Leadership Team

BIRGIT LISANTI, RN, MSN, MBA

President & CEO

email: [email protected]

A Canadian by birth, Birgit Lisanti, RN, BSN, MBA has over 30 years experience in hospice and home health care. She received her Bachelor of Nursing degree from the University of Manitoba and her MBA from Keiser University. She moved to the US in 1995 to become CEO of Pennyroyal Hospice in Kentucky. After several years at Pennyroyal, she moved to Tidewell Hospice in Florida, a regional organization that operates seven hospice houses across the state. Lisanti held several positions there, most recently as the Regional Director of Sarasota County. She is also a Certified Hospice Administrator and a certified Assisted Living Administrator.

Lisanti became the CEO of Burke Hospice & Palliative Care in December 2011. She relocated to Burke County with her husband of 13 years, Dr. Brian Guthrie. The couple have three grown children and three grandchildren.

DARYL BROWN

Chief Financial Officer

email: [email protected]

Daryl Brown was born in Spruce Pine, NC. He earned his Bachelor’s in Accounting from Mars Hill College. For the next 20 years, he worked for Rexnord Corporation as a Cost Accountant and General Accounting Supervisor. After Rexnord, he worked for Blue Ridge Healthcare for four years as a Senior Staff Accountant, then moved to Guardian Health Services in Hickory as Finance Director for four years.

Daryl came to Burke Hospice in February 2008.
 Daryl and his wife Iris have been married for 30 years and have one son. In his spare time, Daryl enjoys woodcarving, reading thrillers, and most of all, spending time with his wife.

BARBARA TARANTO, RN, BSN, CCM

Vice President of Clinical Services

email: [email protected]

Barbara Taranto, RN BSN CCM, was born in Hickory, North Carolina and has lived in Burke County most of her life. She received her Associate Degree in Nursing from Western Piedmont Community College and later graduated Magna Cum Laude from Western Carolina University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. Barbara’s early nursing experience included Telemetry, ICU, Pediatrics, and Medical Surgical in the hospital followed by Home Health for eight years.

Barbara came to Burke Hospice & Palliative Care in February 2011 as Director of Nursing Services after holding the position of System Director of Case Management for Blue Ridge HealthCare. In 2012, she moved into the role of Vice President of Clinical Services. Her previous experience also included work at Mission Hospital as Manager of ED Case Management and Utilization Review. Barbara received her National Certification in Case Management in 2007 and her Yellow Belt in Lean Six Sigma Training in January 2010. Barbara enjoys spending time with her son and daughter and outdoor activities.

CHRISTY INGERSOLL, RN, BSN

Vice President of Compliance and Education

email: [email protected]

Christy Ingersoll, RN, BSN, was born in Morganton, North Carolina and has lived in Burke County all of her life. She received her Associate's Degree in Nursing from Western Piedmont Community College and Bachelor’s Degree from Winston Salem State University. Christy has practiced Nursing for more than 30 years in several areas of nursing, including Medical Surgical Nursing, Long Term Care Nursing, and Psychiatric Nursing. She has also worked as a Clinical Instructor for Western Piedmont Community College and as a Master Trainer for the Med Aide Program in NC.

Christy joined Burke Hospice & Palliative Care in November 2011 as Compliance Officer. Her most recent position was Director of Clinical Operations for a private Long Term Care provider. In addition to her nursing experience, Christy brings more than 12 years of compliance experience with agencies including the Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) as a state Long Term Care and Mental Health Inspector and Regional Supervisor. She has also worked at Blue Ridge Health Care as the System Risk Manager and Nurse Recruiter, and as a Nurse Consultant for Britthaven Corporation.

Christy volunteers with the Drexel Fair Board and Morganton Soup Kitchen, and spends her free time reading and doing crafts.
 

CHASITY POTEAT

VP of Marketing & Outreach

email:[email protected]

Chasity Poteat was born in Burke County. She received her Bachelors of Science Degree from Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC with a double concentration in marketing and management. She has over 13 years of local healthcare marketing experience serving as the Marketing Liaison at Blue Ridge HealthCare; Director of Patient & Physician Relations at Cloud Surgical Solutions and Director of Fund Development for the Blue Ridge HealthCare Foundation prior to joining Burke Hospice & Palliative Care in 2012.

Chasity loves Burke County and has served as president of the Morganton Service League, Morganton Jr. Woman’s Club and is currently serving on the Burke County United Way Board of Directors. When she isn’t working she enjoys spending time with her family.