Our Team
Our team utilizes a patient-centered approach. We review the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients and their families. The care patients receive and the amount of time they spend with individual team members depends on their plan of care.
Medical Director
Advises the care team using current medical information that is evaluated on a regular basis and modified by the team as the patient's condition changes. Prescribes any medications, hospitalizations, imaging, and other services that may be necessary.
Nurse Case Manager
Provides hands-on physical care to ease symptoms and provides comfort to the patient. Coordinates care with the physician and the rest of the hospice team.
Hospice Aide
Our Certified Nursing Assistants provide assistance with personal care, such as bathing and grooming.
Hospice Volunteer
Provides companionship, runs errands, and helps ease the family's burden. A volunteer is available at your and your family's request.
Social Worker
Provides assistance with enhancing social functioning and overall well-being of the patient and family.
Chaplain
Provides assistance with the spiritual, religious, and emotional needs of patients, families, and staff.
Bethany Ranne-Fort
Registered Nurse Case Manager
I am a registered nurse with nearly 21 years of experience across various nursing fields, including approximately 16 years dedicated to hospice care. I'm passionate about supporting my patients and their families, and it's an honor to be part of their journey.
Outside of work, I cherish time with my family, especially my new grandson. I also love the peaceful country farm life, spending time outdoors with all my animals.
Amanda Gotcher
Certified Nursing Assistant
Hi, I'm Amanda Gotcher. I've been a Certified Nursing Assistant since October 2003, starting my career in a nursing home before transitioning to hospice care in March 2020. Being there for patients when they can no longer care for themselves is a privilege, and I'm grateful to journey with them and their families, often becoming like family myself. I strive to go above and beyond, and it's rewarding to know that families appreciate my dedication and the love I show their loved ones. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my patients smile.
Outside of work, family means everything to me. I have three wonderful daughters and two grandbabies—one boy and one girl—both born this year, 2024. Family is my priority, and I stepped into the role of a grandmother after we lost my mom in 2021, a role I cherish deeply. My faith keeps me grounded, with God first and family next. Everything I do is to make my children, husband and loved ones proud. My hobbies include cooking, reading, spending time with friends, and enjoying those precious moments with my grandbabies. Though life has its challenges, I pour my heart and soul into each day, staying positive and strong.
Richard Shilling
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Hello, I'm Richard Shilling, an LVN with True Hearts and Hands Hospice. I've been in the medical field for 34 years, with the last 6 years dedicated to hospice care. My work allows me to provide comfort and support to patients and their families during a profoundly important time. I transitioned from home health to hospice, feeling called by the Lord to serve those in deeper need.
Outside of work, I enjoy fishing and hunting. My life is guided by my faith, with God, family, and work as my highest priorities.
LaQuisha Jones
Certified Nursing Assistant
I am LaQuisha, a Certified Nursing Assistant with specialized training in dementia care and CPR certification, bringing 10 years of experience in healthcare and 5 years as a CNA. For the past 2 years, I have dedicated myself to hospice care, a path inspired by my own experience when my grandmother was in hospice. Seeing the comfort and support it provided my family made me realize that I wanted to offer that same compassion to others.
In my work, I'm grateful to be a source of comfort for both patients and their families, answering questions and offering physical and emotional support during a vulnerable time. Families often express their appreciation for the safe, caring space I provide.
Outside of work, I enjoy staying active at the gym, exploring new recipes, and spending quality time with my family. I value health, family, and authenticity, and I bring those values into every part of my life and work.
Aileen Hummel
Music Therapist, MA, MT-BC
I am Aileen, a music therapist with over 40 years of experience in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and I have spent the past 30 years working with hospice patients. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Music Education and a Master's in Music Therapy, and I am a Board-Certified Music Therapist with specialized training in Hospice and Palliative Music Therapy, as well as Neurologic Music Therapy.
My greatest passion is working with hospice patients and their families, using music to relieve anxiety and stress, foster family cohesion, facilitate closure, and provide emotional, physical, and spiritual comfort. My approach is eclectic, combining experiential and expressive techniques, and I use a variety of instruments, including guitar, keyboard, Native American flute, autoharp, drums, harp, and rhythm instruments.
In addition to my hospice work, I also support patients with dementia and adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). I am honored to direct an Angel Choir of IDD adults for MHMR, where we celebrate the joy and healing power of music together.
Jessy Bautista
Certified Nursing Assistant
Hello! My name is Jessy, and I am a Certified Nursing Assistant. I've been working in healthcare since 2019, starting my CNA journey shortly after my daughter was born. I moved here from California about three years ago, and since then, I've been devoted to hospice care. Although I never imagined myself in this field, it has brought me a profound sense of joy and warmth. Being at the bedside of someone as they pass is the closest I feel to God, and it's an experience I treasure deeply.
One of my favorite parts of this work is talking with patients about what they would tell their younger selves. My current patient recently told me, 'It's time to get out there. You've been single too long—don't wait for the perfect time to start living.' Her words remind me of a favorite quote: 'If you wait for the right time, the right moment will pass you by.' This job lets me be there for people when they need it most, and I feel grateful every day to be fulfilling that calling.
Outside of work, I enjoy swimming and spending time with my chosen family and my daughter. I value kindness above all; we never know what someone else is going through, and I try to instill this same compassion in my daughter. My patients keep life interesting, and I wouldn't trade this role for anything else.
Dr. Michael Olatunji
Internal Medicine Specialist
With over 15 years of dedicated experience in hospice care, Dr. Michael Olatunji is deeply committed to providing empathy, kindness, and compassion to every patient and family he serves. As an internal medicine specialist, he understands the unique challenges that patients and their loved ones face during life's most delicate stages. Outside of his professional role, Dr. Olatunji is a devoted husband, father, and son—these personal experiences shape his holistic, family-centered approach to care.
