CAPC MOQC Palliative Care Certificate Program
About the Program
The CAPC MOQC Palliative Care Certificate Program is a collaborative initiative designed to expand access to high-quality, person-centered palliative care across Michigan. Developed in partnership with the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC), the program equips clinicians within MOQC practices with essential primary palliative care skills, including communication, symptom management, and caregiver support.
Launched in response to documented gaps in access, the six-month certificate program emphasizes practical application and regional diversity. The inaugural cohort included 14 clinicians from across Michigan, including the Upper Peninsula and rural and tribal communities, reflecting our strong commitment to reaching patients in communities with limited palliative care resources. Through a blend of self-paced and interactive learning, participants strengthened their ability to deliver compassionate care that aligns with patient values and improves outcomes across the cancer care continuum.
Building on the success of the first cohort, the program is now in its second cohort, with 15 participants currently embarking on this educational journey. The new cohort continues the program’s commitment to expanding palliative care capacity across Michigan by supporting clinicians as they integrate primary palliative care principles into everyday practice.
Participating Sites
Purple Flags — Cohort 1 (Inaugural Participants)
Blue Flags — Cohort 2 (Current Participants)
Meet Cohort 2 (2026)
Frank Animikwam, MD
The Little Traverse Bay bands of Odawa Indians tribal health clinic
Andrea Bricker, NP
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Health Department
Heather Bowers, NP, APRN
Karmanos Greater Lansing
Andrea Curtis, AGAC-NP, MSN
Cancer and Hematology Centers
Tina Gastmeier, PA-C, MPAS
Great Lakes Cancer Management Specialists
Tami Hiser, APRN, MSN
Cowell Family Cancer Center Biederman Radiation Oncology, Munson Healthcare
Christina Houck-Smith, NP, APRN, MSN
The Cancer and Hematology Centers
Wendy Hunting, DNP, AANP-G
Corewell Health
Lauren McFarlane, PA, MPAS
MI Hematology & Oncology Consultants
Jamie Meyer, DNP, APRN
Corewell Health Susan P Wheatlake Oncology
Irene Ryan, PA, MS
Michigan Medicine
Alyssa Sanders-Rios, PA-C, MS
Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Gynecologic Oncology
Angela Schaub, FNP-BC, MSN, BSN, RN
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Family Health Care Clinic
Melissa Schaub, AOCNP, APRN
Munson Medical Center
Monica Schrage, DNP, APRN
Mackinac Straits Health System
Cohort 1 Graduates (2025)
Julie A. Comfort, NP, AOCNP
Cowell Family Cancer Center
Nykea Ellison, FNP
Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Flint
Alyssa Brynn Hurtado, PA, NCCPA
Hematology Oncology Consultants
Jennifer Idrissu, NP, AANP
Henry Ford Comprehensive Adult Sickle Cell Center
Stephanie Leslie, FNP-BC
KCI at McLaren Central
Cheryl S. Loubert, MD
MOQC by Proxy
Shannon Mary Wills-Velez, PA, MPAS, PhD
Henry Ford Macomb Hematology Oncology
Jennifer McArdle, MSPAS, PA-C
Trinity Health IHA Medical Group, Hematology Oncology
Melissa Noa, MSN, FNP-C, AOCNP
Munson Healthcare OMH Cancer & Infusion Clinic
Shannon Lyn Ochoa, NP, AGPCNP-BC
MOQC by Proxy
Chase Platte, PA-C
University of Michigan Health West Cancer Center
Jessie Salo, NP, FNP, AANP
UP Health System - Portage Hematology Oncology
Holly Shank, PA-C
MyMichigan Sault Hematology Oncology Clinic
Laura Zyczynski, MS, PA-C
Rogel Cancer Center Sarcoma Clinic
