Regional Advisory Council ( continued )
Spring 2024 | Issue 11 | Page 6
Ms . Nelson has been a nurse practitioner since 2010 . She completed her MSN in 2009 at Vanderbilt University . She currently serves as a palliative care provider in Atlanta , GA where she has been recognized as a healthcare hero for her compassion , knowledge , and dedication in the palliative care field . Prior to serving in palliative care , Melissa specialized in caring for renal and lung transplant recipients . Melissa is an advanced certified hospice and palliative care nurse . She values providing comprehensive care to meet patient specific needs .
M e l i s s a N e l s o n , M S N , R N , A C N P - B C , A C H P N
S u s a n E . N e l s o n M D , F A C P , F A A H P M
L e s l i e P e n d e r g r a s s , C R N P , F N P - C
L i n d s a y R o b e r g , B S N , M B A , C H P N , R N
Dr . Susan Nelson is a board certified in internal medicine , geriatrics and hospice and palliative medicine and currently serves as System Chair , Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care and Bioethics , Ochsner Health . She is also Medical Director for Palliative Care Initiatives , Ochsner Health Network . Her career has focused on patients with multiple chronic conditions and frailty regardless of their place of residence as well as improving advance care planning conversations among patients and health care professionals . She chairs the Palliative Care Advisory Board , advising the Louisiana Department of Health . Dr . Nelson chaired the workgroup which developed the LaPOST legislation and program and currently chairs the LaPOST Coalition , an initiative of the Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum . She is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine as well as an advocate for senior health . Dr . Nelson is President Elect , National POLST Collaborative . She is a faculty member for Respecting Choices and completed the master ’ s program in Bioethics and Health Care Policy at Loyola University-Chicago .
Ms . Pendergrass is a board-certified nurse practitioner with more than 15 years ’ experience in direct patient care . She was born and raised in Pinson , AL just outside of Birmingham . Leslie received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Samford University and then went on to obtain her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama in Birmingham . She has worked in a host of healthcare settings including psychiatry , emergency medicine , primary care , hospital medicine , urgent care , hospice , and palliative care . She helped found the communitybased palliative care program at Ivy Creek Palliative Care and works daily caring for patients in her community . Leslie currently resides in Prattville , AL . She enjoys spending time with her family and travelling . Leslie is married with one son and two dogs . She is passionate about the advancement of palliative care and hospice and serving others .
Ms . Roberg is the President and CEO of Friends of Caroline , a nonprofit palliative and hospice organization in Ridgeland , SC . With over 10 years of leadership , Lindsay ' s expertise in healthcare management and her dedication to compassionate end-of-life care have guided the organization ' s mission . As a Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse ( CHPN ), Lindsay ' s dedication to providing compassionate end-of-life care is unparalleled . Her hands-on approach and deep empathy have earned her the respect and gratitude of patients , families , and colleagues alike . Over the years , Lindsay has tirelessly championed the mission of Friends of Caroline , ensuring that individuals facing life-limiting illnesses receive the dignity , comfort , and support they deserve . When not at work , Lindsay enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors .