No patient turned away
We serve regardless of ability to pay
About Transitions LifeCare | Serving NC since 1979
Care rooted in community, built on trust
At Transitions LifeCare, compassionate care is at the heart of everything we do. For over 45 years, we’ve supported individuals and families with dignity, comfort, and trusted expertise.
At A Glance
45+
years serving compassionate care
10
North Carolina counties served
24/7
Support always available
NC #1
Largest palliative care provider in NC
Best of Raleigh — Hospice 2021–2024
News & Observer readers’ choice, 4 years running
Hospice Honors Elite — 2018 & 2019
HealthcareFirst national recognition
Founded as Hospice of Wake County
In 1979, Transitions opened it’s doors
Who We Are
Our philosophy, mission & vision
At Transitions LifeCare, compassionate care is at the heart of everything we do. For over 45 years, we’ve supported individuals and families with dignity, comfort, and trusted expertise.
Our Philosophy
“Every individual deserves the quality of life they want when facing serious illness or near life’s end.”
Our Mission
To care for individuals and families with compassion, support, and expertise as they navigate the end of life or life-changing illness.
Our Vision
The right care at the right time — the best possible experience for every patient and family in our community.
Our core values
These four values guide every visit, every decision, and every interaction made on behalf of the people we serve.
Where We Serve
10-county direct care area,
with telehealth beyond
We provide home visits and direct care throughout these counties in central North Carolina. Families outside this area may still access palliative and bereavement support remotely.
Chatham
Durham
Franklin
Granville
Harnett
Johnston
Orange
Wake
Nash ¤ New 2025
Wilson ¤ New 2025
Our Story
45 years of pioneering care
From a single-staff nonprofit in 1979 to North Carolina’s largest palliative care provider — a story of steady, purposeful growth rooted in community.
Transitions Opens as Hospice of Wake County
1979
1979
Hospice of Wake County is formed as a non-profit organization, with one staff member and 20 volunteers. The first patient admitted is a young child with leukemia, and five more patients are served that year.
The first Board of Directors of Hospice of Wake County includes Dr. Billy Dunlap (hematologist and oncologist in Raleigh), Kathleen Townsend (primary-care nurse at Rex Hospital), and Derenda James (nurse at WakeMed).
Hospice of Wake County Institutes Oktoberfest Fundraiser
1980s - 1990s
1980s - 1990s
Hospice of Wake County (HOWC) institutes a popular fundraiser – Oktoberfest – held for 17 years in Cameron Village and for three years in North Hills.
HOWC receives Medicare.
Palliative Care Division is Launched
2000s
2000s
We launch our Palliative Care program, the first of its kind in North Carolina.
Marketing begins on our capital campaign’s private phase.
North Carolina’s Council of State awards 8.7 acres of land for the area’s first free-standing hospice facility to be built off Trinity Road in Cary.
Hospice of Wake County Campus Opens
2000 - 2015
2000 - 2015
Hospice of Wake County opens the area’s first free-standing hospice facility. In 2011, the campus is dedicated as the Reid S. Towler Campus, thanks to the generosity of Mr. Towler and his $1 million gift in 2010.
Hospice of Wake County and Hospice of Harnett County merge to enhance access to non-profit hospice care.
In 2013, the Board of Directors approves a name change to Transitions LifeCare to reflect our offerings of more than “hospice” care and service to patients well beyond “Wake County.”
Guiding Lights and Transitions LifeCare form a partnership to improve efficiencies of both organizations.
Transitions Kids is introduced.
Hospice Home Additions & Recognition
2016 - 2020
2016 - 2020
A $6 million campaign is completed, allowing for the construction of ten additional rooms in the Hospice Home.
Transitions HospiceCare is named a Hospice Honors recipient in 2017 and 2020 and a Hospice Honors elite recipient in 2018 and 2019.
Transitions PalliativeCare becomes largest provider of palliative care services in North Carolina.
Named TBJ’s Best Places to Work 2019 and 2020.
Transitions LifeCare Named Raleigh's Best
2021
2021
2021 Raleigh’s Best (N&O)
We are the BEST! Now, it’s not our norm to brag, this is coming straight from News & Observer readers! In all the categories, there were 50,000 votes! Within the “hospice” category, Transitions was named the BEST!
Earns NHPCO’s Quality Connections “Education” and “Application” rings.
