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Hospice of the Foothills was founded in 1979 by a group of volunteers with the goal of developing a program which would meet the unique needs of terminally ill patients and their families.
The philosophy that guided the first board of directors was to develop a broad base of community involvement and support for the Hospice program. The original philosophy continues to guide us today and makes Hospice volunteers and donors an integral part of our organization.
The Hospice program was based on three fundamental objectives:
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Help the patient to die with dignity, serenity and peace of mind |
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Support the patient and their families through the time of death |
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Continue to support the family after the death of a loved one |
Today, we still follow these objectives in designing our programs and setting our goals.
For many years Hospice of the Foothills was primarily a volunteer based organization with part time nurses and social workers. In 1994 the Board voted to become Medicare certified and State licensed and this lead to the growth we are still experiencing today.
Hospice of the Foothills employees 94 part time and full time professionals: physician, nurses, social workers, spiritual counselors, home health aides and physical therapists. We have about 50 volunteers that work with our patients and their families. We serve an average of 70 patients each day and between 300 to 400 annually. We have about 200 to 300 people in our bereavement programs on a yearly basis.
Hospice of the Foothills is a member of:
• California Hospice and Palliative Care Association (CHAPCA)
• The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)
Licensed as a hospice by the state of California and Medicare. Certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medical Services (CMS)
Hospice of the Foothills accepts and cares for patients without discrimination on the basis of age, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical handicap, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin or ability to pay.
Management Team
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Dennis Fournier, Executive Director
Dennis has been Executive Director of Hospice of the Foothills since 1990. His prior experience was in the field of Finance and Administration as an independent contractor. Dennis received a BA from the University of Washington in Seattle in 1971 and completed his graduate work in Public Administration at Pacific Lutheran University. He is a Professional member of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and former Board member and former Director of the organization’s Region 9. |
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Vanessa Bengston, RN, CPHQ, Director of Operations
Vanessa has more than two decades of experience in the care of patients in their homes. For the past 15 yeas she has focused on successful operations, regulatory compliance and quality of care and service for these individuals. The role of hospice in end of life care has been the focus of Vanessa's commitment to quality outcomes since 2002. She is certified as a Hospice Administrator and is an expert in the field of health care quality, achieving the status of Certified Professional of Health Care Quality in 1998. Vanessa presents at educational conferences for home care and hospice professionals. She serves on the California Hospice and Palliative Care Association Board of Directors and on the organization's Advocacy and Reimbursement Committees. |
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Dr. Brad Miller M.D., Medical Director
Dr. Miller became Board Certified in Internal Medicine in 1984, working in private practice from 1984 to 2000. He is the Medical Director of Hospice of the Foothills, serving since 1988. Dr. Miller is a Diplomate of the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine with expertise in pain management and comfort care. He serves as the Chairman of the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Bioethics Committee. Dr. Miller provides community leadership and education in the field of palliative care. |
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Susan Juels, RN, DPCS, Director of Patient Care Services
Susan has 30 years of experience in nursing with the last 20 years in hospital case management leadership. She has a strong clinical background and proven success in gaining physician collaboration, implementing clinical guidelines and streamlining hospital systems. As Director of Case Management at a large not-for-profit hospital in Southern California Susan was instrumental in initiatives that resulted in operational and financial improvements including the implementation of case management for emergency services. Susan's clinical experience includes critical care, emergency department, cardiac rehabilitation and home health nursing. She earned her Nursing Degree at Chaffey College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from California State University and a Master of Health Administration from the University of LaVerne in California. She is published in the field of Case Management and has presented at National Conferences. Susan joined Hospice of the Foothills in October 2007. |
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Lorraine McGuinness, Chief Financial Officer
Lorraine has extensive experience as a CPA/partner, an auditor, ministry and church administration, and financial and staff management. She also has served as Financial Assistant to Hospitality House, Finance Board Member of a Senior Assisted Living Center, Financial Consultant to a non-profit environmental advocacy organization, and Financial consultant to a non-profit advocacy organization. Lorraine's educational background includes a BSA in Administration and Accounting, a Masters in Theological Studies. Her professional certifications include a California Certified Public Accountant and membership in the California Society of CPA's. |
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William Case, Director of Human Resources
Bill recently joined Hospice of the Foothills as Human Resources Manager. He has 35 years of experience in Human Resources fields including Equal Employment Opportunity, Labor Negotiations, Arbitration and Human Resources Management. Bill received a BA in Business Administration from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary. |
Board of Directors
Chuck Zavitz, President Board of Directors
Chuck is serving his second term on the Hospice Board of Directors, his first term was from 1995 to 2002. He has been living in Nevada County since 1988. Chuck retired from his tax practice in 2000 and is currently President of Cranmer Engineering, Inc. He is past president of Penn Valley Rotary and has been active in a number of local non-profits.
Tom Balch
Tom is serving his second term on the Hospice Board of Directors, his first term was in the late 1980's. Tom is a pharmacist working both in retail, at Longs Drugs, and as a consultant with Balch Pharmacy Services. He has served on the Nevada City, City Council for 8 years and served as Mayor for 2 of those years. He and his wife Linda are long time Nevada City residents: they have lived here for 31 years and raised 2 daughters. They now have 5 grandchildren to enjoy.
Barbara Belmer
Barbara moved to Grass Valley from New Hampshire in 1996 and has been very active in Friends of Hospice, including serving as President 2000-2001, and also Music in the Mountains, where she has served on the Board since 2005 and is a member of the Allegro Alliance Council. She has been a member of several HOF committees relating to the new Hospice facility and joined the Board of Directors July 1, 2008. Barbara travels extensively when not busy with her many volunteer activities. Barbara received her BA from Elmira College and had a successful career in grants management in two hospitals in New York City, and then in administration of another hospital in NYC before her retirement.
