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Dr. Patricia Neuman

Medical Director, VP of Medical Services, Hospice/Palliative Physician

Dr. Patricia Neuman

Medical Director, VP of Medical Services, Hospice/Palliative Physician

Patricia Neuman, DO, joined Agrace in 2018. She is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, hospice and palliative care and is certified as a hospice medical director. Dr. Neuman was a hospice medical director in Green Bay, WI from 2011 to 2018. Prior to that, she had a clinical practice in pain and spine care.

Nancy Ryan

Director of Clinical Eligibility

Nancy Ryan

Director of Clinical Eligibility

Education:

  • BSN Nursing- Winona State ,1984
  • MSN Nursing- UW-Eau Claire, 1996
  • DNP Nursing
  • Post Grad Certification in Palliative care-California State University, 2015
  • Advanced Certification in Hospice and Palliative Care, 2017
  • Dementia Certification, 2020

Experience in Hospice and Palliative Care:

Director of Supportive Care, 2021
Nurse Practitioner, Continuum Navigator, 2020
Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse practitioner, 2012

Just for fun:
Loves to travel to beaches, mountains, deserts and be on the water.

Danielle DiGennaro

Director of Supportive Care

Danielle DiGennaro

Director of Supportive Care

Danielle DiGennaro oversees Agrace Supportive Care, which provides specialized medical care to people who need help managing physical symptoms and stress while living with a serious illness. She leads the team of nurse practitioners who provide supportive care consultations in patients’ homes.

Danielle comes to Agrace from Haven Hospice in Gainesville, Fla., where she was director of palliative care, developing and running its in-home and inpatient palliative care program. In addition, she has eight years’ experience as a nurse practitioner at UF (University of Florida) Health Shands Hospital in Florida, Hope Hospice and Palo Alto Medical Foundation in California, and Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina.

Danielle earned a master’s degree in nursing from Duke University, Durham, N.C., with a clinical focus in cardiology and palliative care, and bachelor’s degree in nursing from Columbia University, New York, N.Y.

Paula Beltran

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Paula Beltran

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Hometown: Beloit, WI
Education:

  • BSN Nursing- Saint Anthony College of Nursing, 2004
  • MSN Nursing- Concordia University, 2014

Experience in Hospice and Palliative Care:
Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse practitioner, 2017

Just for fun:
Spending time with family, playing cards/board games, camping, warm weather vacation destinations, attending my children’s sporting events (currently travel softball), attending minor and major league sporting events as well as theatre and music events.

Dr. Linda Blust

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Dr. Linda Blust

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Linda Blust, MD, joined Agrace in 2021. She is board-certified in hospice and palliative medicine and internal medicine. Dr. Blust holds an undergraduate degree from Saint Louis University and earned her medical degree at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

Dr. Tony Braus

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Dr. Tony Braus

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Anthony Braus, MD, joined Agrace in 2012. He is board certified in geriatrics and psychiatry. Dr. Braus practiced hospital-based psychiatry for more than 20 years, primarily at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison. He regularly consults with staff caring for Agrace hospice and palliative care patients who have forms of dementia and other psychiatric conditions. Dr. Braus received his medical degree from Michigan State University.

 

Sarah Brunker

Hospice Nurse Practitioner

Sarah Brunker

Hospice Nurse Practitioner

Education:

  • Concordia University, Mequon, WI
  • Master of science in nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI
  • Bachelor of science degree in nursing

Certifications:

  • ANCC-Family Nurse Practitioner Board Certified
  • ACHPN- Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse
  • State of Wisconsin License as Advance Practice Nurse Prescriber and Registered Nurse
  • American Health Association Basic Life Support

Experience:

  • Nurse Practitioner-Agrace Hospice and Palliative Care: 2018 – Present
  • Nurse Practitioner- Department of Pediatric Urology—American Family Children’s Hospital: 2013 – 2018
  • Nurse Clinician- Oncology, Hematology and Neurosciences—American Family Children’s Hospital: 2006 – 2013

Just for Fun:

Enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and reading

Diana Charlebois

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Diana Charlebois

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Hometown: Portage, WI

Education:

  • BSN, Viterbo University, LaCrosse, WI
  • MSN-FNP, Frontier Nursing University, Hyden, KY

Experience in Hospice and Palliative Care:  I started my nursing career working in long-term care facilities. When I obtained my BSN degree, I transitioned to hospital-based nursing.  I became a nurse practitioner in 2017 and worked as a PCP. I have prior experience with Agrace as a referring PCP and have personally witnessed Agrace’s care and compassion through a family experience.

