Symposium Faculty
Liz Albert, MD is a current hospice and palliative medicine fellow at the University of Utah. She completed emergency medicine residency at Maine Medical Center in 2023.
Dr. Blanke has a particular interest in End-of-life Care as well as Medical Aid in Dying (MAID)/Death with Dignity (DWD).
Dr. Nathaniel Coggins completed his undergraduate education at the University of Michigan, medical school at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and residency training at UCLA-Olive View Emergency Medicine Residency Program. He is a current fellow in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at the University of Utah, and his academic interests lie at the intersection of emergency medicine and palliative care. More specifically, he is interested in optimizing resource utilization and positively impacting the illness experience through delivery of emergency department-based palliative care. In his free time, Nate loves to cook overcomplicated meals, trail run, and spend time with his family and friends.
Suz Davies was a stay at home wife and mother of 3 children with no medical training in 1998 when she was asked if she could take care of her declining grandpa. That night grandpa was moved into her house and Suz became his 24/7 caregiver. She was fortunate to care for him until he passed away one year later. One week after grandpa's funeral Suz registered for school, with a plan to be a hospice nurse. Hospice has been a passion for her since that time.
Suz graduated from UVU with her RN in 2003 and has worked in various roles in hospice since 2004. In her 20 years in hospice Suz has 5 years as a case manager, 9 years as a Hospice Clinical Director and 6 years as a Hospice Administrator. Suz is currently the Director of Clinical Services at Aspen Ridge Hospice serving the Wasatch Front.
When Suz is not working she enjoys, skiing, Lake Powell and all things football, especially the Utes. These activities are always better spent with family including six grandkids.
Bonnie Glass-Coffin, PhD, MDiv, BCC is a medical anthropologist and an APC board-certified chaplain who has presented and published broadly about the intersections of health-spirituality-culture for more than 40 years. She is a professor of Anthropology (since 1993) at Utah State University and has worked as a part-time staff chaplain (mostly weekends) at the University of Utah since 2019.
Andrea Huff BSN, RNCM for Aspen Ridge Hospice. I started working for home health and hospice at the age of 18 as a CNA, this is when my passion for hospice care began. I always look at my patients as an individual who has a story of a great life lived and want them to continue the remainder of their days how they wish. We not only advocate for the patient but are there to care and provide comfort to the family as well. I feel that education is one of the vital areas of our position, as many times this is persons first time losing a loved one.
I grew up in Utah on a family farm in south Utah county, where myself and family reside today. My husband and I have three beautiful daughters and one (spoiled) handsome boy. We are fortunate to live on the farm where our children can run explore, and learn the value of hard work. Chores keep us busy year round caring for animals and growing hay for our cattle and horses.
When we are not busy with daily tasks and chores we love to go camping, fishing, riding horses, swimming, boating or riding ATV’s, anything that involves the outdoors.
I am blessed to care for others at the end of life, and support their family team through the difficult process.
Emily Sierakowski, MD is our Pediatric Palliative Care Fellow this year and will finish her fellowship in June 2024. She completed her medical school education at the University of Minnesota and finished her pediatric residency here at the University of Utah. Her primary focuses and interests in hospice and palliative care are trainee wellness and education as well as furthering research in pediatric hospice to better support end of life experiences for patients and families.