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Aaron Hoekstra

Hospice Nurse Practitioner

Aaron Hoekstra

Hospice Nurse Practitioner

Education

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Marquette University
  • Master of Science in Nursing, Chamberlain University

Certifications

  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC), Board Certified – Accrediting Board
  • Registered Nurse (RN)
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), American Heart Association
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), American Heart Association
  • Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association

Experience

With over four years of experience as a Nurse Practitioner, Aaron brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the healthcare field. His background includes valuable stints in both the fast-paced Emergency Room and the compassionate realm of Palliative Care, where he has made a meaningful impact on the lives of those he has served.

Just for fun

Aaron’s heart finds its greatest joy in the company of his two-year-old daughter. A devoted father, he cherishes every moment spent with his little one, creating lasting memories through shared laughter and exploration. Aaron’s commitment to family extends into his home, where he has discovered a love for baking. Whether crafting delectable treats or simply enjoying the process with loved ones, Aaron finds solace and joy in the art of baking.

Annette Bennett-Otto

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Annette Bennett-Otto

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

As a board-certified family nurse practitioner, Annette Bennett-Otto serves Agrace Supportive Care patients in Dodge, Jefferson and Waukesha Counties. In this role, she provides palliative care consultations for people who are living with a life-altering illness and need more relief from their symptoms and stress.

Annette Bennett-Otto holds a Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of St. Francis, Joliet, Ill. She has more than a decade of experience as an advance practice nurse and comes to Agrace from Optum HealthCare and Independent Psychiatric Consultants, where she worked as a nurse practitioner.

Carmen Huenerberg

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Carmen Huenerberg

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Education

  • Master of Science in Nursing, Concordia University
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing, McKendree University
  • 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

She enjoys reading, traveling, and volunteering at her son’s school.

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.

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.

Diane Kelley

Hospice Nurse Practitioner

Diane Kelley

Hospice Nurse Practitioner

Education

  • Master of science in nursing, University of Wisconsin–Madison

Certifications

  • Palliative Care and Hospice Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult nurse practitioner, ANCC-certified

Experience

  • Registered Nurse, 1984
  • Agrace RN, 2004 – 2011
  • Joined Agrace as a nurse practitioner, 2017

Just for fun

She enjoys yoga, meditation, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and family time.

Dr. Ajith Susai

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Dr. Ajith Susai

Hospice/Palliative Physician

Ajith Susai, DO, joined Agrace in 2023. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine. Dr. Susai has practiced hospital medicine since 2019 for ProHealth Care and many other southeastern Wisconsin health systems, where he developed his passion for inpatient hospice care. A graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2012, he received his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2016. Dr. Susai is a devoted husband and father of two young daughters and a dog and is an avid sports fan.

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.

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. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

 

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.

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.

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

MacKenzie Clark

Hospice Nurse Practitioner

MacKenzie Clark

Hospice Nurse Practitioner

MacKenzie Clark 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.

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!

Nicole Klaas

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Nicole Klaas

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Education

  • Associates in Nursing, Southwest Tech
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Franklin University
  • Masters of Science in Nursing, Franklin University

Experience

She 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. She has since found her passion is in palliative and hospice care. She enjoys helping patients live their lives to the fullest, even though their time may be limited.

Just for fun

She lives with her husband and 4 kids—and loves every minute. Her oldest (a boy) is 13, and her 3 girls are 11, 5, and 18 months. She spends her 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 her two dogs.

Tammy Murawski

Hospice Nurse Practitioner

Tammy Murawski

Hospice Nurse Practitioner

Education

  • Master of Science in Nursing, Saint Anthony College of Nursing
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Rockford University
  • Associates of Arts, Rock Valley College

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

She enjoys attending her children’s volleyball, softball, basketball, and track and field sporting events. She also loves hockey, being outdoors, kayaking on the local rivers, hiking, and traveling.

Linda Norton

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Linda Norton

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Education

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing, California State University
  • Master of Science in Nursing, California State University
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice

Certifications

  • Advanced Certification in  Hospice and Palliative Care
  • Dementia Certification
  • Neuropsychiatry Certification, California State University
  • Oncology Certification, California State University

Experience in Hospice and Palliative Care

Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse practitioner since 2016

 

Kelly N. Planton

Hospice Nurse Practitioner

Kelly N. Planton

Hospice Nurse Practitioner

Education

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Winona State University
  • Master of Science in Nursing, University of Wisconsin–Madison

Certifications

  • Advanced Certification in  Hospice and Palliative Care

Experience in Hospice and Palliative Care

Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse practitioner since 2013

Just for fun

She enjoys high-intensity interval training, Cricut crafting, crocheting, playing board games, and spending time with her 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, where she provided palliative care consultations.

Just for Fun
Aimee enjoys traveling, hiking, yoga and reading. She 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.

Lydia Weiss

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Lydia Weiss

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Education

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Wisconsin–Madison
  •  Doctor of Nursing Practice – University of Wisconsin–Madison

Certifications

  • Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber
  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Critical Care Nurse Certification
  • Registered Nurse

Experience
Supportive Care Nurse Practitioner 2021 – present

Just for fun
She enjoys walking with her husband and corgi, boating, water skiing, reading, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Michelle Barrett

Nurse Practitioner, IPU

Michelle Barrett

Nurse Practitioner, IPU

Education 

  • Master of Science in Nursing, Chamberlain University 
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing Chamberlain University 

 

Certifications

  • Family Nurse Practitioner- American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) 
  • Registered Nurse 
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) 
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) 

 

Experience

She has spent several years working in hospice as an RN case manager and an admissions coordinator.  As a Nurse Practitioner, she has two years of experience working with patients with new and chronic heart failure, as well as two years working with palliative care patients.  

 

Just for Fun 

She enjoys running and hiking and spending time with her adult children.  

Shannon Ziska

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Shannon Ziska

Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner

Education

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Edgewood College
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire

Experience

She has cared for hospice and palliative care patients throughout her nursing career.  She has previously worked alongside Agrace staff as a primary care provider in skilled nursing facilities in the Madison area.

Just for fun

She enjoys traveling, reading, hiking, and spending time with family.  She lives with her husband and their two dogs.