HOSPICE OF THE PIEDMONT - Key Persons
Abby obtained her Associate Degree in Nursing from Piedmont Virginia Community College in 2001, her Bachelor's degree in Nursing from Old Dominion University in 2008, and her Master's degree at the University of Virginia with a focus on Health Systems Management in 2015. Currently employed with Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital as a Director of Patient Care Services, she also received her DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) from James Madison University. Abby began her nursing career at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System on the orthopedic/trauma unit but has been employed at Sentara Martha Jefferson since 2001. Specialty areas include wound/ostomy care, orthopedics, and general medical-surgical nursing. When Abby is not working she enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and grandchild playing tennis, riding horses, or any outdoor activities.
Ashleigh Bergstrom became a part of the Hospice of the Piedmont team in 2015. She earned her bachelor's degree in Neuroscience from the College of William and Mary, and her Master's degree in Nursing from the University of Virginia. She worked as a nurse with the University of Virginia Health System in geriatrics and palliative care before returning to UVA to complete her post-Master's certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She is a clinical instructor with the UVA School of Nursing and a board member of Camp Holiday Trails, a camp for children with special health needs.
Betty Strawhorn comes to Hospice of the Piedmont with more than 20 years of experience as a registered nurse. Ms. Strawhorn previously served in the dual role of nurse practitioner and RN case manager for Kindred Hospice Care. She has worked in hospice care since 2006. She received her advanced practice RN certificate in Palliative Care from California State University. She also has her Master of Nursing - APRN, FNP, degree from University of South Carolina, her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing, and her Associates degree in Applied Science in Nursing from Wallace College, Dothan, Ala.
Bruce Clark arrived in Culpeper in 1974. Having received his JD degree from the Marshall Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary, he is currently celebrating his fiftieth year in practice. For over twenty years, he has served as the Commissioner of Accounts for the Circuit Court of Culpeper. He has served on and chaired a number of local, regional, and state boards and has held numerous positions within the Virginia State Bar. Among others, he served as the Chair of the Board of the Culpeper Department of Social Services; as President of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce; as Chair of the Culpeper Joint Town and County Economic Development Commission; as President of the Culpeper Bar Association and the Piedmont Bar Association; as President of the Culpeper Memorial Hospital Services Corporation and as President of the Virginia Conference of Commissioners of Accounts.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- CGMA
Ms. Ringer joined Hospice of the Piedmont in December 2023 as the Chief Financial Officer. Bringing a wealth of experience in hospice and palliative care finance, Cheryl previously served as the Chief Financial Officer at Loudoun Medical Group in Leesburg, Virginia. Prior to her work with LMG, she was the CFO for Blue Ridge Hospice in Winchester, Virginia, for nearly two decades.
Before her career in hospice finance, Cheryl was a manager at Yount, Hyde & Barbour, PC in Winchester, specializing in non-profit and healthcare clients. She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the Virginia Society of CPAs. In 2019, Virginia Business magazine named her one of Virginia's Top CFOs.
Cheryl's role at Hospice of the Piedmont extends beyond overseeing finances; she is a strategic leader, enhancing the day-to-day financial operations and guiding the organization through new ventures and growth. Her collaborative approach and adept financial management skills are vital for ensuring the organization's fiscal health and stability. This involves working closely with staff, volunteers, donors, board members, and the broader community.
On a personal note, Cheryl is an active member of her church, actively serving in various supporting roles. She will relocate to the Charlottesville area with her family, bringing her professional expertise and personal commitment to the Hospice of the Piedmont community.
In 1997 Chris founded Dominion Digital (now SingleStone), a Richmond-based technology consulting firm, with the specific purpose of building an exceptional place to work. Since then SingleStone has been recognized regularly as a Best Place to Work, in tandem with excellent client satisfaction and community involvement. In 2017, Chris transitioned from the CEO role to consult with other business leaders and organizations who want to improve workplace culture in pursuit of excellent employee and customer experiences. A native of Ireland, Chris has B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Scranton and is a graduate of GE's Financial Management Program. He has served on multiple non-profit boards, at present the Virginia Institute of Autism and Hospice of the Piedmont. He lives in Charlottesville with his wife Tori and their three children.
