Our
Leadership.

From our founding vision to our daily practice, our team of clinicians and leaders is dedicated to making compassionate, human-centered senior care a reality in communities nationwide.


Founder & CEO

Dr. Dave Thimons

Dr. David Thimons is the Founder and CEO of The Rose Program, specializing in Palliative Medicine. Board-certified in both Family Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, he is dedicated to redefining palliative care and improving quality of life for individuals living with chronic and serious illnesses through innovative, value-based care models.

Dr. Thimons' passion for palliative medicine began after his daughter, Kaelyn "Rose," was diagnosed with Stage IV Ewing Sarcoma at age 12. Witnessing firsthand the profound impact of the palliative care team on her treatment journey inspired him to bring the same level of support and compassionate care to his geriatric patients. After Kaelyn successfully overcame cancer, he pursued advanced training in palliative medicine and has spent the last decade building clinical programs and interdisciplinary teams that support seniors facing serious illness.

Throughout his career, Dr. Thimons has led healthcare innovation across hundreds of markets, demonstrating measurable clinical and financial value for healthcare partners nationwide. In 2019, he founded The Rose Program, named in honor of his daughter, to expand access to supportive medicine and transform how palliative care is delivered. The program has produced exceptional outcomes for patients and healthcare partners and has experienced remarkable growth, more than quadrupling in size over the past year.

A nationally recognized speaker and advocate, Dr. Thimons works with healthcare organizations, providers, and health plans across the country to develop compassionate, cost-effective models of care that improve outcomes and reduce unnecessary healthcare utilization. He remains committed to expanding access to supportive medicine and ensuring that individuals living with chronic and serious illnesses experience greater comfort, dignity, and quality of life.

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Chief Growth Officer

Danny Ford

MSN, APRN, ACHPN

Danny Ford, MSN, APRN, ACHPN, is a healthcare executive, nurse practitioner, and growth strategist with extensive experience in palliative medicine, post-acute care, and value-based healthcare delivery. As Chief Growth Officer at The Rose Program, Danny has helped expand services across more than 150 facilities throughout multiple states, building strategic partnerships focused on improving patient outcomes, communication, and quality of life.

Known for his relationship-driven leadership style, Danny combines clinical expertise with operational vision to help healthcare organizations deliver compassionate, patient-centered care at scale. His background in palliative medicine, business development, and team leadership allows him to bridge the gap between clinical excellence and sustainable organizational growth.

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Chief Clinical Officer

Paulette Isch

With more than 16 years of experience in healthcare, Paulette Isch is a respected healthcare leader known for her expertise in clinical care, operations, provider education, and patient advocacy. As Chief Clinical Officer for The Rose Program’s nationwide palliative care program, she leads and mentors a multidisciplinary team across multiple regions, driving clinical excellence, quality improvement, and compassionate, patient-centered care.

Paulette is deeply committed to provider development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and advancing the field of palliative care through education, leadership, and innovative care strategies. She is dedicated to building strong partnerships with healthcare facilities, patients, families, and care teams while championing high-quality outcomes and meaningful patient experiences.

CONNECT WITH PAULETTE

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Chief Administrative Officer

Jennifer Hartle

Jennifer Hartle, RN, is the Chief Administrative Officer of The Rose Program, where she leads organizational strategy, operations, and healthcare partnerships to advance high-quality palliative care services. With more than 20 years of healthcare experience, Jennifer is dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with serious illness through innovative, patient-centered care models.

She works collaboratively with skilled nursing facilities, healthcare providers, and community partners to expand access to integrated palliative care, reduce avoidable hospitalizations, support clinical teams, and enhance quality of life for patients and families. Her leadership is focused on building sustainable programs that align compassionate care with measurable clinical outcomes.

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Clinical Lead for the Pennsylvania and Ohio Divisions

Rachel Boyd

Rachel Boyd is the Clinical Lead for the Pennsylvania and Ohio divisions of the Rose Program, where she oversees clinical staff and quality care delivery across the region. With extensive experience in long-term care, Rachel has successfully led both medical and palliative care teams, fostering collaborative care environments focused on compassion, clinical excellence, and improved patient outcomes. She is passionate about advancing palliative care and ensuring patients receive personalized support throughout their disease trajectory. 

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Operations Specialist

Nickole Burkett

Nickole Burkett is an Operations Specialist at The Rose Program, supporting clinical and operational workflows across multiple states. With more than six years of experience in healthcare administration and leadership, she specializes in provider operations, credentialing, EHR optimization, and process improvement initiatives. Nickole has supported large-scale operational and technology transitions, including multi-state EHR implementations and workflow development designed to improve coordination across providers, staff, and patient care teams. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health with a minor in Gerontology from Slippery Rock University.  

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Vice President of Human Resources

Renee Burns

Renee was born and raised in southeastern Pennsylvania and has built a successful, progressively responsible career in Human Resources spanning more than 25 year. Throughout her career, she has primarily supported employee populations within the healthcare industry, focusing strongly on long-term care organizations.

Renee is a Certified Paralegal and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management from Eastern University, as well as a Master’s Degree in Business and Human Resource Management from Penn State University. Her diverse educational background and professional expertise reflect her strong commitment to leadership, organizational excellence, and employee advocacy.

In April 2026, Renee joined The Rose Program, where she is excited to support and serve employees deeply passionate about caring for their patients. Her extensive experience, people-centered approach, and dedication to fostering positive workplace environments make her a valuable part of the organization’s mission and culture.

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Director—Advisory Services

Michael K. Fox

Mike has over 30 years of experience in financial and accounting operations within both public and private equity-sponsored businesses. He started his career in Big 4 public accounting before moving into the industry. He has held positions ranging from Controller to CFO, serving in various industries ranging from Professional Services to Technology to Distribution and Logistics.

At every career level and within each industry, Mike has gained M&A experience on both the “buy” side and the “sell” side. He has led numerous due diligence efforts as part of the M&A process, in addition to preparing companies for liquidity events, and has led post-close integration projects for acquired companies. Mike has been employed by private equity-sponsored companies and, as a result, has gained a detailed understanding of the importance of accurate cash flow forecasting and modeling, effective working capital management, how to prepare and execute on 3-year strategic outlooks, and how to effectively use customized financial reporting for key stakeholders (such as private equity firms).

During his time at Schneider Downs, Mike has served as Interim CFO for a home goods wholesaler, assisting the company in securing an asset-based line of credit along with re-engineering its budgeting, cash forecasting, and financial statement close processes.

Recently, Mike has served as an Interim CFO for a manufacturing company, assisting in securing an asset-based line of credit and post-acquisition integration.

Prior to joining Schneider Downs, Mike was CFO of a Pittsburgh-based $1.5B distribution and logistics company having oversight over finance and accounting, financial planning and analysis, treasury, procurement, M&A, and risk management.

During his tenure, Mike was instrumental in guiding the company through a sale to a global logistics provider and post-merger integration and rebranding.

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What drives our team.

Relationship-Driven

We lead with empathy and build lasting partnerships with patients, families, facilities, and fellow clinicians.

Operational Vision

We bridge the gap between compassionate care and sustainable organizational growth at scale.

Clinical Excellence

Our team has certified expertise in palliative medicine and delivers high-quality, specialized care.

Community First

From public speaking to local fundraising, we believe that impact extends far beyond the clinical setting.

Join Our Team

Grow your career in palliative care.

The Rose Program is always looking for passionate clinicians, healthcare leaders, and community advocates to join our growing team. If you share our commitment to compassionate senior care, we want to hear from you.

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