The Holding Group:
Meet Our Team

Bree is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her MSW at the University of Denver.  After earning her degree she practiced social work in London, England.  Following her return home, Bree spent several years in the Emergency Department of an inner city Level 1 Trauma Center. It was during that time that she saw the great disparity in how end of life occurs and the possibility of ‘hope’ within illness based end of life. The desire to bring that hope to as many patients and families as possible brought her to her passion and current field of palliative care. Bree has been thrilled to help establish such a pioneering program that is adding value and opportunity to the Social Work profession.

Dana received her MSW from The Ohio State University in 2008 before moving to Boulder, CO where she worked with young adults in a transitional living program. In 2011 Dana took a position with The Denver Hospice where she connected with a group of like-minded social workers. Together, in 2012, they founded The Holding Group and began the development of the ALIGN intervention, a palliative social work model of care. Dana’s clinical experience as a palliative social worker has focused on assessing for and addressing gaps in alignment of goals between patients and families and their providers. The Holding Group has brought the ALIGN intervention to patients through partnerships with Kaiser Permanente and University of Colorado. In 2022, The Holding Group expanded their partnership with Kaiser, with Dana leading a team of on the ground social work clinicians.

Dr. Erin attended medical school at the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University. During her clinical training Dr. Erin found that she enjoyed taking care of the most complex and seriously ill patients. This informed her decision to pursue residency training in Internal Medicine in Washington State. She remained in WA for a number of years following residency working as an intensivist (adult intensive care unit doctor) at a large tertiary care hospital. Later, she pursued sub-specialty fellowship training in Palliative Medicine and Hospice at the University of New Mexico. She remained at the UNM School of Medicine as an inpatient palliative medicine faculty physician and later transitioned into community hospice care as a medical director.

Dr. Erin is working to identify unique ways to serve patients who are struggling with serious and potentially life-limiting illness. She enjoys helping patients and their families navigate end of life options and care. Dr. Erin believes in supporting and empowering patients with knowledge and confidence to advocate for the best medical care–whatever that means to them.

Dr. Sarguni Singh is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hospital Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She attended medical school at Oregon Health & Science University and completed her Internal Medicine internship and residency at the University of Wisconsin Madison. Dr. Singh’s research interests focus on improving palliative care outcomes for older adults with serious illness and functional decline in acute and post-acute care settings. Her work has been funded by the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Palliative Care Research Cooperative, and the National Palliative Care Research Center. She served as a residential Health and Aging Policy Fellow on the United States Senate Committee on Finance from 2021 – 2022. Dr. Singh aims to develop evidenced based interventions, like ALIGN, that enhance the receipt of goal-concordant care for older adults with serious illness throughout the health care system.

Dr. Singh is independently funded to evaluate the ALIGN intervention; she is not paid, employed, or contracted by The Holding Group

Katie Birks is a dedicated registered dietitian with extensive experience in providing nutrition support to critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) and oncology care settings. Her career is driven by a commitment to ensuring patients receive optimal nutrition and comprehensive caregiver support throughout cancer treatment and recovery.

Katie’s professional journey took a significant turn when she discovered The Holding Group (THG). Inspired by the profound impact of THG’s work on patients and caregivers, she made it her goal to join the organization. This pivotal decision allowed Katie to align her efforts with THG’s mission of enhancing patient well-being through compassionate palliative care.  In her personal life, Katie enjoys quality time with her husband and three children, exploring the outdoors, and reading.

I am so thankful to have almost 20 years of experience in Hospice and Palliative Care, with the most recent 7 years as an Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, working as a provider and leader of program development. My achievements and mastery in Palliative Care have significant exposure to the care, treatment and goals of care discussions with patients and families in the specialty of dementia. I am proud to be a conduit to informing patients, caregivers and the community at large regarding dementia and the resources available. I have a passion for those living with dementia and the families and friends that are supporting them.  

Cathy worked as a caseworker for vulnerable clients at a Human Services Agency for many years.  Her mother’s journey with cancer later sparked a passion for supporting and advocating for others that are faced with serious illness.  Cathy obtained her Master of Social Work Degree in 2007 and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in both California and Colorado.  Cathy has worked with palliative care teams in the acute hospital setting as well as an outpatient clinic for the past fifteen years.  She strives to support those faced with serious illness by advocating for and respecting their values and preferences while facilitating shared decision-making with their healthcare providers.  Cathy is honored to become a member of The Holding Group and looks forward to serving the patients and families on her caseload to her fullest.

Denise is committed to providing compassionate support to clients and their families during uncertain times. This became clear to Denise when her then three-year-old son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and she began the long journey of navigating the medical world, experiencing first-hand how life-alternating a medical diagnosis can impact a family. Due to this, Denise directly knows the importance of advocating for loved ones and the critical support caregivers need alongside the patient.

With this passion, Denise was inspired to start a non-profit in 2014, Heart Strides. A program that supported parents and caregivers of a child with a chronic or life-threatening illness through an emphasis of community and self-care. After completing her master’s in social work from University of Denver, Denise entered the palliative care world as she believes everyone’s voice should be heard to ensure their values are being honored and that they receive the care they deserve.