Job Titles:
- Business Development Director for JABA
Christopher Murray retired in 2014 as the Business Development Director for JABA (Jefferson Area Board for Aging), where he developed affordable housing for seniors. He continued that passion in 2016 developing Carlton House, a 10-room boarding house for extremely low-income persons, engineering the sale of it to Casa Alma (the Catholic Worker House) in December 2021. After 35 years in the private sector, as a product designer in the furniture manufacturing business and holder of three US patents, he ended that phase of his career starting The Children's Furniture Co where he developed products that enable children's day care to partner with nursing homes. His current initiative is launching a natural burial ground (or green cemetery) at his family's Panorama Farms in Earlysville. He has a BA in English from Washington & Lee University and an MFA in furniture design from Virginia Commonwealth University. A life-long Charlottesville resident he is married with two grown children and three grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Chief Medical Officer
- Member of the Medical Team
- HEC - C / Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Alina Fomovska joined Hospice of the Piedmont in January 2023 as a Medical Director, and was promoted to Chief Medical Officer in June 2023. She is a dual-board certified physician specializing in both Emergency Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She is committed to promoting excellent end-of-life care across all patient care settings. She has a strong academic experience in medical education, teaching at both Undergraduate and Graduate Medical Education levels. Prior to coming to Hospice of Piedmont, Dr. Fomovska served as an Assistant Professor at the Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. Her academic focus is on the ethics of end-of-life care, and she is Healthcare Ethics Consultant certified by the American Society of Bioethics and Humanities. She is a graduate of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, and completed her residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of California San Francisco. In 2020, she completed a Fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at the University of Virginia.
Job Titles:
- Associate Medical Director
Dr. Angela Stiltner joined Hospice of the Piedmont in 2011 as Associate Medical Director, was promoted to Medical Director in 2012, and promoted again to Senior Medical Director in 2014. She is board-certified in Family Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. The Hospice Medical Director Certification Board awarded her the Hospice Medical Director credential in recognition of her commitment to improving patient quality of life by displaying professional competency in the hospice industry. In November 2018, Dr. Stiltner earned the designation of Fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. A graduate of the University of Virginia School of Medicine in 2000, she completed the UVA-affiliated Family Medicine residency program and Geriatric Medicine Fellowship at Carilion Health System in Roanoke, Virginia. Before joining Hospice of the Piedmont, she was an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine in the Division of General Medicine, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care at UVA from 2004 until 2010. She is currently a University of Virginia Visiting Associate Professor of Family Medicine. In 2022 she earned the prestigious Certified Physician Executive (CPE) credential, which indicates a physician has achieved superior levels of professional excellence and management education while also demonstrating effective healthcare industry knowledge and leadership skills. She is the immediate past President of the Albemarle County Medical Society and serves on the Executive Board.
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor at University of Virginia 's School of Nursing
Dr. Cathy L. Campbell is an Associate Professor at University of Virginia's School of Nursing and an ordained Buddhist chaplain. Her area of research focuses on increasing access to palliative care for vulnerable and under-served people, community-based advanced care planning, and spiritual care for transgender elders at end of life. As a Fellow in UVA's Center for Global Health, Dr. Campbell has served as a mentor for research experiences for an interprofessional team of undergraduate and graduate students from the US in South Africa and Thailand. Most recently she completed a project as a Fulbright Scholar in Thailand, where her work explored the role of lay health workers and professional nurses providing care palliative care in rural communities. Her scholarly work and research have been published and presented to audiences in the U.S. and internationally.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- President
Dr. Nancy Littlefield has a deep breadth of experience in healthcare, particularly in hospice and palliative care. Prior to Hospice of the Piedmont, she served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer for Riverside Health System. Nancy has served in leadership positions both for Evercare Hospice and Palliative Care and Capital Hospice, now Capital Caring. Nancy has served on multiple local and state boards, including serving as Chair for Patient Experience Committee for the Virginia Hospice and Healthcare Association from 2018 to 2021.
