Dr. von Gunten trained in medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, followed by residency training in internal medicine and subspecialty training in Hematology/Oncology at the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University in Chicago. He has served as a hospice medical director for over 30 years. He spearheaded the efforts to officially recognize the new subspecialty of hospice & palliative medicine by the American Board of Medical Specialties, and the subspecialty training curriculum for fellows by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. He was Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Palliative Medicine from 2001-2023. In 2015, he was named a ‘top doctor’ by Newsweek Health. He co-edited the Textbook of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, now in its 3rd edition. He joined The Elizabeth Hospice in 2023 as its Chief Medical Officer. He holds the academic rank of Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego Medical School.

Dr. Boggeln trained in medicine at St. Louis University School of Medicine, followed by residency training in family medicine at the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton. He is board-certified in Family Medicine and the new subspecialty of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. He has practiced in the Temecula area for more than 35 years. Dr. Boggeln has extensive experience as a hospice medical director and as a consultant in palliative medicine in both the hospital and home settings. He has spoken widely on hospice and palliative care topics and has been faculty for medical students and family medicine residents for many years. He holds the academic rank of clinical assistant Professor of Family Medicine at the Western University School of Medicine. He served as Chief of Staff and Chairman of the Board of Governors of Temecula Valley Hospital.

Trained in medicine at McMaster University in Canada, followed by residency training in internal medicine and radiation oncology at the Wellesley Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. He then pursued specialty training in hospice and palliative medicine. He has extensive experience as a hospice medical director over the past 30 years. He received a Golden Jubilee Award from Queen Elizabeth II, received both Canadian and American National Leadership Awards, and has been involved in multiple projects, including the Education for Physicians in End of Life Care (EPEC) project based at the American Medical Association, and Leadership Development for the American Society of Clinical Oncology. He is a cherished mentor of physicians around the world. He has published and spoken widely on clinical care, education, and program implementation. He holds the academic title of Clinical Professor of Medicine, UCSD.

NP Bagnasco trained in nursing at San Diego State University, followed by a master’s degree in nursing from the California State University San Marcos and certification as a family nurse practitioner from California State University Dominguez Hills. She has extensive experience in hospital, outpatient and home settings in both hospice and palliative care.

Dr. Davis trained in medicine at Loma Linda University. She completed a family medicine residency at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver and obtained a Masters in Healthcare Administration from Colorado State University. She has extensive clinical and administrative experience in rural and underserved populations in inpatient, outpatient, and home settings in the United States and South Africa, including hospice and palliative care.

With over 25 years of hospice experience as an executive and in clinical and operational roles, Patti oversees The Elizabeth Hospice’s access center, clinical, admissions, education, and compliance departments. She served on the board and policy committee of the California Hospice and Palliative Care Association, the regulatory committee of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, and National Government Services’ Provider Advisory Group.

Received her nursing training at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, followed by specialty training as a family nurse practitioner at Azusa Pacific University in San Diego. She has extensive experience in neonatal and pediatric care and currently works with the pediatric team.

Originally from Shanghai, China, she received her baccalaureate training from the University of California, Berkeley. She received her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University and completed her residency in Family Medicine at Long Beach Memorial Hospital. While completing her Hospice and Palliative Care Fellowship at UCSD, she found a passion for hospice care and is excited to join The Elizabeth Hospice! 

Matt Mason, MD completed his medical school training at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA before moving to San Diego for residency. He completed a four year Emergency Medicine residency at UCSD, then a one-year Hospice and Palliative Care fellowship at UCSD & Scripps. His clinical interests include safe and effective pain control in patients with advanced illness and combining the efficient can-do attitude of the ER with the kind and holistic care philosophy of palliative care.

NP Mayer received his nurse practitioner training at Columbia University in New York City. He subsequently worked in clinical research at the NIH and then in specialist pain management before moving into serving medically complex patients at home, including the provision of hospice and palliative medicine.

NP Normani received her training as a Family Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science in Nursing from United State University in San Diego. She received Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner training at West Coast University, Irvine. She is certified as an Advanced Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner from the Institute of Palliative Care at Cal State University, San Marcos,. She continued her training as a Palliative Care Specialist by becoming End of Life Nursing Education Consortium ( ELNEC) certified. She is a wound specialist by training and has worked as a nurse practitioner in hospice and palliative care programs for more than 11 years.

Dr. del Riego received her medical degree from the University of Wisconsin Medical School. She completed a family medicine residency in Bakersfield, California, with subsequent fellowship in hospice and palliative medicine at the Institute for Palliative Medicine at San Diego Hospice and Palliative Care. She has subsequently practiced primary care and hospice & palliative medicine in the San Diego region.

NP Stumpf trained in nursing at San Diego State University, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing and certification as a family nurse practitioner from California State University, Long Beach. She subsequently received a certificate in advanced practice nursing in palliative care from the California State University Institute for Palliative Care. She has extensive nursing experience in the emergency department, as well as hospital, outpatient and home settings.

Pursued her nursing training in Zambia. After two years of working as a nurse, she relocated to the US where she continued her studies to achieve her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing as well as her nurse practitioner certification at Purdue University. She has extensive experience in hospice, oncology, orthopedics, bariatric surgery, and emergency medicine. Doreen also has experience as an educator – teaching nursing students at Kaplan College.