Meet Our Team
Our difference is our people.
Our Director, Clinical Staff and Board of Directors members all believe wholeheartedly in the power of the individual, the importance of relationships and the value of respect and dignity to everyone at every stage of life. Our goal is to create a positive difference in every patient’s day, to make a personal connection and to create memorable moments that enrich the lives of each of our patients while providing end of life care at home.
Cheryl Johnson
RN, BSN, Executive Director
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Cheryl comes to Weinstein Hospice with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the hospice industry. She has worked as an RN in diverse markets including for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.
Alex Rikhter
MD Medical Director
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has been the Medical Director of Weinstein Hospice since 2011. He scored in top 3% of all American Internists on the Board of Internal Medicine exam. Dr. Rikhter enjoys unshakable patient loyalty and respect.
Deb Mahovlich
RN Clinical Manager
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Deb has been a team member for 4 years. She has worked with hospice for 17 years and considers working in this field a privilege.
Christina Olson
AGPCNP-BC Nurse Practitioner
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Christina has a Master of Science in Nursing from Concordia University and during her studies obtained a minor in Psychology. She also served as a Nurse Educator for patients and staff at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Christina looks forward to serving older adults in The Clinic at The Zaban Tower, The William Breman Jewish Home and Aviv Rehabilitation Center. She will work under the supervision of Dr. Darradji and Dr. Alex Rikhter, the Medical Director of Jewish HomeLife.
Emily Fain
Director of Palliative Care
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Emily Fain
Director of Palliative Care
Emily’s career began in the Navy as an FMF Corpsman serving with the Marines. During that time she obtained her EMT training, surgical technician certification, field trauma training, and nursing certification. With 15 years of experience in oncology and 2 in hospice and palliative care, Emily obtained a bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration from Kaplan University and a Masters in Public Health from Purdue University. She has volunteered for the American Cancer Society and Cancer Action Network for 12 years.
Carla Polikov
LMSW
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joined our team in March of 2017. She has 16 years of hospice and other medical social work experience. She received her Master’s degree in social work from Tulane, but is originally from Mississippi. Carla is married and is mom to two adorable children.
Jenifer Firestone
LMSW, Volunteer Coordinator
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has been a part of our team since 2012. Jenifer manages a corps of nearly 40 volunteers who serve our patients and their families with quality care, understanding and compassion.
Cantor Donna Faye Marcus, BCC
Manager of Spiritual and Bereavement Services
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completed a three-year chaplaincy internship at Memorial Sloane Kettering Hospital in New York City. Using the gift of song, she is able to provide spiritual healing to those experiencing pain or anxiety.
Susan Sandler
LMSW
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has been with Weinstein Hospice since 2006. She was the Executive Director of JF&CS in Des Moines, Iowa for 8 years and has run Senior Outreach programming in Dallas, Texas.
Deanna Lawrence
Bereavement Coordinator
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joined the team way back in 2004! She has spent most of that time as a certified hospice and palliative care nursing assistant. In late 2015, she transitioned to the office as our referrals and intake coordinator and now is currently our Bereavement Coordinator.
Julie Hamilton
RN, CHPN
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s been a dedicated member of the Weinstein Hospice staff since 2008. Prior to that, she ran the AIDS program for Visiting Nurse Health System in Atlanta.
Nolan Teter
RN, CHPN
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is a Certified Hospice Palliative Care RN and has been on staff with Weinstein Hospice for 9 years of his 15 year nursing career.
Cheryl O’Neal
RN
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has been a part of the team since 2014. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her new puppy!
Irina Dubin
RN
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has been a Registered Nurse since 1998 after attending New York University. She joined our staff in early 2015. Irina speaks fluent Russian enabling her to have a special rapport with our Russian-speaking patients.
Amanda Robinson
RN
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is our week night on-call nurse and has been with Weinstein Hospice since May of 2015. She graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2005 and is a native of Georgia. She enjoys weekend travels with her papillon Pumpkin, gardening and bird watching.
Dana Blackert
RN, BSN, OCN
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Dana has been part of Weinstein Hospice since 2017 as a weekend Triage nurse. She has been a nurse for 12 years, the majority working in Oncology. Dana graduated from Mercer University in 2007. She enjoys traveling and staying busy with her 3 small children.
Nicole Graham
RN, BSN, OCN
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Graduating from Indiana University, Nicole has been a nurse since 2012. Her background is in Emergency Departments and Oncology. She enjoys hiking and finding waterfalls with her daughter.
Kathy Swartz
Medical Records & DME Coordinator
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has been a member of the team since 2015. She manages the medical records department and coordinates procurement of durable medical equipment for our patients. Her sister Jenifer Firestone is our Volunteer Coordinator/MSW.
Chiquitia Pickett
CNA
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has been a CNA for 19 years. She joined the Weinstein Hospice team in September 2017.
Cindy Hopkins
LCSW
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joined our team in April of 2018. She is a long term Atlantan and received her Master’s degree in Social Work from UGA. Cindy has experience in medical social work and has also spent time as a clinician, working with children and families.
Rochelle Schube
LCSW
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joined our team in July 2018. She graduated from Valdosta State university with her MSW. She has previously worked as a hospice social worker and bereavement coordinator. She looks forward to being a resource and support to Weinstein Hospice’s patients and families.
Kristin Pass
Intake Coordinator
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Bio Coming Soon!
Kay Morrell
RN, CHPN
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joined our team in April 2018 and has been a nurse for over 40 years. She began working in hospice in 2008. She holds national clinical certification as a Certified Case Manager (CCM) and as a Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse (CHPN).