Our Leadership and Caring Team of Physicians
Christopher Kerr, MD, PhD
Chief Executive Officer & Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Kerr joined Hospice Buffalo in 1999 as the Medical Director for Hospice Buffalo’s 22-bed Inpatient Unit and served in that capacity until 2011, when he was appointed HPCB's Chief Medical Officer.
Dr. Kerr was born and raised in Toronto, Canada and comes from a long line of physicians, of which he is now the fifth generation. He has an undergraduate degree in Psychology, a Doctorate of Medicine, a PhD in Neurobiology and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Rochester. Dr. Kerr received numerous awards throughout training that recognized his clinical performance, as well as his success as an educator and scientist.
Dr. Kerr’s background in research has evolved from bench science towards the human experience of illness as witnessed from the bedside, specifically patient’s dreams and visions at the end of life. The results of his studies generated enormous response in the non-medical community, both nationally and internationally, through coverage that has included the New York Times, Huffington Post, The Atlantic, BBC, Scientific American and Psychology Today.
“It is a privilege to lead the dedicated employees and volunteers of this organization who bring such outstanding care and compassionate support to literally hundreds of people in our community each and every day,” Kerr states. “I’m excited to build on the national reputation and outstanding standard of care that Hospice Buffalo is noted for and to explore new opportunities to extend our mission of providing the highest quality hospice and palliative care services to our community.”
Dr. Kerr has overseen the integration and expansion of palliative care into local hospitals and developed one of the nation’s largest home-based palliative care programs, Home Connections, and Essential Care for Children. He has lectured and published on innovative program models that are designed to better align patient/family services to the complexity of needs inherent to advanced illness. Learn more about Dr. Kerr at DrChristopherKerr.com.
Joseph Bach
Chief Information Officer
As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, Joe provides overall strategic vision, direction and leadership of multiple departments, including Security/Privacy, Corporate Compliance, ensuring successful operations between all business segments. He is also responsible for business intelligence strategy, analytics, and leveraging information technology to enhance the organization’s operations. Learn more about Joseph Bach.
Kelley Clem, RN, MS
VP of Clinical Education & Patient Advocacy
Kelley received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1985 and received her Masters in Nursing Executive Leadership and Change in 2010. Kelley spent greater than ten years working in a vast array of clinical areas including critical, long-term and acute care before joining Hospice in 1997 as the Manager of Admissions. In 2000, she moved to California and started the first Pediatric Hospice & Perinatal program in Los Angeles. She returned to Hospice Buffalo in 2003 as Director of Essential Care for Children and was also responsible for the development of our Perinatal Program. In 2013 she moved into her current role as VP of Clinical Education and Patient Advocacy. In 2016, she received the Nurse of Distinction in Education Award from the Professional Nurses Association. Learn more about Kelley Clem.
Megan O'Shea Farrell, MD
Medical Director
Prior to joining Hospice, Dr. Farrell was the Head of Endocrinology at the John M. Loré Jr. M.D. Head and Neck Center at Sister’s Hospital. Dr. Farrell is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, with an additional certification in endocrinology, and Board Eligible in hospice & palliative care medicine.
Paula Farwell, RN, BSN, MHA, CHPN
VP of Community-Based Services
Paula oversees the care of Hospice Buffalo patients in private residences, assisted nursing facilities, and skilled nursing and DD group homes throughout Erie County. She works with the Hospice interdisciplinary team to ensure that our patients, their families, and the facilities that we collaborate with have their needs met in a supportive, specialized, and efficient manner. Learn more about Paula Farwell.
Susan Herold
VP of Human Resources
As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, Susan directs all Human Resource management and oversees Volunteer programs. Learn more about Susan Herold.
Maureen Lehsten
Chief Financial Officer
With over 30 years of experience in financial management and healthcare, Maureen develops financial strategy and oversees and manages growth, ensuring alignment with operations and goals of the organization. Maureen is an active and influential leader in the hospice and palliative care industry, committee memberships include: Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York State (HPCANYS); finance section leader for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization; Healthcare Financial Management Association, WNY Chapter; Executive Liaison for the National Partnership for Hospice Innovations Group and leads their regulatory and finance chapters. Maureen is a graduate of Leadership Buffalo and currently serves as a Board Member for Every Person Influences Children Inc. and Fox Run of Orchard Park. Learn more about Maureen Lehsten.
Roseann McAnulty
Chief Operating Office
Roseann is responsible for providing strategic leadership, management and vision related to the day-to-day operations. Working closely with clinical operations, her primary objective is to balance the highest level of care to patients and families with the operational and financial needs necessary for the organization to thrive. Learn more about Roseann McAnulty.
