Meet The Team

Meet the Interdisciplinary Team

Experienced Hospice Professionals Serving Hampton Roads, Virginia

Humanities for Hospice is led by an experienced interdisciplinary team committed to compassionate, structured, and dignified end-of-life care across Hampton Roads.

Our physicians, nurses, social workers, certified nursing assistants, and administrative team collaborate to ensure seamless hospice admissions, coordinated care, and meaningful support for patients and families.

Deborah Phillips, RN

Owner | Agency Director | Director of Nursing | Chaplain

Deborah Phillips, RN, is the founder and clinical leader of Humanities for Hospice. With more than 30 years of experience in geriatric and patient care, she brings a unique blend of medical leadership, spiritual guidance, and community advocacy to hospice care in Hampton Roads.

Founded in honor of the late Reverend Jeannette Phillips, Deborah continues a legacy rooted in dignity, accessibility, and compassionate care.

Deborah holds:

  • Associate’s Degree in Nursing – Dutchess Community College

  • Master’s in Theological Studies – Clinton Theological Seminary

  • Certifications in Bereavement Care and Palliative Support

Her leadership ensures that every hospice admission is handled with clarity, professionalism, and respect for patients and their families.

Medical Director

Dr. Hamilton serves as Medical Director for Humanities for Hospice. She earned her medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and brings over 20 years of experience in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Her specialties include:

  • Pain management

  • Palliative care

  • Complex symptom management

Dr. Hamilton works closely with referring physicians, case managers, and discharge planners to ensure timely hospice eligibility review and coordinated admissions.

Shannon Julianne Toy, MEd, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Julianne brings more than 20 years of experience supporting patients and families navigating grief, chronic illness, and complex end-of-life transitions.

She specializes in:

  • Grief and bereavement counseling

  • Crisis intervention

  • Strength-based clinical assessments

  • Family support coordination

Her Virginia License #: 0904012947
NPI #: 1538631528

Julianne ensures emotional and psychosocial needs are addressed alongside medical care.

Pauline Elliott, RN

Assistant Director of Nursing

Pauline joined the Humanities for Hospice team in 2023 and brings over 20 years of nursing experience in hospice, home care, and care operations.

She plays a key role in:

  • Clinical oversight

  • Staff development

  • Admission coordination

  • Quality improvement

Her leadership supports seamless hospice transitions from hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and physician referrals.

Zesterleena Robertson

Volunteer | Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

With more than eight years of healthcare experience, Zesterleena supports staffing coordination and patient care quality initiatives.

Her background in hospitality and customer service strengthens patient and family engagement throughout the hospice journey.

Tracy Powell, LPN

Licensed Practical Nurse

Tracy brings extensive experience as an IV Infusion Nurse, providing care to patients with cancer and other serious illnesses.

Her clinical background enhances symptom management and compassionate bedside care during end-of-life transitions.

Christal Alford

Office Administrator

Christal brings over 20 years of experience in administration, case management support, and customer service.

She supports:

  • Intake coordination

  • Referral documentation

  • Communication between providers and families

  • Operational efficiency

Christal helps ensure that hospice referrals are processed quickly and professionally.

Sha’Quanna Outland

Office Assistant | Volunteer Coordinator | CNA

Sha’Quanna is a Certified Nursing Assistant with 13 years of healthcare experience.

She supports:

  • Volunteer coordination

  • Patient assistance

  • Administrative support

  • Community outreach

Her background in both clinical and administrative roles strengthens the hospice intake and support process.

Sylvia Underwood

Volunteer

Sylvia is a certified Funeral Director and Bereavement Care Specialist with more than 10 years of experience.

She assists with:

  • Community hospice awareness

  • Volunteer engagement

  • Family support initiatives

Her experience in bereavement services enhances compassionate continuity of care for families.

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Introducing Our New Clinicians

Keyonda Brown, LCSW, MBA

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Keyonda is an experienced mental health professional with a strong background in clinical supervision and outpatient therapy. Currently serving as a Clinical Supervisor at Seven Summits Family Services, overseeing clinical operations for a multidisciplinary team, ensuring ethical and regulatory compliance, supporting staff development, and assisting with audits and quality assurance. Demonstrated expertise in conducting comprehensive clinical assessments, developing and implementing evidence-based treatment plans, and providing ongoing clinical guidance.

Additionally, brings extensive experience as an Outpatient Therapist, delivering individual and family therapy, completing psychosocial assessments, diagnosing mental health conditions, and maintaining accurate, compliant clinical documentation.

Virginia License #: 0904013093

Kimberly Burtt, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Kimberly is a compassionate and skilled social worker with a strong clinical foundation and a commitment to hospice and end-of-life care. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and has experience providing comprehensive psychosocial assessments, short-term counseling, care coordination, and resource linkage to patients and families facing complex medical, emotional, and psychosocial needs.

Her practice emphasizes trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally responsive care, with particular focus on supporting individuals and families navigating serious illness, anticipatory grief, loss, and end-of-life transitions. Kimberly is experienced in providing emotional support, caregiver education, advance care planning support, and crisis intervention while collaborating closely with interdisciplinary hospice teams to promote dignity, comfort, and quality of life.

Currently serving as a Military Family Life Counselor, Kimberly delivers solution-focused counseling and psychosocial support to children, adults, and families under high-stress circumstances. She works collaboratively with medical providers, educators, and community partners, demonstrating strong communication skills, ethical judgment, and the ability to support patients and families during periods of significant transition and uncertainty—skills directly transferable to hospice and palliative care settings.

Virginia License #: 0904017227

 
 

Refer a Patient Today

Our interdisciplinary team is available Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:30pm to coordinate hospice admissions across Hampton Roads.

Start a Referral
Call 910-379-9854