South Wind Hospice was started in 1989 by the Church and Society Committee within the First United Methodist Church in Pratt. Community meetings were held to discuss the possibility of starting a hospice in Pratt. It was decided that Pratt was not big enough to support a hospice so neighboring counties were asked to join in the forming of a hospice. The first counties involved were Pratt, Barber, Comanche, Kiowa and Edwards. Those initial hospice pioneers decided to incorporate and form the fist multi-county hospice in Kansas.

The name South Wind Hospice was suggested by Dr. Donald Goering, a physician from Coldwater, as the south wind was something that everyone in each of the counties had in common.

Following the name selection, the group then decided to incorporate as a not-for-profit. Gordon Stull, an attorney in Pratt, volunteered his services for preparing the paperwork if the group could come up with the filing fee of $75. A hat was passed and exactly $75 was raised.

Funding for starting South Wind Hospice came from the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund in Hutchinson. South Wind Hospice received the largest multi-year grant given for hospices.

The first employee hired was the Executive Director. All other staff were volunteers in the beginning. The First United Methodist Church supplied the first office.

The next employees hired were a nurse and social worker who then also became Co-Executive Directors.

South Wind Hospice offices have been in many different buildings in Pratt before finding its permanent home at 126 S. Main. This building was the first building purchased by South Wind Hospice.

Many dreams have come true during the history of South Wind. One of these was a Hospice Home. The first part of this dream was again helped to life by the First United Methodist Church who had purchased a home that would become the South Wind Hospice Guest House in 2001. This home, in which we leased for the amount of property insurance, became a place for up to three hospice patients to call their home. The Guest House proved to be such a success that plans were started to build a new Hospice Home in which all levels of hospice care could be given.

In November 2006, the dream of the new Hospice Home became a reality thanks to generous donors who donated $3 million to build the 16,000 square foot home. The new home has 12 rooms and you can learn more by clicking here.

South Wind Hospice has offices in Pratt and Russell. The Russell office opened in 2003 to help serve our patients in the north part of the state more efficiently.

Another South Wind Hospice first is our Thrift Shop which is located at 311 S. Main in Pratt. This building was a gift from the Kenny & Sandy Gates family in 2004. The Thrift Shop has been a wonderful asset to not only South Wind Hospice but also the community. You can learn more about the Thrift Shop by clicking here.