Bonnie Herrmann is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Englewood, Colorado. Born and raised outside of Austin, Texas, Bonnie attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she received both her Bachelor’s and Masters of Social Work. Passionate about helping people to move through life with intention and the best quality possible, Bonnie is passionate about working in advanced illness, grief and loss, death and dying, and advance care planning. Bonnie worked as a hospice social worker for six years before transitioning to oncology care and opening her private practice, Map Your Care: Illness & Grief Counseling. Feeling the call back to palliative care, Bonnie joined The Holding Group in April 2023.

Lisa was first drawn to Palliative Care Social Work during her time at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, CO. In 2000, St. Joseph and Kaiser partnered in a randomized controlled study to determine the outcome of a team intervention (doctor, chaplain, nurse and social worker) for patients with life limiting diagnoses in the hospital. Lisa was the social worker on this team for the two year study. The results of the team Palliative Care intervention were overwhelmingly positive, not only for the healthcare providers but most importantly for the patients and families who experiences greater satisfaction with their care. The results of this study were published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). After being a discharge case manager for 3 years prior to this study, Lisa committed herself to exclusive Palliative Care Social Work because the work with patients and families was meeting a need that had never before been addressed in the hospital setting.

Prior to her work in healthcare, Lisa was a legal guardian for adults for the Harris County Department of Social Services and worked also in public financial assistance.  In 2013 Lisa’s mother was living with advanced Alzheimer’s. At that time Lisa left Palliative Care to focus on her personal life and be a support to her parents. Lisa’s mother passed away from Alzheimer’s in 2017. After taking a break from Palliative Care Social Work, Lisa is thrilled to be interacting with patients and families as she schedules appointments and coordinates referrals for The Holding Group.

Belinda holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Regis University and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health.  With a background in mental health counseling and crisis intervention at St. Anthony’s Hospital, Belinda has demonstrated her commitment to providing support and guidance to individuals and families through supportive emotional care, removing barriers to care and identifying critical resources. Belinda has also served as a Family Health Navigator and championed as a Mental Health Advocate. 

In addition to her professional work, Belinda has also volunteered at religious nonprofits, where she mentored young women experiencing difficult life traumas.  This experience has further enriched her understanding of the complex needs of individuals and families in crisis. Belinda’s passion for supporting patients and families experiencing serious illness shines through in her approach to care.  She believes in providing compassionate and holistic support that empowers individuals and families to make choices that address their unique needs.  Belinda’s dedication to her work and her commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others make her an asset in her field.

Tessa was born and raised in Evergreen Colorado and has always called Colorado home. She comes to the holding group with a diverse background including time spent as a circus performer, director, scientist, and clinical trials coordinator. After graduating in 2020 with a Bachelor’s of science in health and exercise science, Tessa learned that she wanted to pursue a career that was patient centered while also being a part of a multidisciplinary team. She quickly discovered that social work was the perfect fit for her career goals and her passion for helping others. Tessa is now at University of Denver perusing her master’s in social work and looks forward to continuing to work in the palliative care space helping individuals and families of those with terminal illness.

I have always known I was meant to help and support those in need so my career goal as a child was to work in the healthcare field. I began soon after high school by obtaining my CNA certification and working for 4 years in long term care, which included memory care, hospice and rehabilitation. During this time I was also at Front Range Community College completing the pre requisitions to become a Registered Nurse. Soon after I was given an amazing opportunity to work for Always Best Care Home Care as a Case Manager. After 2 years in this position I switched over to case management for primary care and pediatrics. It was during this time and position that I realized there was another opportunity out there within healthcare to truly be a support to patients while making a one of a kind connection and really dedicate time to them and their loved ones outside of a medical office or hospital. I have now switched my major and am currently enrolled at Metro State University to obtain my degree in Social Work.

Meghan Fera is a licensed clinical social worker based out of Golden, CO with over 11 years of experience supporting individuals, couples, families, and groups through serious illness, care partner stress, death and dying, and grief. She has worked independently and as a member of interdisciplinary care teams in various healthcare settings partnering with patients and their loved ones in future care planning as well as exploring and clarifying goals of care.

Meghan holds a Master of Social Work degree and Post-Master’s Certificate in Palliative and End-of-Life Care from New York University Silver School of Social Work. She has provided clinical social work services at New York University Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, the Denver Hospice, and Intermountain (formerly Lutheran) Hospice. Currently, Meghan is a therapist providing services through AbleTo Inc. and SonderMind, and co-facilitates CurePSP’s national monthly bereavement support group.

Meghan is proud to be working with The Holding Group, and values the opportunity to walk alongside patients and their families as they navigate their healthcare experiences.

Erica Kennedy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has over 17 years of experience in the healthcare system. Erica has a diverse background in working with a variety of individuals and families who’ve experienced trauma, adjusting to serious and chronic illness, end of life issues, medical trauma, caregiver stress, and grief and bereavement. Her hope is to create a collaborative healing space through a person-centered, strengths-based approach while focusing on what is most important in people’s lives.​

After completing a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Florida, Erica moved to Denver and worked at Denver Health Medical Center in the Emergency Department. Her career continued to grow with Kaiser Permanente in the Intensive Care Unit before specializing in Palliative Care over the past 7 years.

Currently, Erica is a Lead Clinical Therapist at Insight Counseling and Wellness Center and greatly values being able to hold space for people seeking therapy and support. When she is out of the office, you’ll find Erica spending quality time with her partner, their sweet dog, and enjoying the Colorado outdoors. Favorite activities include camping, hiking, gardening, and being in the lovely Denver area parks.