Our Team

Machelle Gilhaus - Director of Hospice

Machelle comes to Evergreen Hospice with over a decade of hospice experience in an executive role. She holds a Master of Science degree from Emporia University. Machelle believes in having a “Hospice Heart” – where caring and providing quality of care always comes first. “Care is the sweetest essence in the world, if someone says take care, it means you live in that persons heart until the last beat”.

 

James Morgan - Chaplain & Grief Support

James came to Evergreen in July 2016. Before then, he was a hospice Chaplain Team Coordinator in Missouri for four years. James has also served as a pastor, was on the Air Force Academy faculty, and was a Missile Launch Officer. James has earned a Master of Divinity, a Master of Science (Management), and a Bachelor of Science (Psychology). James remarked, “It’s a true honor to be a part of an amazing Evergreen team who puts patients and their families first.”

 

​Amanda Peters - Hospice Social Worker & Volunteer Coordinator

Amanda is Social Worker with Evergreen Hospice. She came to Evergreen Hospice with a little over 2 years of previous hospice experience and 15 years of social work experience. Amanda obtained her Master of Social Work from the University of Kansas and loves to watch Jayhawk basketball. Amanda’s favorite work is with the aging population and she is grateful to be able to help others at Evergreen Hospice. She is a lifelong Kansan from central Kansas and currently lives in Gardner with her husband and two daughters. She loves to travel, read, and spend time with her family.

Karen Berning - Hospice Nurse

With 23 years of nursing experience, Karen's heart lies in senior care, a passion she discovered in 2015. Formerly a nurse manager at Evergreen Community for nearly two years, she feels honored to join the Evergreen Hospice team, inspired by her firsthand observation of their unwavering commitment to quality care. Hailing from a family of nurses - her mother, father, brother, sister-in-law, and husband - Karen humorously says, "It's in my genes!" Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. 

​Rebecca Deckard - Hospice Nurse

Rebecca has a bachelor's nursing degree from Pittsburg State University. During college she worked as a certified nursing assistant in assisted living and memory care communities. Upon graduating, she worked as a pulmonary nurse at St. Luke's Hospital before deciding to return to her true passion - working with the elderly. In Rebecca's words, "I love hospice because it allows me into a most sacred and vulnerable time in peoples' lives. I am gifted with endless reminders of selflessness and unconditional love. Hospice care is about more than helping people die with dignity, it's about helping them live out life with love."

Tori Jones - Marketing/Community Relations Specialist

Tori comes to Evergreen Hopsice with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Missouri Western State University. She is biligual, also holding a degree in Spanish. Her experience is diversified as demonstrated over 15 years as a Director of Social Services and adminstration in long-term care and assisted living. Throughout her career she has maintained a true passion for hospice and has invested over 10 years advocating for both patients and famillies facing end-of-life questions. Tori states that she is "honored to be part of a team that truly embraces quality care and allows her to share a special bond with patients and the ones they love."
Cory

Cory Webb - Health Information Specialist

Cory joined the Evergreen Hospice team in October of 2016 as the Health Information Specialist. She earned her RHIT degree from DeVry University. Although most of her time is spent maintaining the medical records for our hospice patients, she also helps to take phone calls throughout the week. She feels honored to work with such a dedicated and compassionate team, and has found her home away from home with them. When Cory is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family outdoors or watching movies, as well as watching her three kids participate in their various activities. 
Nina

Nina Huffman - Administrative Coordinator

Nina has been with Evergreen Hospice since January 2019. She is excited to be a part of the Evergreen team! She helps out in all aspects of the front office and is always there to greet you with a smile. Outside of work, Nina is a foster parent and has recently adopted her son. She has a passion for helping others and it really shows in everything she does.