The cottonwood Hospice Team

We think being small is better than being big, and are proud to highlight our team, not just our executives. This team is not just your nurse or social worker; they're your church member, community leader, room-mom at school, and your neighbor. We value our team as family, and recognize they are the foundation of Cottonwood Hospice.

Chavonn has been the hospice director since 2018. Since this time, she and her team have received multiple awards including most recently as a 2022 Hospice Honors recipient. 

 She and her husband Jeff, met at Hastings College and moved back to his roots in 2012, after completing the accelerated BSN program at Creighton University.  They live on an acreage south of Wymore with their two children, along with their dogs and chickens. She  enjoys spending time with her family, friends, being involved in their community, and being outdoors.  She's originally from Taylor, NE, a small farming and ranching community, in the heart of the Sandhills. Growing up, she swore she'd always come back home to Taylor, the only thing that would keep her away would be that she had found a community that reminded her of that hometown comfort. That is exactly what she found in southeast Nebraska.  When she and her husband moved back, she applied for a home hospice RN position, not being convinced it was what she truly wanted to do, she told herself she would give it a valid try.  She could not believe how quickly she fell in love with this work-this specialty.  She knew Hospice was where she wanted to be, in some capacity, as her forever career.  "Working in hospice has given me the opportunity to feel at home each day.  From visiting with patients, their families and those closest to them, to working with this incredible staff and doing my best to make their days easier-I’m proud to say this is now my home." 

Terri was a labor and delivery nurse for over 25 years and then came to hospice nursing after losing her brother. While her brother was on hospice, she saw the incredible impact that she could make on the patient and families life, drawing her to the service. 

 She is a Jefferson county native where she continues to serve and reside with her husband, Alan, on their farm. They have three daughters. She enjoys spending time with family, camping and especially her grandchildren.

Katie was a transplant to Beatrice in 1988. She moved from a small rural community in northeast Nebraska after marrying her husband, Brian.  She has been with this Hospice program since 2007, and maintains her Hospice and Palliative care Registered Nurse certification.  She remains passionate about the hospice program, its staff, and the community it serves, which is why in 2022 she initiated the conversation to start Cottonwood Hospice. Katie is proud to be part of the nursing team of a small town hospice, and to continue to serve hospice patients and their families at the bedside.

Katie and Brian have three adult married daughters who all reside in the area raising their families. Katie enjoys traveling, being outside doing lawncare and  spending time with her children and grandchildren

Nikki brings a unique perspective to hospice after experiencing loss herself.  "I have felt called into working in grief since losing my brother in 2006. I wanted to pay forward the care provided to myself and my family. The things I love most about my job are getting to focus 1:1 with my patients and their families, helping patients continue to achieve their goals, and helping families navigate a very difficult journey!"

Nikki is a wife, mom of 2 boys and active in her church and boys' school. She was born with a heart for caring and serving others. 

Val has been a hospice nurse for over 9 years. During this time she has found more than just a job but a true connection with her patients and families. "I love being able to develop relationships with my patients and their families. The favorite part of my job is helping patients to comfortably transfer to their eternal home."  

Val and her husband live in the country where they raised their children. She enjoys spending time with her two sons, a daughter and a daughter in law, in addition to reading, gardening and camping.

Josi brings over 23 years of home care nursing experience to Cottonwood. With over 30 years of nursing experience and living within 30 miles of where she was born, raised and settled with her family, she is rooted in her profession and community. "My community being cared for is so important to me. Being a Hospice Nurse is an honor that patients and their families allow me to be a part of such a vulnerable time. My faith in human caring and love is constantly renewed. My commitment for patient and family centered care and being able to care for those in my community is what drives me to be the best nurse I can be every day." In additional to her home care and hospice experience, Josi is also CHPN certified,  “Life is a balance of holding on and letting go.” Rumi

Wendi has been a nurse aide in the Beatrice areas for over 23 years, of which the last 15 have been in home care and hospice.

Duties included are private home health care, home health and hospice.

"I enjoy teaching patients and families and want family/caretakers to feel confident in their ability to care for the patient as well as they can. I could not imagine doing any other profession. So many families stay in my heart! Every day I gain new friends."

Wendi is a single mother of two children. She enjoys spending time with her children and family in the area, and going fishing and swimming in the summer.

Stephanie has been care giving since 2002 spending most of her time in home care and hospice. "I have compassion for all people and believe in preserving their dignity and comfort. I always will advocate for the people I care for, including the under-served in our community. I especially enjoy the companionship we are able to provide to our patients. Hospice isn’t just my job, it is my passion!"

Outside of working hours she love crafting, taking care of her "fur and feather babies,"  being outdoors and fishing with her husband.

Tracy has been with our hospice team since 2008. 

"I love getting to know our patients along with their families.  To be able to listen to their life stories is amazing." 

Tracy enjoys spending time outside and with family and friends.

Rahchell has been in healthcare for over 20 years, but found her passion to be in hospice patient and families. "The best part of my job is seeing the positive impact that my assistance has in their lives. It is an honor to be able to help patients as they finish their journey of life." 

Lori graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a Bachelor of Social Work and Minor in Gerontology. She has over 30 years of experience in social work and our patients see her heart and soul put into doing what she loves.  Lori also has over 7 years experience in leading Alzheimer's support group, as well as grief support groups.  "As a Hospice Social Worker for over 13 years I continue to be honored to meet people at the most critical time in their lives and provide comfort and emotional support for the patient and their loved ones. Each of us has a story and I am thankful to share them with and for them."

Lori and her husband Mike have lived in Beatrice for 31 years. She has 3 children and 4 grandchildren.  The couple is active in their local church and enjoys time with family.

At Cottonwood Hospice, we have a team of Chaplains to  serve as your spiritual guide during end-of-life. From music to prayer, they  can be as active in religion as you would like or just guide you spiritually. We are blessed to have Doris Martin and Michael Melchizedek serving our patients and families. 

Dr. Paulmeyer is a Board-Certified Internal Medicine physician serving as the Medical Director at Cottonwood Hospice. He continues to see patients in the Internal Medicine Clinic at BCH, and serve as Chief Medical Officer for the organization. He graduated from UNMC in 2012, and was accepted into the UNMC Internal Medicine Residency and Primary Care Program, a program with a focus on training the next generation of rural primary care physicians. 

He is an Omaha native, but enjoys the focus on family and community in a rural setting.  

Lisa is a Beatrice native.  Her first healthcare job was as a nurse’s aid for BCH at Parkview in the late 1980s.   This sparked the love for caring for others.  Since that time she has worked in all nursing capacities from LPN in 1989,  to her most recent APRN degree in 2015.  She brings with her a vast nursing knowledge ranging from Long Term Care, Acute Care, Labor and Delivery, Surgery as well as being a long time Clinic nurse.  She started serving with the BCH Hospice team in 2019 which she has found to be the most rewarding.  She also currently continues to see patients at the Wymore Medical Clinic.  

She lives on a farm near Washington Kansas with her husband Scott where she enjoys working alongside him.  Her grandchildren are the lights of her life.  In her spare time she enjoys spending time at their cabin, as well as traveling and hiking.

We think being small is better than being big, and are proud to highlight our team, not just our executives. This team is not just your nurse or social worker; their your church member, community leader, room-mom at school, and your neighbor. We value our team as family, and recognize they are the foundation of Cottonwood Hospice.