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Sacred Journey Hospice was founded in 2002 by a group of oncology nurses and a physician assistant to fill a need for quality end-of-life care in the south Atlanta area. Through their healthcare careers, the founders had noticed the impact that hospice had on families and began to ask how they could best provide quality, compassionate care for those facing a life-limiting illness.
Sacred Journey initially provided hospice care in the patient's home or in assisted living or nursing facilities. Two years later, the founders furthered their mission with the opening of their 12-bed inpatient facility in McDonough, Georgia. Locally owned and operated by these same healthcare professionals who continue to oversee the day-to-day operations.
Through its services, staff, volunteers and support programs, Sacred Journey has served thousands of people in Butts, Carroll, Clayton, Coweta, Dekalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Henry, Lamar, Meriweather, Monroe, Newton, Pike, Rockdale, Spalding and Troup counties.
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Founding Partners
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Lauretta Nester, MS, PA-C
Founder, Chief Exective Officer
Lauretta received her BS in Nutrition from the University of Detroit and graduated from the University of Nebraska School of Medicine with her MS, PA-C. She has spent most of her career working as a Physician Assistant in medical oncology, surgery, emergency medicine and family practice. Currently, she is the CEO of Sacred Journey Hospice and is a faculty member at University of Phoenix in the School of Health Care Administration. Lauretta is married with one daughter and a granddaughter. She enjoys tennis, camping, hiking and reading. |
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Debra Parks, RN, OCN
Founder, Director of Nursing
Debra graduated with degree in nursing from Gordon College in Barnesville, Georgia. Prior to founding Sacred Journey Hospice, she spent much of her nursing career as Charge Nurse for the 40-bed oncology unit at Spalding Regional Hospital, managing and supervising the daily care of patients with a variety of illnesses. Her nursing specialty is in oncology and she is a member of the North Georgia Hospice Association. Debra has served as assistant pastor at Breakthrough Deliverance Ministry of Griffin and continues to fellowship and attend services at Spirit and Truth Ministries. She is also a member of the North Georgia Hospice Association. She is mother to three children and resides in Griffin, Georgia. |
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Gwendolyn Parks, RN, MSN, OCN, CHPN
Founder, Director of Business Development
Gwen graduated from the Newark City Hospital School of Nursing in 1965 and obtained her Masters degree in Nursing from Georgia College in 2003. She has spent her career has a clinical nursing specialist with a primary focus in oncology, renal and pulmonology and is a oncology/palliative care certified nurse. Gwen served as Nursing Director of Medical/Oncology for 28 years at Spalding Regional Hospital before founding SJH. Gwen is a member of the National Oncology Nursing Society, Southern Crescent Oncology Nursing Society, National Hospice Association, National Hospice Nurses Association, a graduate of Leadership Henry, and a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Griffin, Georgia. She resides in Butts County with her husband and enjoys spending time with her four children and eight grandchildren. |
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Robin Stanton, RN, OCN, CHPN
Founder, Chief Financial Officer
Robin obtained her Associates degree in Nursing from Clayton College and State University in 1993 and has since become an Oncology Certified Nurse, as well as a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse. She spent ten years as charge nurse in the Oncology Department at Spalding Regional Hospital before founding Sacred Journey Hospice. Robin serves as secretary on the Board of the North Georgia Hospice Nurses Association, as well as on the Education Committee for the Georgia Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. She is active in fundraising for Relay for Life and youth baseball leagues. Robin lives in Locust Grove, Georgia with her husband and two children. |
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Tammy Jester, RN
Founder
Tammy received her Associates Degree in Nursing from Gordon College in 1993. Two years later, she received a Bachelors Degree of Science with a Major in Nursing from Georgia State University. During her nursing career, Tammy has worked as a Registered Nurse in a variety of health care settings including Medical Oncology, Dialysis and Hospice during her career. She also worked as a medical secretary and CNA prior to obtaining her nursing degrees. Tammy was born and raised in Jackson, GA. She continues to live locally.
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