Mountain Region Hospice and Homecare

Hospice Information

Mountain Region Hospice & Homecare provides Hospice care for patients in their place of residence. Hospice care is appropriate when the patient no longer benefits from the treatment of illness and the patient has a life expectancy of 6 months or less. Hospice care allows patients to stay in the comfort and familiarity of their own home, while still receiving a high quality of care.

Though death is a natural part of life, most of us look at death with uncertainty and often fear. Mountain Region’s Hospice Care staff strives to enhance the quality of life for their patients, and help the patient and family prepare and cope with death. The goal of hospice providers is not to cure an illness, but to ensure that patients live their remaining days to their fullest in comfort, with dignity and with the support of family and health care providers.

Mountain Region has a team of experts and volunteers, whose only role with the company is to provide for Hospice Patients. Mountain Region’s Hospice team addresses the physical, psychological, spiritual, and social aspects of suffering that are present for both the patient and their families during life’s final stages. The team consists of a Medical Director, Nurses, a Social Worker, a Chaplain, CNA’s, and trained volunteers.

Due to the taboo nature of conversations about death, Hospice is often not ordered until death’s final stages. Many patients are not able to take advantage of the services hospice care offers that could help ease their burdens, as well as help their family. It is important to discuss end of life care with a physician early to ensure you are given appropriate care at this stage in life.

In-Home Hospice costs are paid by Medicare, Medicaid. Patients on Hospice who stay in their home generally receive care with no out of pocket expense. To qualify for hospice, patients who are covered by Medicare must: 1.) Be determined eligible by their Doctor and the Hospice Medical Director, 2.) Signs a statement electing Hospice care instead of other Medicare services, and 3.) Receive Hospice services from a Medicare approved Hospice program like Mountain Region.

If you have any questions regarding Mountain Region’s Hospice Services, feel free to call our office at (801) 335-0522. Our Hospice team would welcome the opportunity to discuss the benefits this important service can provide to you and your family.

Mountain Region Hospice & Homecare understands that our organization is only as good as its staff. Therefore, we pride ourselves on our high quality team members who continuously provide excellent care to our patients. For our first post of the year, MRHH would like to introduce our team of caregivers, and define each staff members' role in caring for our patients.

Jess Bergant is our Director of Nursing. She graduated from BYU in 2005 with a BSN in Nursing. She has worked in the following fields: Medical/Surgical, Oncology, Mother/Baby, Assisted Living. Jess greatly enjoys the excellent staff that she manages and believes that open communication, responsibility, compassion, and integrity are the keystones to a successful company. She believes that MRHH encompasses all of the above qualities. Jess has an extremely supportive husband and three young children at home. When not working, Jess enjoys playing soccer and Ultimate Frisbee, thrift shopping, baking, painting furniture, and traveling with her family.

Patti Sparto is our Assistant Director of Nursing. Patti is happily married and has 3 children, 3 step-children and 4 grandchildren. A few of her favorite things are traveling with her husband and family, going to movies, shopping with her daughters and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She has been a nurse for 25 years and has worked in a hospital setting for 17 years and the last 8 years in Home Health as a visit nurse and in administration. She has experience working for large home health companies and start-ups. Patti loves the home health industry and enjoys taking care of patients in their homes. It is rewarding to her as a nurse as patients and their families generally prefer to be home. Patti is very excited to be a part of the Mountain Region team and looks forward to learning from the company and helping them to grow.

Katherine Morrison is our Office Manager as well as the Quality Assurance Specialist. She focuses on keeping Mountain Region Hospice & Homecare compliant with Joint Commission Accreditation. She graduated from BYU with a degree in Public Health. She worked for a medical supply company in their quality department before joining Mountain Region. Katherine is an avid soccer player, talented pianist, and loves being with family.

Rob Gardner is our Patient Care Coordinator. He earned his Bachelors degree from the University of Utah in 2005 and is currently pursuing a Masters in Health Administration and an MBA at Weber State University. He ensures that every patient receives the high quality of service that is synonymous to Mountain Region. Rob works closely with referring health providers to make sure that the transition to Mountain Region is seamless for all parties involved, especially our patients. Rob is an avid outdoorsmen and was a fishing guide in Alaska before switching careers to healthcare. He is excited to finish his coursework so he can put down his books and pick up a fishing rod again.

Katie Stringham is MRHH’s Office Manager & CNA Manager at Mountain Region. She maintains office services by organizing office operations and procedures. Katie creates the CNA schedule, performs insurance verification checks, complete chart checks for billing purposes and assists the DON with in-services She attends Weber State and will graduate in the fall of 2013 with a degree in Health Promotion. In her spare time, Katie enjoys spending time with her husband and family. She also enjoys watching movies and traveling.

Regina Campbell is our Social Worker. She provides Hospice & Homecare patients with many cares that include: promoting client’s right to self-determination , assisting the medical team with any medical, psychological, or social concerns, assessing home safety, teaching information, referrals, and problem solving. She enhances the quality of life by promoting well-being to our patients and local seniors in our community. She also helps with Insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid paperwork. Regina obtained her Master’s Degree at the University of Utah. She specialized in health care and the aging population. She looks forward to continue working with the seniors and feels privileged to serve those who have paved the way for future generations.

Shirleen Richardson is our Chaplain. She enhances quality of life and promotes well-being for patients, families, and caregivers. She helps patients with their spiritual needs and desires. In her spare time, Shirleen enjoys her family of 7 children and 18 grandchildren. She loves music and is a past member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Allison Wiedman is one of MRHH's excellent CNA’s, providing personal care and helping with activities of daily living. She attends Layton High School, and is graduating this spring. She plans on majoring in Nursing. Allison is also completing an Internship with Mountain Region Hospice & Homecare and learning all aspects of the business. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her friends and watching BYU football.

Audrey stokes is one of MRHH’s excellent CNA’s. She provides personal care and assists with activities of daily living. She currently attends Weber State University in the nursing program. In her spare time she likes to run, read and spend time with her family.

Tyler Clawson is one of MRHH’s excellent CNA’s. He provides personal care and assists with activities of daily living. He is attending Eagle Gate College, and will graduate this spring in Nursing. He enjoys working on motorcycles in his spare time.

Jenny Hughes is MRHH’s CNA Team Leader. She provides personal care and assists with activities of daily living. She enjoys being a CNA and working with Seniors. She leaves them with a smile on her face and memories in her heart. In her spare time she enjoys reading & collecting antiques.

Andi Evans graduated from the Davis Applied Technology Center/Weber State University campus with her Associate Degree in Nursing in 2008. She has practiced nursing in critical care, skilled nursing facility and home health/hospice organizations. Prior to gaining her nursing degree, Andi obtained a Master's Degree in Vocal Performance from Brigham Young University and has been a free-lance performer and vocal coach in Utah, Texas and in Europe. She and her husband live in Centerville. They are parents to six children, ages 27 to 15, and four grandchildren. She enjoys cooking, exercise, films, music, and being with her family.

Bruce Morrison graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in business. After graduation, Bruce worked for Marriott Hotels & Resort and became the Director of Sales. While with Marriott, Bruce was awarded the top awards including the Top Sales Person, Top Sales Team, Regional Manager and the Bill Marriott Award. Later, Bruce was hired by a client of Marriott’s to work as a Medical Surgeons Representative for Davis & Geck Medical. While with Davis & Geck, Bruce handled the Utah, Las Vegas and Boise territories. Bruce’s ultimate desire was to start his own business so he resigned from Davis & Geck to begin his own medical convention company. Insite grew from 1 to 24 full time employees. Work took Bruce to Europe, Asia, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean and throughout the United States. After 12 years, Bruce sold Insite to venture into the Assisted Living business. In August of 2006, Bruce opened Welcome Home Assisted Living. He then opened Mountain Region Hospice & Homecare in 2010. Bruce was the President of Kiwanis in Houston, Texas, where he organized 3 high schools Key Club’s in the inner city of Houston. He was Awarded Salt Lake City Ambassador.

Kathy graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavior Science and Health and minored in Sociology. She also graduated from Salt Lake Community College with a Physical Therapist Assistant degree. She has worked as a PTA for 10 years. She has experience working in home health, out-patient, in-patient, and aquatic therapy. For the last 6 years, Kathy has worked in the home health field. Kathy enjoys playing soccer, traveling, and spending time with family.

Dr. Horsley has been MRHH’s Hospice Medical Director since the inception of MRHH in 2010. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and also has a full time medical practice in Bountiful, Utah. He graduated from the University of Utah Medical School in 1991 and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at LDS Hospital in 1994. He enjoys working as a team member of MRHH. His hobbies include traveling, investing and spending time with his family.