Samantha K. Pudlewski, BSN, RN, CHPN
VP of Palliative Care & Admissions
Samantha joined Hospice & Palliative Care Buffalo in 2014 as Clinical Manager of a Homecare Team. Samantha was promoted to Director of Admissions in 2018. Prior to Hospice, she was the Director of Nursing at Absolut Care Nursing and Rehabilitation. Learn more about Samantha Pudlewski.
Lynn Riker
Director of Clinical Marketing & Outreach
Lynn oversees community engagement and education efforts to increase awareness and access to palliative care and hospice services in Erie County.
Elizabeth Siderakis
Executive Vice President, Hospice Foundation
Siderakis is a native Buffalonian and comes to Hospice from the University at Buffalo where she served for over sixteen years. Most recently, Siderakis was the Executive Director of Advancement for the College of Arts and Sciences. Prior to that, she served as the Director of Corporate Sponsorship and the Director of Development for the School of Architecture and Planning. In her various roles, she worked with several alumni and friends in the WNY community and across the country to secure funding, organize events and activities, and create new programs and opportunities for alumni and students. Learn more about Elizabeth Siderakis.
Cary Sisti, MS, RN, ANP-BC, ACHPN
Chief Clinical Operations Officer
Cary graduated from Sister’s School of Nursing and received her Master’s degree in the Adult Nurse Practitioner program at Daemen College. Cary joined Hospice Buffalo in 1997, working in a variety of clinical and leadership roles throughout the organization. As a member of the Leadership Team, she provides oversight of clinical operations, as well as quality and regulatory compliance for hospice and palliative care programs. She also serves as the organization's Emergency Response Coordinator. Learn more about Cary Sisti.
John Tangeman, MD, FACP
Administrative Medical Director
Dr. Tangeman joined Hospice Buffalo in 2005. Prior to Hospice, Dr. Tangeman was in private practice in Internal Medicine with Buffalo Medical Group. Dr. Tangeman is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in both internal medicine and hospice & palliative care medicine. He has lectured at the local, state and national level on various topics pertaining to hospice and palliative care. His responsibilities include overseeing and managing admissions to our Hospice program. Learn more about Dr. John Tangeman.
Abigail Unger, LCAT, MT-BC
Vice President of Psychosocial Services
Abby joined Hospice Buffalo in 2004 as a Music Therapist and established the Expressive Therapies team in 2010. She implemented multi-service access to music, massage, and art therapies across all care environments as an integrated component of patient and family care. In addition to operations management, Abby provides clinical supervision to staff and interns, interdisciplinary case management, and coordination of various arts programs. Abby oversees the operations and development of the Wilson Support Center, including community grief support programs, events, and resource dissemination. Abby is a practicing music therapist and directs both Camp Blue Skies (bereavement camp for children) and Storm Clouds and Rainbows (child/family grief support group). Learn more about Abigail Unger.
Kristie White
Finance Director
Kristie joined Hospice Buffalo in 1994. In her current role as Director of Finance, Kristie oversees general accounting, accounts receivable, payroll and regulatory financial reporting. Kristie guides financial decisions by establishing, monitoring and enforcing policies and procedures. She also protects assets by establishing, monitoring and enforcing internal controls. Learn more about Kristie White.
Anne Banas, MD
Staff Physician
Dr. Banas is a graduate of the SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine. Dr. Banas is certified by the Harvard Medical School Department of Continuing Medical Education in Clinical Training in Mind/Body Medicine. She belongs to the American Academy of Neurology.
Christopher Jacobus, MD
Staff Physician
Dr. Jacobus has been working with the elderly since 2004 and joined Hospice Buffalo in 2006. Known for his compassionate care for geriatric patients and their families faced with life- limiting illness, he advocates for the respect the elderly deserve until their last breath. His reach extends into nursing homes, assisted living residences, group homes and hospitals. He is regarded by the clinical community as an expert in the field and his integrity serves as the foundation for his care.
Dominic Lipome, MD
Staff Physician
Dr. Lipome joined Hospice Buffalo in 2008. Prior to joining Hospice, Dr. Lipome worked at Buffalo Medical Group, PC, as a hospitalist. Dr. Lipome is Board Eligible in hospice & palliative care medicine.
Debra Luczkiewicz, MD
Staff Physician
Dr. Luczkiewicz joined Hospice Buffalo in 2009. She is a graduate of the SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine, is Board Certified in both Family Medicine and Hospice & Palliative Medicine, and formerly worked as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at UB, teaching students, residents and fellows while maintaining a private practice in Amherst, NY.
Roslyn Romanowski, MD
Staff Physician
Dr. Romanowski joined Hospice Buffalo after a 30-year career in medicine, most recently as Attending Physician, Hematology at UBMD Internal Medicine and the Adult Medical Director at Hemophilia Center of WNY. Previously, she worked at Century Medical Associates in Hematology and Oncology. Dr. Romanowski is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo’s School of Medicine.
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