Staff

Dr. Helen Kao joined Lumina Hospice & Palliative Care in 2016 after nine years at the University of California San Francisco. Dr. Kao is board certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Hospice & Palliative Care. She has special interests in house calls, dementia care, reducing polypharmacy in health care, supporting adults who experience physical and cognitive decline, and advocating for comprehensive advanced care planning. Dr. Kao has been recognized with awards of distinction not only for her clinical care but also for her teaching and leadership.

Dr. Daniel Harris was a student at Corvallis High School when Benton Hospice Services was founded. He studied Biology at the University of California at Santa Cruz and received his MD degree from Oregon Health and Sciences University. He completed residency in Greeley Colorado, then his career took him to Crescent City, California and Silverton, Oregon. He returned to live in his home town in 2012 but continues to work as an inpatient hospitalist physician at Legacy Silverton Hospital. Dr. Harris joined Lumina Hospice and Palliative Care in 2019 with eight years experience as a part-time hospice doctor. He maintains board certification in Family Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

Mo Weinman joined Lumina Hospice & Palliative Care in February of 2022. Weinman brings nearly 20 years of experience in critical care and completed a Master’s degree in Nursing Education in 2022. In her role, Mo oversees the clinical team and works closely with other members of leadership and administrative staff to ensure compliance and excellent patient care.

Naomi Hirsch has been at Lumina for over nine years overseeing the volunteers and supporting families. Naomi received her End-of-Life Death Doula certificate in 2022 and facilitates the monthly Lumina Death Café. She received her Master’s in Adult Education from OSU in 2005, and she is passionate about community engagement and empowering people to live their best life.

Gina Morford comes to Lumina with 14 years of Human Resources experience from various industries, including hospice. Her grandfather was assisted by Benton Hospice Service during his last phase of life and that is where she first learned about the importance of hospice and palliative care. Morford feels honored to work for the organization that provided outstanding service and care to her family.

Carla’s position as full time Bereavement Coordinator is important to supporting Lumina’s patients and families, as well as individuals and families in Linn and Benton counties that are experiencing death and grief. A native of Montana, Carla worked as a social worker, and later as a LMFT in California and Alaska. She brings experience as a Program Director of Gilda’s Club, a cancer support community, and of Desert Hospice Outreach, a program for children grieving death of a parent. Carla has lived in Lebanon, Oregon since 2011 and worked as a therapist at Linn County Mental Health. She enjoys gardening, spending time with her grandsons and her Aussie doodle, Charlie.