Hospice of Marion County Foundation Names Rochelle Kelly Wristen as Executive Director

Hospice of Marion County Foundation — the philanthropic arm of Empath Hospice of Marion County — has named Rochelle Kelly Wristen as its new Executive Director, the organization announced on April 28, 2026.

In her new role, Wristen will lead the Foundation's philanthropic strategy in support of Hospice of Marion County's mission to provide compassionate, not-for-profit hospice care, grief support, dementia education, and veteran services throughout Ocala and Marion County.

A Two-Decade Track Record in Hospice and Philanthropy

Wristen most recently served in senior hospice leadership roles with Compassus Hospice, Gentiva Hospice, and CenterCare Hospice of Colorado. Before her hospice work, she held senior philanthropy, marketing, and community engagement roles at organizations including El Pueblo Boys and Girls Ranch, St. Mary Corwin Hospital, and Special Olympics — a résumé that pairs end-of-life care expertise with deep fundraising and community-building experience.

That blend matters in Marion County, where Hospice of Marion County has served families for more than 40 years and where charitable giving directly underwrites the supportive services that insurance does not cover — bereavement counseling, dementia education, and the organization's veteran services programs.

"I am honored to join Hospice of Marion County Foundation and to support an organization that has served this community with compassion for more than 40 years," Wristen said. "I look forward to partnering with donors, volunteers, and community leaders to expand support for patients and families when they need it most."

How the Foundation Fits Into Empath Health

Hospice of Marion County Foundation is one of four foundations united under the leadership of Deborah Johnson, CFRE, Chief Philanthropy and Communications Officer for Empath Health. The other three are Suncoast Hospice Foundation, Tidewell Foundation, and Trustbridge Foundation.

Each of the four foundations maintains its distinct identity and local focus, but the unified structure provides a shared vision that strengthens philanthropic strategy, supports collaboration, and extends Empath's mission-driven impact across the state of Florida.

Johnson welcomed Wristen to the role.

"Rochelle brings a deep sense of purpose to this work, grounded in both hospice experience and a lifelong commitment to philanthropy and community," Johnson said. "She understands that behind every gift and every partnership is a person or family in need, and that perspective is essential to advancing Hospice of Marion County's mission."

What Hospice of Marion County Does

Founded in 1983, Hospice of Marion County is a not-for-profit organization and a member of Empath Health, providing expert end-of-life care to patients and families wherever they call home. The Hospice of Marion County Foundation helps ensure access to essential hospice and supportive services through charitable giving and community partnerships.

For four decades, the organization has been one of the quieter but more consequential Marion County nonprofits — the kind families turn to in their hardest weeks, often through a referral from a hospital, a primary care doctor, or another family who has been there. Programs span hospice care at home, inpatient care at the Hospice House on SE 110th Street, grief support groups for adults and children, dementia education for caregivers, and a veteran-specific care program that recognizes the unique end-of-life needs of those who served.

About Empath Health

Empath Health is a pioneering not-for-profit health network redefining healthcare through Full Life Care, supporting chronic, post-acute, end-of-life, and grief care needs across Florida and beyond. Its full spectrum of services includes home health, palliative care, all-inclusive elder care (PACE), geriatric primary care, dementia education and care, HIV/STI prevention, grief support, and compassionate hospice care through seven programs: Empath Hospice, Hospice of Marion County, Suncoast Hospice, Suncoast Hospice of Hillsborough, Tidewell Hospice, and Trustbridge Hospice (Hospice by the Sea and Hospice of Palm Beach County).

With decades of trusted service and deep community roots, Empath Health reaches more than 100,000 lives each year and serves one in five hospice patients statewide.

Press Release

The full official announcement is available for download: Download the Hospice of Marion County Foundation press release (.docx).

For more on local nonprofits and community leadership, see our Ocala news coverage and the Only In Ocala events calendar.