Hospice Alliance was established 40+ years ago by a group of concerned volunteers who were determined to ensure that quality, end-of-life patient care and family support were available to residents of SE Wisconsin. Hospice Alliance was formed as a non-profit corporation in 1981.
Today, Hospice Alliance is led by Leadership Staff and governed by two volunteer Boards of Directors.
Leadership Staff
Rita Hagen, RN, MSN, Executive Director
Rita Hagen, RN, MSN has been the Executive Director of Hospice Alliance since 2012 and provides leadership and strategic direction for Hospice Alliance's hospice and supportive care management programs. She brings with her over 40 years of healthcare experience, with nearly 35 of those being in leadership roles in Kenosha and Racine. Rita serves on the Wisconsin Hospice and Palliative Care Association (WiHPCA) board and chairs their Advocacy Committee. She is an active member of the Kenosha County Long Term Care Alliance, serving as the chair, and chairs the Kenosha Advance Directive workgroup which sponsors an annual National Healthcare Decision Day event. She is a member of the Italian American Ladies Auxiliary, Tempo Kenosha (Past President), The Kenosha Rotary Club (Past President), Readers are Leaders Tutor, and Wisconsin Nurse Honor Guard. Rita is also a member of the Gateway Technical College Nursing Advisory Council. Rita enjoys spending any and all free-time with her family, especially her four grandchildren.
Jennifer Bingham, RN, BSN, Director of Clinical Services
Jennifer began her career with Hospice Alliance in 2010 as a part time evening visit nurse. She was promoted over the years, working as a case manager, a circle leader, a Clinical Manager, an Assistant Director of Clinical Services where she also managed the Hospice House, and in May of 2019 accepted the role as the Director of Clinical Services. She began her career with United Hospital Systems – Kenosha Hospital as a nurse intern in Orthopedics and upon graduation took a position as a Med-Surg nurse where she gained valuable clinical knowledge and experience. Jennifer graduated from Gateway Technical College with an Associate's Degree in Nursing and also holds a Bachelor's of Science Degree from Capella University. She is a mom to three amazing sons who have kept her on the move over the past 20 years. In her free time, she enjoys watching her kids sports and activities, her ministry of music for her church, watching college football, and loves to shop! Jennifer has a passion for excellence in end-of-life care and hopes to be with Hospice Alliance until she retires.
Brenda Shaff, Director of Employee and Organizational Development
Brenda has been a member of the Hospice Alliance leadership team since 2006 and oversees all functions related to staffing, training and development, benefits and compensation, and employee and labor relations for Hospice Alliance. She also provides leadership and strategic oversight of the Volunteer Services.
Brenda holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management from Concordia University Wisconsin and a degree in Early Childhood Health and Education from Clydebank College in Scotland. Prior to joining Hospice Alliance, she served as a manager for a national social service organization providing services to adults with mental illness in Kenosha County and as a Lead Preschool Teacher for the U.S. Navy at Naval Station Great Lakes.
A native of the United Kingdom, Brenda immigrated to the United States in 1990 and has called Kenosha home for more than 30 years. Community service has always been an important part of her life. In the United Kingdom, she served as Volunteer Director for the Kirk Street Youth Center and as a counselor for the Cowal Council on Alcoholism. Today, she serves on the board for Every Child's Place and formerly served on board of the Bridges Community Center.
When she is not working, Brenda enjoys spending time with her family, sailing, hiking, and traveling.
Cristina Putra, Director of Financial Services
Cristina (Tina) joined the Hospice Alliance Team in 2013, holding several roles within our Financial Department. Her role and responsibilities continued to change after receiving her bachelor’s degree in Financial Management from Upper Iowa University and through various positions within the Organization. She is a 2018-19 Leadership Kenosha Graduate and has participated in several other leadership programs offered throughout the community. Tina has held various patient care and non-patient care roles with local healthcare organizations prior to her employment at Hospice Alliance, those roles helped her gain a great understanding of the patient, caregiver, and customer experience. As the Director of Financial Services, Tina oversees all aspects relating to accounting, payroll, accounts payable and accounts receivable. She also interacts with our board members by reporting financial statements and decisions for both Hospice Alliance and Hospice Alliance Foundation and oversees billing for our Hospice House and manages our donor database. Tina has an avid love for traveling, watching movies and being outside as much as possible when the Wisconsin weather cooperates. Tina enjoys volunteering with Kenosha County’s Readers are Leaders program and in various areas of her church, as well as spending as much time as she can with her family and friends.
Operations Board
Myles Mullikin, President
William Katt, Secretary/Treasurer
Rita Hagen, MSN, RN, Executive Director
Joshua Bloom, MD, Medical Director
Laura Burnett Shoemaker
Diana Christofferson
Michael Coleman
Connie Covey
Cindy Franke
Katie Lachell
Rachael Proko Viola
Richard Regner
Nancy Retana
Ron Tenuta
Foundation Board
Len Iaquinta, President
Richard Regner, Vice President
Jean Garretto, Secretary/Treasurer
Jennifer Hurley
Todd Letven
Richard Regner
Sandy Riese
Aaron Sens