End of Life Planning

Ala'Di Goodman, RN

Executive Director
Interfaith Minister

Ala'Di was born and raised in Christchurch, New Zealand and received her diploma as a comprehensive registered nurse in 1993. Her nursing experience encompasses a variety of healthcare fields including psychiatric, post-partum, geriatric, orthopedic, rehabilitation, home health, and hospice care. Ala'Di is an educator in her field of expertise to both public and professional audiences. She is intuitive and sensitive to both patients and their loved ones and has dedicated her life to serving humanity. Ala'Di is also a musician and artist and has a love of animals.

Dr. Nelson Sandoval, MD

Medical Director

Director médico

Dr. Nelson Sandoval, MD graduated from Universidad Autonoma De Guadalajara, Facultad De Medicina and specializes in internal medicine. He has been serving the Tucson community since completing a residency with the Tucson Hospital Medical Education Program. Dr. Sandoval joined the Soulistic team in 2018 and is fluent in Spanish.

Dr. Nelson Sandoval, MD se graduó de la Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Facultad De Medicina y se especializa en medicina interna. Ha estado sirviendo a la comunidad de Tucson desde que completó una residencia en el Programa de Educación Médica del Hospital de Tucson. El Dr. Sandoval se unió al equipo de Soulistic en 2018 y habla español con fluidez.

Cristina Martinez, RN

Clinical Coordinator

Coordinadora Clínica

Cristina was born and raised in Tucson. She finds nursing to be a deep spiritual calling, and a part of the reason she is on this earth. Providing care for vulnerable populations is something she holds dear to her heart. Caring for others is very humbling and she loves this work tremendously. In her free time she loves to be with her family, participate in her church's events, cycle, paint, read, do arts and crafts, and loves HIIT exercise too. She is a proud mother of three beautiful boys and wife to an amazing man. She feels very blessed and driven to be part of a team, where your care is the focal point and our utmost priority. 

Cristina nació y se crió en Tucson. Ella encuentra que la enfermería es un llamado espiritual profundo, y parte de la razón por la que está en esta tierra. Brindar atención a poblaciones vulnerables es algo que ella aprecia en su corazón. Cuidar de los demás es un acto de humildad y le encanta este trabajo enormemente. En su tiempo libre le encanta estar con su familia, participar en los eventos de su iglesia, montar en bicicleta, pintar, leer, hacer manualidades y también le encanta el ejercicio HIIT. Ella es una orgullosa madre de tres hermosos niños y esposa de un hombre increíble. Ella se siente muy bendecida y motivada por ser parte de un equipo, donde su cuidado es el punto focal y nuestra máxima prioridad.

Beyana Grace, RN

Clinical Coordinator
Interfaith Minister

Beyana graduated with a BSRN from Arizona State University, Tempe in 1980. She has worked in women's health and geriatrics, and did graduate studies in Somatic Psychology/Dance Movement Therapy at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She brings warmth and comfort to those she cares for. Beyana is also a HeartMath instructor and is dedicated to serving others with the utmost respect and compassion. In her life beyond nursing, Beyana enjoys creative dance movement, gardening and spending time with family and friends.

Marie Pond, FNP-C, ACHPN 

Nurse Practitioner

Marie began in hospice care in the 1990s. Her experiences cover the spectrum of life from birth until death. She is an Advance Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse, an ELNEC Pediatric Palliative Care trainer, and an ELNEC Critical Care and Core Curriculum trainer. Marie has completed training to become a Certified Pediatric Massage Therapist and Certified Infant Massage Teacher. ​Marie enjoys outdoor activities like camping, fishing, riding Harley Davidson motorcycles, and is also involved in her church's motorcycle ministry. Marie loves hospice for its team approach and supporting what matters to patients and families during their journey at the end of life.

Brian Martinez

Community Care Coordinator

Coordinador de atención comunitaria

Originally from Southern California, Brian has lived in Tucson for the last 16 years. He’s been in the medical industry approximately 14 years, first as a clinician then in medical marketing. Brian serves as a liaison between referral sources and families, to make sure every family has the best possible experience and understanding of what hospice services entail. Brian fell in love with hospice when his grandmother received services. Brian’s hobbies revolve around spending time with his family. They enjoy going to the gym, target practice, fishing and golfing.

