Carolina Caring Leadership
Our People
LEADERSHIP
Dana Killian, MBA
President & Chief Executive Officer
Dana Killian is a seasoned healthcare executive with 16+ years in the healthcare industry leading growth, marketing, business development and community outreach efforts. Her diverse background also includes developing and leading value-based programs such as Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and Bundled Payment Programs (BPCI-A).
At Carolina Caring, she has participated in industry work groups and innovation teams, been involved in regulatory committees, and has collaborated with key leaders of large hospital systems. Her creativity has enabled her to provide innovative solutions to address business challenges while maintaining Carolina Caring’s culture and core values.
Susan Nelson, BSN, MHA
Chief Operating Officer
Susan earned a Bachelors in Nursing from Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY. She holds a Masters in Health Administration from Columbia Southern University, Orange Beach, AL. Susan’s background includes over 25 years in long term care and five years in intensive care units. She has served as the Director of Nursing (DON) for seven long term care facilities. Additionally, Susan has worked as a RN for the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the medical transport/transplant team at Scott and White Medical Center in Temple, TX; and as a member of the ICU at Yale Medical Center in New Haven, CT.
After being stationed at several military installations throughout the United States and abroad, Susan’s family relocated to North Carolina in 2006 (following her husband’s retirement from the Army). During her off-time, she enjoys reading, travel and spending time entertaining family and friends.
Christina McNally, BS, MPH
Chief Strategy Officer
Christina brings a wealth of knowledge in identifying and implementing strategic initiatives for nonprofits and large hospital systems, including Atrium Health and UNC Healthcare. She leverages her extensive experience in the healthcare industry to increase engagement with community partners and expand access to care through innovative partnerships.
Christina completed her undergraduate degree in Health Education and Business Administration at East Carolina University. She received her Master of Public Health degree at Lenoir-Rhyne University and has held several local and state board positions. McNally currently serves on the board of directors for Hickory Soup Kitchen and is an active member of the Valdese Rotary.
Angela Gruebbel, CPHRM
Chief Administration Officer
Prior to joining Carolina Caring in 2019, Angela Gruebbel spent over 15 years providing in-house risk and legal support in the healthcare industry, including nonprofit hospice. In addition to holding a B.A in Paralegal Studies and Government, Angela is a Certified Professional Risk Manager (CPHRM), is a member of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM), and has a breadth of knowledge in healthcare risk areas, including contracts, compliance, and operations. For the past 6 years, her focus has included employee relations and workplace safety. Angela also serves as Chief Risk Officer of Teleios Collaborative Network, which enables her to work with other nonprofit hospices to prevent and mitigate risk to their respective organizations and employees.
Tammy Jensen, BS
Chief Financial Officer
Tammy Jensen is an experienced healthcare professional that began her career as an accountant in 1998 with the regional CPA firm of Davidson, Holland and Whitesell, LLC. Her six years with the organization focused on cost report audits for healthcare organizations across the state of North Carolina. Through her work Tammy developed an interest in applying her accounting skills in a more direct fashion with healthcare related businesses. In 2004 she began working for Carolina Caring allowing her to fulfill that goal. During her tenure with Carolina Caring she has developed a thorough knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid and commercial insurance billing and collection processes.
Virginia Duany-Jimenez, DO
Chief Medical Officer
After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree at Barry University, Dr. Duany completed her medical training at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is a member of the American Osteopathic Association and American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
With nearly 15 years of healthcare experience and an expert at developing comprehensive medical plans for patients, Dr. Duany works to ensures every member on the nonprofit’s hospice team is knowledgeable about each patient’s plan of care so they can provide personalized treatment options that best suit their healthcare needs.
Tara Bland, BS, MA
Executive Director, Carolina Caring Foundation
Tara has over 20 years of experience in relationship development, event planning, and professional fundraising. Prior to joining Carolina Caring, Tara served as Executive Director of the SALT Block Foundation where she was responsible for fundraising and community engagement efforts in support of the local cultural community.
A Hickory native, Tara received her undergraduate degree in communications from Appalachian State University and went on to earn a masters degree in liberal studies with a focus in community engagement and leadership from Lenoir-Rhyne University. Tara’s commitment to the community has led to her involvement in several non-profit charitable organizations to include her membership in the Rotary Club of Hickory and Service League of Hickory where she has served on the board of directors and as president of both organizations. Tara currently serves on the board for Catawba Valley Young Life and as the board president of Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley.
