Suncoast Hospice and its parent organization, Empath Health, and Tidewell Hospice and its parent organization, Stratum Health System, last week announced a new strategic alliance to be known as Pontus Health, Inc. Suncoast Hospice provides services to Pinellas County residents, while Tidewell Hospice serves residents of Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and DeSoto counties. Together, they serve more than 16,000 patients a year. The creation of Pontus Health allows the two nonprofits to share best practices, develop purchasing efficiencies and expand their end-of-life care offerings. Additional nonprofit end-of-life care organizations may join the alliance in the future, according to a press release. For more information about Tidewell Hospice and the changing nature of hospice care in the United States, click here to read a story in our sister publication, Sarasota Magazine.