Originario del sur de California, Brian ha vivido en Tucson durante los últimos 16 años. Ha estado en la industria médica aproximadamente 14 años, primero como médico y luego en el mercadotecnia médico. Brian sirve como enlace entre las fuentes de derivación y las familias, para asegurarse de que cada familia tenga la mejor experiencia y comprensión posibles de lo que implican los servicios de hospicio. Brian se enamoró del hospicio cuando su abuela recibió los servicios. Los pasatiempos de Brian giran en torno a pasar tiempo con su familia. Les gusta ir al gimnasio, practicar tiro al blanco, pescar y jugar al golf.

Julie McKee, LPN

CNA Supervisor
Community Care Coordinator 

Julie is from St. Louis, Missouri and has lived in Texas, South Carolina, New Mexico and Wyoming. She has worked as an RN in hospital Rehab and Psychiatry, then in Geriatrics as an RN Case Manager, in Admissions and Marketing. Julie serves as a Community Care Coordinator, ensuring that our patients are happy and have what they need. She is also the CNA supervisor and scheduler. Things that lie close to her heart are family, music, exercise, reading, and spiritual growth. Working in the hospice field is where her heart is, as a nurse.

Penelope Getman-Descant, RN

Clinical Educator

Penelope was born in Ohio and has lived in New Orleans and Colorado. She was a massage therapist for 15 years and then had a calling to go into nursing. She became a medical/surgical nurse and a traveling nurse, then landed in Tucson to pursue her calling in hospice. Penelope enjoys the one to one time with this population of patients and their families; she feels it’s an honor to assist with this part of life’s journey. She and her husband enjoy hiking, exploring new places and old favorites, particularly the art, cuisine and people (not to mention the roadside attractions). Penelope has a big love for animals and observing their behaviors, as well as hot springs and aromatherapy.

April Gonzalez, MSW

Social Worker

Trabajadora Social

A native Tucsonan, April has worked in social services for over 15 years, achieving a Master's in Social Work. April provides emotional support to patients and families we at Soulistic serve, as well as helping them with community resources, financial issues, long term care needs, private care-giver needs and residential changes. April enjoys taking long walks with her beloved German Sheppard and going swimming at the local pool.

Originaria de Tucson, April ha trabajado en servicios sociales por más de 15 años, obteniendo una Maestría en Trabajo Social. April brinda apoyo emocional a los pacientes y las familias que atendemos en Soulistic, además de ayudarlos con los recursos comunitarios, problemas financieros, necesidades de atención a largo plazo, necesidades de cuidadores privados y cambios residenciales. April disfruta dar largos paseos con su amado pastor alemán y nadar en la piscina local.

Karene Bennett, MUP

Spiritual Care Coordinator
Interfaith Minister

Coordinadora de Atención Espiritual de La ministra interreligiosa

Karene is committed to helping to make this a better world; one of compassion and humanity. Having a Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning and over 30 years of experience in dozens of human service programs, Karene's sincere desire to help people, presented him with opportunities in grant-writing, planning, and volunteer coordinating for public, private and non-profit corporations. Karene also spent several years in the Peace Corps, serving in South America, where his bilingual abilities and cultural insights have resurfaced to complement his natural ability to communicate with people in all walks of life.

Karene está comprometida a ayudar a hacer de este un mundo mejor; uno de compasión y humanidad. Con una Maestría en Planificación Urbana y Regional y más de 30 años de experiencia en docenas de programas de servicios humanos, el sincero deseo de Karene de ayudar a las personas le presentó oportunidades para la redacción de subvenciones, la planificación y la coordinación de voluntarios para proyectos públicos, privados y no públicos. corporaciones lucrativas. Karene también pasó varios años en el Cuerpo de Paz, sirviendo en América del Sur, donde sus habilidades bilingües y conocimientos culturales han resurgido para complementar su habilidad natural para comunicarse con personas de todos los ámbitos de la vida.