Nancy is a fourth-generation nurse and has had a passion for excellence in hospice and end-of-life care throughout her several-decade career.
Nancy has called Virginia home for more than 30 years. She received her Bachelor of Nursing from George Mason University, a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University, and her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Old Dominion University.
Outside of work, Nancy and her husband enjoy cheering on the lives and activities of their 12 grandchildren. Her love of baking and hosting can often be found at a UVA tailgate and on the sidelines of UVA sporting events.
Job Titles:
- Associate Medical Director
- Medical Director
Dr. Rebecca Burke is a part-time Associate Medical Director for Hospice of the Piedmont. She is board certified in hospice and palliative medicine, as well as internal medicine. She graduated from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and completed her Internal Medicine residency training at Duke University. After working as a hospitalist for four years, she completed a fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Following this, she worked as an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at Rutgers University and provided palliative care services at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey.
Dr. Simran Mann joined Hospice of the Piedmont as Associate Medical Director in August 2020. She is board certified in hospice and palliative medicine, as well as internal medicine. Additionally, she has obtained her Hospice Medical Director board certification. With a background as a hospitalist, Dr. Mann came to Hospice of the Piedmont with an interest in a more holistic patient care approach.
Dr. Mann previously served as an internal medicine hospitalist at various hospitals, including Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, VA, Southcoast Hospital Group in New Bedford, MA, and Signature Health Brockton Hospital in Brockton, MA. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree from George Washington University in Washington, DC, and went on to get her doctorate from Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica, West Indies. She has completed her hospice and palliative medicine fellowship, as well as her ACGME internal medicine residency. At Hospice of the Piedmont, Dr. Mann will care for patients and families to maximize the quality of life when patients are facing life-limiting illness.
Dr. Timothy Short served as Hospice of the Piedmont's Chief Medical Officer from 2008 to 2010 and 2021 to 2023. He was also the Director of the Education Institute. Today, Dr. Short brings tremendous clinical and educational experience to his role as a Medical Director.
In 2021, He came to HOP from the University of Virginia, where he was an associate professor of medicine in palliative care. He has been a family medicine doctor for over 20 years, with certifications in family practice, palliative care, and hospice. Dr. Short was on the 2019-20 Best Doctors in America ® list and had numerous honors and awards spanning two decades. In 2020, he was inducted as a Distinguished Fellow into the National Academies of Practice. In 2019, he was awarded the Outstanding Teacher Award by Family Medicine Residents at UVa.
Dr. Short attended Duke University, graduating Magna Cum Laude with his B.A. in Religion. He went on to receive his medical degree from Duke, as well. His family practice residency took place at the University of Virginia. Throughout his career, he worked and taught for hospitals and practices locally and in Illinois.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Specialist
Eliza joined Hospice of the Piedmont in November of 2023. Her early life was spent moving from Alabama to Wyoming and many places in between. She is a Troy University graduate with a Medical Assistant certification. Eliza's career journey is as varied as her geographic travels. Her professional path includes roles at the IRS, a garden center, and a surgery center. This blend of experiences has equipped her with a versatile skill set and an understanding of the different facets of administrative support and patient interaction. Outside work, Eliza is devoted to her family. She also enjoys painting, drawing, and cooking. Her dedication to helping people and passion for meaningful work make her a valuable addition to the Hospice of the Piedmont family.
Elizabeth Cobb joined Hospice of the Piedmont in 2022 after practicing for 19 years as a Nurse Practitioner in Family Practice. For the past seven years, Elizabeth's clinical area of focus as a Nurse Practitioner was skilled nursing and rehabilitation in the long-term care setting. Ms. Cobb received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Virginia School of Nursing. She spent several years as a Registered Nurse in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at the University of Virginia Health System. She then completed her Master of Science in Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner degree from the University of Virginia School of Nursing. Elizabeth also holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Elizabeth Schleck joined Hospice of the Piedmont (HOP) in 2020, initially serving as a Hospice Nurse Liaison at the University of Virginia Medical Center. In this role, she was instrumental in guiding patients and families through the hospice care process, including explaining benefits, evaluating needs, and coordinating necessary equipment. In 2024, Elizabeth transitioned to the HOP Palliative Medicine team, working closely with providers, intake staff, and patients to deliver comprehensive care.
