Our Leadership Team
Sarah McSpadden, RN, MSN, MHA
President and Chief Executive Officer
Sarah McSpadden has more than 20 years of experience leading home health, post-acute medical care, palliative care, and hospice programs. Her career has focused on building and guiding programs that deliver compassionate, high-quality care to patients and families across the care continuum. Sarah serves on the Board of Directors for St. Paul’s PACE.
Sarah.Mcspadden@ehospice.org
760.737.2050 x 2634
Deena Nelson
Chief Financial Officer
Deena Nelson has more than 10 years of financial leadership experience in the hospice and palliative care industry. As Chief Financial Officer, she oversees financial operations and financial strategies to help drive the organization’s mission. Deena is a member of the California Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the National Partnership for Hospice Innovation.
Deena.Nelson@ehospice.org
760.796.3716
Mary Kate O’Connell
Chief People Officer
Mary Kate O’Connell oversees all human resource activities for The Elizabeth Hospice, including talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, performance review and reward programs, employee relations and policy development. She has more than 20 years of experience in the human resources field, working in nonprofit and for-profit organizations.
MaryKate.O’Connell@ehospice.org
760.796.3766
Charles von Gunten, MD, PhD, FACP, FAAHPM
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Charles von Gunten oversees all medical aspects of The Elizabeth Hospice’s hospice and palliative care services. He is a medical oncologist widely known as a pioneer in the medical subspecialty of hospice and palliative medicine. After earning a bachelor of arts degree with honors from Brown University, Dr. von Gunten received his medical degree and a doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. He completed his training in internal medicine and medical oncology at Northwestern University. Dr. von Gunten received a K01 established investigator award from the National Cancer Institute for his research in palliative medicine education and symptom control.
Jim Zolnowski, MSN, RN, NE-BC
Chief Operating Officer
Jim Zolnowski has more than 20 years of experience in nursing and 16 years in healthcare leadership, leading clinical operations, nursing strategy, and interdisciplinary teams across hospital and health system settings. As Chief Operating Officer, he oversees the access center, clinical admissions, education, compliance, and comprehensive clinical services at The Elizabeth Hospice, including nursing, social work, spiritual care, and volunteer programs. A former Chief Nursing Officer, Jim brings deep expertise in regulatory compliance, workforce transformation, and quality improvement. His background includes launching initiatives that enhance patient outcomes, developing education and training programs, and advising on clinical consulting projects that strengthen care delivery and operational efficiency.
Jim.Zolnowski@ehospice.org
760.621.4052
Michelle Marge, MSN, RN
Chief Strategy Officer
Michelle brings nearly 25 years of strategic healthcare leadership, combining clinical expertise with deep innovation experience across clinical operations, value-based care, technology, and product development. At The Elizabeth Hospice, she leads organizational strategy across hospice, palliative care, and expanded medical services, with responsibility for strategizing growth initiatives, organizational development, and community partnerships to expand impact both financially and in service to our patients and communities. Throughout her career, she has successfully launched innovative clinical programs and value-based care solutions, redesigned operations to improve patient outcomes and staff satisfaction, and championed provider partnerships that expanded access to care and strengthened value-based arrangements. Michelle is committed to bringing her extensive healthcare leadership experience to the nonprofit sector, positioning The Elizabeth Hospice as a leader in compassionate, innovative end-of-life and serious illness care.