Tarenta Baldeschi

Spiritual Care Coordinator
Interfaith Minister

Coordinadora de atención espiritual El ministro interreligioso

Tarenta is originally from Bamberg (Bavaria), Germany and Livorno (Tuscany), Italy. His parents were both WW ll survivors, and his mother was a refugee. These experiences, and also being an immigrant himself, makes his ministry an asset to those who are marginalized. He has experience in stone restoration (churches, castles and old estates), and is a master organic gardener. Tarenta became a student of Native American Traditions and spirituality and was a Liaison to a Native American Elders Council. He has always been an advocate for human rights and environmental issues and became a full-time missionary and an ordained Interfaith Minister in 1996. Tarenta is an avid reader, loves to cook, sings in a choir, and is interested in all cultures. Tarenta is married with 4 children and is very family oriented.

Tarenta es originario de Bamberg (Baviera), Alemania y Livorno (Toscana), Italia. Sus padres fueron ambos sobrevivientes de la Segunda Guerra Mundial y su madre era una refugiada. Estas experiencias, y también ser un inmigrante, hacen de su ministerio un activo para aquellos que están marginados. Tiene experiencia en restauración de piedra (iglesias, castillos y fincas antiguas), y es un maestro jardinero orgánico. Tarenta se convirtió en estudiante de las tradiciones y la espiritualidad de los nativos americanos y fue enlace con un consejo de ancianos nativos americanos. Siempre ha sido un defensor de los derechos humanos y los problemas ambientales y se convirtió en misionero de tiempo completo y ministro interreligioso ordenado en 1996. Tarenta es un ávido lector, le encanta cocinar, canta en un coro y está interesado en todas las culturas. Tarenta está casado, tiene 4 hijos y es muy familiar.

Ah'Nuit Nelson, BS

Spiritual Care Coordinator
Interfaith Minister

Ah'Nuit became an ordained minister in 1996 and joined Soulistic Hospice as a Chaplain in 2009, bringing more than three decades of experience in education and volunteer services. He served in the U.S. Army during the revolutionary uprising in the Dominican Republic and has taught Special Education for Children with Behavioral Difficulties. Ah'Nuit has dedicated hundreds of hours in various areas of humanitarian outreach and is sensitive to the needs of others during difficult life transitions. He has an instant camaraderie with patients, especially military veterans and their families.

LeAnn Swinehart, RN, BSN, MNA

Compliance Officer

Born in Nebraska but raised in Tucson, Arizona, LeAnn considers herself a native of Tucson. Early in life she was called to a career in nursing, volunteering in hospitals during the summer months while completing a high-school training program to become a nursing assistant. While working and raising a family she finished both a BSN and Masters in Nursing Administration. LeAnn has worked as both an Administrator and Director of Nursing over several years in both acute and sub-acute care. With the death of her grandmother and father, LeAnn was drawn to a career in hospice working first as an RN Case Manager.

Yvonne Nowak, RN

Hospice Nurse

Enfermera de hospicio

Yvonne was born in Tucson, raised in Amado, and currently resides in Sahuarita. She started as a CNA, then worked as a PCT at Flagstaff Medical Center in the ICU and St. Joseph's Hospital. She finished her nursing degree in 2011 and worked at Banner University Medical Center. Yvonne spends her free time reading, crocheting, and doing various family activities with her husband and son.

Yvonne nació en Tucson, se crió en Amado y actualmente reside en Sahuarita. Comenzó como CNA, luego trabajó como PCT en Flagstaff Medical Center en la UCI y en el Hospital St. Joseph. Terminó su título de enfermería en 2011 y trabajó en Banner University Medical Center. Yvonne pasa su tiempo libre leyendo, tejiendo y haciendo varias actividades familiares con su esposo e hijo.

Arlene Case, RN

Hospice Nurse

From Vancouver, Arlene has been in California since 1980 and moved to Green Valley, AZ in 2018 to be close to her sister. Arlene worked as a float nurse in Med-Surg and in a Special Care Nursery before becoming a Hospice nurse in 1980 when Medicare first came out with the Hospice Pilot Project. She has been a Case Manager, a Nursing Supervisor, a Facilities Liaison Nurse and the interim Hospice Director. She also ran a small rural Hospice in Northern California for 10 years. Arlene feels blessed to have found a career that is so inspirational and rewarding.

