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| Vol. 21, No. 23 |
| December 15, 1999 |
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July 1985 by RANDY ORMSBY Texas Medical Center News A Texas Medical Center institution that began as the result of one woman knocking on doors took another important step June 3 as the first inpatient hospice facility in Houston was officially opened by honorary chairman Barbara Bush, wife of Vice President George Bush. Located in a private wing on the fourth floor of St. Anthony's Center, 6301 Almeda, the new facility is an autonomous entity operated by the New Age Hospice of Houston, Inc., according to Cherry Hershberger, administrator. With offices located at 7 Chelsea Place, the New Age Hospice has offered home care hospice services since January 1983. It became the 30th Texas Medical Center institution December 15, 1983. Marion Wilson, founder and executive director, was acknowledged during the ceremonies for her unflagging spirit and tireless persistence which led, with the help of others, to the creation of the New Age Hospice. Knowing from personal experience the suffering and upheaval death can cause in families, Wilson began her door-knocking campaign after losing her 15-year-old son in a tragic accident. Although she knew little about how to begin a hospice, which in the late `70s was an almost-unheard-of concept in this country, she was convinced of the need and quickly persuaded others to share her vision. "The Texas Medical Center institutions are very proud that one of our 31 institutions is moving into such pleasant surroundings as those offered by St. Anthony's Center," said Dr. Richard E. Wainerdi, president, Texas Medical Center, during the brief dedication ceremonies. Wainerdi also pointed out that "The New Age Hospice is the only freestanding hospice that is part of a major medical center in the United States."
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