Dr. Olatunji's gentle, compassionate manner fosters trust and comfort, ensuring that each individual receives the dignity and support they deserve. His unwavering dedication to patient-centered care is the core of his practice and mission.
In his free time, Dr. Olatunji enjoys watching football, reading, and traveling and is an avid fan of English Premier League soccer.
Our Mission
The mission of True Hearts and Hands Hospice is to help patients and their families navigate through the final stages of this life's journey with quality care and services delivered by compassionate Hearts and Hands.
Our Core Principles
Hospice care is about living. We believe every day of life is precious, and we help our patients and families celebrate it to the very end.
End-of-life events are universal. We treat our patients and their families as we would our own, striving to facilitate the peaceful transition we would wish for our loved ones and ourselves. Our compassion for those affected by the end stages of life is permanent and unwavering.
Comfort and dignity should be accessible to all. We serve our community with honesty and integrity. Through responsible stewardship of our resources and dedicated support from our community, we ensure our ability to reach those in need. Every life experience is exceptional. We understand our care must be equally exceptional. Each patient's journey is unique, and each has different goals and challenges to overcome. We nurture the strengths and talents of each of our team members to provide excellent, individualized care.
To listen is to understand. We recognize the value of understanding and know that clear communication is essential to cultivate trust. We listen because we know we might be the first to do so. We want to hear and understand our patients, their families, our community, and our team members.
Hospice care is ever-changing. We are leaders in end‐of‐life care. It is our duty to adapt on behalf of our patients. We are committed to empowering ourselves and our community through continuing education and collaboration with our partners.
Optimism is powerful and contagious. We embody positivity by letting our passion and joy for serving others lead our interactions. We recognize the impact of our attitudes on patients, families, and each other and strive to create an enriching environment for all.
The True Hearts and Hands Difference
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Coordinated Care
The team at True Hearts and Hands Hospice works together to coordinate the best plan of care for you and your family. We assess several areas, including physical, emotional, spiritual, and social needs. The team will then determine the care you require and the amount of time the patient and family will spend with each team member. As those needs change, your plan of care will change as well, and any questions or concerns will be addressed. It is an honor for True Hearts and Hands Hospice to care for you and your family.
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Listening With Heart
Listening is one of the most significant components of a relationship, and the relationships between the patient, caregivers, and hospice team are crucial. The hospice team needs to know and understand the needs, concerns, and expectations of the patient and the caregivers so that each area can be addressed.
Sometimes, it is difficult to put into words some of the concerns that a patient and/or caregiver have, or it is difficult to voice those concerns out loud. We are here to help. The team at True Hearts and Hands knows that this is a very emotional time. When any member of the hospice team meets with the patient and/or the caregiver, we listen not just with our ears but with our hearts.
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Compassion
True Hearts and Hands Hospice strives to provide individual integrity, compassion, and dignity in a gentle and skilled manner. As you witness a loved one dealing with a life-limiting illness, you suffer along with them, often unsure how to help. The True Hearts and Hands team is dedicated to helping patients and families through this difficult time, showing them the compassion and dignity that they each deserve.
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Nurturing the Journey
When you hear the word "hospice," it can be devastating. Your mind spins, your heart drops, and your world turns upside down. You don't know what to do or where to start, and you find yourself in disbelief.
Although it can be painful, hospice is often referred to as "the final journey" because it is a natural part of life as we know it. The True Hearts and Hands Hospice team will travel the journey with you. Each team member has a heart for others, insight into what lies ahead, and the ability to help you navigate your way through. These individuals will communicate with you each step of the way, notifying you of any changes and offering support.
Our support will be continuous and steady. We stand alongside you through the end of the journey and continue to do so after your loss with our Bereavement Program.
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Trained Hands
Each team member at True Hearts and Hands Hospice is trained in hospice care and has many years of experience.
- Our nurses are Registered Nurses and are required to receive additional training and education throughout the year to maintain their skills and keep abreast of new techniques and changes in hospice and healthcare.
- Our CNAs are certified in personal care, and they, too, are required to receive additional training and education throughout the year to maintain their skills.
- Our Social Workers are licensed through the State and hold Master's degrees in Social Work. They are required to obtain yearly education to maintain their license.
- Our Chaplains each have years of experience ministering to others, listening to them, and guiding them through life's journey.
Our team has worked together for many years, and we pride ourselves on having a joint mission and vision for quality patient care and Medicare compliance.
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Managing Responsibility
When someone is facing the end of life, they need to have peace of mind. This includes having their final arrangements planned and ensuring their wishes are acknowledged. This topic can be difficult, especially when you are facing a terminal illness. You may feel overwhelmed, but our social workers can assist you gently and sensitively. Some areas of discussion include:
- Finances
- Pets
- Funeral Arrangements
- Groceries
- Utilities
- Rent
- Special Needs
- Special Requests
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Bereavement
Bereavement care is an essential component of hospice care that includes anticipating grief reactions and providing ongoing support for the bereaved over a period of 13 months. Grief is a normal reaction to losing someone you love. Each person grieves differently, and there is no timeline for how long it takes before the hurt of loss lessens. Hospice understands this. We know that grieving can begin before the actual loss and last longer than a few weeks or months. Our team at True Hearts and Hands is dedicated to families throughout the grieving process and develops individual family plans of action. With these individualized plans, we provide counseling, support groups, and other resources to help families through this bereavement period.
Call Us Today!
Our compassionate team is dedicated to providing quality hospice care services. Call to speak with our team today.