HOSPICE AUSTIN - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the HOSPICE AUSTIN FUND BOARD
Job Titles:
- Member of the HOSPICE AUSTIN FUND BOARD
Job Titles:
- Member of the HOSPICE AUSTIN FUND BOARD
Job Titles:
- Member of the HOSPICE AUSTIN FUND BOARD
Job Titles:
- Member of the HOSPICE AUSTIN FUND BOARD
As Director of Quality, Christina Remus plans, organizes and directs the risk management, corporate compliance, privacy and quality programs of Hospice Austin. She also supervises the audit nurse, HIM Supervisor and serves as Hospice Austin's Corporate Compliance Officer.
Her previous work experience includes working for Hospice Austin since 2005 as Admissions Nurse, Partners Team Leader, Director of Quality, and Chief Clinical Officer. Prior to Hospice Austin, she was a Parish Nurse, Cardiac nurse, Cardiothoracic Surgery Patient Care Coordinator (Case Management) and served 9 years, active duty and reserves, as a nurse in the United States Navy.
Job Titles:
- President of the HOSPICE AUSTIN FUND BOARD
Job Titles:
- Medical Director for Austin Palliative Care
- Palliative Care Medical Director
Dr. Kate Tindall is the medical director for Austin Palliative Care, Hospice Austin's home-based palliative care program for patients who are not eligible for hospice care or who may be undergoing curative treatment. She is dual board-certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She completed her training, including her Palliative Medicine fellowship, at UTSW. Before joining APC, Dr. Tindall was the Assistant Medical Director of the Palliative Care team for Parkland Hospital as well as Assistant Professor at the UTSW Medical School. She brings a passion for providing compassionate, patient-centered care to the seriously ill population.
She and her husband, Mark, who is a federal prosecutor with the United States Attorney's office, have three children. When not working, Dr. Tindall spends most of her time trying to keep up with her kids and also enjoys being outdoors, reading, cooking and traveling.
From the moment you meet Hospice Austin Chief Medical Officer Bob Friedman, it's obvious he cares, really cares, about his patients, his staff, and the delivery of end of life care that honors the values and goals that a patient holds dear. It is with great sadness that we announce his retirement, but Hospice Austin is so fortunate that he has been at the helm of our medical services for more than 10 years.
Dr. Bob was instrumental in successfully establishing a robust community-based palliative care program, the only program of its kind in Austin, to provide palliative services to patients wherever they call home.
He established the Dell Medical School medical student and resident rotation for inpatient hospice care experience at Hospice Austin's Christopher House and collaborated with the creation of the Dell Medical School Hospice & Palliative Fellowship program.
In collaboration with Marjorie Mulanax and Dr. Kate Tindall, he achieved a contract through the Travis County Medical Access Program for funding for APC patients with no insurance or other source of funding.
Dr. Bob is board certified in Family Medicine and in Hospice & Palliative Medicine. He is also a Fellow with the American Academy of Family Practice and with the American Academy of Hospice & Palliative Medicine. In addition, he is a board certified hospice medical director.
As an educator, Bob devoted over 20 years to providing educational programs about hospice and palliative medicine, including symptom management (physical, psychosocial, emotional and spiritual) and counseling in the end-of life setting. His audiences have included hospice and palliative care physicians, nurse practitioners, hospice nurses, other hospice discipline members, community physicians, community nurses and the general public.
He has worked regionally and nationally to help shape the future of palliative care and ensure access of palliative care services for all.
"It has been an honor and a privilege to serve all of you over the last 10-plus years," Dr. Bob said in his final message to staff. "I've been truly blessed to have spent this time living in that rare space of right place, right time, and right people. I could not have dreamed of a better way to close out my career. I have learned so much from all of you and you have all helped me to become a better person. I look forward to continue hearing great things about Hospice Austin and Austin Palliative Care."
Job Titles:
- Clinical Physician
- FAAHPM, HMDC / Hospice Medical Director
Dr. Sandra Frellsen has been a hospice clinical physician at Hospice Austin since 2013 before becoming Medical Director in 2021. Board certified in Hospice & Palliative Medicine and Internal Medicine, Dr. Frellsen oversees and directs Hospice Austin's medical providers who see patients in their homes and at independent, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities.
