Team

Team

Meet HoriSun's qualified and experienced hospice team.  Please click on individual photos to read more about each individual team member. To view our entire HoriSun directory of staff, click here.

Bob J. Bleicher, MD

Medical Director and Executive Director

Our Medical Director, Bob Bleicher MD, was born into a family of physicians and nurses from Omaha. He has practiced medicine in Lincoln for over thirty years and has 25 years of hospice medical direction. He has strong beliefs in compassionate care with attention to patients' and families' physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. He is board certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Pulmonary Medicine. He is prepared to help deal with many family and patient concerns. His work in Quality Improvement at local hospitals also helps bring concerned attention to detail, superb care, and desire for excellence.

Stacie Bleicher, MD, FAAP

Pediatric Hospice Physician

Our pediatric hospice physician Stacie Bleicher, MD, FAAP, is here to support our pediatric patients as well as their family unit. Dr. Stacie Bleicher received her MD at the University of Iowa. She completed her Pediatric Training at the University Hospital and Clinic in Iowa City, IA. In 1983 she relocated to Lincoln, NE where she worked in general pediatric practice. Early on in her practice, she became involved in the evaluation and caring for abused children. Since 1997, Dr. Bleicher has evaluated children for sexual and other forms of abuse through the Lincoln Child Advocacy Center and is currently its medical director. She has also participated in the Nebraska Chapter and national American Academy of Pediatrics as well as a variety of community coalitions related to child health. Additionally, she has served on multiple governor-appointed committees related to child health. She has participated in the care of multiple hospice patients.

Dr. Sean Barry

Assistant Medical Director

Dr. Barry was born and raised in Omaha. He attended the University of Nebraska-Omaha, followed by the University of Nebraska Medicine for medical school and his residency. He completed a pulmonary and critical care fellowship at the University of Kansas Medical Center where he was a faculty member until coming to Lincoln in 1996. Dr. Barry and his wife Stephanie have three wonderful daughters. In his free time, he enjoys gardening, hiking and scuba diving.

Susan Burkey

Program Coordinator

Susan received her RN from Bryan School of Nursing and her BSN from Nebraska Wesleyan University. She has worked in end of life care for over 35 years, beginning as a volunteer for hospice in 1988. Susan supports the End of Life Coalition and the Coalition for Older Adult Health Promotion, as well as serves on the Aging Partners Areawide Advisory Council for Seward County. Additionally, she is active in the Milford Kiwanis. Susan is passionate about educating those in the medical profession to recognize the unique care that is necessary and that people deserve at the end of life. She firmly believes in the importance of self-care and enjoys reading and listening to many genres of music.

Nancy Hulewicz

Office Manager

As HoriSun Hospice's Office Manager, Nancy oversees all billing and financial operations of the business. Nancy has been with HoriSun since 2008 and has over twenty years experience in medical billing and finance.  Nancy can assist you with any questions or concerns you may have about your billing with HoriSun.

Kelli Klopfenstein, RN, BSN, MSN, CHPN

Director of Clinical Services

Kelli received her Associate's Degree in nursing in 1999 from Southeast Community College, her Bachelor's Degree from UNMC in 2005, and her Master's of Science in Nursing in 2014. Prior to joining the HoriSun team, Kelli worked at Bryan Medical Center West Intensive Care as a staff nurse, and most recently as a nurse manager. Kelli enjoys meeting patients where they are at in their end of life journey. She is passionate about serving individuals from every background and ensuring dignity in all aspects of their care.

Molly Turek, RN, CHPN

Clinical Manager

Molly received her Associate Degree in Nursing from Southeast Community College. She has worked in skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and in hospice for 15 years at the Monarch hospice house and previously with HoriSun Hospice as Clinical Manager. She most recently worked for a medical software company for three years and returned to HoriSun in 2019. Molly is passionate about providing comfort and promoting quality of life to all individuals.

Mary Cammack, APRN

Nurse Practitioner

Mary Cammack, RN, APRN is Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certified. She has many years of experience in pulmonary and critical care. She currently works in emergency medicine, and has worked with HoriSun Hospice since 2011.

Shannon Kennedy, RN, CHPN

Quality Assurance Coordinator

Shannon graduated from Bryan School of Nursing in 2000 and was a Registered Nurse for Crete Area Medical Center for 8 years. She was a School Nurse for Crete Public Schools for 11 years prior to joining the HoriSun team. Shannon worked as a Nurse Case Manager with HoriSun Hospice for three years prior to becoming our Quality Assurance Coordinator. She has enjoyed helping patients meet their end-of-life goals while also supporting their family and loved ones.