Inspired by her family’s personal experience with Carolina Caring, Tara’s goal is to ensure that all have access to our world-class services through fundraising and the charitable contributions of our community.
Scott Lofland, MBA
Senior Vice President, Strategic Development
Scott Lofland is an Air Force veteran with extensive experience in logistics. During his 17 years in the military, he managed operations and evaluated processes for challenged departments, addressing and correcting issues with accounting, quality assurance, and overall deployment readiness. As a result of these efforts, he touts the benefits of good leadership and believes that staff development is critical to exceptional care and service. Scott has been with Carolina Caring since 2013 and has also contributed his time and skills to finance and project management. In addition to an MBA, Scott holds a graduate-level certificate in Health Services Management.
Pam Markland, BSHM, MHA
Vice President, Hospice & Palliative Care
Pam brings over 20 years of healthcare leadership to her role overseeing the Palliative Medicine Program. With degrees in healthcare management and administration, she excels in managing clinical aspects, ensuring quality standards, and fostering collaboration. Pam’s dedication to continuous improvement and problem-solving stems from personal hospice experiences. Based in Morganton, NC, she balances her professional life with family time, outdoor activities, and community involvement.
Ashley Perkins, MSN, RN
Vice President, Hospice Services
Ashley Perkins, a McDowell County native, began her career in healthcare as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) when she was a junior in high school. It was then that she felt a true calling to the nursing field. With over 20 years of experience, including hospice care, and leadership in long term care as a Director and Assistant Director of Nursing, she specialized in wound care, infection control and prevention as well as employee education.
Ashley completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina. She then continued and completed her MSN Leadership and Management through Western Governor’s University. In 2020, Ashley completed a Fellowship with LeadingAge of NC’s Leadership Academy.
As an essential member of the Carolina Caring leadership team, Ashley’s expertise brings a wealth of knowledge to our clinical staff and sincere, heartfelt care to our patients and their families. She is a member of Nebo Crossing Church in Marion, North Carolina and enjoys reading and spending time with her husband and 3 children.
Maria Reese, MS
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Maria is a healthcare professional with over 25 years of experience spanning public health, nonprofit, government, private, and healthcare sectors. Specializing in health equity, health promotion, disease prevention, and corporate social responsibility, Maria is dedicated to enhancing access to affordable, quality care for underserved populations. She has held leadership roles in various sectors, where she has developed and implemented impactful strategies. Her expertise in marketing and communications enables her to effectively tell compelling stories and help expand services. Maria has also authored publications on community health and social determinants of health. She serves on the Town of Huntersville Greenway Bikes and Trails Commission, the Queens University Graduate Health Administration Advisory Board, and volunteers at Roof Above, a homeless shelter.
Kelly Tate, BA
Vice President, Community Relations
Kelly Tate has been with Carolina Caring since 2010 and has over 20 years’ experience in the non-profit sector. A trained mediator and facilitator, she recognizes the value of relationships and works to foster communication and understanding about our programs of care with individuals and partners in the communities we serve. Kelly leads all the community relations efforts including faith outreach, volunteer services and recruitment, grief services and the veteran’s outreach program. In addition, she serves as the Crisis Communications Officer for Carolina Caring. A highly regarded speaker, Kelly enjoys sharing the mission of Carolina Caring with others, putting her passion for this important work into practice every day. Kelly is an active member of the community and is a past board member for The Conflict Resolution Center.
physicians
Full-Time Physicians
Charles Frankhouser, MD
Brooke Hata, MD
Sarah Stewart, MD
Laura Walker, MD
Part-Time Physicians
Lawson Huggins, MD
Carolina Caring physicians are devoted to the patients they serve, offering them the utmost care and attention at a time when compassion counts as much as experience.
They also do the important work of helping patients and their families understand disease progression while offering gentle, realistic expectations of their individual diagnoses.
board of directors
D’Ann Grell, Board Chair
The Carolina Caring Board of Directors is a diverse group of professional and retired community members who bring special talents and interests to inform the work and direction of our organization.
They represent the fields of law, education, medicine, health care, real estate, ministry, entrepreneurialism, manufacturing, and insurance. As such, they provide a broad perspective on the various communities we serve and help visualize developing needs within our service lines and scope of care.