Before joining Hospice Austin, Dr. Frellsen was an Attending Physician at Stroger Hospital of Cook County and a Consultative Attending for the Palliative Care Service. She also served as Assistant Dean of Academic Development at Rush Medical College.
She received her undergraduate degree from Yale University, her medical degree from Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago, and completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Boston Medical Center and Veterans Administration Medical Center. Outside of work. Dr. Frellsen enjoys spending time with her family and dogs. Her hobbies include hiking, reading, knitting, and Scouts.
Job Titles:
- Member of the HOSPICE AUSTIN FUND BOARD
Job Titles:
- Member of the HOSPICE AUSTIN FUND BOARD
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Healthcare Leader With a Deep Commitment to
Herb Dyer is an accomplished healthcare leader with a deep commitment to Hospice Austin, where he serves as the Executive Director. With a career spanning healthcare and leadership development, Herb brings a wealth of experience to his role.
Prior to joining Hospice Austin, Herb served as the President of Daughters of Charity Ministries, where he played a key role in advancing the organization's mission and impact. Before that, he worked as the principal consultant at Axiom Learning Solutions, providing executive coaching, facilitating DE&I initiatives, coordinating leadership development programs, and offering strategic planning to organizations.
Herb's extensive background in hospital administration includes serving as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Seton Healthcare Family and Vice President for Ascension Health. In these roles, he oversaw hospital operations and shared services across multiple facilities in the greater Austin area. Herb has also played a pivotal role in leading complex capital projects and diverse teams.
Herb holds a Master's in Public Affairs from Baruch College, City University of New York. His contributions to the community have been recognized through Distinguished Service Awards from the YMCA and Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he has been honored with the Outstanding Speaker award from the national Black MBA, highlighting his communication skills and ability to inspire others.
With his expertise, leadership acumen, and unwavering commitment to Hospice Austin, Herb Dyer continues to make a significant impact on the organization and the community it serves.
Job Titles:
- Member of the HOSPICE AUSTIN FUND BOARD
Job Titles:
- Interim Director of Human Resources
Kaitlyn Vicars is an Austin native and has been working in Human Resources for more than 14 years. As Interim Director of Human Resources, Kaitlyn drives HR strategy, goals, policy and key programming. She works closely with leaders and employees to champion and support a healthy and engaging work culture. She leads a team of HR professionals focusing on areas of organizational design and policy, talent management and development, employee engagement, performance, and total rewards.
Kaitlyn achieved her SHRM-CP and PHR designations in 2015 and then earned an Associates in Risk Management (ARM) in 2019. She is involved with the local Austin Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) chapter and sits on the Board as the 2023 and 2024 Secretary. She recently was awarded Austin SHRM Volunteer Leader of the Year, and Texas SHRM Volunteer Leader of the Year. When she is not working or volunteering, Kaitlyn enjoys spending time with her son (a junior in High School), husband, and with her pup (Cooper) outdoors, she also loves catching up on shows, trying new restaurants, and reading.
Job Titles:
- Director of Inpatient Services
- Practice Manager for Our Medical Subsidiary, Austin Palliative Care
As Director of Inpatient Services, Keisha Jones is responsible for all aspects of personnel staffing of 40 nurses, chaplains, social workers and certified nursing assistants at Hospice Austin's Christopher House. She also oversees education, policies and procedures, as well as the day-to-day operations of the 15-bed facility.
Keisha joined Hospice Austin in 2009 as the practice manager for our medical subsidiary, Austin Palliative Care. She put herself through nursing school while working for Austin Palliative Care full-time and raising three children. After receiving her RN degree, she worked at Hospice Austin's Christopher House as a nurse and then a team leader before being promoted to Director.
Job Titles:
- Member of the HOSPICE AUSTIN FUND BOARD
Job Titles:
- Communications Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Director of Volunteer and Bereavement Services
Nancy McCranie began working for Hospice Austin as a chaplain in 1996. Since 2009 she has served as the Director of Volunteer and Bereavement Services. The Volunteer Department consists of a staff of two Volunteer Coordinators and more than 300 volunteers and touches almost every aspect of Hospice Austin, from direct patient care and bereavement, to administrative support and special events. The Bereavement Department consists of two full-time Bereavement staff, several part-time bereavement counselors, and numerous volunteers. The Bereavement Program offers a wide array of grief support services to the community including Camp Brave Heart, Surviving the Holidays, Grief Support Groups, Grief Webinars, individual counseling, and community bereavement education. Nancy is a frequent speaker for area groups, leading discussions about end of life issues and the process of grieving a loss.