Brian Horne is our CPA. He has a Masters in Finance and a Masters in Accounting. He is the owner of Half Priced Tax and Accounting Services in Bountiful Utah and a partner in Robinson, Burnett & Associates accounting firm. Brian is a published author of Built Upon A Rock, Financial Self-Reliance in Troubled Times, and is a former CFO of a Finance Company, a Certified Financial Planner and Registered Investment Adviser. Brian has experience in working with self-employed and small businesses helping to reduce their taxes, assisting in IRS audits, and taking advantage of all the possible tax deductions. Brian's father is an Orthopedic Surgeon and his grandfather was an Obstetrician and Brian has experience in helping physicians, dentists, chiropractors, physical therapists, and other medical professionals with their tax and accounting needs to lower their expenses, increase their deductions, and increase their bottom line. Brian is also an expert in helping people manage and protect their assets from economic turbulence, law suits, and market fluctuations by designing programs to protect individuals, businesses, and their assets.

Sharalyn Fawcett graduated from Utah State University with her Bachelor's degree in 2007 and her Master's degree in 2010. She has worked in both school settings as well as an adult rehab facility. Currently she works for two home health organizations and enjoys doing this on a part-time basis. Sharalyn and her husband currently reside in Clearfield, UT. They have five children: three boys and two girls. Sharalyn and her family enjoy camping and horseback riding. She also enjoys sewing pieced quilts.

Amy Nielsen MS, OTR/L graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in Occupational Studies (2003) and a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy (2004). She has specialized in CVA recovery and dementia care in the elderly. While she has practiced with a variety of populations, she has a personal interest in geriatric care and is works continually to ensure that her working knowledge is evidence-based and the most current available. Ms. Nielsen also has a personal interest in research and performs ongoing research studies with the elderly in order to maintain high levels of care. Amy lives with her husband and two daughters in North Salt Lake, Utah where she enjoys reading, swimming, pottery and spending time with friends.

Karen Packard graduated from USU in Nutrition and Food Science and the Medical Dietetics program. She has worked at Mountain View Hospital in Payson, UT, Greys Harbor Hospital in Aberdeen, WA and, WIC in Olympia, WA. She currently does consulting for Mountain Region Hospice and Home Care. She also consults for Grow up Great Pediatrics and other home health care agencies. Karen is married and has 4 children. Karen loves fresh air and is often found out doors hiking, biking, snow shoeing, or running. She loves teaching about nutrition and inspiring others to be healthy

Angie Hubble graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy 21 years ago. She has received over 8 awards and scholarships in her Physical Therapy career. Being a current member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Utah Physical Therapy Association and a former member of the Missouri Physical Therapy Association has motivated Angie in becoming the respected healthcare professional in the community. She has also been on many committees such as: Caregiver Advocacy and Education, Rehabilitation, Quality Assurance, and CVA Critical Pathway. Angie was a member of a research team that published Multidisciplinary Team Development of a Critical Path for Elderly Stroke Patients. Angie has worked for Mountain Region Hospice & Homecare for over three years. Angie oversees the Physical Therapist Assistants and executes the PT Plan of Care.

Ryan Harvey is MRHH’s Hospice Nurse Case Manager. He is a graduate of the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and is certified in critical care nursing as a CCRN. Ryan has work in many areas of healthcare including long term care, pediatrics, critical care, heart surgery and end of life care. He also is an instructor for the American Heart Association teaching both Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Ryan and his beautiful wife, Amy, have lived in bountiful for 10 years and have 3 wonderful children.

Virginia Hahn is MRHH’s bookkeeper. She was born and raised in Salt Lake City and attended the University of Utah. Virginia has worked in accounting for 25 years. She has managed an accounting software system and has lead a team of 6 software programmers and engineers. In her spare time, Virginia volunteers at an employment resource center and spends time with her 9 siblings.

Pris Hardy is our biller and has done great things since she started at MRHH. She has been billing for Home Health for nearly 5 years. She earned her Associate’s degree in Medical Insurance Billing/Coding from Eagle Gate College. Since starting as a biller, she has made many new friends and learned that she has a special skill for deciphering the complicated puzzle that is healthcare billing and coding. Pris is also a talented artist, and particularly enjoys doing portraits of pets and other animals.