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Our Leadership Team

Leading with Compassion and Integrity

Meet Our Leadership Team

We lead with heart and honor the impact we make—in our team, our community, and the families we serve.

The Minnesota Hospice leadership team is made up of deeply experienced professionals who live and work in the communities we serve. Their backgrounds span nursing, spiritual care, operations, community health, and end-of-life advocacy—but what unites them is a shared commitment to compassionate care, ethical leadership, and meeting families with presence and purpose. Together, they ensure that our mission is not only upheld—but lived every day.

Jordyn Smith

DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Nurse Practitioner
Jordyn is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner with a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Metropolitan State University. Her early experience in the ICU sparked a passion for end-of-life care, ultimately leading her to join Minnesota Hospice in 2022. Jordyn is known for her calm presence and commitment to supporting people and their families through some of life’s most important moments. She focuses on ensuring each patient’s transition is guided with compassion, comfort, and dignity.

Jordyn brings a deep commitment to people-centered care. Her background in ICU care sparked a passion for hospice supporting people with comfort and dignity at life’s end.

Anna Dudzik

DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Director of Nurse Practitioners
Anna is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner with a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Minnesota. She began her career in geriatric primary care before joining Minnesota Hospice in 2022. Anna is passionate about hospice’s whole-person approach and is dedicated to helping each patient achieve comfort and quality of life through thoughtful symptom management and personalized care.

With a strong foundation in geriatric and hospice care, Anna is passionate about whole-person support and helping people achieve comfort and quality of life through personalized care.

Rachel Gaynor-Horejsi

APRN, CNP

Nurse Practitioner
Rachel is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner with wound care certification. She earned her BSN from St. Catherine University and her Master’s in Nursing from Northeastern University in Boston. Rachel’s background includes geriatrics, orthopedics, and trauma. Since joining Minnesota Hospice in 2023, she has provided skilled, compassionate care focused on easing suffering and supporting families through end-of-life transitions.

Rachel draws on extensive experience in geriatrics, orthopedics, trauma and wound care to offer thoughtful, skilled support to individuals and families during end-of-life care.

Colleen Harreld Johnson

APRN, CNP

Nurse Practitioner
Colleen is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner with a Master’s degree from St. Catherine University. She began her clinical work in geriatric primary care, gaining valuable experience managing chronic conditions and addressing the unique healthcare needs of older adults. This foundation led her to hospice, where she finds purpose in supporting patients and families with empathy, clinical excellence, and respect for end-of-life care.

Colleen brings deep experience in geriatric care, managing chronic conditions and addressing the unique needs of older adults. She guides families with empathy and deep respect for end of life care.

Thomas Horejsi

MD

Medical Director
Dr. Thomas Horejsi is the Medical Director. He earned his medical degree and Family Medicine residency from the University of Minnesota, and an Emergency Medicine residency at Boston Medical Center. With more than 20 years of clinical experience, he is passionate about hospice medicine and especially values its interdisciplinary model—working closely with nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other specialists to provide thoughtful, patient-centered care and holistic support to individuals during life’s final chapter.

With decades of experience in emergency and family medicine, Dr. Thomas Horejsi values hospice’s team-based approach and leads with compassion and clinical perspective.

Denise Lessert

MS

Director of Hospice Relations
Originally from Louisiana, Denise holds a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation and has over 16 years of healthcare experience in Minnesota. She focuses on building meaningful relationships with communities and healthcare partners to expand awareness and access to hospice services. Denise is passionate about helping people understand the value of timely, supportive end-of-life care.

Denise focuses on building meaningful connections with communities, helping clients, families, and healthcare providers understand the value of timely, supportive hospice care.

Kellie Dahl

BS, MBA, SCHRM

Human Resources Director
Kellie is an experienced Human Resources leader with over 10 years in healthcare. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and her MBA in healthcare leadership from Western Governors University. At Minnesota Hospice, Kellie focuses on creating a supportive workplace culture that empowers employees to provide compassionate, high-quality care to patients and families.

Kellie brings deep healthcare HR leadership experience and is dedicated to fostering a workplace where employees are supported—so compassionate care can thrive.