Becca Henry, MA

Community Relations Coordinator

Becca received both her Bachelor of Journalism and her Master of Arts in Integrated Media Communications from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She currently serves as the President of the Lincoln Coalition for Older Adult Health Promotion, President of the HoriSun Hospice Community Foundation, a member of the Lincoln Caregiver Education Group, the Nebraska Caregiver Coalition, and the Seniors Foundation of Lincoln. Becca has had personal experiences with her own family members on hospice services and feels passionate about educating others on the many benefits hospice provides.

Kelli Higgins, LMHP, LCSW

Hospice Social Worker

Kelli received her Master of Social Work from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. She has extensive work experience in medical and mental health case management as well as clinical experience with elders and juveniles. Kelli serves as the Treasurer for the HoriSun Hospice Community Foundation.

Tracey McChargue, LCSW, APHSW-C

Hospice Social Worker

Tracey received her Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois – Chicago with an emphasis in Mental Health. She received her Bachelor of Science in Family Social Services and Sociology from Northern Illinois University. Tracey has worked for 15 years in medical social work in the skilled nursing community, hospital and dialysis settings. Previously, Tracey worked in child welfare as well as program development and training/education. She has enjoyed working with individuals and families through the lifespan; from before birth, preparing and educating families for adoption and helping them adjust to parenthood, to providing end of life support to patients and families through their journey on hospice.

Nina Lux

Volunteer Coordinator

As the volunteer coordinator, Nina oversees our team of dedicated hospice volunteers. She is very passionate about the death and dying process, as it is an integral part of all of our lives. She is an advocate of hospice services for the additional support it brings both individuals and family. Nina has worked with hospice both personally with family members, as well as professionally. She believes that women bringing life into the world during pregnancy and childbirth receive much support throughout the process, and that the same support is needed when an individual goes through the dying process. She has seen many deaths and noted that it is possible to have a good death. Before joining the HoriSun team, Nina worked for the past ten years at a Skilled Nursing Community in various roles, spending the last several years as a Social Services Coordinator.

Sara Yates

Bereavement Coordinator

Sara was trained as a death doula with certificates from the University of Vermont (UVM) and the International End of Life Doula Association in (INELDA). She also volunteers as a Grief Facilitator at Mourning Hope. Humor is one of Sara's love languages, and feels that even with dark topics and little light, laughter can warm the soul. She is a Nebraskan, born and raised, passion for football included. Her second love language is food; a fun fact about her is that she is a trained chef and enjoys teaching culinary classes.

George Robie, MDIV, DMIN, MS, BCC (Ret.)

Spiritual Care

George, a native of New Hampshire, is an ordained United Church of Christ minister. A board certified chaplain (Retired) in the Association of Professional Chaplains, George served churches in Wisconsin for ten years before transitioning into chaplaincy, serving hospitals in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Nebraska for 30 years. He has been a part time chaplain at HoriSun for 13 years.

Mary Hendricks, MDIV, PHD, BCCC, CFHPC

Spiritual Care

Prior to her work in formal ministry, Mary was an educator working in the related fields of special education and school psychology. She retired from her career as a professor of early childhood special education when she enrolled in seminary in 2003. Ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church in 2006, Mary was a resident chaplain at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences before entering parish ministry. During her time as a parish priest in McCook, Nebraska, Mary served as chaplain for the Community Hospital Hospice program.

Rev. Verneda Kelly

Spiritual Care

Verneda is an Episcopal Priest, ordained in 2015 as a Bi-Vocational Priest. She worked with the Nebraska Department of Transportation at the time, in the Director’s Office while studying with the Bishop Kemper School of Ministry in Topeka KS. Currently, she is the Pastoral Care Coordinator for Holy Trinity Church in Lincoln, and also work as a pulpit supply priest on occasion. Verneda's husband is an ordained Deacon in the Episcopal Church, serving at St. Marks on the Campus in Lincoln. In the past, Verneda and her husband have worked together in healing ministries and love mission work.

Kathy Miller

Spiritual Care

Kathy graduated from Purdue University with her Master's degree and Ph.D. She has taught Sociology at Concordia University since 1999. Kathy supervises Spiritual Directors and has been a Certified Spiritual Director since 2014 with the Nebraska Synod and Seeking the Spirit Within. Kathy is a student in the Parish Ministry Associate program.

Shelly Troyer, LMT

Licensed Massage Therapist

HoriSun is proud to offer the services of Shelly to our hospice patients. Shelly acquired her Nebraska State Massage Therapist License in July of 2005 and has been contracted with HoriSun since November of 2005. Each session with Shelly is individualized, with special consideration given to the unique situation and the needs of the hospice patient. Bringing comfort and relaxation is a priority with each patient Shelly visits.