Just for fun: I enjoy spending time in nature and with my family; biking, hiking, and kayaking. I also enjoy reading and continuing my education. I consider myself a lifelong learner. I live with my husband, child and our dog.

MacKenzie Clark-Seltzner

Hospice Nurse Practitioner

MacKenzie Clark-Seltzner

Hospice Nurse Practitioner

MacKenzie Clark-Seltzner joined Agrace in 2013. She had previously worked as a nurse on an inpatient cancer unit before becoming a nurse practitioner. She received a master’s degree from Marian University, Fond du Lac, Wis., and holds Advanced Certified Palliative and Hospice Nurse (ACPHN) certification. She currently works at Agrace’s Madison inpatient unit, with both residential hospice patients and those receiving short-term acute care.

Dr. Susan Ferguson

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Dr. Susan Ferguson

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Susan Ferguson, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine, pulmonary disease, and hospice and palliative medicine. She earned her medical degree at the University of Texas Health Science Center and completed her internal medicine residency at Providence St. Vincent Hospital in Portland, Ore.

Prior to joining Agrace, Dr. Ferguson was a physician in pulmonary medicine at SSM Health.

Tara Groth

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Tara Groth

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Tara Groth joined the supportive care team in 2021. She holds her adult nurse practitioner certification and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her Master of Science in Nursing degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Certifications:

  • Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN)
  • American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Adult Nurse Practitioner certification
  • Advance Practice Nurse Prescriber, Wisconsin
  • Registered Nurse, Wisconsin

Experience:

  • Wound Care APNP, SSM Health, Madison and Janesville, WI: 2009-2021
  • Registered Nurse, ICU, Meriter Hospital, Madison, WI: 2003-2008
  • Registered Nurse, Pre- and Post-op RN, Madison Surgery Center: 2007-2009
  • Registered Nurse, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Meriter Hospital ER: 2008-2009

Just for Fun:

I coach youth hockey and I have driven a Zamboni!

Gwen Herzog

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Gwen Herzog

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Gwen Herzog joined the Supportive Care Team in 2022. Gwen was Agrace’s first supportive care nurse practitioner to serve patients in the Waukesha service area. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and a master’s degree in nursing from Concordia University.

Just for Fun:
In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, traveling with my husband, and spending time with family and friends.

Dr. Raj Hiranandani

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Dr. Raj Hiranandani

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Dr. Raj Hiranandani joined Agrace as a hospice and palliative physician in 2022. He is board-certified in hospice and palliative medicine and internal medicine and holds his medical humanities certification. Dr. Hiranandani earned his medical degree at St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada, and completed his fellowship in hospice and palliative medicine at the George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C.

Prior to joining Agrace, Dr. Hiranandani was an internal medicine physician and hospice medical director with Marshfield Clinic Health System in Park Falls, Wis.

Carmen Huenerberg

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Carmen Huenerberg

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Education:
Master of science in nursing, Concordia University, Mequon, WI
Bachelor of science in nursing, McKendree University, Lebanon, IL
Associate degree in nursing, Carterville, IL

Certifications:
American Nurse Credentialing Center Family Nurse Practitioner

Experience:
Family nurse practitioner, Agrace: 2018 – present
Family nurse practitioner, Mercy Health System: 2015- 2018
Registered nurse, Mercy Health System: 2010 – 2014
Registered nurse, Southern Illinois Healthcare: 2004 – 2010

Just for Fun:
Enjoys reading, traveling, and volunteering at her son’s school.

Diane Kelley

Hospice Nurse Practitioner

Diane Kelley

Hospice Nurse Practitioner
  • Agrace RN, 2004 – 2011
  • Joined Agrace as a nurse practitioner, 2017
  • Palliative Care and Hospice Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult nurse practitioner; ANCC-certified, 2012
  • Master of science in nursing, University of Wisconsin, 2012
  • Registered Nurse, 1984
  • Mission: Creative, compassionate holistic patient-centered care.
  • Clinical interests: Complementary medicine–Healing Touch Practitioner
  • Hobbies: Yoga, meditation, hiking, biking, cross country skiing, family time

Nicole Klaas

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Nicole Klaas

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Hometown: Montfort, WI

Education: I got my nursing degree from Southwest Tech and have been a nurse for 15 years. I went back to school and received my bachelors degree in 2019 and my Masters degree in 2022 from Franklin University out of Columbus, Ohio.