Elizabeth's nursing journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UVA in 1983, followed by extensive experience in the ICU and emergency departments. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from George Mason University in 1996, embarking on a fulfilling career as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Before HOP, she provided primary care in Roanoke and Richmond, VA, and later specialized in trauma and orthopedic trauma care at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
Beyond her professional life, Elizabeth enjoys bicycling, hiking, and spending quality time with her family, friends, and dogs. What she values most about working at HOP is the opportunity to make medical concepts accessible to families, helping them understand their options and find joy in life amidst challenging times.
Eva Rellins joined Hospice of the Piedmont in 2024, bringing with her a rich background in nursing and patient care. Originally from Virginia Beach and raised in Broadway, Virginia, Eva started her nursing career at UVA Health after earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Jefferson College of Health Sciences in 2015. She worked as a registered nurse in cardiothoracic surgery and later in oncology as an infusion RN at the Cancer Center.
In 2021, Eva expanded her expertise by obtaining a Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Radford University Carilion. Prior to joining Hospice of the Piedmont, she was part of the Urology Department at UVA Health, focusing on kidney, prostate, and urologic cancers.
Outside of work, Eva loves playing with her dogs - two beagles (Bandit and Priss) and one Beagle Mix (Sam).
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Dr. Ansa moved from Providence, Rhode Island, to Charlottesville in 2008 to start working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital (SMJH). Subsequently, he was appointed as the Medical Director of the ICU. A native of Ghana, where he completed medical school, Dr. Ansa has been a resident of the U.S. for 25 years. He came to the United States to pursue postgraduate studies at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore and at Brown University. Dr. Ansa has served on several committees at SMJH and is a member of the 100 Black Men of Central Virginia, whose purpose is to improve the quality of life within the community and advocate eliminating the achievement gap of African American male students through mentoring. Dr. Ansa currently lives in Charlottesville with his wife and children.
Gaby Laufer a native Israeli is a retired UVA professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and also the CEO and President of Avir Sensors, a UVA spinoff which he founded. He was the president of the Congregation Beth Israel from 2011-2013. In 2018 he published a book, A Survivor's Duty, describing his father's holocaust survival in the Hungarian forced labor battalions and in a German concentration camp. He is currently serving at SCORE as a certified mentor and a volunteer to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Retired Certified Public Accountant
Gary Lee is a retired Certified Public Accountant and a retired Principal with Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C. He was the manager of Culpeper-based practice from 1981 until 2013 and concentrated in the areas of estate/trust taxation; planning and administration; construction accounting and taxation; small business and individual taxation and consulting. Mr. Lee received the 2014 Outstanding Citizen Award from the Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce in 2014 and in 2013 received the Community Service Award from the Boy Scouts of America's National Capital Area Council. He attended Virginia Tech and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Business with Accounting Major. He was a member of Beta Alpha Psi and Beta Gamma Sigma. Mr. Lee is married with two sons and four grandchildren. His interests include American history, antique collecting, golf, and the outdoors.
Jeanne McCusker has owned Home Instead Senior Care, which is dedicated to helping seniors remain independent as they age, in Charlottesville since 2003. Ms. McCusker previously worked in the medical technology and information technology fields. Ms. McCusker is a graduate of Leadership Charlottesville and currently also serves on the board of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a bachelor's in marketing. An avid nature lover, she loves to hike, ride horses, and garden.
