OUR Mission

Program

Palliative & Supportive Care of Nantucket is a specialized health care program dedicated to providing excellent physical, psychological, social and spiritual care for persons with serious illness and their families and caregivers.


Foundation

Palliative & Supportive Care of Nantucket Foundation is dedicated to funding all PASCON’s programs and services so that they may be provided free to the community without insurance reimbursement and to educating the community and raising awareness about palliative and supportive care issues.

The PASCON Foundation

Palliative & Supportive Care of Nantucket Foundation is a 501(c)3 registered nonprofit organization that works to raise funds so that all PASCON’s services are provided free of charge. 


We believe that symptom management, emotional and spiritual care and family support should be available to everyone living with serious illness without concern for insurance networks, deductibles, co-pays or reimbursements. 


Through generous contributions from Nantucket’s extended community, our staff strives to help patients and families understand their illness and navigate their medical options while prioritizing patient choice and a high quality of life.

Working hand in hand with Nantucket Cottage Hospital allows us to give patients and families truly coordinated care, wherever they are. We’re thankful for their steadfast partnership and shared devotion to this community.

We are grateful for the ongoing support of  Swim Across America, our largest financial supporter.

Board of Directors

Andrea Giletti

Co-chair

Emily Molden

Co-chair

Gene Briskman

Treasurer

 Lara Hanson

Secretary/Clerk

Jeremy Bloomer

Jana Burch

Hilary I. Don

Jeanne Geddes

Sharon Hartley

Kim Higgins

Alison Holliday

Andrea Katz

Cathy Lennon

Lindsley Matthews

Nicole Strauss

Staff of the Foundation

Sue Mynttinen

Managing Director

Our History

In the 1980s, a small group of parishioners of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church identified the need for hospice care on Nantucket. Approximately 40 people underwent volunteer training by Connecticut Hospice. A few nurses volunteered, but for the most part it was lay volunteers that spent time with patients with terminal illness. A physician, nurse and social worker were available as advisors. The loosely organized program was named Hospice Care of Nantucket (HCON) and a board was formed to provide oversight and support. An average of 17 patients per year received support. Grateful families and occasional supportive community members made donations to the program.


In 1987, two events occurred which altered the entire program and its structure. The Department of Public Health mandated that a specific set of professional healthcare services be offered, in addition to the lay volunteers. This is when the first hospice nurse was hired. Secondly a patient, Charles Rothe bequeathed his estate to HCON, with the provision that the program operate independently. 


Over the years, the program expanded by providing palliative services to those with serious illnesses that were curable or chronic, not just end-of-life care. In 2008, the name of the program was changed to Palliative & Supportive Care of Nantucket. Hospice care is now provided by VNA of Cape Cod. While PASCON operates as a department of Nantucket Cottage Hospital, it is fully funded by the PASCON Foundation.


PASCON staff currently provides services for 75-85 patients and an equal number of caregivers and family members. The need is great, the benefits proven, and the PASCON Foundation continues strives to sustain this vital community service.