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 Johnson
RN, BSN, Executive Director
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.

Dr. Irshad Syed
MD Medical Director

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Dr. Irshad Syed
MD Medical Director
Dr. Irshad Syed is a Board Certified Family Physician and Geriatrician with over two decades of valuable experience now offering primary care services to this Community. In Atlanta, he served as a physician in the Grady Health System for 9 very satisfying years of award-winning service in clinical, academic, and leadership roles. He is passionate about preventive health care management and improving the health of the community. Dr. Syed has a research and academic background with several national-level awards, publications, and presentations. He completed his Residency and Fellowship at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas where he also served as the Chief resident. With a wide range in scope of services to all age groups with extra training in care for the elderly, the clinic is equipped with all that you would need at your primary care physicians’ office. We welcome you to the practice and thank you for choosing Marietta Family Medicine of Buckhead.

Joy Minor
Clinical Manager

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Joy Minor
Clinical Manager

Aliza Afrah, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner

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Aliza Afrah is an AANP Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. Aliza’s passion for working with geriatric patients began as a young child when she would frequently volunteer at rehabilitation and nursing home facilities. In addition to her considerable clinical experience, Aliza has an outstanding academic background which includes two bachelor’s degrees (a BS in Sociology and a BSN in Nursing) as well as a Master of Science in Nursing. Aliza believes that health care professionals should be strong advocates for their patients and that quality, compassionate, comprehensive care is essential as a medical provider. Aliza currently enjoys serving the residents at Berman Commons and The Cohen Home. She works under the supervision of Dr. Elliott Jackson, Medical Director of The William Breman Jewish Home.

At home, Aliza can often be found with a good book and spending time with her husband and children. Aliza, along with her family, volunteer at her synagogue and look forward to opportunities to help others.

Carla Polikov
LMSW

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Carla Polikov
LMSW

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.

Cantor Donna Faye Marcus
BCC

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Cantor Donna Faye Marcus, BCC
Manager of Spiritual and Bereavement Services

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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Susan Sandler
LMSW

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.

Julie Hamilton
RN, CHPN

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Julie Hamilton
RN, CHPN

has 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.

Irina Dubin
RN

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Irina Dubin
RN

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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Amanda Robinson
RN

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 Blackbert
RN, BSN, OCN

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Dana Blackert,
RN, BSN, OCN

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.

Kay Morrell
RN, CHPN

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Kay Morrell
RN, CHPN

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).

Nicole Graham
RN, BSN, OCN

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Nicole Graham,
RN, BSN, OCN

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.

Chiquitia Pickett
CNA

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Chiquitia Pickett
CNA

has been a CNA for 19 years. She joined the Weinstein Hospice team in September 2017.

Cindy Hopkins
LCSW

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Cindy Hopkins
LCSW

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.

Mirie Manzour
DrPH, MSG, CMC, CDP
Volunteer Services Manager

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Mirie Manzour obtained a doctorate degree in Public Health and a master’s degree in Gerontology. She is a compassionate gerontologist who cares deeply about older adults and creating meaningful connections. She has a rich set of specialized experience working with older adults in geriatric care management, health education, and preventive care. In California, she held teaching appointments in Integrative Health Studies, Community Health Education, and Lifelong Learning for Older Adults. In Atlanta, Mirie has worked in geriatric care management identifying older adults’ strengths and needs, establishing goals and plans of care, and managing and monitoring ongoing needs for care.

Kristen Pass
Intake Coordinator

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Kristen Pass
Intake Coordinator

Bio Coming Soon!

Watisha Farrington
Office Manager

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Kristin Pass
Intake Coordinator

Bio Coming Soon!

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