Job Titles:
- Chief Marketing and Development Officer
Ms. Downs joined Hospice of the Piedmont in 2022. She brings more than 15 years of marketing and development experience to the organization. Previously, Ms. Downs served as Director of Marketing and Communications for the Sentara Blue Ridge Region and prior to that was a news reporter and producer for NBC29 in Charlottesville. Ms. Downs has a strong and insightful understanding of the community we serve. As part of the Hospice of the Piedmont family, she is pleased to be able to help those in our community understand the services provided by the organization, and the tangible benefits and support that Hospice of the Piedmont provides for both patients and their families at the end of life. In addition, Ms. Downs understands the importance of the complementary services the organization can offer thanks to generous community philanthropy. She's committed to stewarding the gifts the organization receives and ensuring philanthropy provides an ongoing meaningful impact to patients, families, and the greater community. Ms. Downs graduated from the University of Virginia. She also is a graduate of the The Advisory Board Fellowship and Leadership Charlottesville. Ms. Downs and her husband live in Crozet with their two sons. In her free time, she enjoys distance running, biking and exploring the great trails and wineries and breweries our area has to offer. Ms. Downs can be reached at jenn.downs@hopva.org.
Ms. Kincaid draws upon over 30 years of exceptional experience in the field of human resources, showcasing a diverse background across multiple industries, including behavioral and mental health, higher education, and manufacturing. Her journey in this dynamic field has been marked by continuous growth and innovation.
A proud alumna of Columbia Southern University, Ms. Kincaid earned her MS in Organizational Leadership and BS in Business Administration with a specialization in Human Resource Management, graduating with honors that reflect her dedication to academic excellence and professional achievement.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ms. Kincaid finds her anchor in family. She is a wife and mother, finding immense joy in sharing outdoor pursuits with her loved ones. Whether hiking, biking, or exploring new landscapes, Ms. Kincaid embraces the beauty of nature alongside her family.
In her current role, Ms. Kincaid continues to leverage her rich background to drive positive change, foster growth, and lead initiatives that empower individuals and organizations alike. Her passion for human resources, coupled with her extensive experience and strong ties to academia and leadership networks, positions her as a transformative force in the industry.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, Martha Jefferson Medical Group
Judy Tobin most recently served as the Executive Director, Martha Jefferson Medical Group, from February 2006 until July 2013. Prior to that role, she was the Director of Martha Jefferson Medical Enterprises since April 1997. She has a B.A. in Accounting from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, and has held numerous roles in business accounting over the course of her career.
Lara Fisher is a compassionate and accomplished social worker with over 16 years of experience in various roles at Hospice of the Piedmont. She joined the organization in 2007 as a bedside social worker and has since held positions such as Intake, Team Leader, Supervisor of Social Work & Chaplains, EMR Facilitator, and now Administrative Director of Palliative Medicine.
Lara's passion for helping others began when she earned her Master's in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin in 2005. Before joining Hospice of the Piedmont, she worked in Family Preservation, served as a house parent for parenting teens, and worked for Child Protective Services.
Lara's favorite part of her job at HOP is working with her wonderful coworkers toward a common mission. She finds joy in walking alongside patients and families who are focused on what matters most. She feels that being present with those who lead with love and recognize the gifts in their lives is a privilege and a powerful reminder to live in the moment and cherish what is truly important.
Lauren Demarest, MSN, NP, ACHPN, previously worked as a nurse practitioner with One Community Hospice and Palliative Care, in Parkville, Miss. She has worked as an NP for hospices and in internal medicine and surgery at practices and organizations in Georgia, Hawaii, Ohio, and North Carolina. Ms. Demarest has her Master of Science in Nursing, Adult and Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, from University of Cincinnati, and her bachelor degree in Nursing in Psychology from University of Missouri.
Lauri Wilson joined Hospice of the Piedmont in 2024. She brings forty years of marketing and development experience to the organization. Before joining Hospice of the Piedmont, Ms. Wilson served as Director of Development for The Paramount Theater and prior to that was part of the Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation development team. As part of the Hospice of the Piedmont family, she will focus her endeavors on furthering relationships with major donors while continuing to grow the endowment to ensure that quality end-of-life and grief services are available for all today, tomorrow, and well into the future. Ms. Wilson feels it's a privilege to be in a position of stewarding the gifts the organization receives while ensuring philanthropy provides an ongoing meaningful impact to patients, families, and the greater community. She and her husband live in Charlottesville with their mischievous golden retriever Cooper. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her three grands, distance running with friends, and visiting the beautiful blue ridge mountains. Ms. Wilson can be reached at lauri.wilson@hopva.org.