Experience in Hospice and Palliative Care: I was a nurse on an inpatient neuroscience unit for 8 years, a nurse in an ICU for 3 years and then a nurse care coordinator in transitional care for 4 years. I have slowly realized my passion is in palliative and hospice care through bits and pieces of my nursing career. I enjoy helping patients live their lives to the fullest even though their time may be limited. I really love the phrase how do you want to live? Instead of how do you want to die?

Just for fun: I live in chaos with my husband and 4 kids, and love every minute. My oldest (a boy) is 13 and my 3 girls are 11, 5, and 18 months. We spend our time camping in the summer and chasing kids and their sports (wrestling, football, basketball, softball, volleyball, and golf).

JoAnn Long

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

JoAnn Long

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Education:

  • Master of science in nursing, Chamberlain University, 2021
  • Bachelor of science in nursing, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, 2015

Certifications:

  • Family nurse practitioner, AANP
  • Advance practice nurse prescriber, Wisconsin
  • Gerontological nursing, ANCC
  • Pain management nursing, ANCC
  • Registered nurse, Wisconsin

Experience:

  • Nurse practitioner, UW Health Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin: 2022
  • Geriatrics and pain management resource nurse, medical-surgical nurse, Meriter Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin: 2015-2021
  • Hospice volunteer: 2014-present

Just for fun:

  • Loves to stay active with biking, hiking, yoga along with spending time with family, friends, and my two dogs.

Dr. Bernard Micke

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Dr. Bernard Micke

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Bernard Micke, MD, joined Agrace in 1996. Dr. Micke practiced family medicine in Madison for several decades before coming to Agrace, where he helped our organization grow and gain the respect of patients, families and medical professionals in the communities Agrace serves. He serves on the Meriter Hospital Ethics Committee and is a graduate of the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

Tammy Murawski

Hospice Nurse Practitioner

Tammy Murawski

Hospice Nurse Practitioner

Education:
• Master of science in nursing, Saint Anthony College of Nursing, Rockford, IL
• Bachelor of science in nursing, Rockford University, Rockford, IL
• Associates of arts, Rock Valley College, Rockford, IL

Certifications:
• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Experience:
• Hospice/palliative nurse practitioner, Agrace Hospice & Palliative Care: 2020 – Present
• Family nurse practitioner/health clinician, SignifyHealth: 2019 – 2021
• Director of nursing, Woods Crossing SNF/CBRF: 2018 – 2019
• Agency nurse, PRN Healthcare Services: 2017 -2020
• Health and wellness coordinator, Inclusa: 2016 – 2019
• Nurse, Mercy Health: 2015 – 2016
• Rockford Memorial Hospital: 2002 – 2015
• Volunteer emergency medical technician (EMT), Durand Fire Department: 2005 – present

Just for Fun:
Enjoys attending her children’s volleyball, softball, basketball, and track and field sporting events. Loves hockey, being outdoors, kayaking on the local rivers, hiking, and traveling.

Linda Norton

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Linda Norton

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Hometown: Madison, WI
Education:

  • BSN Nursing- California State University, Domingez Hills 1996
  • MSN Nursing- California State University, Los Angeles 1998
  • DNP Nursing-
  • Post Grad Certification in:
  • Neuropsychiatry-California State University- 1997
  • Oncology, California State University- 1998
  • Advanced Certification in  Hospice and Palliative Care- 2020
  • Dementia Certification 2021

Experience in Hospice and Palliative Care:
Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse practitioner-2016

 

Kelly N. Planton

Hospice Nurse Practitioner

Kelly N. Planton

Hospice Nurse Practitioner

Hometown: Madison WI

Education:

  • BSN Nursing- Winona State, 2007
  • MSN Nursing- UW Madison, 2011
  • Advanced Certification in  Hospice and Palliative Care- 2016

Experience in Hospice and Palliative Care:
Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse practitioner-2013

Just for fun:
High intensity interval training, Cricut crafting, crocheting, board games, spending time with my family and dogs

Aimee Reed

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Aimee Reed

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Master of Science in Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Certifications:
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Adult Nurse Practitioner certification

Experience:
During nursing school, Aimee had the opportunity to spend a semester with a hospice agency which led to a deep appreciation for the impact that exceptional end-of-life care can have on patients and families.

Aimee served as a nurse practitioner at a managed care organization since 2012, where she provided palliative care consultations.