Camille Bonzani, RN

Hospice Nurse

Camille has spent most of her life in Tucson. She has been a Photography-Art Teacher, a Restauranteur, a Working Artist, a Community Coordinator, a Healthcare Worker, and a Hospice caregiver and nurse for 17 years. As an Admissions Nurse, Camille conveys the beautiful possibilities of walking towards the end of life with awareness and love. As an on-call Nurse, Camille also responds to patient and caregiver concerns, questions and difficulties. Camille enjoys gardening, outings to the dog park, dining with friends, and hosting Airbnb guests.

Sylvia Yepiz, LPN

Hospice Nurse

Enfermera de hospicio de

Sylvia is from the border town of Nogales, Arizona and has lived in Santa Cruz County her entire life. Her medical career as an LPN has touched several different facets of nursing, including clinics, home health, geriatrics and prisons. Sylvia is a longstanding member of the Soulistic Hospice team and loves to serve our patients by providing the best care possible. She is bilingual in Spanish and English and fills a valuable role in caring for our Spanish speaking patients and families. In her free time, Sylvia enjoys reading, listening to music, travelling, and being with her family.

Sylvia es de la ciudad fronteriza de Nogales, Arizona y ha vivido en el condado de Santa Cruz toda su vida. Su carrera médica como LPN ha tocado varias facetas diferentes de la enfermería, incluidas las clínicas, la salud en el hogar, la geriatría y las prisiones. Sylvia es un miembro antiguo del equipo de Soulistic Hospice y le encanta servir a nuestros pacientes brindándoles la mejor atención posible. Ella es bilingüe en español e inglés y cumple un papel valioso en el cuidado de nuestros pacientes y familias de habla hispana. En su tiempo libre, Sylvia disfruta leer, escuchar música, viajar y estar con su familia.

Janette Velarde, LPN

Hospice Nurse

Enfermera de hospicio de

Jenna is from Tucson, Arizona and has been an LPN for 12 years. Prior to joining the Soulistic Hospice team, she spent the majority of her Nursing career working with youth at a Juvenile Detention Center. Jenna also worked at Casa De Los Ninos helping newborns and children in need. It was here that she learned of the Nurtured Heart Approach, which she found life changing. Jenna speaks both Spanish and English, and shares her caring approach with all she serves. She enjoys music, going to concerts, dancing, travelling and spending time with her family.

Jenna es de Tucson, Arizona y ha sido LPN durante 12 años. Antes de unirse al equipo de Soulistic Hospice, pasó la mayor parte de su carrera de Enfermería trabajando con jóvenes en un Centro de Detención Juvenil. Jenna también trabajó en Casa De Los Ninos ayudando a recién nacidos y niños necesitados. Fue aquí donde se enteró del enfoque del corazón nutrido, que le cambió la vida. Jenna habla español e inglés y comparte su enfoque afectuoso con todos los que sirve. Le gusta la música, ir a conciertos, bailar, viajar y pasar tiempo con su familia.

Veronica Alvarez, LPN

Hospice Nurse

Enfermera de hospicio

Veronica is an LPN for Soulistic, assisting RN's with weekly visits. She has lived in Sahuarita her entire life and attended Pima Community College. Veronica enjoys reading, watching baseball, and family time. She worked as a private caregiver and also in facilities, and always had a passion for hospice. Veronica feels privileged to be able to care for people at the end of their life when they are preparing to embark on their next journey. She also feels that Soulistic has been a blessing to me. She loves the company and her coworkers.

Veronica es una LPN de Soulistic y asiste a las enfermeras registradas con visitas semanales. Ha vivido en Sahuarita toda su vida y asistió a Pima Community College. A Veronica le gusta leer, ver béisbol y pasar tiempo en familia. Trabajó como cuidadora privada y también en instalaciones, y siempre tuvo una pasión por los cuidados paliativos. Veronica se siente privilegiada de poder cuidar a las personas al final de sus vidas cuando se preparan para emprender su próximo viaje. También siente que Soulistic ha sido una bendición para ella. Le encanta la empresa y sus compañeros de trabajo.