members and caregivers had a very tough time dealing with illness and death,” Stella said. “They were virtually ignored.”
Seeking a better way, Stella learned about the emerging hospice movement during her studies at Florida Atlantic University. Inspired by its philosophy of compassionate care for both patients and families, she founded Hospice of Palm Beach County in 1978. With determination and the help of volunteers, she educated the community, raised essential funding, and secured medical support. “I felt that hospice could meet the needs of the caregiver as well as the patient,” she explained.
Stella’s efforts extended beyond Palm Beach County. “Stella Monchick’s contributions to the hospice movement were profound,” said Harry A. Johnston II, former president of the Florida Senate and former U.S. Representative. “Not only did she passionately pursue the establishment of a hospice organization in Palm Beach County, but she went to Tallahassee and convinced the Florida Legislature to enact the nation’s first bill to codify the law governing hospices — much of which she authored.”
From humble beginnings, Hospice of Palm Beach County grew rapidly, fueled by Stella’s tireless advocacy and a transformational $3 million bequest in 1982. Though personal circumstances later required her to step back from day-to-day leadership, Stella watched the hospice’s growth with deep pride. “I think it’s the biggest thing I’ve accomplished in my life,” she said later. “When I look back at how far we’ve come, I’m amazed.”
To continue her legacy, Stella established the Stella Monchick-West Hospice Educational Fund at the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. The fund ensures hospice staff and volunteers stay informed about the latest advances in compassionate care through ongoing professional development and training. Stella chose the Community Foundation as the steward of her fund because she shared its commitment to serving the community with professionalism and care.
As the fund grows through additional contributions, so too does Stella’s lasting impact — ensuring that patients and families in Palm Beach County continue to receive the kind of support and dignity she dedicated her life to providing.