Just for Fun:
Enjoys traveling, hiking, yoga and reading. Aimee and her husband keep busy parenting two young children. They have enjoyed trips to several National Parks the last few summers and hope to continue these in the future.

Dr. Lori Richer

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Dr. Lori Richer

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Lori Richer, MD, joined Agrace in 2021. She is board-certified in hospice and palliative medicine and is certified as a hospice medical director. Dr. Richer was a hospice and palliative care medical director in New Hampshire from 2019 to 2021. Prior to that, she was a family medicine/geriatric medicine medical director in New Hampshire.

Dr. Kenneth Robbins

Director, Hospice Memory Care Suites

Dr. Kenneth Robbins

Director, Hospice Memory Care Suites

Dr. Kenneth Robbins, MD, MPH, of Madison, is board-certified in internal medicine and psychiatry. Before joining Agrace, he was medical director of the Stoughton Hospital Geropsychiatry Unit and medical director for Rock County’s Mental Health System. He has been on the clinical faculty of the University of Wisconsin Department of Psychiatry since 1985. Robbins is a member of the Dane County Medical Society, Wisconsin State Medical Society and Wisconsin Psychiatric Association. A graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School, Robbins also and holds a master’s of public health.

Dr. Holly Schaefer

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Dr. Holly Schaefer

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Holly Schaefer, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist and hospice and palliative medicine physician. She joined Agrace in 2018, after completing a hospice and palliative medicine fellowship at UW Hospital and Clinics. Dr. Schaefer graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston and completed a psychiatry residency at Cambridge Hospital in Massachusetts. Dr. Schaefer is a member of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, an adjunct clinical faculty member for the UW Hospice and Palliative Medicine fellowship, and a member of Agrace’s Ethics Committee.

Dr. Marilyn Sincaban

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Dr. Marilyn Sincaban

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Marilyn Sincaban, MD, joined the medical services team of Agrace in 2022. She is board-certified in hospice and palliative medicine. She earned her medical degree at Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines, and completed her internal medicine residency and a fellowship in geriatric medicine at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

Prior to joining Agrace, Dr. Sincaban was a medical director with VITAS Healthcare, a national provider of end-of-life care. There, she helped assess whether prospective patients met Medicare’s hospice eligibility criteria and advised on the level of hospice care needed to meet each patient’s goals.

Dr. Geoffrey Smith

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Dr. Geoffrey Smith

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Geoffrey Smith, DO, joined Agrace in 2017. He is board certified in family medicine and is a certified hospice medical director as well as a certified wound specialist. Dr. Smith practiced medicine with Fort Health Care in Johnson Creek and Fort Atkinson, Wis., from 1989 to 2017, working in family medicine. Most recently, he worked at the Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Clinic in Fort Atkinson and the Johnson Creek Wound and Edema Clinic. He was also a medical director for Rainbow Hospice for 23 years. A graduate of Drake University, he received his medical degree from the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences, Des Moines, Iowa.

Dr. Karuna Spiegelman

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Dr. Karuna Spiegelman

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Karuna Spiegelman, MD, joined Agrace in 2017. She is board certified in internal medicine and integrative holistic medicine, and completed a fellowship in hospice and palliative care in Pennsylvania in 2016. Dr. Spiegleman has been a hospitalist with Meriter UnityPoint Health in Madison for more than 10 years, and served on Meriter Hospital’s Medical Ethics Advisory Committee for nine years. In addition to English, she also speaks French, Russian and French Creole. She is proficient in Hindi and has a basic knowledge of medical Spanish.

Lydia Weiss

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Lydia Weiss

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Hometown: Waupun, WI

Education:
• BSN Nursing – UW Madison, 2014
• DNP – UW Madison, 2021
• Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber – 2021
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner – 2021
• Critical Care Nurse Certification – 2016
• Registered Nurse – 2014

Experience in Hospice and Palliative Care:
Supportive Care Nurse Practitioner 2021 – present

Just for fun:
Walking with my husband and corgi, boating and water skiing, reading, spending time with family and friends and traveling.

Shannon Ziska

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Shannon Ziska

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Hometown: Fitchburg

Education: BSN from Edgewood College, DNP from UW-Eau Claire

Experience in Hospice and Palliative Care: I have cared for hospice and palliative care patients throughout my nursing career.  I have previously worked alongside Agrace staff as a primary care provider in skilled nursing facilities in the Madison area.

Just for fun: I enjoy traveling, reading, hiking, wine, and spending time with family.  I live with my husband and our two dogs.