Leo Granucci
Leo Granucci is the newest member of the Hospice Board of Directors. He has been living in Nevada County for the past 8 years and has been active on several boards including the Friendship Club, Alta Sierra Country Club and the Center for the Arts in Grass Valley. Leo has a degree in Business Administration from Sacramento State University. He retired from the pharmaceutical and grocery distribution industry after forty-two years, the last eight spent running his own company. Leo is a skilled pilot and member of Angel Flight, a volunteer organization of pilots who fly people in need of medical treatment.
Steve Haas
Stephen Haas is a lawyer who has practiced law since 1972, the last thirteen years of which have been in Nevada County. His practice involves business and real estate law as well as estate planning and civil litigation. Steve has served on numerous non-profit boards, including the Nevada City School Foundation, Nevada County Economic Resource Council, and the Nevada County Housing Development Corporation. He has done volunteer work with the Nevada County Leadership Institute and the Friends of Deer Creek. Stephen and his wife, Hillary, live outside of Nevada City, have three sons and enjoy hiking, gardening, cross-country skiing, cycling, and kayaking.
Patti Ingram-Spencer
Patti is a fourth generation Nevada County Resident whose family came from Cornwall in the early 1800’s to work in the mines. She attended local schools, also attending Sierra College and Sacramento State majoring in Journalism. She is married to District 3 Supervisor, John Spencer. Patti is currently finishing her second term on the Grass Valley City Council having served as Vice Mayor and most recently as Mayor for 2002-2004. In her capacity with the City, she serves on numerous boards, commissions and committees in addition to her duties as council member. She has also served as President of the Rotary Club of San Diego. Patti is a senior escrow officer with Placer Title Company.
Mary Jensen
Mary is currently President of Friends of Hospice, having been a member since 2002, and served as Treasurer for the past four years. She moved to Grass Valley ten years ago after working in sales and service for various HMOs in southern California. Mary joined the Board of Directors January 1, 2008.
Richard E. Keen
Richard Keene is a native of California and graduate of the University of California at Berkeley (graduated 1986), and Santa Clara University Law School (graduated 1992). Mr. Keene has been practicing law continuously for 15 years. Mr. Keene has served as staff counsel to a nationwide insurance carrier and to a venture capital group, in addition to advising individuals, families and small business regarding estate planning. For the past 5 years, his practice has dealt almost exclusively with probate and estate planning.
Barbara Kosher
Barbara has been a resident of Grass Valley since 1979. She worked for Kaiser Permanente for 10 years and has been in banking since 1980. She is currently on the SNMH Board of Directors and has served on this board for the past 10 years. Barbara has been on the Nevada County Housing Development Corp board for the past 7 years, currently as the treasurer. She joined the Hospice board in July 2003 and currently chairs the Operations & Planning Committee. Barbara has been employed with Citizens Bank of Nevada County since June 1995; her current position is vice president and branch manager of the Sutton Way branch in Grass Valley.
Mary Owens
Mary joined the Hospice Board July 1, 2008. She is a Financial Advisor and Certified Public Accountant, receiving her Bachelor of Science degree from St. Mary's College and her Master of Science from Golden Gate University of San Francisco. Mary is Vice President of Investments and Branch Manager of UBS Financial Services, Inc., Grass Valley. She is past Mayor and Council Member for the City of Auburn and she, with her husband Andy, serves as statistician for the Nevada Union football team. She and Andy love to garden and travel together and she sews for her four grandchildren. Mary is a long time resident of California with her family dating back six generations in this state.
Aimee Retzler
Aimee and her family moved to Nevada City from San Francisco in 2007. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She has 16 years experience in strategic planning and implementation, primarily in the retail industry. Extensive international travel has given her an appreciation for a variety of cultures and lifestyles. She enjoys hiking, snow sports, canoeing, camping and music with the husband and three young children, and loves to cook. Aimee is a licensed Nia teacher in the community, and joined the Hospice Board July 1, 2008.
Greg Schasiepen
Mr. Schasiepen is a financial advisor and has been a HOF board member since 2001. He serves as chair of the Planned Giving Committee and the Audit Committee, and sits on the Personnel Committee. He also volunteers as a Board member of The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley.
Michele White
Michele is serving her first term on the Hospice Board of Directors. She is a retired Human Resources professional. Michele is also a Hospice respite volunteer, a committee member for Compassionate Care, Board President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nevada County and a mentor through the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program.
Randy Young
Randy is serving his first year term on the Hospice Board of Directors. He is well known in the community as the owner of Youngs Carpet One and Packard Discount Carpet. He graduated from Nevada Union High School and attended Sierra, San Jose State and Sacramento State Colleges. He is proud to have two of his sons and their wives working in the business with him. He has lived in Nevada County for44 years and been in business here for 36 of them. Randy became involved with Hospice after losing his brother, father and mother to cancer and experiencing first hand the service Hospice provides.
Employment
Hospice of the Foothills offers a unique and challenging work environment. All our positions offer you the opportunity to make a positive difference in someone’s life.
Positions Currently Available
Night Nurse – Download Acrobat PDF file of job description
Anyone interested should complete an employment application either on line or at the office – Hospice of the Foothills, 2399 Nevada City Highway, Grass Valley, CA 95945
Download Employment Application in Acrobat PDF format or Microsoft Word format.
Please send us an email or call us at (530) 272-5739 for more information.
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