team members

kelly baxter, dNP

I have been a nurse for 25 years.  I graduated from Sacred Heart University with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 1998.  I went on to get a Masters degree, as a family nurse practitioner, from the University of Rhode Island in 2009.  I graduated with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Salve Regina University in 2019. 

I have dedicated the past decade of my career to the care of patients with serious illness.  Having worked as an ICU and Oncology nurse early in my career, I have been witness to the unbearable suffering and emotional distress often experienced by those with serious or terminal illness. I am passionate about improving the quality of life, reducing unpleasant symptoms, and having meaningful conversations about what matters most to patients and their families.  Illness can be a fragile place which often leads to deep reflection about purpose and meaning.  Heartfelt conversations about preferences for care and can preserve dignity at the end of life.

My Palliative Care Experience

I have been involved in numerous palliative care projects both locally and nationally to improve care for those with advanced illness.  I am certified as an Advanced Hospice and Palliative Nurse with the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center. I am an active member of the Rhode Island End of Life Coalition and work with colleagues across the state to improve process and policies for end-of-life care. I serve in a national leadership role as a POLST Assembly Member. Lastly, I am the RI State Ambassador for Hospice & Palliative Nurses Association.

Bonnie Evans, DNP

As an End of Life Doula, I rely heavily on both my personal experiences as a family caregiver and on my professional training as a geriatric nurse practitioner and teacher. I have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Rochester and a Master of Science in Gerontological Nursing from the University of Michigan. I have practiced for over 25 years as a geriatric nurse practitioner with additional certification in hospice and palliative care nursing.  I have worked in hospitals, long term care facilities, and the home care setting.  Supporting patients AND their families as they cope with a life limiting illness, has been my focus.  I have witnessed the challenges that navigating our healthcare system can present and gaps in care that can cause frustration and confusion at a most difficult time.