Transitions LifeCare Named Raleigh's Best 3 Years in a Row & Welcomes New CEO
2022 - 2024
2022 - 2024
Raleigh’s Best
We are the BEST in the “hospice” category three years in a row – 2022, 2023, and 2024.
2024
Dr. Adam Wolk is hired as CEO.
Transitions LifeCare Service Area Expands into Nash & Wilson counties
2025
2025
The Board of Directors approves a service area expansion into Nash and Wilson counties.
Transitions LifeCare Team
Jay Irby, President
Triangle Area Executive
First Citizens Bank
Chileatha Wynn, Vice President
Director of Clinical Information
North Carolina A&T State University
David Boone, Treasurer
CFO, Retired
Catawba Valley Health
John Gibson, Secretary
Lawyer
Smith Anderson
Peter Burroughs, Board of Trustees Chair
VP Finance -Field Operations
Martin Marietta
Casey Atwater
Senior Vice President
Carter Bank and Trust
Maureen Baker
Clinical Associate Professor
UNC School of Nursing
Jerry Bernstein, MD
Partner/Physician
Raleigh Pediatric Associates
Rhonda Catlin
Manager of Case Management, retired
Duke Raleigh Hospital
Alyson Connor
Healthcare Marketing Consultant
Billy Dunlap, MD
Founder, Hospice of Wake County
Physician, retired
Brenda Gibson
Community Leade
Tom Gough
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
WakeMed
Laura Harmon
UNC REX Healthcare, Retired
Director of Quality Programs & Medical Staff Services
Charles Harr, MD
Executive Medical Director and Cardiothoracic Surgeon
WakeMed
Carnela Hill
Business Owner and Faith Leader
CR Hill Design Group & Be Restored Church
Ryan Jury
Assistant Division Director
NC Division of Public Health
Burke Koonce
Investment Strategist, Principal
Trust Company of the South
Susan Moore
President, UNC REX Physicians
UNC REX Healthcare
Holly Richard
CEO, Retired
Tammy Lynn Center
Bobby Simpson
Duke Progress Energy, Retired
Pam Stocks
Community Volunteer
Adam Wolk, MD
CEO
Transitions LifeCare
Peter Burroughs, Chair
VP Finance -Field Operations
Martin Marietta
David Boone, Treasurer
CFO, Retired
Catawba Valley Health
Wayne Adams
Chief Risk Officer
North State Bank
Rob Christner
Chief Administrative Officer
Curi
Polly Yeargan Hardie
Trustee
Yeargan Foundation Charitable Trust
Jamal Jones
Chief Administrative Officer
Piedmont Health Services, Inc
Charles Kabugo-Musoke
Partner
Smith Anderson
Steve Shelton
Chief Financial Officer
Transitions LifeCare
David Wolf
Community Volunteer
Our Commitment
Diversity, equity & inclusion
DEI ensures we can fulfill our purpose — creating a better, more equitable healthcare experience for every person in every community we serve.
By embedding DEI within our organization, we are working towards our vision of providing the best possible experience for patients and families facing the end of life or life-changing illness.
— Transitions LifeCare DEI Statement
Our mission is to care for individuals and families with compassion, support, and expertise as they navigate the end of life or life-changing illness. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) ensure we can fulfill our purpose by creating a better, more equitable and inclusive healthcare experience for the entire community we serve.
By embedding DEI within our organization, we are working towards our vision of providing the best possible experience for patients and families in our community facing the end of life or life-changing illness. Treating patients and families with respect and getting to know them as individuals helps us provide the best care. Following through on our DEI promises exemplifies our core values of compassion, respect, teamwork, and commitment.
We recognize that:
- Creating awareness of different perspectives and cultural competence supports compassion.
- Inclusion helps everyone grow.
- Involving people from different perspectives and valuing contributions from diverse backgrounds creates more open doors, more options for patient care, and ultimately, helps build a better system to deliver care.
Diversity
We embrace the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences that make every person who they are. By valuing diversity, we strengthen our ability to provide compassionate, personalized care to every community we serve.
Equity
We are committed to creating fair access, opportunities, and outcomes for all by addressing barriers and systemic inequities. Equity ensures every individual receives the support and care they need to feel seen, respected, and valued.
Inclusion
We foster a culture where everyone feels safe, respected, and empowered to contribute fully. Through inclusion, we create meaningful connections that enhance both our workplace and the care we provide to patients and families.