Jordan Tangen

RN, MSN, PHN

Director of Operations
Jordan is a registered nurse and public health nurse with a Master of Science in Nursing from St. Catherine Universityand two years of hospice experience. Witnessing end-of-life care for someone she loved inspired her to become a nurse—to bring life, love, and joy to others in their final days. As Director of Operations, she leads with empathy, working alongside a team committed to preserving dignity and comfort at life’s end.

Witnessing end-of-life care for someone she loved inspired Jordan to become a nurse. She leads operations with empathy, ensuring people receive comfort and dignity in their final days.

Katie Braun

BSN, RN, CHPN

Assistant Director of Nursing
Katie is a Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) with more than 12 years of experience in end-of-life care. After earning her BSN from St. Catherine University, she discovered that hospice was not just a profession—it was a calling. Katie finds purpose in listening to patients’ stories, offering support, and walking alongside families through life’s final chapter. These deep connections continue to shape her practice and fuel her commitment to exceptional, patient-centered care.

Katie found her calling in hospice early in her nursing career. She finds meaning in listening to stories, offering support, and walking alongside people and their families on their journey.

Laura Kube

BS

Director of Volunteer Engagement
Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in General Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin–Stout. For two decades, she has led hospice volunteer programs that foster meaningful, purpose-driven connections between volunteers, patients, and families. Laura believes people serve best when they’re aligned with their unique strengths and calling, and she is passionate about nurturing those gifts to create unmatched support during life’s final chapter.

Laura has a passion for people and a calling to serve. She empowers volunteers to connect with people and their families in meaningful, purpose-driven ways at life’s end.

Kathleen Queen

BSN, RN

Director of Nursing
Kathleen brings together business acumen and clinical expertise to lead and support nursing teams at Minnesota Hospice. After a 20-year career as a business owner, she earned her nursing degrees from South Central College and Western Governors University. Kathleen is committed to building a compassionate, collaborative environment where care teams feel supported and patients receive exceptional end-of-life care.

Kathleen leads with clinical insight and compassion. Her background in nursing and business shapes a care environment where teams feel supported and people receive expert, heartfelt connected care.

Ken Haglind

MBA, CPA, CMA, CGMA, CTA

Founding CEO and President
Ken is the co-founder and President of Minnesota Hospice. He holds advanced certifications in accounting and a Master of Business Administration. Ken has led the organization since its founding, with a focus on doing hospice differently—centered on dignity, compassion, and team support. He is dedicated to protecting his team’s calling to serve and ensuring people receive the highest standard of end-of-life care.

Ken leads with a commitment to doing hospice differently—centered on dignity, compassion, and respect. He works to protect his team’s calling to serve during life’s most sacred moments.

Kay Johnson

LSW

Director of Support Services
Kay is a licensed social worker with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University, with an emphasis in Death, Dying, and Grief. Her passion for bereavement began in her family’s funeral home and has guided her work ever since. At Minnesota Hospice, Kay supports grieving individuals and families with empathy, experience, and a deep respect for each person's unique journey.

Kay’s lifelong passion for bereavement support began in her family’s funeral home. She now walks alongside others with empathy, knowledge, and a deep respect for the grieving process.

Allison Oja

MS, CT, CHt, MHt

Education & Community Support Director, Thanatologist
Allison holds a Master of Science in Thanatology from Marian University and bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Religion. She is board certified in Thanatology and trained in hypnotherapy and Reiki. Through education, outreach, and compassionate guidance, Allison is committed to normalizing conversations around death and dying and helping individuals feel more informed, supported, and empowered.

Allison is changing how communities understand death and dying. Through community education, she helps people feel more prepared, and informed.

Alyssa Prange

RN

Director of Admissions
Alyssa is a registered nurse with an Associate Degree in Nursing from Normandale Community College. She began her healthcare career as a nursing assistant, where she first discovered her passion for geriatrics and caring for others. Alyssa found her calling in hospice and has dedicated her nursing career to supporting people with knowledge, compassion, and a heart for service. She helps guide families through the hospice admissions process with care and confidence.

Alyssa’s hospice journey began as a nursing assistant and grew into a calling. She guides people and their families through admissions with clarity, compassion, and care.

Contact Minnesota Hospice

Call us. Someone from our team answers the phone 24/7

(952) 898-1022