Good Shepherd Hospice
A hospice in Lakeland, Florida 33805
3470 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland, Florida 33805. (863) 682-0067.
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The short answer
Record last released by CMS on Oct 23, 2026. We couldn’t read Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ list since Oct 27, 2026: qcor.cms.gov now refuses our reader. This record is as of then.
- 4 deficiencies cited in the last three years
- 4of 5 family caregiver rating
- 10of 10 CMS’s Hospice Care Index
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean3
- Star ratings
- CMS rates some kinds of place from 1 to 5 stars, more stars meaning better on CMS’s own measures for that kind: for a nursing home, its health inspections, staffing and quality measures. A rating is CMS’s summary of those measures; it doesn’t promise good care. Source: CMS, Care Compare and the Five-Star Quality Rating System.
- Inspection (survey)
- A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
- Deficiency, citation, violation
- What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
What did inspectors find?
4 deficiencies cited in the last three years
The middle of the 8 hospices serving ZIP code 33805 had 5.
The last inspection on record was on Aug 5, 2025: a complaint inspection by the state.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, Hospice ZIP Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
When those deficiencies happened
4 deficiencies in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Dec 2023. Most serious: Standard-level. The last 3 years, to Oct 27, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Nov | Dec | ||||||||||
| 2024 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2025 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2026 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
Hover or focus a month to read it.
Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.
Each deficiency, as cited
Rule titles as CMS’s inspectors cite them, set in sentence case.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Dec 8, 2023: reaccreditation inspection by The Joint Commission4 deficiencies
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Timeframe for completion of assessment (42 CFR 418.54(b))
The inspectors’ words, 170 words
“Observed in Record Review. In 4 of 20 patient records reviewed, for active patients, It was noted by the nurse surveyor that the comprehensive assessment was not completed within five calendar days of the election of hospice care. For RRNHV#1 the Chaplain completed his part of the comprehensive assessment on day six there was no documentation to explain the delay. RRNHV#8, the Medical Social Worker completed her part of the comprehensive assessment on day six, there was no documentation in the EMR to explain the delay. RRNHV#12, the neither the Chaplain nor the Social Worker completed their initial comprehensive assessment. There was no documentation from the Chaplain to indicate that he had attempted a visit. The Social did attempt a call but was not able to reach the patient. RRNHV#14, the Social Worker had not completed her initial assessment within the five-day time frame. There was no documentation to explain why it had been missed. Findings were verified by the Compliance Manager – Good Shepherd and the Chief Compliance Officer.”
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Content of comprehensive assessment (42 CFR 418.54(c)(6)(iv))
“Observed in Patient Home. In 1 of 6 home visits conducted, it was noted by the nurse surveyor the nurse conducted a medication assessment per the agency’s Medication Managment for Hospice policy but failed to identify an error. For RRHV#5, the order was for Magnesium Citrate oral solution 75ml by mouth every day for constipation, however the bottle label from the pharmacy read “Take ½ bottle weekly as needed. Finding was verified by the Compliance Manager – Good Shepherd.”
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Content of plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(c)(4))
The inspectors’ words, 169 words
“Observed in Record Review. In 3 of 20 resident records reviewed, for active patients, it was noted by the nurse surveyor that medication orders were not clear and accurate. Review of RRHV#4 found that an PRN order for Famotidine oral tablet did not include an indication or symptom for when the medication was to be taken. For RRHV#5, there were multiple medications (Bisacodyl oral tablets 5mg, Bisacodyl Rectal Suppositories 10 mg, and Sennosides/Docusate Sodium oral tablets 8.6mg-50mg) for constipation but no indications of when to take which one. For RRHV#6, the order read: Sennosides/Docusate Sodium oral tablets 8.6mg-50mg, take 1-2 tablets daily as needed for constipation, with no indication of when to take one or two tablets. RRNHV#11, also had multiple medications ordered for constipation to include Sennosides/Docusate Sodium oral tablets 8.6mg-50mg, take 1-2 tablets daily as needed for constipation and Milk of Magnesia daily 30ml by mouth as needed daily, again without indications of when to take what. Findings were verified by the Compliance Manager – Good Shepherd.”
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N/a (42 CFR 418.110(d)(1)(i))
“Observed in Tracer Visit. In 1 of 3 Hospice Home LSC Tours, it was noted by the nurse surveyor the a designated EXIT door at end of patient room wing #1, had sign on it that said Employees Only thus confusing the means of egress. Finding was verified by the Facilities Director and signage was immediately removed. This finding was observed during survey activity, but corrected onsite prior to the surveyor’s departure. The corrective action taken needs to be included in the organization’s Evidence of Standards Compliance submission.”
All 2 inspections in the last three years
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 5, 2025 | Complaint inspection by the state | No deficiencies cited |
| Dec 8, 2023 | Reaccreditation inspection by The Joint Commission | 4 deficiencies cited |
Is it certified?
- Medicare-certified hospice since Mar 21, 2008.
- Ownership: non-profit.
