Each coach is a certified nurse practitioner & an Expert in Palliative Care.

Meet Jacklyn Griffin (she/her), Co-Founder and CEO of The Palliative Coach and an oncology nurse practitioner. Jacklyn is a seasoned healthcare professional with a passion for assisting individuals and families facing challenging health circumstances.

Jacklyn holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Western Michigan University (2005), a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from Madonna University (2013), and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Vanderbilt University (2018). She is certified as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP-BC) and an Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN).

In her personal life, Jacklyn is the proud mother of an energetic two-year-old son, whom she adopted. Her family also includes two beloved pets: a Boston Terrier named Hattie and a Yorkie mix named Herbie. Outside of work, she enjoys scrapbooking and listening to podcasts, with a preference for content from Proverbs 31 Ministry and Lysa TerKeurst.

Jacklyn's journey into nursing was influenced by her own health challenges. Diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at the age of 10, she underwent years of treatment and learned early on to value each day. Later in life, she faced the loss of her son Nash, born prematurely during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nash's passing was a devastating experience that strengthened her empathy for patients receiving difficult news.

Less than a year later, Jacklyn's mother received a stage IV lung cancer diagnosis, placing her in the dual roles of healthcare provider and devoted daughter. Understanding the importance of cherishing each moment with her mother during her illness, these personal experiences have strengthened her commitment to palliative care, inspired by its primary focus on enhancing the quality of life. Jacklyn and her sisters also established a non-profit organization in their mother’s memory called Kathy’s Kindness. In 2023, the organization focused on raising funds for two local animal shelters. Their future goals include providing support to families during the holiday season.

Jacklyn's passion for palliative care arises from her desire to assist individuals and families in processing their diagnoses, managing their emotions, and accessing consistent, reliable support. She firmly believes that everyone should have access to such care, which is why she founded The Palliative Coach to provide telemedicine-based support. Her ultimate aim with The Palliative Coach is to broaden access to palliative care, especially for communities that might otherwise lack these resources.

In the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, Jacklyn Griffin is a dedicated professional determined to enhance the accessibility to palliative care. As she continues to lead The Palliative Coach with her team, she remains dedicated to providing holistic care and unwavering support for individuals and families facing significant health challenges.

Say hello to Kelsey Neely Kurtenbach (she/her), a passionate healthcare professional with a dedication to palliative care and a co-founder of The Palliative Coach. Kelsey brings a wealth of expertise to her role as a palliative care nurse practitioner.

Kelsey earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Eastern Michigan University, paving the way for her nursing career. Subsequently, she pursued her Master of Science in Nursing degree from South University. Driven by a personal interest in palliative care and a deep understanding of its vital role in patient well-being, she later continued her education with a master’s degree in Palliative Care from the University of Maryland Baltimore. She is certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) and an Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN).

In her personal life, Kelsey is the proud mother of a 5-month-old daughter named Ellie. As a new mom, her focus primarily revolves around her family, but she also enjoys crafting and traveling whenever time allows.

Kelsey's journey into nursing and nurse practitioner roles was driven by a lifelong passion for helping others. Her career initially led her to the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (ICU), followed by a brief managerial role. However, she discovered her true calling was at the bedside, prompting her return to school to become a Nurse Practitioner.

Kelsey's passion for palliative care blossomed during her master's degree program when she transitioned to a job in hospice care. While initially new to this field, she discovered her calling in delivering compassionate care to individuals facing serious illnesses. Her experiences in the ICU prompted her to reflect deeply on the essence of quality of life and its significance. Learning about palliative care and hospice transformed her perspective on healthcare and life itself. She decided to make palliative care and hospice her specialties, simultaneously earning her Master's in Palliative Medicine and launching a palliative care program within a large inner-city hospital system in Detroit, MI in 2018.

Kelsey's background as a nurse has had a profound impact on her current role and life. It has equipped her with effective communication skills and a deep understanding of how to support individuals during their most vulnerable moments. Her journey as a nurse, advancing her career, has not only made her a better healthcare provider but also a better person, daughter, wife, and now mother.

Kelsey emphasizes the importance of understanding what matters most to each individual she cares for. Her approach to palliative care focuses on the person rather than just their diagnosis, tailoring treatment plans to optimize their quality of life. She firmly believes that healthcare doesn't have to be a choice between suffering and survival; it can be about living the best possible life, for as long as possible. Kelsey takes pride in her role in helping people achieve the highest quality of life they can.

Introducing Dr. Christopher Brock (he/him), Co-Founder, and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of The Palliative Coach, as well as an emergency room (ER) physician. Dr. Brock brings his extensive experience to the forefront, offering a unique perspective with the ability to treat "any patient, anywhere, anytime" due to his background in the ER.

