Carolina Caring Leadership
Our People
LEADERSHIP
Dana Killian, MBA, FACHE
President & Chief Executive Officer
Dana Killian, MBA, FACHE, serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Carolina Caring, where she manages the operations for hospice, palliative care, home-based primary care, and home care services. Additionally, she acts as liaison between the Carolina Caring Board of Directors, employees, and affiliated organizations, including PACE, Caring Seasons, Carolina Caring Foundation, and Teleios Collaborative Network, collectively caring for over 6,400 patients annually.
Since joining Carolina Caring in 2020, Killian has worked to position the organization as the first and best choice for serious illness care. She guided the launch of primary care services in 2021, which has since experienced rapid growth. In 2024, she led the organization’s merger and acquisition efforts to expand market presence and regional partnerships with like-minded healthcare entities.
She is passionate about protecting and expanding healthcare access to all who need it, leading to improved health equity and quality of life for our patients.
Killian holds a BS in Business, an MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Administration, and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. She serves as Board Chair of the Chamber of Catawba and is an active member of NPHI.
Susan Nelson, MHA, BSN, RN, LNHA
Chief Clinical Operations Officer
Sue Nelson, MHA, BSN, RN, LNHA serves as Chief Clinical Operations Officer, advancing quality care, professional education, and the patient-centered approach. Nelson joined Carolina Caring in 2018 and holds more than 30 years of experience in acute and subacute care as a nurse, leader, and healthcare innovator.
She has a strong record in achieving successful State, JCAHO, CHAP, and OSHA surveys, advancing quality assurance initiatives, and overseeing durable medical equipment, medical supply, and pharmacy operations. She has also developed and launched education programs for specialties such as long-term care infection control and dementia care.
Nelson is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA), Registered Nurse (RN), and Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP). She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mount Saint Mary College and a Master of Health Administration from Columbia Southern University. She is an active member of the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners and the National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long-Term Care.
Christina McNally, MPH
Chief Strategy Officer
Christina McNally, MPH serves as Chief Strategy Officer, overseeing organizational strategy and leading initiatives that align Carolina Caring’s mission with growth opportunities in the healthcare industry.
McNally brings more than 25 years of experience in healthcare and human services. Her professional background includes leadership, governance, network development, and healthcare system integration. She has managed multimillion-dollar budgets, secured six-figure multi-year grants, and successfully advanced both federal and state-funded programs.
She earned a Master of Public Health and has served on numerous local and state-level boards. Currently, she is a member of the Valdese Rotary Club, A Kid Again Advisory Board, Leadership Catawba Advisory Board, Truist Foothills Community Advisory Board, Leadership Catawba Advisory Board, the Hickory Soup Kitchen Board, and the City of Hickory Regional Planning Commission. McNally has been involved with Carolina Caring in various professional capacities since 2018 and officially took the role of Chief Strategy Officer in 2022.
Angela Gruebbel, CPHRM
Chief Administrative Officer
Angela Gruebbel, CPHRM serves as Chief Administrative Officer at Carolina Caring, advancing the organization’s commitment to operational excellence and regulatory compliance.
Gruebbel joined Carolina Caring in 2019 and holds more than 25 years of experience in legal and risk management for healthcare organizations, including over six years in executive leadership. Her expertise includes business risk management, compliance, developing and implementing mitigation strategies, and overseeing employee relations. She also leads the organization’s human resources and professional education functions.
In addition to holding a Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies and Government, Gruebbel is a Certified Professional Healthcare Risk Manager (CPHRM).
Tammy Jensen, BS
Chief Financial Officer
Tammy Jensen, BS serves as Chief Financial Officer at Carolina Caring, providing strategic leadership and oversight for all financial operations as well as the organization’s Information Technology (IT) functions.
Jensen began her career in 1998 with the regional CPA firm Davidson, Holland and Whitesell, LLC, where she focused on cost report audits for healthcare organizations. In 2004, she joined Carolina Caring as an accountant, fulfilling her goal of working within the healthcare industry. She has an extensive understanding of Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance billing and collection processes, leading to her current role as CFO and a key member of the executive leadership team.
Jensen earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Appalachian State University. She served as booster treasurer of the Draughn High School Booster Club and is a member of the leadership team for the Abernathy Memorial United Methodist Church food pantry.
Saini Kundapati, MD, MPH
Chief Compliance Officer
Saini Kundapati, MD, MPH serves as Chief Compliance Officer, leading Carolina Caring’s quality and compliance programs to ensure adherence to federal and state regulations as well as accreditation standards. He remains strongly committed to improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
Dr. Kundapati is a seasoned healthcare executive with over a decade of leadership experience. He has a proven track record of driving transformative initiatives across diverse healthcare settings. Prior to joining Carolina Caring, he served as Chief Compliance and Quality Officer at Piedmont Health Services, overseeing enterprise-wide risk management, compliance, and quality improvement efforts across multiple Community Health Centers and PACE programs.
In addition to earning a Doctor of Medicine from the Medical University of Lublin and a Master of Public Health from Walden University, Dr. Kundapati is a published researcher, is an active member of the Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA) and the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE), and has experience as an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of North Carolina.
Virginia Duany-Jimenez, DO
Chief Medical Officer
After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree at Barry University, Dr. Duany completed her medical training at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is a member of the American Osteopathic Association and American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
With nearly 15 years of healthcare experience and an expert at developing comprehensive medical plans for patients, Dr. Duany works to ensures every member on the nonprofit’s hospice team is knowledgeable about each patient’s plan of care so they can provide personalized treatment options that best suit their healthcare needs.
