Our People Make the Difference
Gayla Seitz, RN - Executive Director
gseitz@hpcspringfield.com
After 20 years of involvement in the local health care community, Gayla has acquired a high level of experience in hospice, home health care, and health care administration. Besides her responsibilities at HPC, Gayla stays busy with her family and volunteering in the community. She also helps her grandparents care for her uncle who is wheelchair bound. Gayla's excellent administrative and nursing skills, as well as her compassion and devotion to caring for others, helps her keep everyone at HPC working toward the same goal of providing the best possible care to our patients and their families.
Elizabeth Goldsberry, RN – Director of Nursing
egoldsberry@hpcspringfield.com
A nurse since 1982, Liz has worked as a charge nurse in most hospital areas and as a private duty nurse primarily for children. She has served as an assistant director of nursing in two long-term care facilities. She has taught as a nursing instructor and is a Certified Nuero-Trauma Nurse. Liz spends her spare time camping with family and watching her youngest son race motocross bikes. She loves her work with HPC-Springfield and states that she really feels satisfied at the end of each day.
Dennis Cochran, MDiv - Chaplain
dcochran@hpcspringfield.com
A chaplain in the Air Force for 25 years, Dennis has also served as a local church pastor. He has many years of experience in hospice, most recently in the Wichita, Kansas area. In 2003 Dennis and his wife returned to the Springfield area to care for his parents and in-laws. Every morning Dennis leads the staff in prayer and praise before they start their day to care for HPC patients. Beginning each morning in this way helps to keep the entire staff focused on what hospice care really is about.
Marlene Howard, BA, Social Worker
Mhoward@hpcspringfield.com
Marlene's social work career began in the nursing home setting over 10 years ago. Her love for helping patients and families dealing with the changes of end-of-life issues prompted her to further her education and brought her to HPC Springfield. Being the wife of a minister for many years also helped to equip her to deal with the problems and obstacles that sometimes arise during hospice care. She handles every situation with a soft voice and gentle manner.
Tracie Ojakangas, RN, BSN, Development Director
tojakangas@hpcspringfield.com
Years of nursing experience made Tracie a great choice as one of our first nurse case managers at HPC, but her interest in community and education made her the perfect fit for the Development Director. Tracie has both personal and professional experience in hospice care. In addition, she is a cancer survivor and has a unique understanding of the struggles patients and families experience when faced with serious health issues. Getting the message out about the benefits of hospice care is a passion for her. Tracie, her husband Greg and their three children spend as much time as possible on their "mini" farm in Springfield with a menagerie of animals including exotic birds, chickens, llamas and sheep. She is also an accomplished musician, composer and music teacher. Tracie's commitment to hospice includes assisting with fundraising events and serving community organizations.
Melanie Brown, Office Manager
mbrown@hpcspringfield.com
Melanie's bright, professional voice is usually the first one you hear when you call HPC Springfield. A certified paralegal, Melanie uses her accounting and administrative experience to keep everything in line at the office. In her spare time, Melanie enjoys watching her son play Mighty Mite football and her daughter cheer him on. Melanie is happy to answer any question a caller might have, or get them in touch with the right HPC staff member.