Circle of Life Hospice

Nonprofit finalist
Circle of Life Hospice
Springdale

Executive director: Catherine Grubbs
Year founded: 1992
Line of work: Providing end-of-life care for patients diagnosed with a life-limiting advanced illness
Website: nwacircleoflife.com

Founded in 1992 as part of Communities Home Care, Circle of Life became an independent nonprofit hospice organization in 2000 under the direction of a community-based board of directors.

A pivotal moment came in 2005 when Circle of Life opened the first free-standing hospice home in Northwest Arkansas. Since then, the organization has steadfastly grown, adapting to meet the region’s evolving needs.

Circle of Life serves residents of Benton, Washington, Carroll and Madison counties. Its dedicated team of doctors, nurses, chaplains, social workers, hospice aides, bereavement counselors and volunteers provides compassionate, high-quality care for individuals facing serious illness and those in need of end-of-life care. Services are rendered across various settings, including homes, nursing facilities, assisted living centers, and hospice homes in Bentonville and Springdale.

Circle of Life has grown exponentially since its inception. The average number of patients cared for daily grew by 16% from 2022 to 2023, and in the past 20 years, the number of patients cared for each day increased from 58 to 344.

Circle of Life also takes pride in its commitment to continuous improvement in patient care. Recent endeavors include introducing complementary services such as the Care Navigation program and Personal Care services.

Executive director Catherine Grubbs attributes the organization’s success to its focus on internal growth and community-centric practices. Rather than fixating on competitors, Circle of Life prioritizes internal improvement, ensuring that it consistently meets the evolving needs of its clientele. With a solemn understanding of the sanctity of hospice care, the team operates with a philosophy that there are no second chances in their line of work.

Northwest Arkansas’ growing healthcare landscape has significantly influenced Circle of Life’s trajectory. With the region witnessing a surge in demand for healthcare services, including hospice care, the organization has strategically aligned itself to meet the growing needs. Collaborations with various healthcare providers have facilitated referrals and streamlined service delivery, contributing to Circle of Life’s expansion.

Looking ahead, Circle of Life envisions continued growth and community integration. The organization is poised to expand its existing hospice care with additional complementary services, catering to the growing desire among individuals to age in place. Supported by a network of individuals and foundations sharing its vision, Circle of Life will continue to focus on its mission to provide exceptional care to the Northwest Arkansas community, irrespective of financial constraints. Through initiatives such as the Circle of Life Foundation’s charity care endowment, the organization remains committed to accessible and compassionate end-of-life care for all.