Kate Harris, LMT

Licensed Massage Therapist

Kate began working in the health care field as a CNA in 2000, and then in 2007 she received her Nebraska State Massage License. With her massage therapy license she was able to integrate both jobs by working as a massage therapist at Saint Elizabeth Hospital and starting her own private practice. Kate feels blessed to be a part of the HoriSun Hospice team and with each individualized session, bringing comfort and relaxation to each patient she visits.

Robin Davenport, RN, CHPN

RN Case Manager

Robin received her RN from Bryan School of Nursing and worked at Bryan for 30 years in Med Surg, ICU and Care Management prior to joining the HoriSun Hospice team. Before that, she worked at Lincoln Ear, Nose and Throat. Robin is passionate about caring for patients at the end of life as well as supporting their loved ones.

Angie Kelley, RN

RN Case Manager

Angie was an LPN for 18 years and then obtained her RN in 2002. Prior to working from HoriSun, Angie worked in radiation therapy, neurosurgery and surgery.

Angela Boule, RN, BSN

RN Case Manager

Angela received her diploma in nursing from UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing in Pittsburgh, PA and her BSN from Chatham University also in Pittsburgh, PA. She has been a nurse since 2008 working in transplant ICU, community geriatrics and ortho/trauma. Angela previously worked at Clinic with a Heart as their Development Director and Provider Relations Coordinator. She first got to know HoriSun Hospice as a volunteer in 2013. Angela has found her niche in hospice nursing and thoroughly enjoys working with patients and families as they embark on their special final journey.

Codi Thieman, RN

RN Case Manager

Codi spent 23 years working for Bryan Medical Center. Her career began as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, working primarily in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at Bryan East. She flew for StarCare, Air Ambulance, for six years as a Respiratory Therapist. During this time, her scope of practice was broadened and she could do several things in her flight career that she could not do as a hospital-based therapist. Not wanting to lose the knowledge and skills she gained, Codi decided to go back to nursing school.

Kathy Boroff, RN

RN Case Manager

Kathy was born and raised in Fairbury, Nebraska. She received her nursing degree at Presentation College in Aberdeen, South Dakota over 30 years ago. She spent many years as a Director of Nursing in both skilled-, and assisted-living communities. She also spent many years as an administrator, and is certified in gerontology. Kathy worked for a hospice company while living in North Carolina last year where she fell in love with the hospice philosophy, and taking care of individuals as they near the end of their life. When she moved back to Nebraska, she knew hospice was her calling.

Ashley Jurey, RN

RN Case Manager

Ashley received her RN in 2005. She worked at Bryan Medical Center for most of her nursing career in the Cardiac Progressive Care Unit, the Neuro/Trauma ICU, the Gastrointestinal Lab, and at Nebraska Internal Medicine before beginning in hospice in early 2024. She has three children and a Boxer named Baxter. Ashley loves spending time with family and being outdoors, watching her kids play sports and coaching their teams. She loves getting to know patients and their families, while being a part of their journey throughout their lives.

Tami Girard, LPN

Visiting Hospice Nurse

Tami began working as a CNA in 2008 and received her LPN in 2014. She worked in long-term care until 2016, when she then began working in hospice. Tami worked as a floor nurse and manager at Journey House. In 2019, she received her certificate as an End-Of-Life Doula through Vermont University. Tami has a passion for hospice and feels privileged to be part of such an intimate and fragile time in peoples’ lives. She believes it is important to advocate for her patients and enjoys providing support, dignity and comfort to patients and their families throughout their journey.

Becky Herdt, LPN

Visiting Hospice Nurse

Becky received her LPN from Southeast Community College and joined HoriSun with over 20 years of work experience in assisted living and skilled nursing communities. Additionally, she has worked as a nurse in family practice. Becky believes in the philosophy of hospice and appreciates the interdisciplinary team approach, in which each patient has the support of the full hospice team to receive maximum comfort and care.

Heidi Little, RN, MSN, MBA, EdD

Visiting Hospice Nurse

Heidi received her diploma in nursing from Bryan College of Health Sciences in 2000. She received her BSN from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2007 and her Masters in Nursing and Masters in Business from Wesleyan University in 2018. Heidi received her Doctorate of Education in 2022. Heidi has worked in medical/surgical, neuro/trauma intensive care, and as a Clinical Value Analyst. She is currently faculty at Bryan College of Health Sciences in the undergraduate nursing program. Heidi has always had a love for hospice nursing and works in an as-needed position at HoriSun Hospice.

