Dr. Johnson received his bachelor's degree from the Colorado School of Mines and worked as a geophysicist for 8 years prior to completing medical school and residency training at the University of Colorado. He is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Dr. Johnson is a Soros Faculty Scholar for the Project on Death in America, an Education for Physicians on End-of-Life Care (EPEC) trainer, and a graduate of the Harvard Program in Palliative Care Education and Practice. Dr. Johnson's publications and research interests include fatigue and symptom management in patients with advanced and terminal illness.

Cheryl Siefert, MNM, CPA - Director of Operations
Cheryl Siefert, Program Manager of the Life Quality Institute of The Denver Hospice, holds a Masters degree in Non-Profit Management from Regis University and is a Certified Public Accountant. It was after the devastation of her mother's Alzheimer's disease that premier health educator, Cheryl Siefert, sold her accounting firm and dedicated her life to improving the dignity and quality of life for individuals with life limiting diseases. For nine years, Cheryl Siefert served as the Education Services Director at the Alzheimer's Association, Rocky Mountain Chapter. During her tenure, she developed the highly acclaimed Alzheimer's Learning Institute, Police Training Program, and the Caregiving in the Later Stages of Alzheimer's Disease educational series.

In 2006, Ms. Siefert joined the Life Quality Institute where she combines her business expertise with her program management and development skills to promote palliative care resources, knowledge, and understanding. A gifted speaker, Cheryl has presented at local, regional, and national seminars on subjects including dementia and palliative care, ethics, advanced directives, and death and dying.

Jane W. Barton, MTS - Community Educator
Ms. Jane Barton currently serves as the Community Educator for the Life Quality Institute, an institute established in 2003 by The Denver Hospice to promote quality of life for people with advanced illness by educating healthcare professionals, and increasing community awareness of palliative care. Jane's background and professional training are diverse and include a productive career in geology, business, and most recently, theology and hospice care. Jane is currently completing a Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling at the Iliff School of Theology where previously she received her Master of Theological Studies. She is also a certified spiritual director through the Benedictine Spiritual Formation Program. Jane serves on the board of the Woodward Respite Care Fund, another Denver organization active in the promotion of Share The Care™. These broad experiences contribute to Jane's unique perspective and passion toward supportive care and community caregiving.

Kay Adams, LCSW - Community Educator
Kay Adams holds a Master's Degree in Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Kay's diverse professional background includes working in the fields of corrections, domestic violence, counseling, developmental disabilities, community mental health and most recently, hospice and palliative care. Her wealth of experience enriches her presentations and group discussions. In addition to her work with Life Quality Institute, Kay also serves as a social worker with The Denver Hospice. Additionally, she has been an adjunct faculty member at The Community College of Denver where she taught classes on death and dying. Kay has an incredible passion for working with patients and families facing advanced illnesses, and is especially skilled in the areas of family systems and caregiver issues. As a community educator, Kay combines her years of experience providing direct care services to patients and families, with her endless enthusiasm for community education to advance palliative care and supportive networks throughout Colorado.

Susan Anderson, MA - Program Coordinator
Susan received her Master of Arts in Training and Learning Technologies (adult education) at the University of New Mexico in 1993. She has been an instructional designer with government subcontractors, Wackenhut Services and Honeywell; with a telecommunications startup company; and currently is an instructional design contractor with the National Association of Home Builders. She was an instructor for 10 years for Central New Mexico Community College.

Susan began working at The Denver Hospice as a volunteer in 2004. Later that year she accepted the Program Coordinator position with Life Quality Institute.

David Nowels, MD, MPH - Physician Educator