Our Arizona Team
Steve Alfonsi
Owner/CEO
In 2005, Steve’s mom, Shelby was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He quickly turned his focus into becoming a caretaker himself. Not knowing much about the home-care services industry, he immediately immersed himself into learning as much about these services to provide his mother with the best care possible.
After spending time as a successful executive for a few well known fortune 500 companies, Steve decided to take a path towards a more fulfilling career to honor his late mother.
He learned the home care industry’s ins and outs, intending to start a company to serve families who find themselves in the same position he was in years before.
Steve has now started 3 different companies offering a variety of in home care services for families in need during their difficult times. Steve advises people who find themselves in a caregiving role for those who are ill or need assistance, that help is always just a phone call away.
“It’s something I feel deeply passionate about. We provide respect and dignity for others. We aspire to be perfect. Life is precious, it goes by so fast. Make those last hours, days and weeks a better experience for your loved ones.”
steve@rovitacare.com
Megan Gorst
Executive Director, NP
Hospice and palliative medicine has been my chosen practice since 2010. I love what we bring to our communities and the gift that we offer at such an important time in life.
My other loves are family and farming. We care for many rescue animals including donkeys, pigs, chickens and dogs. Their innocence and simplicity reminds me of what is important and rejuvenates me for each day ahead.
meg@rovitacare.com
Traci Henes
Director of Patient Care Services, RN
Working in Hospice is rewarding and I love what I do. I feel blessed to work at such an amazing organization. When I’m not working, I love traveling and spending time with my family creating memories. Every day is a gift.
tracih@rovitacare.com
Matthew Hemstreet
Medical Director, MD
I have been in medical practice for almost 30 years, I have practiced outpatient medicine, hospital medicine, and have had the honor of serving as medical director for an LTAC, a nursing home, and two different hospices. I believe strongly that a physician’s role is to assist the patient at living a long and healthy life, and when that life comes to close a physician’s role becomes preserving the comfort and the dignity of that patient until they pass.
Adam Arias
Marketing Community Relations Director
Lisa Bennion
Admission Nurse, RN
I want to be a part of the conversation that normalizes death and dying as the natural part of life that it is. I am blessed to help others journey to the other side gently, with ease and grace.
Lori Frisbie
Chaplain & Bereavement Coordinator
I love my roles as hospice chaplain and bereavement care coordinator for Royal, shining my light, sharing a smile, and comforting hearts at very tender times. I also delight in my two dogs, laughing with my family, playing board games, and finding beauty in common places.
Glenn Swain
Chaplain
My life’s calling is to be of service to patients and families who entrust Royal Hospice for loving, compassionate care. As a hospice chaplain and ordained Interfaith Minister, I meet patients and families where they are emotionally, in the moment. It’s a blessing for me to be a spiritual comfort at an emotional time that is often filled with sadness and anticipatory grief. I’m filled with gratitude for the work I do each day.
Hospice Team
Members
Royal Hospice hires professional and passionate experts in each designated field. Each team member is committed to patients and their families.
Attending Physician
The Attending Physician makes the referral to Hospice as this is usually the patient’s Primary Care Provider. The Doctor is encouraged to continue and follow the patients care while on Hospice, but at the very least is expected to be updated as the patient’s condition changes. With continued involvement from the Attending Physician there is a better continuity of care for the patient.
Hospice Medical Director
The Hospice Medical Director provides oversight over the Hospice team for all of the patients. The Doctor does this by participating in Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) meetings and acting as a resource for the Nurse, Social Worker and Chaplain. The Hospice Medical Director usually follows with the Attending Physician on the care plan, but has the capability to become the Attending Physician should the patient’s Primary Care Provider not want to follow.
Registered Nurse Case Manager
The RN Case Manager creates and manages the patient’s care plan with guidance from the Attending Physician and/or the Hospice Medical Director. The RN Case Manager makes patient visits as little as once every two weeks to as much as three times a week or more, if the need occurs. The RN Case Manager supervises the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and the Hospice Aide (CNA) that make visits to patients.
Social Worker
The Social Worker completes an initial psycho social assessment with the patient and/or their families to establish a care plan. The Social Worker than makes one to two visits per month with the patient to update the care plan. The patient and/or families may request additional visits in a month if there are additional needs that need to be met. This individual typically provides resources on Counseling, Do Not Resuscitate (DNR), assisting with financial and community resources and placement (permanent or for Inpatient Respite/General Inpatient (GIP)).
Chaplain
The Chaplain completes an initial spiritual assessment with the patient and/or their families to establish a care plan. The Chaplain then makes one to three visits a per month with the patient to update the care plan. If the patient and/or family do not have a spiritual provider within the community then he or she will assume that role. If the patient and/or family have an existing spiritual provider within the community, then the Chaplain can help establish a home visit from that spiritual provider. Care provided by the Chaplain is non-denominational and is accepting of all faiths and beliefs. The Chaplain can represent the Hospice as an officiant over the funeral.
Hospice Aide
The Hospice Aide (CNA) follows the care plan established by the RN Case Manager during the initial visit. The CNA will bathe and provide personal care to the patient, while also providing light housekeeping for the patient and/or family. The CNA is highly skilled in showing family members and/or caregivers the correct methods of positioning and providing other personal care. The visits from the CNA range from one time a week up to three or more times per week.
Hospice Volunteer
Hospice Volunteer – A volunteer is provided when the RN Case Manager determines that there is a lack of company or companionship with the patient, and the patient and/or family request additional company or companionship. A Volunteer for any need can be provided and the needs usually range from reading, knitting, completing puzzles to watching a movie or general conversation. The Volunteer is hands off and is not allowed to provide any physical care to the patient.
Bereavement Counselor
The Bereavement Counselor role is usually carried out by the Social Worker or Chaplain. An initial Bereavement Assessment is completed with the patient and/or family upon admission to Hospice. The Bereavement Counselor keeps contact with the Hospice Team, patient and/or family throughout the patients time to help counsel any of the changes that are occurring. This individual completes a second Bereavement Assessment upon discharge from services to determine any changes from the first Assessment. The Counselor will continue contact with friends, family and even the facility (if the patient lived in one) for a period of up to 13 months through phone calls and mailings. If further professional support beyond what the Bereavement Counselor can provide, a referral is made to a higher professional.