2024 HPNA & HPNF Board of Directors

The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) and Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (HPNF) are thrilled to introduce the 2024 Board of Directors: Lynn Reinke, PhD, ANP-BC, FAAN, FPCN, ATSF; Masako Mayahara, PhD, RN, FAAN, CHPN, FPCN; Blake J. Tobias Jr., MHCI, MS, HA-ODL; Michelle Webb, DNP, RN, CHPCA; Craig Durie, DNP, CRNP, ACHPN, RNFA; Tracy Fasolino, PhD, FNP-BC, ACHPN, FPCN; Mansara Hassan, MSN, APRN, AGNP-C; Richelle (Rikki) Hooper, MBA, MSN, FNP-BC, ACHPN, NE-BC, FPCN; Amy Jacobs, MSN, RN; Catherine Pyke, M.A., Ed (HPNF only); and Yvonne Ruathaiwat, RN, MSN, GCNS-BC, NE-BC.

President: Dr. Lynn Reinke is the Claire Dumke Ryberg, RN, Presidential Endowed Chair for Palliative and End-of-Life Care at the University of Utah, College on Nursing. In this role, she works to strengthen the palliative care workforce in rural and underserved populations by educating professionals and laypersons to deliver primary palliative care to persons and families.

Dr. Reinke’s clinical practice and program of research focuses on improving the delivery of palliative and end-of-life care for patients with serious illnesses. She is internationally recognized as an expert in dyspnea management for patients diagnosed with advanced lung diseases. Her studies, funded by NIH, VA, and Foundations, are designed to test nurse-led palliative care interventions in sub-specialty and primary care services and on improving the quality of clinicians’ end-of-life communication skills.

President-Elect: Masako Mayahara PhD, RN, FAAN, CHPN, FPCN is a clinical expert in pain management in hospice and palliative care. Her research focuses on reducing pain and suffering in patients and families facing serious illness. She utilizes innovative technology and evidence-based interventions to support family caregivers in delivering patient pain management at home. Her federally funded research includes the development and testing of a digital application (e-PainSupport) designed to reduce pain intensity in home hospice patients. Additionally, she serves as a co-investigator on multiple NIH R01 grants, including a study funded by the National Institutes of Aging to provide chronic grief intervention to dementia caregivers using video conference technology. She is also a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing.

Secretary-Treasurer: Blake J. Tobias Jr., MHCI, MS, HA-ODL is a health operations and innovation leader with expertise in health care operations, including process improvement, accreditation adherence, regulatory compliance, management, revenue cycle, philanthropy, and service line oversight of various hospital operations including General Operations, Oncology, and Transplant services. Blake is currently a Senior Regional Manager of Kidney, Liver, and Pancreas Transplant for Penn Transplant Institute, part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Blake is a former research biologist who obtained his B.S. in Biology from Albright College, eventually transitioning to the Health Administration realm holding both a dual-MS in Health Administration, and Organizational Development and Leadership from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA, and additionally received a Master of Professional Studies in Health Care Innovation from the Department of Bioethics in the Perelman School of Medicine – University of Pennsylvania. Blake is a past chair of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation. He also serves as President of the Albright College Alumni Board of Directors, Advisory Trustee for Albright College, Special Advisory to the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners, Vice President of the Ringgold Band, and is heavily involved with various community philanthropic endeavors.

Past-President: Michelle Webb, DNP, RN, CHPCA is an Assistant Professor in the Duke University School of Nursing. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana University, a Master’s of Science in Nursing from The George Washington University and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Minnesota. She has diverse nursing practice and leadership experience and has held executive leadership positions in behavioral/psychiatric-mental health, home health, acute care, and hospice care. She is a member of the National Black Nurses’ Association.

In addition to those serving in elected positions, the 2024 HPNA and HPNF Board of Directors is comprised of:

Craig Durie, DNP, CRNP, ACHPN, RNFA
Tracy Fasolino, PhD, FNP-BC, ACHPN, FPCN
Mansara Hassan, MSN, APRN, AGNP-C
Richelle (Rikki) Hooper, MBA, MSN, FNP-BC, ACHPN, NE-BC, FPCN
Amy Jacobs, MSN, RN
Yvonne Ruathaiwat, RN, MSN, GCNS-BC, NE-BC
Catherine Pyke, M.A., Ed. (HPNF only)