PASADENA, Md. — Hospice of the Chesapeake announced a partnership with OnSite Medical House Calls on August 21, 2025, to provide in-home palliative care visits for patients with serious illnesses, combining expertise in advanced illness management with house call services to reduce hospital visits.
The collaboration allows Hospice of the Chesapeake to offer symptom management, care goal guidance and family support in patients’ homes, while maintaining clinics in Waldorf and Pasadena for in-person preferences. OnSite Medical House Calls, based in Woodbine, Md., specializes in primary, psychiatric and palliative care for medically complex, chronically ill and homebound individuals across the state.
“This partnership allows us to extend the reach of our palliative care team while keeping our clinics in Waldorf and Pasadena open to patients who prefer in-person visits,” said Becky Miller, CEO of Hospice of the Chesapeake. “By working together with OnSite Medical House Calls, we’re able to give continuity to our care—making sure patients and families have access to the support they need, whether in our clinics or at home.”
Nicole Bachmann, CRNP, Medical Director of OnSite Medical House Calls, added: “This partnership strengthens our shared mission to meet patients where they are, with the care they need and the compassion they deserve.”
Hospice of the Chesapeake, a nonprofit serving Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles and Prince George’s counties, has provided care for nearly 45 years, supporting over 59,000 patients and more than 100,000 family members with physical, psycho-social and spiritual services. The organization’s team includes physicians, nurses, certified nursing assistants, social workers, chaplains, counselors and volunteers, focusing on holistic needs for those with life-limiting illnesses.
OnSite Medical House Calls operates as a clinic/group practice, enrolled in Medicare since 2018, and delivers care in homes and assisted living facilities. The group emphasizes personalized support for patients unable to travel, aligning with Hospice of the Chesapeake’s goal to empower families with resources for quality of life.
In Maryland, palliative care access includes at least 189 certified prescribing providers, equating to 3.1 per 100,000 residents, according to a 2024 report from the Center to Advance Palliative Care. The state has pursued data-driven strategies to expand such services, as outlined in a 2023 final report to the Maryland Health Care Commission, recommending improvements in workforce, reimbursement and awareness.
Hospice of the Chesapeake’s Waldorf clinic, located in Charles County, serves Southern Maryland residents, where access to home-based care addresses transportation challenges in rural areas like Calvert and St. Mary’s counties. The partnership enhances options for local patients, reducing reliance on hospital-based palliative services.
Recent initiatives by Hospice of the Chesapeake include launching an advanced cardiac care program in February 2025, providing educational tools for heart disease management at home. In December 2024, the organization debuted a podcast series addressing medication management and holiday grief. Earlier in 2025, Hospice of the Chesapeake added two physicians to its team and welcomed new board members in July, including Vanessa Aburn, Dr. Tom-meka Archinard and Laural Brinkley.
Nationally, palliative care demand grows with an aging population; estimates project 10.4 million patients served by 2025, representing 14% of those needing specialized services. In Maryland, hospice utilization among Medicare decedents stands at about 50%, per America’s Health Rankings data.
Hospice of the Chesapeake consolidated its affiliates under one name in 2023, unifying Calvert Hospice and Hospice of Charles County to streamline operations. The organization seeks volunteers, marking 45 years of service in 2024 with programs honoring veterans.
For details on Hospice of the Chesapeake services or the partnership, visit www.hospicechesapeake.org or call 1-877-462-1102.
