Celebration, recognition and a whole lot of aloha filled the air as Heart to Heart Hospice welcomed employees and their guests to the Annual Recognition Gala.
This highly anticipated event was held on Friday, August 21, at the beautiful Omni PGA Frisco Resort, which hosted more than 420 attendees who traveled from across the country. The purpose of this gathering? To celebrate the accomplishments, dedication and commitment demonstrated by each individual throughout the past year.
Guests arrived at the gala in the early evening and were greeted by a vibrant luau-inspired atmosphere. Colorful leis were handed bestowed on each attendee by the Hula Halau Kaeepa dance troupe. Tropical décor and festive island attire set the tone for an unforgettable night and attendees fully embraced the theme, trading business wear for Hawaiian shirts, floral dresses and bright, fun accessories that added energy and excitement throughout the event.
The evening offered something for everyone. Guests enjoyed festive cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres upon arrival as they captured memories with friends and colleagues at the red carpet and selfie photo booths. They were then ushered into the ballroom to take their seats and enjoy interactive entertainment provided by the talented Hula Halau Kaeepa dancers.
As the awards presentation began, guests enjoyed a delicious salad course while Kelly Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer of Heart to Heart Hospice led the awards presentation. Outfitted with a traditional Hawaiian haku lei (flower crown) and custom-made fresh floral lei, Mitchell recognized and showed deep appreciation for all the hardworking and compassionate teams across each entity. 2026 Honorees include:
Mitchell expressed his appreciation for the team’s contributions, saying, “We’ve had tremendous growth in the past several years and that growth is attributable to the great care that you guys help provide to our patients and families and all the other providers that need our services. I want to thank you for everything you do to help people every day.”
East Texas Region
- Outstanding Patient Care Provider: Sheree Esparza, RN Case Manager, Sulphur Springs
- Outstanding Team Player: Lauren Mirsky, RN Case Manager, Tyler
- Clinical Excellence: Tess Hiles, Patient Care Manager, Longview
- Best in Sales and Marketing: Kristin Billalba, CER, Permian Basin
- Clinical Peer Excellence (Back to the Bedside Award): Marsha Mitchell, RN Case Manager, Longview
Hill Country Region
- Outstanding Patient Care Provider: Lidia Mendoza, Hospice Aide, Austin
- Outstanding Team Player: Katrina “Kate” Sharratt, Social Worker, Austin
- Clinical Excellence: Carina Campos, Hospice House Director, San Antonio
- Best in Sales and Marketing: Jade Keto, CER, San Antonio
- Compliance Super-Star (Highest Compliance Audit Score): Tammy Allen, Executive Director, San Marcos
- Clinical Peer Excellence (Back to the Bedside Award): Krista Murr, RN-Triage, San Antonio
Houston Region
- Outstanding Patient Care Provider: Darlene Ethridge, Patient Care Manager, Greater Houston
- Outstanding Team Player: Doyle Ives, Chaplain, Houston North
- Clinical Excellence: Allicyn “Allie” Monk, Hospice House Director, Houston
- Best in Sales and Marketing: Austin Arce, CER, West Houston
- Clinical Peer Excellence (Back to the Bedside Award): Guadalupe Campos, RN Case Manager, West Houston
Indiana Region
- Outstanding Patient Care Provider (North Indiana): Christina McCraney, Hospice Aide, Valparaiso
- Outstanding Patient Care Provider (South Indiana): Kendra Albright, RN Case Manager, Jasper, IN
- Outstanding Team Player (North Indiana): Samantha Miller, Business Office Manager, Elkhart
- Outstanding Team Player (South Indiana): Jackie Higgins, PCS/Hospice Aide, Terre Haute
- Clinical Excellence (North Indiana): Cheri Martin, Patient Care Manager, Marion
- Clinical Excellence (South Indiana): Tara Flamion, Hospice House Director, Evansville
- Best in Sales and Marketing (North Indiana): Jeff Perlich, CER, Fort Wayne
- Best in Sales and Marketing (South Indiana): Jose Flores, Sr. CER, Bloomington
- Most Improved Audit Score: Melissa Hower, Executive Director, Eastern Indiana
- Clinical Peer Excellence (Back to the Bedside Award): Gina Cozza, VP, Clinical Services, Indiana
Michigan Region
- Outstanding Patient Care Provider: Kelly Draper, Clinical Liaison, Southgate
- Outstanding Team Player: Erika Cardillo, Intake Coordinator, Flint
- Clinical Excellence: Sara Welles, Patient Care Manager, Detroit
- Best in Sales and Marketing: Jason Sabol, Director, Business Development, Detroit
- Most Improved Audit Score: Stacy Sturgeon, RN, Area Executive Director, Lansing
- Clinical Peer Excellence (Back to the Bedside Award): Stacy Sturgeon, RN, Area Executive Director, Lansing
TX Northeast Region
- Outstanding Patient Care Provider: Ronda Lee, Hospice Aide, Rockwall
- Outstanding Team Player: Monique Linwood, CER, Rockwall
- Clinical Excellence: Amber Palmer, Patient Care Manager, Durant
- Best in Sales and Marketing: Adriana Mauboussin, Sr. CER, Carrollton
- Clinical Peer Excellence (Back to the Bedside Award): Erica Newsom, Patient Care Manager, Rockwall
TX Northwest Region
- Outstanding Patient Care Provider: Joe Huang, Chaplain, Midlothian
- Outstanding Team Player: Kelly Taylor, Site Revenue Coordinator, Midlothian/Cleburne
- Clinical Excellence: Jacy Barrow, Patient Care Manager, Fort Worth
- Best in Sales and Marketing: Kelly Hampton, CER, Fort Worth
- Most Improved Audit Score: Clariessa Freeman, Assistant Executive Director, Brazos
- Clinical Peer Excellence (Back to the Bedside Award): Jessica Delawder, Admissions RN, Fort Worth
Southeast Texas Region
- Outstanding Patient Care Provider: Terri Holland, RN Case Manager, Lakes Area–Jasper
- Outstanding Team Player: Lindsey Havard, P.I. Coordinator, Lufkin
- Clinical Excellence: Kami Hockett, Patient Care Manager, Gulf Coast
- Best in Sales and Marketing: Amanda Reynolds, CER, Lakes Area–Livingston
- Clinical Peer Excellence (Back to the Bedside Award): Ashleigh Gilmore, Patient Care Manager, Lakes Area–Jasper
As trophies were presented, the room filled with applause, cheers and heartfelt appreciation for the individuals who consistently go above and beyond in service to others and photos were taken to showcase the moment.
When the program concluded, the main course was served while the DJ kicked the celebration up a notch by playing crowd-favorite songs and quickly filling up the dance floor. Throughout the night, the immersive 360-spin video booth and selfie station kept guests entertained and the interaction with colleagues made the experience unforgettable.
As the evening progressed, one thing became abundantly clear: the Annual Recognition Gala serves as more than an event. It is a celebration of the people whose commitment to excellence and compassionate care that make Heart to Heart Hospice’s mission possible.
The 2026 Annual Recognition Gala was a true celebration of excellence, gratitude and aloha spirit! Mahalo to everyone who helped make the evening such a tremendous success – especially to Jody Watson, Denise Drucker and Kimberly Dellinger and their teams. These women worked tirelessly planning every detail and coordinating all logistics to create memorable experiences for attendees.
