Meet The Empowered Endings Team

Bob Uslander, MD, is the co-founder and medical director of Empowered Endings. With over 30 years of experience as a physician in Emergency Medicine, Palliative Care, and Hospice Care, Dr. Bob is dedicated to supporting patients and families through major health and life challenges—especially as the end of life approaches. Dr. Bob understands that optimal care requires more than simply keeping patients comfortable. He addresses the whole person—meeting their physical, emot…

Elizabeth Uslander, MSW, MTS, is a mission-driven executive leader, dedicated healthcare professional, and passionate social entrepreneur at the helm of the movement to humanize healthcare. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Empowered Endings™, and the Executive Chair of Empowered Endings™ Foundation, Elizabeth works to optimize palliative and end-of-life care by ensuring transformational care and free education and support for patients, families and professionals alike. Elizabe…

Bob Drake, MDiv, MSc, is a career health care executive, clinical chaplain and committed end of life educator and grief counselor. Bob is committed to making choice at end of life as robust and authentic as possible and that education about these choices is crucial to reducing suffering. As an end of life educator, Bob has worked for years to improve access to palliative care, hospice, advance care planning and collaboration between emergency and palliative medical teams. …

Shawna Beck, Patient Care Coordinator, joined the Empowered Endings team in March of 2022. Shawna shares a palpable enthusiasm for compassionate, patient-centered care. Shawna has over 20 years of experience working in the healthcare field, helping families and patients in hospitals, outpatient and mental health clinics, PACE programs, and Geriatric and Hospice care settings. She has great passion for end-of-life care and providing resources and options for the best qualit…

Lori Krause, End of Life, Grief and Dementia Doula, has partnered with Dr. Bob and Elizabeth Uslander in providing End of Life Care since 2018, joining Empowered Endings in December 2022. Lori has rich personal and professional experience navigating the uncertainty of life, death and grief. As our lead End of Life Doula and Grief Guide, she masterfully hold spaces for patients and loved ones as she gently guides them in their dying and grieving journeys, ushering them peac…

Felecia Peterson joined Empowered Endings in March 2025. She has over twenty years of experience in administrative roles. She holds an Associate Degree in Business Administration and a certificate in Human Resource Management. Felecia values continued learning and is working on completing her bachelor’s degrees in business administration and psychology. She is compassionate and enjoys helping others, exercising, and spending time with her family.

Nancy Daniel RN, CHPN has been a Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse for over 30 years, and now End of Life Doula. She is an inspired healthcare professional, end-of-life guide, educator and advocate, dedicated to supporting patients and families in their Palliative and End of Life journeys. …

Mary is an RN, with a master’s degree in nursing (MSN). She is certified in hospice and palliative nursing (CHPN), and End-of-Life Doula. Mary started her career in Nursing in the early 80’s. She worked in the acute care hospital setting for 17 years, then through her own personal and spiritual growth felt called to work in the hospice arena. Since 1998 she has worn many hats in the hospice industry, and feels Palliative and End of Life Care is her true calling. Mary feels…

Marlo Smith, End of Life Doula, Grief Doula, and Music Therapist, has partnered with Dr. Bob and Elizabeth Uslander in providing End of Life Care since 2016, joining Empowered Endings in December of 2022. Marlo is a board-certified Hospice and Palliative Care Music Therapist and Hospice Grief Counselor who has supported individuals facing terminal illness, and their families, with loving grace since 2008. Practicing from holistic, person-centered and existential perspectiv…

Ashley joined Empowered Endings in November 2023 as both an end of life doula and PA. She completed Duke University Physician Assistant program in 2001 and began her career in Emergency Medicine. Sixteen years in the ER coincided with training medical students in the residency program and lecturing at USC Keck School of Medicine. In 2013, Ashley stepped into Primary Care, joining a technology-forward primary care practice and completing her Palliative Care specialization w…

Glendon is an MSW Clinical Social Worker who transitioned after a 40-year private practice in psychotherapy into end-of-life care. He is a Certified End of Life Doula, a Certified Pet Doula, a Certified Grief Educator, and a hospice volunteer. Glendon brings great peace and comfort to his relationships, and experiences working with people at the end-of-life as magnificent. …

Krista is a clinical chaplain and the leader of the Transition Circle: Creating Meaningful Rituals for Coping with Loss, a support group for anyone navigating grief due to death or loss. She has spent the past 10 years in the presence of individuals, caregivers, families, and medical staff who are navigating the grief and hope that often accompany important life transitions or loss. Krista has been invited to assist with planning and performing both weddings and funerals…