Meet
the Staff
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 Sandra McKenzie, RNPresident and CEO s.mckenzie@affinityhomehospice.com “ Each team member has a reason for doing what they do. I have been a hospice nurse for over ten years and most recently I was fortunate enough to be inspired by my brother, Gary; it was his final gift to me. I have worked for several hospices in my nursing career and over the last ten years I saw standardized plans of care. I felt that there was no place for “cookie cutter” care in hospice care. Out of this, the Affinity Home Hospice team was born. Gary taught me that it was important for the patient to be involved in the planning and to customize the hospice services so it meets the needs of the individual patient as well as their families. He taught me that the dying process does not have to be a frightening experience that it can be beautiful, especially surrounded by those you love the most. I will forever be grateful to my brother for making me a better hospice nurse.” ----Sandra McKenzie, RN
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 Kevin McKenzieVice President, Finance and Administration k.mckenzie@affinityhomehospice.com At Affinity Home Hospice Services, we focus all of our energy on the deliver of exceptional end-of-life care for the sole benefit of our patients and their families. Most of my business career has been spent in the corporate world, where many different agendas often exist and where people often just don’t care about their work. It is truly rewarding to be part of Affinity, where every staff member shares a strong and sincere commitment to do their best for our patients and their families. The high quality of service that we consistently deliver confirms our commitment every single day. |
 Dr. A.E.Thomas, MD, Medical DirectorCertified Hospice and Palliative Care Physician Dr. Thomas is a deeply compassionate physician who believes strongly in the mission of hospice. He is board certified both as an internist and hospice and palliative care physician. His compassion for the whole patient is equally apparent in his private practice with Eastern Medical Specialists in Birmingham. |
 Director, Patient Care Services j.miles@affinityhomehospice.com I have worked in the hospice field for several years now and can’t imagine not being able to do this wonderful work. I feel like this is a God arranged plan and that this is where he wants me to be. Hospice gives me the opportunity to witness and minister while caring for others. My mother passed away from cancer years ago. She suffered significantly and died in a hospital room. I often think of how wonderful it would have been for her to have been at home, where it would have been more comfortable for her and all our family. I am truly blessed to be able to help patients and their loved ones prepare for this time and transition.
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 June AdamsMarketing and Volunteer Director j.adams@affinityhomehospice.com “My grandfather was one of the strongest Christians I have ever known. His words were followed by deed, teaching each of us values and principles for life. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer around age 92. When the doctor delivered the diagnosis with recommendations for treatment, my grandfather very gently reminded him that this was his life and his decision. I thought "how awesome, he has taught me how to live and now is teaching me how to die." Hospice allows the patient and family to make the decisions regarding end of life. The staff is there to strengthen and support their choices and assist them in anyway possible. Each person has value and demands respect. Each situation is different, personal and merits value.” ---- June Adams |
 Joe MillsSenior Hospice Chaplain Officer of Affinity Hospice Charity Foundation j.mills@affinityhomehospice.com I have often wished that my family had been acquainted with the idea of hospice when my father was diagnosed with a terminal illness over 20 years ago. After the aggressive treatments were exhausted on this patient soul, he was sent home without the benefit of nurses, social workers or a chaplain. The night he passed away will forever be etched in my memory. The two of us were isolated together as a winter blizzard closed down the city. As the weather worsened, so did Dad's condition. Under the quietness of that snowstorm I found myself first praying with him, then praying for him. In the white stillness of midnight, the angels came and took him home. The experience of being present with my loved one in his last hours left an indelible mark on me. On that snowy night I came to understand that we are surely not mere human beings having a spiritual experience, but rather we are spiritual beings having a human experience. I feel that God has led me to hospice ministry to help coach others through this mysterious spiritual journey from here to the hereafter. ----Joe Mills |
 Dr. Bruce PickellHospice Chaplain b.pickell@affinityhomehospice.com My initial exposure to hospice came during the last days of my brother-in-law. Due to his declining condition, he was only under hospice care for a few days. That brief experience gave me a glimmer of how vital such a ministry can be to the patient and care-givers. When I was given the opportunity to join Affinity as a chaplain volunteer, I gladly took it. When the position of full-time chaplain became available, I readily took this as a means, in God's providence, to remain in ministry. This ministry allows one to weep with those that weep and rejoice with those that rejoice as we, together, see God's will at work in our lives. |
 Jane RobinetteMedical Records Coordinator j.robinette@affinityhomehospice.com “I started my hospice work approximately four years ago as a volunteer and fell in love with the work. At this time I was offered full time employment in Medical Records. I enjoy working with my Christian co-workers at Affinity Home Hospice and that makes it a joy to come to work everyday. I have always been fascinated with the medical field and I am constantly learning new things. My mother received hospice services many years ago, this was a time there was only one hospice. I will never forget how special and kind they were to her and my family. Hospice touched my life and there will always be a special place in my heart for hospice.” -----Jane Robinette |
 DeAnne GaynorOffice Coordinator d.gaynor@affinityhomehospice.com I have been in the Hospice Care field since 1998. I started out as a Medical Records Specialist knowing very little about the service we were providing. As I became more familiar with hospice, I knew that this was where I was meant to be. I feel being part of a hospice team is a calling that God has to guide you into. It is an area of healthcare that is very tough, but also very rewarding. My hospice experience extends further than just as an employee. I have been on the caregiver side twice: Once to my maternal grandmother who passed in her home surrounded by family, and then again in 2006 with the passing of my paternal grandmother. When this grandmother passed, I was able to feel the satisfaction of giving back to someone who had always given to me. My grandmother was the rock of our family. I am blessed to have been her granddaughter. I look forward to work everyday. I pray that I am able to give our hospice families what I was able to give my own grandmother...peace and reassurance. |
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Affinity Home Hospice Services
“Caring Professionals Delivering Exceptional Service”
216 Aquarius Drive, Suite 315
Birmingham, AL 35209
205.949.0400
1.866.697.0400 (Toll Free)