- No For hospices, home health agencies, hospitals and dialysis facilities, CMS writes deficiencies at two levels. Standard is the usual one; condition-level is the more serious, when a problem is serious enough that the provider doesn’t meet a whole condition of taking part in Medicare. Source: CMS, State Operations Manual. deficiency or CMS’s most serious finding: the place’s failure to meet a rule caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment or death to someone in its care. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 489.3. on record in the last three years.
CMS, Hospice General Information. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Has anything been proven against it?
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospices, so none are shown.
- 0 deficiencies cited in the last three years came from inspections that included a complaint investigation.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Who does the caring?
- From Medicare claims (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024): 13.5 nurse care minutes per routine home care day, 9.2% of skilled nursing minutes at weekends and a visit near death for 97.4% of patients who died.
- Where its patients were cared for (Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024): 68% at home, 14% in assisted living, 13% in a nursing facility, 1% in a hospital, 4% in an inpatient hospice.
CMS, Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | This provider |
|---|---|
| Nurse care minutes per routine home care day | 13.5 min |
| Skilled nursing minutes at weekends | 9.2% |
| Visits near death | 97.4% of patients who died |
Who owns it?
- Chapters Health System Inc. owns 100% directly since May 1, 2008.
- Chapters Health System Inc. runs it.
- 18 owners or officers are people: Stuart C Owens (managing employee (on the payroll), 0%); James Joiner (corporate officer); James Joiner (corporate director); Tara Friedman (managing employee (under contract), 0%); Tracy Robert (managing employee (under contract), 0%); Andrew K Molosky (managing employee (under contract)); Todd A Webb (managing employee (under contract), 0%); Rhonda G White (managing employee (under contract), 0%); Valerie Zolman (managing employee (under contract), 0%); Manfred Zenkner (managing employee (on the payroll), 0%); Jason M D’auria (managing employee (under contract), 0%); Sheri Strobel (managing employee (under contract), 0%); Anne Furr (corporate director); Harold Bennett (corporate director, 0%); Nicole Romence (managing employee (under contract), 0%); Crystal Bucciarelli (managing employee (under contract)); Crystal Bucciarelli (corporate director); Clifford Rhoades (corporate director, 0%).
- No private-equity firm among the owners CMS lists.
- No real-estate investment trust among the owners CMS lists.
CMS, Hospice All Owners and Hospice Enrollments. Released Sep 29, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Organisation | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapters Health System Inc. | Owns 5% or more directly | 100% | May 1, 2008 |
| Chapters Health System Inc. | Runs it (operational or managerial control) | May 1, 2008 |
What do families say?
- Family caregivers rate it 4 of 5 in CMS’s survey (Oct 1, 2023 to Sep 30, 2025): 85% rated it 9 or 10 out of 10, and 89% would definitely recommend it.
- CMS’s Hospice Care Index: 10 of 10 (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
- 99.88% of patients were assessed on all seven of CMS’s measures at the start of care (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025); 61.9% had visits from a nurse or social worker on at least 2 of their last 3 days (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
CMS, CAHPS Hospice Survey and Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | Rating |
|---|---|
| Family caregiver survey ratingCMS star rating from its survey of patients’ family caregivers, 1 to 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Hospice Care IndexCMS’s Hospice Care Index, 0 to 10 (higher is better): a point for each of ten measures from Medicare claims on which the hospice meets CMS’s threshold | 10 of 10 |
How does it compare nearby?
- Of the 8 hospices CMS’s data show serving patients in ZIP code 33805, where this hospice’s office is, the middle number of deficiencies cited in the last three years was 5; this one had 4.
CMS, Hospice ZIP Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Place | Deficiencies, 3 years |
|---|---|
| Good Shepherd Hospice This hospice | 4 |
| Compassionate Care Hospice of Central Florida Inc. | 6 |
| Empath Hospice, LLC | 0 |
| Lifepath Hospice | 16 |
| Hph Hospice | 21 |
| Hospice of Lake & Sumter Inc. | 0 |
| Vitas Healthcare Corporation of Florida | 62 |
| Suncoast Hospice of Hillsborough, LLC | 0 |
What the record doesn’t say
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospices, so none are shown.
- Only complaints that led to a citation appear; complaints that didn’t aren’t published.
- CMS ended its Special Focus Program for hospices with serious problems on Feb 14, 2025, so no hospice is marked as one.
- Hospice quality measures have a gap from October 2025: CMS replaced its patient assessment then, and public results from the new one (HOPE) are expected around November 2027.
Sources
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice General Information (yc9t-dgbk).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice Provider Data (252m-zfp9).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CAHPS Hospice Survey (gxki-hrr8).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, QCOR hospice inspection reports (Hospice Survey Reports - Oct 2021 through Sep 2026.xlsx).
Released Oct 23, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice All Owners (e983965e-1603-4cb8-82b5-c40090e380d1).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice Enrollments (25704213-e833-4b8b-9dbc-58dd17149209).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice ZIP Data (95rg-2usp).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: CMS. CMS’s own record is on Care Compare. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.
This copy of the record was made on Oct 27, 2026.
From the hospice
The public record above comes first. Anything the hospice adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.
Replies
None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the hospice will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.
Paid listing
None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the hospice”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.