Nancy is an ordained minister with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and holds a M.Div. degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She is Chair of the Clinical Pastoral Education Committee at The Ascension Seton Family of Hospitals; on the board of The Griffin School; a member of Mission Presbytery; and Parish Associate for the First Presbyterian Church, Elgin, Texas. Nancy is married to Bill, an organic/bio-dynamic farmer and rancher who raises blueberries and beef. They have two adult sons, three dogs, two cats, a small herd of Irish Dexter cattle and a donkey named Jennifer.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the HOSPICE AUSTIN FUND BOARD
Job Titles:
- Vice - Chair of the HOSPICE AUSTIN FUND BOARD
Job Titles:
- Finance Director of Development
As Director of Development, Robin oversees all of Hospice Austin's fundraising efforts, which includes major gifts and planned giving, events such as Beauty of Life and Amplify Austin, membership in Friends of Hospice Austin and Hospice Austin's Notable Donors, grants, appeals and donations.
Robin began her career with Hospice Austin in 1996 as Director of Development, then served as Hospice Austin's part-time Planned Giving and Major Gifts Officer before resuming her position as Development Director. She has helped the development office grow from an annual budget of $300,000 to almost $3 million.
Robin has worked in non-profit fundraising for 25 years. She began her career as a credit analyst with Bank of America and then served as Director of Special Events and Volunteer Services for the Center for Child Protection in Austin for four years before joining Hospice Austin. She has a BBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Texas at Austin. Robin and her husband, David, have two children.
Job Titles:
- Member of the HOSPICE AUSTIN FUND BOARD
Job Titles:
- Treasurer of the HOSPICE AUSTIN FUND BOARD
Job Titles:
- Member of the HOSPICE AUSTIN FUND BOARD
As CFO, Steve Murdock is responsible for all aspects of the agency's financial systems and financial reporting requirements, including Medicare reporting requirements. Steve develops the agency's annual budget and ensures that billing and accounts payable activities are timely and accurate. He is also responsible for the oversight of payroll processing and for all payroll reporting requirements.
Steve has served as CFO for a variety of companies, both large, small, and start-up. His expertise outside of accounting and finance includes systems implementation, mergers and acquisitions, revenue cycle management, risk management, and equity/debt capital fundraising. Steve has spent much of his career in healthcare, and has served as CFO for two healthcare companies with hospices, one of which opened an inpatient unit during his tenure.
He received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Born and raised in Atlanta, Steve has a grown son and daughter, and five granddaughters. His interests include sports, reading, and playing golf.
As Chief Clinical Officer, Tina Leyden oversees all clinical services: home care, independent/assisted living/nursing facilities, and Hospice Austin's Christopher House. She ensures that each aspect of clinical operations work smoothly and is responsible for carrying out the mission and strategic initiatives and strategies of the organization. She provides clinical leadership in the delivery of all hospice care and services with a consistent patient-centered focus and oversees the development, implementation and monitoring of all clinical standards and protocols. She is responsible for ensuring that the delivery of home care, in-patient, respite and crisis care services are timely, efficient and high quality.
Tina has worked for Hospice Austin since 2018 and has been an RN for nearly 30 years. After high school, she worked three years toward an elementary education degree before deciding it wasn't a good fit. She took off for Thailand for a year where she ended up working with nuns in a refugee camp. The nuns had her giving inoculations the first day, and she soon decided she wanted to be a nurse. On her return, she became a CNA, an LVN, and an RN in short order. She has worked in hospice care for 25 years and has held every position imaginable: on-call, case manager, director of clinical services, director of inpatient unit, and executive director. Tina has five children and 7 grandchildren. Besides spending time with her family, she also enjoys hiking, quilting and reading.
Job Titles:
- Member of the HOSPICE AUSTIN FUND BOARD
Job Titles:
- Secretary of the HOSPICE AUSTIN FUND BOARD