Dr. Brock holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science degree from Grand Valley State University (2008) and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (2013). He successfully completed his Emergency Medicine Residency program at St. Mary Mercy Hospital in 2017 and held the position of Chief Academic Resident from 2016 to 2017. Dr. Brock actively contributes to medical education, serving as the Residency Ultrasound Director from 2017 to 2018 and the Residency Simulation Director from 2018 to the present at St. Mary’s. Additionally, he is Board Certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. Dr. Brock has been involved with quality improvement initiatives, such as implementing femoral nerve blocks for hip fractures to reduce opiate pain medication use.

In his personal life, Dr. Brock has been married to Emily for over a decade, and they share a 5-year-old daughter, Kate. Family adventures play a significant role in their lives, whether it's road trips exploring landscapes from Michigan to Martha’s Vineyard or leisurely walks in state parks accompanied by their loyal canine companion. Dr. Brock's hands-on approach goes beyond the medical realm, finding satisfaction in crafting projects like building cabinets for their home – a nod to his skills developed during college construction work and influenced by his handyman father.

Dr. Brock's journey into medicine began with personal experiences, navigating multiple knee surgeries and shoulder injuries that required extensive physical therapy during college. Although he initially pursued a computer science degree, his encounters in healthcare led him towards nursing, harboring a desire to become a critical care nurse and eventually a nurse anesthetist (CRNA). The encouragement to pursue medicine came from the CRNAs he shadowed. During clinical rotations in medical school, Dr. Brock found inspiration in the dynamic challenges of the ER, where each shift brings a new patient with unique needs and challenges.

Dr. Brock has observed changes in the utilization of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic and eagerly anticipates extending telemedicine to palliative care, enhancing the accessibility of palliative care services for patients. Working in an ER serving a variety of patients, he recognizes the potential positive impact of palliative care on many of these patients. He seeks to extend compassionate care beyond the confines of traditional healthcare, ensuring accessibility for those facing mobility challenges or lacking local services.

Dr. Brock's extensive medical background, combined with a hands-on approach to both his professional and personal life, embodies a compassionate spirit that extends beyond traditional healthcare boundaries. He envisions a future where palliative care is universally accessible, ensuring compassionate support for all, regardless of location or circumstance.

Introducing Melissa Osborne, a caring and committed member of The Palliative Coach family. Melissa is devoted to providing holistic care and unwavering support to individuals and families navigating challenging diagnoses.

From a young age, Melissa knew she wanted to be a nurse, inspired by her mother who worked as a Registered Nurse. Melissa began her nursing career with an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree from Advent Health University (2003). After gaining experience working as a nurse in a cardiac intervention unit, she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, also from Advent Health University (2012). She went on to receive a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from Georgetown University (2016), graduating with honors. She is certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C).

Melissa brings diverse experience to The Palliative Coach, a valuable asset as no two patients under our care are alike. As a new nurse practitioner, she was accepted into an Emergency Medicine Residency program for Advanced Practice Providers, a term commonly used for nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Having completed this program in 2017, she subsequently worked as a nurse practitioner in the emergency department. Her professional journey also includes roles in gastroenterology, urgent care, occupational health, and primary care, with a particular focus on obesity management. Melissa is accustomed to caring for patients in various healthcare settings, including the inpatient hospital setting, outpatient clinics, and providing virtual telemedicine services.

Melissa's dedication to her patients goes beyond clinical settings. She engaged in research during her graduate studies, focusing on the effects of N-acetylcysteine on kidney function, which reflects her commitment to evidence-based practice.

In her personal life, Melissa finds joy in her family – happily married for eight years, she and her husband have been blessed by adoption with their daughter. Their household includes two Yorkie sisters, a cockatiel, and a pet fish. Melissa's interests span from reading her Bible to playing the violin, a skill acquired at age 4. She is trying to persuade her husband to share in her dream of owning goats and cultivating a farm.

Melissa's passion for palliative care stems from both professional and personal experiences. Having supported her family members through challenging diagnoses, she understands the importance of providing personalized physical, emotional, and spiritual support.

Melissa played a crucial role in supporting her grandmother when she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Witnessing the fear and uncertainty her family experienced, Melissa drew upon her professional expertise to guide and advocate for her grandmother. By bridging the gap between her grandmother and the healthcare team, Melissa ensured that her grandmother received quality care and continued to have the best possible quality of life.

Melissa also faced a significant personal challenge when her husband was unexpectedly diagnosed with colon cancer at a young age. This experience deepened her realization of the need for healthcare practitioners who can assist patients and their families in navigating the complexities of difficult diagnoses.

These personal experiences have fueled Melissa's commitment to palliative care. She aims to provide compassionate and personalized support to individuals and families facing health challenges, emphasizing the importance of being present and advocating for each patient. Melissa Osborne is not only a skilled practitioner but also a caring advocate who understands the fragility of life and cherishes every moment, reinforcing her dedication to making a positive impact on each patient's unique jour

Jessica’s Bio Coming soon!

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