Lisa joined the Hospice of the Piedmont Development team in 2022. As a pediatric nurse, wife, and mother to 5 children she brings her cumulative life experiences to the team. Having worked in Development as a volunteer for 6 years, the joy found in philanthropic work led her to Hospice of the Piedmont where she supports the team with administrative tasks and gift processing. Originally from Lynchburg and after a 20-year stint in Virginia Beach, the mountains called her back to the Charlottesville area in 2008. She loves being surrounded by the beauty of the mountains, rivers and lakes in our area and going for walks in nature as often as possible. With the family all grown, she has become a river rat as she and her husband build their empty nest on the James River. In the summer, she can often be found on her paddle board on the James and other local waterways. Ms. Schneider can be reached at lisa.schneider@hopva.org.
Job Titles:
- Chief of Business Development
Ms. Pearson previously served as project manager for Alliant Techsystems. She has a bachelor's degree in business administration and has held numerous roles at Hospice of the Piedmont. When not working, Ms. Pearson enjoys spending time with her three children and four grandchildren, as well as tending to her herb and flowers gardens.
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant and Board Liaison
Ms. Woods works closely with the Board of Directors to facilitate education and compliance with governance for regulatory agencies. She also serves as a point person for senior leaders both within Hospice of the Piedmont, as well as with the Board. Additionally, Ms. Woods is responsible for many special projects across the organization and works closely with multiple leaders to ensure the smooth implementation of organizational initiatives. Prior to this role, Ms. Woods worked in the Development department at Hospice of the Piedmont, where she supported efforts to raise community support to fund a variety of programs within the organization.
Ms. Woods has a bachelor's degree in Marketing from Lipscomb University. She lives in Charlottesville with her husband and enjoys spending time with her two grown sons and their families.
Job Titles:
- Counsel for the University of Virginia
- Retired Associate
Lynne Fleming is a retired Associate University Counsel for the University of Virginia where she provided legal advice to the UVA Medical Center. Previously, she served as a Senior Assistant Attorney General for the Virginia Office of the Attorney General and advised Virginia's health regulatory boards and the Department of Behavioral Health. Lynne earned her B.A. at Mount Holyoke College, a Ph.D. in psychology from Syracuse University and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.
Michael S. Dobson, MD, HMDC is board-certified in family medicine as well as hospice and palliative medicine. Born and raised in Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada, a small mining town, he studied art history and biochemistry at Queen's University and then medicine at Saba University. Michael did a residency in rural family medicine at the University of Nebraska and then a fellowship in hospice and palliative medicine at the University of Virginia. His interest in hospice and palliative medicine started just before medical school when he volunteered at the Kensington Hospice House in Toronto, Ontario.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Michael Williamson has worked in hospice and palliative care services for more than 10 years, and in social services in other capacities since 2008. He earned his Licensed Clinical Social Worker licensure in 2017, and has been a Licensed Social Worker since 2012.
Ophelia Lenz joined the Hospice of the Piedmont Development team in 2024. Before joining Hospice of the Piedmont, Ms. Lenz began her career as a photojournalist for newspapers in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. For the last 11 years, she has been supporting educational travel as Director of Account Management at WorldStrides. After losing her father in 2022 to a long battle with cancer, she was drawn to the important work that Hospice of the Piedmont does to support patients, their caregivers, and families in their time of need. As part of the Development team, Ms. Lenz is honored to help ensure the continuation and growth of the vital services that generous community philanthropy makes possible. Ms. Lenz lives in Charlottesville and can be found tilling the soil at her community garden plot, taking the train to Princeton to visit her daughter Lucy, or cheering her son Max along at his cross-country meets.
Dr. Taylor, the Richard N. and Louise Crockett Professor Emeritus, retired from clinical practice in December 2011. Since retirement, he has remained active in the Division. He serves as the Medical Director of the TeleColposcopy Program, is an active participate in the Gyn Oncology Tumor Board, and serves as a professional consultant in Gynecologic Oncology. He completed his Residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology and his Fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Virginia after spending two years in Surgical Oncology at the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Taylor continues his involvement in East Africa, providing consultation in surgical training programs and investigations related to early detection of cervical cancer. Dr. Taylor was on the original Board of Directors of Hospice of the Piedmont, and rejoined the board in August 2017.
