Management Team

Amy Stern, Executive Director

Amy Stern has been UHR’s Executive Director since 1989. Prior to becoming director, Amy was the first social worker for UHR's community hospice program. Before UHR, Amy’s work included the establishment of a palliative care home care program at Good Samaritan Hospital and social work in acute care hospitals and foster care.

Amy has served on the board of directors of the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York State. She presently serves as co-chair of public policy committee. She is currently a member of the ethics committee of Good Samaritan Hospital, the Rockland Business Exchange, the Rockland Business Association and a founding member of the Institute for Non-Profits. In 2007, Amy was presented with the Carol Selinske Founder's Award her foroutstanding efforts on behalf of hospice and palliative care and the needs of the terminally ill in New York.  She received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from Dominican College in 2009. 

Bonnie Walsh, Assistant Director

Bonnie Walsh graduated from St. Clare’s Hospital School of Nursing and she has been working at UHR since 1989. She was formerly a nurse manager of the Intensive Care Unit at Nyack Hospital. As Assistant Director of UHR, Bonnie's responsibilities consist of community outreach including education to healthcare professionals. She manages the community based palliative care team and is Chair of the Ethics Committee. In 1997, Bonnie was the first recipient of the NY State Hospice Association's Clinical Service Award and in 1998, she received an award for “Excellence in Practice” among Rockland County nurses. She is board certified in hospice and palliative care and she is an approved educator for the ELNEC program, (End of Life Nurse Education Consortium) and the national organization of Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses. She received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from Dominican College in 2009.

Susan Lang, Director of Clinical Services

Susan Lang received her BS in Nursing from Michigan State University and her MS in Nursing from Wayne State University. Susan has been UHR’s Director of Clinical Services since February 2005 and has 25 years of nursing experience. Her responsibilities include management and clinical direction of all clinical staff. Prior to coming to UHR, Susan developed wellness centers in Assisted Living Facilities.

Marcia Vetter, Director of Nursing

Marcia Vetter joined the UHR team as the Director of Nursing in 2009. She received her RN from Mountainside Hospital School of Nursing, her BSN from the College of St. Elizabeth and is currently pursuing her MSN. Marcia has fourteen years of experience with the Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey as their Hospice Patient Care Manager. As the UHR Director of Nursing, Marcia supervises the nursing staff providing care in the community, nursing homes and hospital settings to ensure that performance standards are upheld and that all individuals are working in accordance with organizational requirements, missions, goals and principles.

Eileen Schmidt, Director of Counseling Services

Eileen Schmidt attended the College of New Rochelle and graduated with honors. Eileen received her Masters of Social Work from NYU. She has worked in the field of grief and bereavement since 1989. Eileen worked in several hospices in New York City before coming to UHR in 2002.

Lanie Etkind, Director of Development

Lanie Etkind graduated cum laude with a degree in political science from Newcomb College of Tulane University. After holding development positions at the New York Philharmonic and Beth Israel Medical Center, Lanie joined the Hospice staff in 1993. She oversees UHR’s fundraising activities, including the Capital Campaign to build a Hospice Home, as well as annual programs and events. Lanie is a longtime member of the Rockland Development Council, and currently serves as the group’s president. In 2004 she was presented with RDC’s Fundraising Professional of the Year award. She has also served as a trustee of the Rockland Community Foundation, and is presently a member of its Advisory Board. In 2003, Lanie was selected by the Rockland Economic Development Corporation as one of “Forty under 40” leaders in the community; and in 2007, she was honored as a Rockland County Woman of Distinction by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Lanie is the 2011 recipient of the JCC Rockland’s “J” Award, and she currently co-chairs the JCC’s Maccabi 2012 housing committee.

Fran Gray, Director of Finance

Fran Gray has a BS in Accounting from Hunter College in NY. She has been with UHR since November 1990. As the Director of Finance, Fran oversees all accounting functions of the agency including billing, payables, payroll, federal and state reporting and much more. Prior to joining UHR, Fran worked in both public and private accounting.

Karen Damiani, Manager of Human Resources

Karen Damiani has a BA and an MS in Special Education from Lehman College. She taught Special Education before joining the Rockland County Department of Social Services as an Income Maintenance Examiner, then a Caseworker for the Rockland County Department of Health. For many years she worked for the County's Department of Probation first as an Officer, then Supervisor, and finally Director. Karen consulted in HR for many years as well, with Randy Hangers, JW Pet Company, and finally, with the Mainetti Group, becoming their Director of HR in 2006. Karen became UHR's first Manager of HR in 2008.

Joan O’Brien, Office Manager

Joan O’Brien has a BA in Economics from SUNY Purchase. Joan joined the organization in 1996 and has just recently celebrated her 12 year anniversary at UHR. Joan believes in giving back to the community and volunteers with the W.S.H.S, an animal rescue organization. Prior to joining hospice, Joan worked for 13 years with Saks Fifth Avenue.