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(800) 553-4289

 

What is Supportive Care?

Agrace Supportive Care provides several types of palliative (PAL-lee-uh-tiv) care services—specialized, supportive care for people who have serious illnesses.

Our goal is to help you get more relief from the symptoms, pain, stress and other health problems related to a serious illness. We can also look for ways to lessen the side effects of your medicines and treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation.

Supportive Care can help at any stage of a serious illness, when you are struggling to feel better and worry less. The first step is to schedule a Supportive Care Consultation, a detailed, in-home visit from a Supportive Care nurse practitioner (NP).

Supportive Care also collaborates with our affiliate partners, UW Health and UnityPoint Health–Meriter, as well as with SSM Health and ElderSpan long-term care facilities, to offer additional services. See the Supportive Care Partnerships section of this page for more information.

 

palliative care - men playing cards

Who is it for?

Agrace Supportive Care can help adults who:

  • have a serious illness, but are not at the end of life,
  • are not getting enough relief from their medications and other treatment, and
  • have trouble leaving home or traveling to their doctor or clinic because of their illness.

This service can also support a person’s family caregivers, because it looks at more than just the medical concerns that affect a family when someone is seriously ill.

 

 

How does it help?NP reviewing prescriptions with couple

Supportive Care Consultations are detailed, in-home visits made by a Supportive Care doctor or nurse practitioner. The visit lasts about two hours, which allows time for detailed conversation.

During this consult visit: 

  • A Supportive Care nurse practitioner or doctor will give you a physical exam, ask you about any troubling symptoms, and talk with you about how medicines and other treatments are working.
  • You will talk about your goals for care and what gets in the way of meeting your goals.
  • You will have time to discuss things that are causing you to worry, and your choices for future treatment.
  • The social worker will explain other community resources that might help, such as meal delivery or support organizations that help people with your illness.

After the visit, Supportive Care will give you and your doctor ideas to help improve your comfort and reduce stress, such as trying different medicines or treatments, or making lifestyle changes. You and your doctor can decide which changes you want to make to meet your goals. With your doctor’s approval, we can make follow-up visits to check on how well the changes are working.

 

How is it different than hospice?

Agrace Supportive Care Consultations are meant to improve your comfort, but they are not the same as hospice care.

Hospice care is specifically for people whose main goal is comfort, not a cure, and who are likely in their last six months of life. You usually cannot have hospice care while you are also having treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation with the goal of being cured. The services included in hospice care are well defined by Medicare and are similar from one hospice to another across America.

Supportive Care Consultations are appropriate at any stage of a serious illness, regardless of your prognosis. You can have Supportive Care while you continue to get treatment in the hope of being cured. In fact, palliative care can be very helpful to people who are struggling with the physical and emotional stress and the side effects of their treatment.

In addition to these consultations, Supportive Care offers other palliative care services that vary in the types of support they offer, and where the care is provided.

 

What does it cost?

Insurance: Medicare, Medicaid and most insurers usually cover Supportive Care consultations, including follow-up visits. You may have to make a co-payment, as you would if you were visiting your doctor’s office.

Self-pay: If you are not using insurance to pay for your Supportive Care consultation, Agrace must provide you a “good faith” estimate of the expected cost of your care. You can learn more here.

Care for All: If you do not have insurance and cannot pay for the consultation, Supportive Care may be able to offer you help paying, through our Care for All program. This donor-funded program offers help paying when our patients cannot afford the care they need.

 

How do I get started?

You can ask your doctor to call Agrace Supportive Care, or you can contact us directly to schedule a visit.

 (800) 930-2770

Call to talk to an interpreter / Tenemos intérpretes disponibles: (800) 930-2770

 

Agrace Partners in Care

Agrace Partners in Care is a program that provides nurse practitioners on a scheduled basis to see facility residents right where they live. During regular check-ins, Agrace’s team of chronic illness experts talk with residents experiencing new or worsening symptoms to explore ways to help them feel better and cope better with their illness.

Agrace Partners in Care rapidly responds as the health needs of residents change. We partner with facilities, primary care physicians and residents across our service area.

To learn how you can be part of the Agrace Partners in Care program, contact Ben Johnsen, Agrace business development manager, to discuss the benefits to your residents.

Our current Partners in Care Program members:

BeeHive Homes of Mt. Horeb
Towner Crest
 

Supportive Care Team Leadership

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.

Anna Miehe

Operations Manager

Anna Miehe

Operations Manager

Hometown: Darlington, WI
Education: BSN Nursing- University of Iowa, 2018
Experience in Hospice and Palliative Care: I have been the RN CC in this role since January 2020
Just for fun: I enjoy running, cooking, and spending time with my cat and dog

Supportive Care Providers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

 

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.

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.

Support Team

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.

 

Nina Perkins

Supportive Care Medical Assistant

Nina Perkins

Supportive Care Medical Assistant

Melanie Platt

Supportive Care Coordinator

Melanie Platt

Supportive Care Coordinator

Hometown: Wisconsin Dells, WI

Education: RN, ADN

Experience in Hospice and Palliative Care: I was previously a nurse case manager on Agrace’s North Team for almost two years, I’m excited to be back and a part of the Agrace organization once again!

Just for fun: I have three children; two daughters and a son. My oldest daughter Addison will be graduating in the spring from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a degree in Health Care Administration. My daughter Olivia will be returning for her second year at the University of Wiconsin-Madison in the fall, and my son Marty is an avid wrestler and baseball player. I have a black lab named Diesel.

Karen Nissen-Boryczka

Cardiac Nurse Specialist

Karen Nissen-Boryczka

Cardiac Nurse Specialist

Karen Nissen-Boryczka, RN, BSN, MSHCE, oversees the development and growth of Agrace’s American Heart Association-approved cardiac specialty program. She works with Agrace’s hospice and supportive care clinicians and its community care partners to support patients who have complex cardiac care needs and need specialized care to manage their symptoms and meet their end-of-life goals.

Karen holds a master’s degree in health care ethics from Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., and an undergraduate degree in nursing from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

 

Kenzie Swaag

Medical Assistant

Kenzie Swaag

Medical Assistant

Hometown: Monroe, WI
Education:
Associates in Medical Assisting: Herzing University- 2015

Experience in Hospice and Palliative Care:
Palliative Care Medical Assistant- 2021

Just for fun:
I volunteer my time as a Firefighter/Emergency Responder and really enjoy helping people in their time of need. When I’m not busy responding to calls or working my 2 other jobs, I enjoy camping, fishing, hanging with friends, playing volleyball, and spending time with my 2 dogs. I’m also a huge Badgers, Brewers, and Packers fan.

Deanna Truedson McKillips

Supportive Care Social Worker

Deanna Truedson McKillips

Supportive Care Social Worker

Hometown: Mount Horeb
Education: Master’s in Social Work, UW Madison
Certifications: CAPSW, APHSW-C, Advanced Dementia Care Specialist Certificate 2021
Experience in Hospice and Palliative Care: Agrace Supportive Care- 4 years
Just for fun: I love to hike, camp, explore nature and play with my rescue dogs.

 

Caregiver Support

If your family member has a serious or life-altering illness, our Care Tips for Families page has tips and resources that will help you care for them (and yourself) at home.

Care Tips for Families