Tara Bland, BS, MA
Executive Director, Carolina Caring Foundation
Tara Bland, MA, CFRE has served as Executive Director of the Carolina Caring Foundation since 2024, leading fundraising initiatives, cultivating donor relationships, and developing programs that advance hospice and palliative services for all patients and families.
With more than 15 years working in nonprofit leadership and philanthropy, Bland’s expertise spans grant writing, donor stewardship, event planning, and cross-sector collaboration. Bland also holds the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation, reflecting her commitment to ethical and effective fundraising practices.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Appalachian State University and a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, with a focus on community engagement and leadership, from Lenoir-Rhyne University. She is heavily engaged in community leadership, serving on the Rotary Club of Hickory, the Service League of Hickory, Catawba Valley Young Life, Habitat for Humanity, and the Hickory Museum of Art. Inspired by her family’s personal experience with Carolina Caring, she is passionate about making compassionate care accessible to all through fundraising and the charitable contributions of our community.
Scott Lofland, MBA
Senior Vice President, Strategic Development
Scott Lofland is an Air Force veteran who retired in 2024 after 21 years of distinguished service, bringing with him extensive experience in logistics and operations. He has been with Carolina Caring since 2013, where he has held leadership roles in palliative care and project management. Now serving as Senior Vice President of Strategic Development, Scott leads initiatives in operational planning, government affairs, innovation, and evaluation of strategic opportunities. He believes strong leadership and staff development are essential to delivering exceptional care. Scott holds an MBA and a graduate certificate in Health Services Management.
Pam Markland, BSHM, MHA
Vice President, Serious Illness Services
Pam Markland, MHA, BS serves as Vice President of Serious Illness Care. She oversees the operations of Palliative Medicine, Home Based Primary Care, and Caregiver Solutions programs. Markland brings more than 20 years of experience in healthcare operations with a focus on improving patient access, care coordination, and throughput across diverse care settings.
Markland’s background spans clinics, hospitals, and ancillary service practices. She began her career with Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, giving her a unique perspective on the healthcare industry from both provider and payer sides. In addition to her leadership roles, she has served as an adjunct instructor at Appalachian State University for five years, teaching healthcare management courses to prepare the next generation of healthcare leaders.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management from Gardner-Webb University and a Master of Health Administration from Appalachian State University. Markland joined Carolina Caring in November 2023.
Ashley Perkins, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
Vice President, Hospice Services
Ashley serves as Vice President of Hospice Services, where she oversees all day-to-day hospice operations and clinical staff. With more than 25 years of experience in healthcare and nursing, she is a dedicated leader with a strong passion for end-of-life care.
Perkins joined Carolina Caring in 2008. Her diverse background includes acute care, serving as Director of Nursing in long-term care, and multiple roles including case manager, on-call nurse, and team leader. Her combined experiences and depth of knowledge has given her broad insight into effective hospice operations.
A native of McDowell County, Perkins earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lees-McRae College and a Master of Science in Nursing, Leadership and Management. She is Nurse Executive Advanced—Board Certified (NEA-BC) and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership at Augusta University, expected in December 2025.
Maria Reese, MS
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Maria is a healthcare professional with over 25 years of experience spanning public health, nonprofit, government, private, and healthcare sectors. Specializing in health equity, health promotion, disease prevention, and corporate social responsibility, Maria is dedicated to enhancing access to affordable, quality care for underserved populations. She has held leadership roles in various sectors, where she has developed and implemented impactful strategies. Her expertise in marketing and communications enables her to effectively tell compelling stories and help expand services. Maria has also authored publications on community health and social determinants of health. She serves on the Town of Huntersville Greenway Bikes and Trails Commission, the Queens University Graduate Health Administration Advisory Board, and volunteers at Roof Above, a homeless shelter.
Kelly Tate, BA
Vice President, Patient & Caregiver Experience
Kelly Tate, CAVNC, BA is the Vice President of Patient & Caregiver Experience. She has been with Carolina Caring since 2010, leading programs that elevate the care journey and ensure patients and their loved ones feel informed, respected, and supported at every stage.
With more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit and government sectors, Tate is an accomplished healthcare leader and trained mediator. She recognizes the value of collaborative communication and draws on her professional background to blend strategic leadership with compassionate problem solving, building a culture of empathy, equity, and service excellence.
Tate earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and holds the Certified Administrator of Volunteers in North Carolina (CAVNC) credential. She is a member of The Beryl Institute and has served as a board member of The Conflict Resolution Center. Tate remains committed to advancing engagement and fostering meaningful connections that enhance the patient and family experience.
physicians
Full-Time Physicians
Charles Frankhouser, MD
Brooke Hata, MD
Sarah Stewart, MD
Laura Walker, MD
Kimberly Jordan, MD
Part-Time Physicians
Lawson Huggins, MD
Maddalena Brown, MD
Carolina Caring physicians are devoted to the patients they serve, offering them the utmost care and attention at a time when compassion counts as much as experience.
They also do the important work of helping patients and their families understand disease progression while offering gentle, realistic expectations of their individual diagnoses.
board of directors
D’Ann Grell, Board Chair
The Carolina Caring Board of Directors is a diverse group of professional and retired community members who bring special talents and interests to inform the work and direction of our organization.
They represent the fields of law, education, medicine, health care, real estate, ministry, entrepreneurialism, manufacturing, and insurance. As such, they provide a broad perspective on the various communities we serve and help visualize developing needs within our service lines and scope of care.
