The Hospital Hospitality House of Southwest Michigan opened its South Street doors in 1985 as a vision of the Junior League of Kalamazoo in partnership with Borgess and Bronson hospitals. The original South Street House was replaced by two newly-constructed, convenient and accessible facilities—Hospital Hospitality House-Henson Avenue (near Ascension Borgess Hospital) and Hospital Hospitality House-Burdick Street (near Bronson Methodist Hospital). We are a proud member of the Healthcare Hospitality Network.

What We Do

We make it easier for families to support their loved one receiving medical care by providing a homelike, comforting place to stay. 

Both locations are open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, providing guests with sleeping rooms (with private bath), kitchen and laundry facilities, family gathering spaces, children’s play areas, relaxing patio and garden, and on-site or nearby parking. The Houses are ADA compliant with barrier-free access. We serve over 1,300 guests annually. 70% hail from southwest Michigan, but guests have come from all 50 states and many foreign countries.

Why We Exist

Every day patients come to Kalamazoo for emergency medical care, critical medical care and scheduled procedures. The last thing family members should need to worry about is finding a place to stay. The House meets this need by providing accommodations to caregivers, and to patients receiving extended outpatient care, at no charge (guests are asked to consider a donation). With a lesser financial burden, families can focus on the patient’s care.

Research has demonstrated that family engagement provides for:

  • Better care
  • Safer care
  • Better outcomes
  • Better aftercare

We know that family support promotes healing and provides greater peace of mind for the patient and family.

How We Do It

Hospital Hospitality House is an independent non-profit organization—not owned by the hospitals. We are funded solely by generous cash and in-kind donations from our community (civic groups, businesses, corporations, foundations, grants, churches), the hospitals, and individuals, including grateful guests.

Year in Review

We hold ourselves accountable for the trust our donors and hospital partners put in us. We document our progress annually.

Our Staff

The Hospital Hospitality House is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is always someone at the House to answer questions and meet the needs of our guests. 

Jim

Jim
Paparella

Executive Director

Dan Photo

Daniel
Baker

Office Manager

Cristina
Suarez-Ross

Hospitality Manager

Aubree Rasmussen

Aubree
Hayes

Guest Support Staff

Jessica Blanchard

jessica
blanchard

Guest Support Staff

Coming Soon

Vanessa
Sauer

Guest Support Staff

Anna

Anna Hawkins

Guest Support Staff

Coming Soon

Rachel
Prough

Guest Support Staff

Our Board

The board of directors is the governing body comprised of a diverse group of individuals from southwest Michigan who have a sincere interest in carrying out the mission of the Hospital Hospitality House. Individuals who sit on the board typically commit to a three-year term, are responsible for steering the organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as making sure the nonprofit has adequate resources to advance its mission.

Nick
White

Chair
Program Manger
IGNYTE Design

Carie
Faul

Vice Chair
Senior Talent Advisor
Kellogg Company

Carol
Patridge

Treasurer
Committee Chair
Yeo & Yeo

OPEN

Secretary

kARA
BEER

Committee Chair
Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce

Sue
Kolanowski

Committee Chair
Ascension Borgess Hospital

Brian
crissman

Director at Large
The Christman Company

Kevin
McCarthy

Director at Large
Employment Attorney (Retired)

Allison
Wisser

Director at Large

Samantha
Everts

Director at Large
Greenleaf Hospitality Group

Barbara
Mulder

Director at Large
Ascension Borgess Hospital

Denise
Krum

Director at Large
Bronson Methodist Hospital

aaron
hilliard

Director at Large
KVCC

Julie
Jensen

Director at Large
Attorney

Our Partners

Ascension Borgess Hospital
1521 Gull Rd.
Kalamazoo, MI 49048
(269) 226-7000

Bronson Methodist Hospital
601 John St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269) 341-7654

West Michigan Cancer Center
200 N. Park St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269) 382-2500