Executive Team

Chief Executive Officer

Debbie assumed the CEO role  in 2016, after serving the agency since 1994, overseeing throughout the years clinical and financial operations, fund development, and volunteer services. During her 28-year tenure, the  agency grew from serving 140 patients a day with 120 staff members and a $5 million annual budget to supporting over 5,000 patients daily with 1,500 staff and a $190 million annual budget.  Founded in 1977, the not-for-profit agency today provides a continuum of care - serving people with chronic illness, all stages of dementia, those needing home-based primary care services, and patients and their families in need of compassionate hospice care. Debbie is committed to developing partnerships to  meet evolving needs, while carrying out our mission:  Bringing comfort, dignity and compassionate care to our community, regardless of insurance or financial resources.

Chief Operating Officer

Rachel oversees all clinical operations. A doctor of nursing practice, Behrendt’s career spans more than 25 years in a variety of roles, including staff nurse, nurse educator, clinical nurse specialist, VP of nursing and chief nursing officer. Her clinical background is primarily oncology and palliative care. She joined Hospice of the Valley in 2016. Behrendt received her doctorate in nursing practice from University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey. She received her master of science in nursing, nursing education at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ.

Executive Medical Director

Dr. Ned Stolzberg has served as Executive Medical Director at Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona, since 2015. He has been with the agency since 2007, practicing in-home and inpatient hospice and performing palliative consults at a local community hospital. Board-certified in both Palliative and Family Medicine, he owned a private family practice for 20 years before pursuing his hospice practice full time. He previously served as Chief of Staff at Arrowhead Hospital in Glendale, Arizona, where he continues to serve on the Board of Trustees. He is on the faculties of the Dignity Health/St. Joseph’s and HonorHealth Palliative Medicine Fellowships; coordinates the Phoenix Palliative Educational Consortium; and has presented at numerous regional and national conferences. His training consisted of an undergraduate degree from The University of Texas, medical degree from The University of Massachusetts and residency at Phoenix Baptist Hospital.

Director of Community Engagement

As director of community engagement for Arizona’s leading hospice, Lin Sue oversees marketing, community partnerships, fundraising for charity care and volunteer programs, including music and pet therapy and tributes for military veterans. Prior to joining the agency in 2015, she spent 31 years as a newscaster for 12News, where she was a 9-time Emmy award winning reporter. She graduated cum laude from Willamette University and received her Masters’ degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She and her husband have 7 beautiful children and one very spoiled standard poodle named Kismet— a pet therapy dog who loves to visit Hospice of the Valley patients and families.

Medical Director, Supportive Care for Dementia

Dr. Hamilton received board certification in internal medicine, geriatrics and palliative medicine.  She is Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, is Professor of Practice at ASU, oversees HOV’s Supportive Care for Dementia program; and teaches Mindfulness, among other projects. Dr. Hamilton was listed for over 10 years in Phoenix Magazine’s “Best Docs of Phoenix”, and is the recipient of numerous awards, including National Library of Congress’s Local Legend award.

Vice President of Human Resources

Sabrina joined Hospice of the Valley in 1994 to establish the agency’s first human resources department. Since then she has created state-of-the-art programs and systems supporting the agency’s strategic initiatives and goals.

VP of Quality and Compliance

Sofia serves as an advisor to executive and clinical leadership, focusing on regulatory compliance, strategic legal transactions and corporate governance. In addition to providing legal counsel, she leads Hospice of the Valley’s Quality and Compliance department. She joined the organization in 2012. Sofia is a graduate of Northwestern University and Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.

Chief Financial Officer

Mary brings extensive executive experience in finance, operations and organizational leadership to one of the country’s leading nonprofit hospices. Her career spans public accounting, professional sports and senior leadership roles in both nonprofit and corporate settings, including positions as controller, chief accounting officer and chief financial officer. She has been a committed volunteer and advocate for Hospice of the Valley through her long‑standing involvement with Ryan House. She holds a degree in Accounting from the University of Southern California, an MBA from Arizona State University and an active CPA license Arizona.