Our Management
Meet The San Diego Hospice and
The Institute for Palliative Medicine
Executive Management Team
Kathleen Pacurar
President and Chief Executive Officer
As President and Chief Executive Officer, Kathleen Pacurar will focus on community awareness and engagement about palliative medicine and the increasingly important role of hospice care. She also plans to expand education and research programs, to enhance the organization's ability to offer innovative treatments that improve the integration of palliative care in existing healthcare systems locally, nationally, and globally.
Kathleen brings over two decades of experience in community relations and fundraising for high profile and influential health care organizations. Prior to leading the San Diego Hospice Foundation, she served as executive director of UCSD Health Sciences Development, where she supported programs such as the Shiley Eye Center expansion, the Moores Cancer Center development, and the creation of the Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center. Previously, Kathleen also worked with the American Foundation for AIDS Research, the Catholic Diocese of San Diego, and the Scripps Mercy Hospital, helping these organizations achieve their strategic goals. Kathleen was honored with the 2010 YWCA Tribute to Women & Industry (TWIN) Award honoring outstanding achievements of women in business.
Kathleen believes in seeking innovation and opportunity, and embracing diversity – all to achieve optimum quality of life at every stage of life.
"As President and CEO, one of my main objectives moving forward will be to build on our record of innovation, so that we constantly improve the quality of the physical, emotional, and spiritual support we provide. And, of course, we want to look for, and create, new financial opportunities so that San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine can continue to transform healthcare locally, nationally and globally."
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Steven Oppenheim, MD, FAAHPM
Chief Medical Director
Steven Oppenheim, MD, FAAHPM is the Chief Medical Director for San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine.
Dr. Oppenheim has been with San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine for more than 10 years and has served in many roles. He currently chairs the agency’s Institutional Review Board, enjoys serving as a consultant in Palliative care in local hospitals, is actively involved with teaching at San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine, the local community, nationally and internationally. He also serves as Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego. He is a Diplomat of the National Board of Medical Examiners, a Diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and is also board certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine through ABIM.
Dr. Oppenheim holds an interest in international palliative care having spent time teaching HIV palliative care in Asia and Africa. Dr. Oppenheim was awarded the United Way/CHAD’s “Health Hero” Award in 2004, for his work in helping to relieve pain and for promoting quality of life for those living with chronic or serious illness. In 2009, Dr. Oppenheim was elected as San Diego’s leading physician in Hospice and Palliative Medicine by the physician membership of the San Diego County Medical Society.
Dr. Oppenheim received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Chemistry from Claremont McKenna College, Claremont, California in 1977, and a Masters of Science in Microbiology and Immunology from University of California, Los Angeles, in 1979. He completed his MD degree in 1983 at University of Southern California and Internal Medicine Residency training in 1986 at the Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, California.
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Kathy Jones
Chief Operating Officer & CFO
In her role as vice president of finance and support services and chief financial officer, Kathy Jones has improved financial operational performance, implemented new supply distribution to field staff, and increased the overall reliability of support services for San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine. Kathy is dedicated to creating opportunities for greater patient access by providing assistance in locating financial resources for patients. She brings her expertise in patient care financial administration from experience at UCSD, Sharp Healthcare, and Premier, Inc., a support services and group purchasing organization for non-profit hospitals. Kathy serves as the organization's compliance officer and is a board member for Community Eldercare of San Diego, St. Paul's Senior Homes & Services.
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Traci Bruckner
Chief Development Officer
As Chief Development Officer, Traci Bruckner oversees all fundraising, and volunteer efforts in support of San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine's patient care, education, research, and advocacy programs. Traci joined San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative in May 2007. As Executive Director of the San Diego Hospice Foundation, Traci has led her team to raise more than 26 million dollars over the past three years, in support of the organization's programs and services. Prior to joining the organization, Traci served as Director of Development for UCSD Health Sciences Development. Her work at UCSD generated major gifts for the departments of Neuroscience, Dermatology, and the Stein Institute for Research on Aging.
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Dr. Charles F. von Gunten
MD, PhD, FACP, FAAHPM Provost, The Institute for Palliative Medicine
Dr. von Gunten is Provost of The Institute for Palliative Medicine at San Diego Hospice. The Institute is one of the largest academic hospice programs in the nation and hosts the largest physician specialty training program in the U.S.
In addition to leading all of the academic and research programs at The Institute, Dr. von Gunten serves as a teaching faculty member and provides direct patient care. He holds the rank of Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, holds an established investigator award from the National Cancer Institute, and chairs the American Board of Medical Specialties' Test Committee on Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
He earned both an MD with honors and a PhD degree in molecular biochemistry from the University of Colorado, and trained in internal medicine and medical oncology at Northwestern University in Chicago. He has authored more than 160 publications and is co-editor of the International Textbook on Palliative Medicine. With more than 25 years of experience in the medical field, he is widely recognized as a frequently published and quoted authority on hospice care, palliative medicine, and pain and symptom control. Dr. von Gunten is particularly interested in the integration of hospice and palliative care in academic medicine.
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Dr. Scott Irwin
Chief of Psychiatry and Psychosocial Services
Ben Marcantonio
Chief Administrative Officer
Sharon O’Mary
Chief Clinical Officer
Jolyn Parker
Chief Marketing Officer