Brittany Wray, RN, BSN, APRN-BC, FNP

Visiting Nurse

Brittany received her BSN from UNMC in 2012. The majority of her nursing experience has been in hospice, previously at HoriSun Hospice and in Columbus. Additionally, Brittany has spent time in family practice and in emergency medicine. Brittany received her master's degree through UNMC in 2024 and in addition to working at HoriSun Hospice, she works as a Palliative Nurse Practitioner with Nebraska Hematology Oncology.

Megan Burkey, RN, BSN

Visiting Nurse

Megan has been a nurse since 2005, beginning in hospice as well as acute care. As she continued in the hospital setting, Megan continued to value the role of hospice. Throughout her profession, she has had the opportunity to provide individualized care. Returning to hospice continues to allow Megan to focus care on individual patients, providing meaningful support.

Klara Schuman, LPN

Visiting Hospice Nurse

Klara began working for HoriSun Hospice in 2004 when the company first began. From 1998 to 2004, Klara worked at Nebraska Pulmonary Specialties with Dr. Bleicher as well as other providers. She has served on the board for St. Monica's Behavioral Health and the HoriSun Hospice Community Foundation. Klara feels it's an honor and privilege to work with hospice patients and their families.

Rita Kment, RN

Visiting Hospice Nurse

Rita received her diploma from Bryan School of Nursing. She worked as a registered nurse at Memorial Health Care Systems in Seward for 15 years. She most recently worked at Lincoln Orthopaedic for the last 22 years. Rita enjoys building relationships with patients and their families, and assisting them through their end of life journey with great compassion.

Jesi McGinley, LPN

On-Call Nurse

Jesi began working as a Certified Nursing Assistant in 2003 and received her Licensed Practical Nurse certification in 2016 from Southeast Community College at Beatrice. She has seven years of hospice experience and is currently working towards becoming a Registered Nurse through Southeast Community College at Lincoln.

Meesha Vollertsen, RN

On-Call Nurse

Meesha knew she wanted to become a nurse at seven years old and first began working as a CNA at Madonna Rehabilitation working with patients who suffered a spinal cord injury, and others with a traumatic brain injury. She received her RN from Bryan School of Nursing in 1997. She worked at Bryan Medical Center in a variety of specialties for 25 years, and found herself most passionate about end of life patients. Meesha has always found it an honor to support patients and their families through what is often a difficult and stressful time in their lives.

Jessica Canter, CNA

Hospice Aide Supervisor

Jess began working as a CNA in 2007. Prior to working for HoriSun Hospice, Jess worked in assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and hospice. Jess enjoys working in hospice because it is home-based and there is more time to get to know patients and their families. She enjoys hearing their stories and the one-on-one time that allows for patients to feel well-cared for. Jess received her Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant Certification in March of 2018.

Tanya Babcock, CHPNA

Hospice Aide

Tanya began working as a CNA in 2009. She worked for over 7 years in a memory care community prior to joining the HoriSun team. Tanya enjoys assisting people with their wanted and needed cares, and is dedicated to going the extra mile to make patients as comfortable as possible, keeping pride and dignity in the forefront of her decision-making processes. She received her Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant Certification in September of 2017.

Katy Blitz, CNA

Hospice Aide

Katy began working as a CNA in 2008. Prior to joining the HoriSun team, she previously worked in memory care, assisted living, skilled nursing, and in hospice care. Katy enjoys getting one-on-one time with the patients she cares for and pampering them to provide the great care they deserve. Katy is currently working towards a degree in nursing.

Randi Young, CNA

Hospice Aide

Randi became a CNA in 2012. She has previously worked in skilled nursing, home health, memory care, and at a hospice house. Randi feels that hospice and caring for individuals at the end of life is her calling. She enjoys making connections with those on their hospice journey, as well as their loved ones, and getting to know her patients as she provides care for them.

Jose Mena-Vargas, CNA

Hospice Aide

Jose began working as a CNA over 15 years ago in Northeast Nebraska. Throughout the years, he has worked in home health, skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care, hospice care, special needs health, and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Jose is passionate about his work around the community. He enjoys making patients smile and laugh through their journey. Jose dedicates himself to providing the best service to patients and their loved ones.

Hershey

Hospice Puppy

Hershey is our hospice puppy who was adopted in 2023 by Drs. Bleicher. Hershey loves visiting hospice patients with Dr. Bleicher as well as making visits to senior living communities, bringing joy to everyone she meets. Hershey loves toys, treats, and long back rubs.

Coco

Hospice Dog (2012-2023)

Coco was our beloved hospice dog who was a rescue animal that lived with Drs. Bleicher. She dedicated her life to serving others in numerous ways, always accompanying Dr. Bleicher to patient visits and numerous senior living communities. Coco greatly enjoyed belly rubs and brought smiles to many that enjoy the company of a four-legged companion.