At the core of our hospice care is a team of devoted professionals, each dedicated to offering the highest level of support and comfort. Our team includes skilled doctors, nurses, social workers, spiritual counselors, and volunteers, all working together to meet every patient’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs with the utmost care and respect.
-
Abdalla ELkhalifa
Founder & CEOAbdalla ELkhalifa is the founder and CEO of Veteran Memorial Hospice, where he combines his extensive background in management and accounting with a deep commitment to veteran care. Recognizing the unique needs of veterans at the end of life, Elkhalifa established the organization to ensure they receive dignified and tailored hospice services. An active advocate for hospice care reform, Elkhalifa serves on several national boards and is a respected speaker at healthcare conferences, continuously pushing for improved care standards for veterans.
-
Ayo Alaka-Bright
RN, MA DONRN Ayo Bright, Director of Nursing at Veteran Memorial Hospice RN Ayo Bright serves as the Director of Nursing (DON) at Veteran Memorial Hospice, bringing a wealth of experience and a profound commitment to the care of veterans. Ayo’s leadership is characterized by compassion and a dedication to excellence in nursing practice. Under Ayo’s direction, the nursing staff at Veteran Memorial Hospice delivers top-tier, personalized care, ensuring that each veteran’s physical and emotional needs are met with the highest standards of professionalism and empathy. Ayo is passionate about improving end-of-life care and continuously works to enhance the team’s skills through ongoing education and training in veteran-specific care needs.
-
Michelle Merriweather
RNRN Michelle Merriweather, Alternate Director of Nursing at Veteran Memorial Hospice A native Texan, RN Michelle Merriweather is the Alternate Director of Nursing at Veteran Memorial Hospice. Michelle brings a blend of Texas tenacity and deep compassion to her role, overseeing the nursing staff to ensure high standards of care and personalized attention for each veteran. Her commitment to maintaining a spirit of community and empathy within the team makes her a pivotal leader in supporting the unique needs of veterans in hospice care.
-
Terry D. Houston, II
ChaplainTerry D. Houston, II serves as chaplain for Memorial Hospice. As part of our interdisciplinary team, he promotes spiritual support to our patients, their families, and caregivers. Chaplain Houston’s extensive experience in ministry is evident in his personal commitment to “reach any individual, from any walk of life, that wants to be reached, so that they and those connected with them can benefit from their spiritual progress.” In his role of hospice chaplain, he is focused on providing individualized spiritual care and healing, collaborating with the interdisciplinary team in aligning care plans with patient values, and fostering a loving culture of respect and dignity.
In 2010, Chaplain Houston founded the Terry Houston Ministries in Houston. Before his ministry journey began, he earned a Bachelors of Psychology from Texas Southern University in 2007.
He is happily married and has a daughter. -
Erika Velasquez
Office AdministratorErika Velasquez, Office Administrator at Veteran Memorial Hospice, Houston Erika Velasquez is the Office Administrator at Veteran Memorial Hospice Houston office. With a keen eye for detail and a profound dedication to operational excellence, Erika ensures that the daily administrative functions of the office run smoothly and efficiently. Her role is crucial in supporting the broader team’s efforts to provide exceptional care to veterans by managing schedules, coordinating services, and maintaining clear communication between staff and families. Erika’s organizational skills and proactive approach greatly enhance the effectiveness of our services and contribute to the overall success of our mission.