Rachael Ann Anderson joined Hospice of the Piedmont in November 2023 as a Nurse Practitioner specializing in palliative medicine. She holds a nursing degree from George Mason University and is pursuing a Doctorate of Nursing Practice at the University of Alabama, set to graduate in May 2024. Prior to joining HOP, she initiated an outpatient palliative program in the Fredericksburg area with Affinity Care of Virginia and worked for Mary Washington Healthcare.
Rachael teaches nursing and health sciences at Germanna Community College, advocating for end-of-life education in nursing. Outside work, she enjoys crafting, attending her son's sports events, watching sci-fi and fantasy movies with her family, and being a mom. She values HOP's dedicated focus on hospice and palliative care, and its incredible patient resources.
Rachel Hess is a doctorally-prepared, ANCC board-certified Advanced Practice Registered Nurse specializing in Adult-Geriatric Primary Care. She has a strong background in academic excellence, having attended both the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Emory University. She has worked in an array of clinical settings, including large academic-medical centers such as Duke University Hospital and Emory University Hospital, in addition to smaller technology-driven healthcare startups and non-profit community-based clinics. She is grateful to participate in the deeply complex and meaningful work of palliative medicine since joining Hospice of the Piedmont.
Earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Virginia. She previously worked at the UVA Medical Center as an RN in cardiothoracic surgery and in the acute care float pool.
Sandra Thomas is a CPA who currently serves as a fractional CFO with small or emerging companies in industries ranging from software consulting to medical devices to not for profits. Previously, she served as CFO of a NASDAQ-listed company and co-founded a company where she was responsible for all aspects of finance, accounting, and administration. She currently serves on the boards of The Boys & Girls Club of Central Virginia and Building Goodness Foundation. She is a past president of the Junior League of Charlottesville and has served as treasurer of the Association of Junior Leagues International. Ms. Thomas spent 14 years with PriceWaterhouseCoopers and holds a B.B.A. from the College of William and Mary.
Sarah Brown earned her bachelors in nursing at York College of Pennsylvania and then worked for 10+ years in acute care settings. She then achieved her FNP degree at Marymount University and subsequently worked for 7 years in internal medicine, primarily with geriatrics in long-term-care settings.
Dr. Syverud attended college at Michigan State University and medical school at Syracuse. He trained in Emergency Medicine at the University of Cincinnati and joined the faculty of the University of Virginia in 1992. Dr. Syverud has worked in the Emergency Department of UVA for the last three decades.
Shannon Gearing joined the Hospice of the Piedmont Development team in 2014 when Hospice of the Piedmont and Hospice of the Rapidan completed their merger. As Development Coordinator of Hospice of the Rapidan, she was responsible for all special events fundraising, outreach, and marketing. Ms. Gearing currently oversees event coordination in Hospice of the Piedmont's northern region. Her extensive experience in event production and management, website management, and marketing includes a previous role as Executive Officer for the Piedmont Virginia Building Industry Association. Ms. Gearing can be reached at shannon.gearing@hopva.org.
In 2000, Dr. Anderson left an office-based general internal medicine practice to provide high-quality, personalized, facility-based health care to a limited number of geriatric patients. In addition to providing this concierge practice in facilities, he made a limited number of house calls to independent patients. The overarching purpose of this model of care was to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits and hospital admissions, thereby improving quality of life for patients and families. While working in the solo geriatric practice, he worked part-time as a medical director for a hospice. From this experience, he first learned how much better an interdisciplinary team could deliver holistic end-of-life care than the physician-centered model. Dr. Anderson became certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine in October 2012. Since August 2013, he has been a full-time hospice medical director. Since February 2016, he has also directed the development of a palliative care program and its integration with the established hospice program of a community healthcare system. Dr. Anderson attended Yale University for his undergraduate degree, then went to University of Virginia for medical school. He is currently pursuing a master's degree in Bioethics from Columbia University, with a concentration in Global Ethics.