Russell Murray Hospice

The Hospice Concept is Ancient…. 

The hospice concept is an ancient one. The Hospice of St. John, cir. 1046, was the first established hospice known.  Located in Jerusalem as way station where weary and sick pilgrims could stop and refresh themselves or receive medical care. In 1967, Dame Cicely Saunders established the first hospice in modern times, St. Christopher’s Hospicelocated in a residential suburb of London. TSt. Christopher’s hospice is still the “flagship model” for the hospice movement, as we know it.

Our Story…..Caring for Generations

Russell-Murray Hospice was co-founded in 1988 by Cathie Sales, RN, and Vicki Myers, RN, both of El Reno, Oklahoma.  Upon graduating from the El Reno Junior College Nursing Program in 1983, they dreamed of establishing a locally owned and operated hospice for the terminally ill. The hospice is named in memory and honor of their fathers, John Mart Russell and Hardee LeRoy Murray, who both suffered with terminal illnesses. RMH is a free-standing tax-exempt, non-profit, 501C3 organization.  Operating as a non-profit hospice allows us to fulfill our mission to care for all who qualify for services, regardless of ability to pay. 

RMH is funded through various programs such as the Medicare Hospice Benefit and through contracts with private health insurance companies.  We also receive vital funding through various grants and private memorial donations made throughout the year.  No patient is ever charged for our services, and no patient or family member ever receives a bill from us. If a patient has no funding resources we, the providing agency, simply absorb the cost of the care provided.  Providing this complimentary care is a crucial component of our mission at RMH, it is in keeping with the true spirit of the hospice concept.