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Tabitha History

Tabitha historic photo

Tabitha has a rich history in Nebraska, from its roots as an orphanage to innovation in home health, hospice and senior living, to today being an industry leader in Senior Care services. Below is a timeline of Tabitha through the years.

  • 1886
    1886

    Tabitha is founded as an orphanage by Rev. Henry Heiner.

  • 1890
    1890

    "Old Main" is constructed as residence to house orphaned children, homeless adults and elderly.

  • 1907

    Tabitha expands into Lutheran hospital and school of nursing.

  • 1909

    Service begins for tuberculosis patients.

  • 1926
    1926

    Nazareth Building (boys’ dormitory) is built.

  • 1937
    1937

    Bethel Building (girls’ dormitory) is built.

  • 1946
    1946

    Construction begins on today’s Tabitha Nursing and Rehabilitation Center south wing.

  • 1960

    Original role as an orphanage ends; records transferred to Lutheran Family Services in Omaha. Adults in long-term care remained.

  • Home health care services begin.
    Tabitha Home Health becomes Medicare-certified.

  • Tabitha Meals on Wheels service begins.

  • 1971

    Tabitha adds a new skilled nursing unit.

  • Tabitha Village Senior Living Apartments are built.

  • 1974

    Offices established in Friend and Seward. Home care services begin in Saline County.

  • Tabitha Hospice (then Hospice of Tabitha) begins, first hospice service in Lincoln.
    Hamilton County office (Aurora) opens.

  • Tabitha Rehabilitation Services begin.

  • Creation of Tabitha Foundation

  • 1982

    Hospice services become Medicare-certified.
    Private-duty home care services established as Special Care Services.

  • Hospice services expand into Seward and York counties.

  • 1993
    1993

    Maseman Unit for inpatient hospice care is dedicated in honor of Martha A. Maseman, RN, who pioneered Tabitha’s home health care, hospice and Tabitha Meals on Wheels services.

    Johnsen Family Wing opens.

  • 1995

    Augustine Rehabilitation Unit opens.

  • 1996

    Offices open in Grand Island and York.

    Tabitha Bryan Special Care becomes Home Care Specialties of Tabitha, Inc.

  • Nursing home renamed Tabitha Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

    Office opens in Nebraska City.

  • Kimmel Solarium for Alzheimer’s care opens.

  • Garden Lane Adult Day Services begin at Tabitha Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

  • Tabitha is selected as one of four model sites for national Green House Project® (now Tabitha Residences).

  • 2004
    2004

    Tabitha Hospice is formally recognized as the founding hospice in Nebraska at the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s national conference in Washington, D.C.

    LifeQuest Rehabilitation Center opens.

  • 2006
    2006

    Tabitha opens Nebraska's first Green House® home (now Tabitha Residence—Martin House) for long-term care.

    Tabitha Nursing Center at Crete opens.

  • Tabitha introduces Honeywell HomMed® Telehealth.

  • 2010

    Tabitha adds Garden Square Assisted Living of Crete (now Tabitha in Crete—The Gardens Assisted Living) to its continuum of health care services.

    Tabitha opens its second Green House home (now Tabitha Residence—Good House).

  • 2011
    2011

    Tabitha opens four new living communities—two additional Green House homes (now Tabitha Residences—Elizabeth House and Martha House), GracePointe Assisted Living & Memory Care Suites and Journey House SNF, Lincoln's only free-standing, Medicare-certified hospice community.

    Club 4 Fitness and Rehabilitation Gyms open.

News Feed

August 19, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

We're here to tell you all about the benefits reading can bring, besides knowledge and entertainment.

August 19, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Tabitha offers support groups and individual hospice volunteer training throughout September in Lincoln, York, Seward, Auburn, Nebraska City, Aurora, Grand Island, NE, and surrounding areas. Learn more.

August 15, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Nonprofit Tabitha is honored to be nominated for Best of Lincoln in Home Care, Retirement Community, Physical Therapy and Large Company to Work. Please vote for Tabitha through August 31.

August 14, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Strength training not only keeps muscles healthy and strong as we get older, it can also reduce the signs and symptoms of many diseases and chronic conditions including arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, back pain and depression. Read more.

August 12, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

All of Tabitha’s 11 skilled nursing communities have earned a five-out–of-five-star overall rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services based on a rigid collection of quality measures. Read more.

August 6, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Tabitha, Grand Island’s trusted local nonprofit provider for 20+ years, is up for best hospice and in-home care company in the 2019 Best of Grand Island contest. Vote today.

July 26, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Tabitha Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (TNRC), Tabitha Residences Good, Martin, Elizabeth and Martha Houses and Journey House Skilled Nursing Facility for End-of-Life Care, all located on Tabitha’s main campus in the heart of Lincoln, Neb., have received the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living’s (AHCA/NCAL) Bronze Award—Commitment to Quality distinction. Read more.

July 23, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Sleep is an important part of our day, as up to one-third of our lives is spent in bed. Sleep is restorative, allowing the body time to repair itself at a cellular level and is important to our health as we age. Learn more.

July 19, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Tabitha offers grief groups and hospice volunteer training throughout August in Lincoln, York, Grand Island, and Nebraska City, NE. Learn more.

July 11, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Tabitha recently expanded—adding 14 new private suites and spa area dedicated for short-stay rehabilitation care at Tabitha Nursing and Rehabilitation Center—LifeQuest. Learn more.

July 8, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Remember to select Tabitha and use Amazon Smile for Amazon Prime Days, July 15-16. Learn more.

July 1, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Nonprofit Tabitha has received the Survey Solutions Workplace Transformation Award. This annual honor is given to hospitals and health care systems, nationwide, which have made a transformational change in employee engagement. Tabitha is one of just six to receive this year’s award. Read more.

June 24, 2019

If you're looking for a way to get outside while also improving your whole self, gardening may be the hobby for you.

June 21, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Tabitha Residences Cove, Harbor and Seagren House have received the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living’s (AHCA/NCAL) Bronze Award—Commitment to Quality distinction. Read more.

June 20, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

As we age, bladder changes are common but can unfortunately disrupt our daily lives. Read more how to keep your bladder healthy and understand the common signs that may indicate a problem.