Big Bend Hospice: Community Experts in End-of-Life Care

Founded in 1983 as the first non-profit hospice in Tallahassee, we remain grounded in our Big Bend region, serving families across Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla counties. We take pride in offering personalized care and exceptional support, ensuring your loved one receives the dignity and respect they deserve.

Our Expertise, Your Peace of Mind

  • CHAP-accredited: Demonstrating our commitment to the highest quality standards.
  • Dedicated Team: Skilled nurses, physicians, social workers, chaplains, music therapists, and volunteers working together to address your loved one’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
  • Holistic Care: Pain and symptom management, emotional and spiritual support, bereavement services, and volunteer companionship – creating a comfortable and dignified experience.

Our Expertise, Your Peace of Mind

  • CHAP-accredited: Demonstrating our commitment to the highest quality standards.
  • Dedicated Team: Skilled nurses, physicians, social workers, chaplains, music therapists, and volunteers working together to address your loved one’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
  • Holistic Care: Pain and symptom management, emotional and spiritual support, bereavement services, and volunteer companionship – creating a comfortable and dignified experience.

Care Wherever You Call Home

More Than Just Care, A Community Commitment

Big Bend Hospice goes beyond direct care, actively collaborating to improve end-of-life care across the Big Bend region. We engage in educational initiatives, advocate for patient rights, and work to ensure everyone has access to the resources they need.

Don’t face this difficult time alone. Contact Big Bend Hospice today. Let us guide you with compassion, expertise, and unwavering support through life’s final journey.

Together, we can make every moment count. 

More Than Just Care, A Community Commitment

Big Bend Hospice goes beyond direct care, actively collaborating to improve end-of-life care across the Big Bend region. We engage in educational initiatives, advocate for patient rights, and work to ensure everyone has access to the resources they need.

Don’t face this difficult time alone. Contact Big Bend Hospice today. Let us guide you with compassion, expertise, and unwavering support through life’s final journey.

Together, we can make every moment count. 

If you would like to learn more about our care, please call us at 850-878-5310 or 24/7, toll-free at 800-772-5862.

Executive Leadership Team

Bill Wertman, MSW, LSSGB

Chief Executive Officer and Administrator

Bill Wertman received both his BSW and MSW from Florida State University. He also taught graduate courses at the FSU College of Social Work for 10 years.

Bill came to Big Bend Hospice (BBH) in 2015 as the HR Director. He currently serves BBH as CEO and Administrator. As CEO, Bill is responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the organization’s programs and services to meet its mission.

“I chose to work for hospice because I believe in the mission of hospice. I believe that taking care of patients and their families at the end of life is the greatest privilege. I have worked in the not-for-profit sector for the last 20 years and I cannot imagine working anyplace else but the world of non-profits. It is a blessing to be here.”

Jon Wood, CPA, LSSBB

Chief Operating Officer

Mr. Wood is responsible for building teams, mitigating risk, overseeing day-to-day operations, and providing timely and accurate financial information. Additionally, he assists in developing a Big Bend Hospice (BBH) business model for advancing the continuum of care for those in our community.

Jon, a certified public accountant and a Lean Six-Sigma black belt, holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Arkansas Tech University. He is a seasoned hospice finance executive, serving multiple hospice agencies simultaneously in a leadership role as Chief Financial Officer and as a Consultant to organization leadership. Jon’s 20 plus years of healthcare experience ranges from large for-profit hospital systems (Tenet, Triad, and Community Health Systems), to start-up physician partnerships.

“Through my experience in end-of-life care, I’ve discovered a passion to serve the hospice community, and a desire to help navigate it through this time of tremendous change,” says Wood. “Big Bend Hospice has an amazing culture, which is demonstrated by an engaged workforce, board and community all dedicated its success. I look forward to becoming part of that collective team. ”

Originally from Dallas, Texas, Jon’s healthcare finance career began in an occupational healthcare company headquartered in North Dallas. His work with hospitals began in 2000, and he spent the next six years with for-profit hospital companies as an internal auditor, analyst, controller, and assistant CFO. In 2007, he became a finance director with a for-profit agency in South Carolina. Jon’s hospice tenure includes consulting engagements with Multi-View Incorporated, and as CFO with three community-based nonprofit organizations. Jon has ten years of experience in hospice finance and operations.

Deborah Morris, MD

Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Morris received her MD degree from the University of Florida, Gainesville, and then completed her residency in Internal Medicine at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk. She served as a Chief Resident following which she completed her fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at Duke University, where she also completed a research fellowship and training program. While working as the Medical Director for Hospice and Palliative Care at multiple healthcare organizations in Virginia, she also maintained a faculty appointment at the East Virginia Medical School.

Dr. Morris is certified through the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She has been listed as one of the Top Docs in hospice and palliative medicine in the Coastal Virginia Magazine.

Board of Directors

Scott Harrell, Chairman
Kenneth Pratt, Esq., Vice Chairman
Bennett Napier, CAE, Secretary
William Smith, III, Treasurer
Jeannine Silberman
, MD, At Large
Gwynn Virostek, At Large
Stan Barnes
, Foundation Chair
Rheb Harbison, Emeritus

Suma Dondapati, MD
Bruce Gould, CPA
Judy Greenwald
Mark O’Bryant
Tim Sanders
Katie Webb, Esq.

Bill Wertman, MSW
CEO/Administrator

Deborah Morris, MD
Chief Medical Officer

Emeritus Members

Rheb Harbison
Brant Copeland, DMin
R. B. Holmes, Jr., DMin
David Jones, MD
A. J. Smith, Sheriff