Arizona State Licensed & Medicare Accredited

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(520) 207-1611

Our Team

The People Who Walk This Journey With You

Compassionate professionals dedicated to providing comfort, dignity, and support for life's journey.

Your Care Team

Interdisciplinary Team Approach

Our comprehensive care team works together to address all aspects of patient and family

needs—physical, emotional, and spiritual.

Group of adults standing and sitting outdoors, smiling together in front of a building and tall plants.

Physicians

Medical directors who oversee care plans and work with your personal physician.

Registered Nurses

Skilled nurses who provide medical care, symptom management, and coordinate services.

Social Workers

Licensed professionals who provide emotional support and help with practical needs.

Spiritual Counselors

Spiritual Care Director who offers spiritual care and support for patients of all faiths.

Home Health Aides

Certified aides who assist with personal care and daily activities.

Volunteers

Trained volunteers who provide companionship, respite, and special support.

Compassionate Professionals

Meet the People Who Care

At Sunset Hospice, our interdisciplinary team works together to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of every patient and family. Each member brings a unique skill set united by a shared commitment to compassionate, individualized care.

Brandi Duarte, RN

Founder and Owner

Brandi Duarte, RN, is the proud founder and owner of Sunset Hospice in Tucson, Arizona. A lifelong Tucsonan with deep family roots in the community, Brandi has dedicated her career to caring for others in hospital, outpatient, and clinic settings before finding her true calling in hospice care in 2019.

Believing strongly that patients are not numbers but individuals on their own unique journeys, Brandi and her partners co-founded Sunset Hospice to return to the roots of end-of-life care. Guided by the belief that “sunsets are proof that endings can be beautiful too,” she and her team provide compassionate, individualized care that honors life at every stage. Brandi credits her family, colleagues, and community for inspiring and sustaining this vision, noting that Sunset Hospice’s work is possible only through the dedication of her staff and the support of those around her.

Beyond her professional role, Brandi is actively involved in her community. She serves as President of a local High School Football Booster Club, volunteers at her children’s school, and has supported organizations including the Alzheimer’s Association and the American Diabetes Association.

Brandi and her husband, Raymond—her high school sweetheart and partner of 25 years—are grateful parents of three boys and a daughter-in-law. She believes that family, community, and teamwork are the foundations that make her achievements possible.

Yvonne Horner

Director of Social Services

Ms. Horner has served as a practicing social worker and has several years of experience in social work administration. Yvonne is currently the Director of Social Services with Sunset Hospice since 2023.Yvonne Horner is a highly accomplished and dedicated professional in the field of social work, specializing in hospice care and community services for vulnerable populations.

Educational Background and Early Career

Ms. Horner's foundational commitment to social service is evidenced by her academic achievements at Arizona State University (ASU). She completed her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) through the rigorous Honors Program and subsequently earned an accelerated Master of Social Work (MSW) in 2004. This strong academic preparation laid the groundwork for a career focused on advocacy and direct support.

Extensive Professional Experience

With a career spanning over two decades, Ms. Horner has developed a diverse and deep expertise. Her professional journey began with significant involvement in non-profit community programs dedicated to addressing critical social issues. Her early work included:

Low-Income Senior Support: Providing essential resources and services to low-income seniors.
Low-Income Housing Initiatives: Working to improve housing stability and access for vulnerable families and individuals.
Developmental Disability Field: Serving individuals with developmental disabilities, focusing on quality of life and community integration.
Dual Diagnosis Expertise: Working with a complex population presenting a dual diagnosis of mental health and developmental issues, requiring specialized, integrated care approaches.

Specialization in Hospice Care and Leadership

For more than twenty years, Ms. Horner has dedicated her skills and passion to the field of hospice care. Her extensive experience encompasses both direct patient care and social work administration. She has served as a practicing social worker, offering compassionate and critical psychosocial support to patients and their families during end-of-life care.

In her administrative roles, Ms. Horner has demonstrated strong leadership and management capabilities, overseeing social work departments and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, ethically-sound services.

Currently, Yvonne Horner holds the position of Director of Social Services with Sunset Hospice, a role she has successfully occupied since 2023. In this leadership capacity, she is responsible for the strategic direction and daily operations of the social work team, ensuring that Sunset Hospice continues to provide comprehensive, dignified, and supportive care to its community.

Alexandrea Hernlund, RN

Assistant Director of Nursing

With a deep appreciation for compassionate care and meaningful human connection, I have dedicated my nursing career to supporting patients and families through life’s most vulnerable moments. After five years working in a Level IV NICU, I developed a strong foundation in critical care, advocacy, and emotional support for families during challenging times.

My journey led me to hospice nursing, where I found my true passion for providing holistic, patient-centered care with dignity, empathy, and compassion. I believe in creating genuine connections and ensuring every patient and family feels heard, supported, and never alone.

For me, nursing is more than a profession — it is a calling rooted in kindness, presence, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Alisa Weems

Administration Manager

Alisa brings more than 20 years of experience in healthcare, along with a deep commitment to serving others. She began her healthcare career in home health before transitioning into hospice—a field she found especially meaningful and fulfilling. As Administrator, she supports the Sunset families and team members by ensuring strong operations, thoughtful leadership, and a culture rooted in compassion and compliance.

Outside of work, Alisa is an active community member, youth mentor, and proud mother. She is grateful to call Tucson home and values its people, diversity, and strong sense of connection.

Kathleen Day

Director of Bereavement

Our Bereavement Coordinator, Kathleen Day, brings over 12 years of leadership experience in providing spiritual and grief support in inpatient palliative care and hospice settings, accompanying patients and families through serious illness, end-of-life, and grief. Kathleen joined the Sunset Hospice team in fall 2024 after serving for twelve years as Director of Spiritual Care at Flagstaff Medical Center.

An ordained member of the clergy and active participant in the interfaith community, Kathleen is deeply committed to honoring each individual’s spiritual, cultural, and belief traditions. In her role as Bereavement Coordinator, she supports families as they navigate grief, offering compassionate presence, meaningful resources, and guidance as families remember, honor, and celebrate the lives of those they love.

Sabrina See

Office Manager

As Office Manager, Sabrina See provides behind-the-scenes support to help keep our hospice running smoothly. She supports our team by coordinating schedules, managing office operations, handling documentation and communication, and assisting with anything that helps our staff focus on patient care. From organizing visits and supplies to planning company events and supporting day-to-day needs, she is here to help keep everything moving.

Cheryl Dickerson

QAPI Advisor and On-call Nurse

For more than two decades, Cheryl Dickerson has had the privilege of serving patients and families as a nurse, a role that has shaped her both professionally and personally. As a mother of four grown children, she has learned the value of patience, compassion, and meeting people where they are. These qualities that guide her every day in hospice care. She is deeply proud of her profession and grateful for the opportunity to make a genuine difference in someone’s life, even in the smallest moments. Supporting patients with dignity, comfort, and kindness is an honor she says she will never take for granted.

Questions About Our Services?

Whether you have questions about hospice care or are ready to learn more about our services, our compassionate team is here to help.

Smiling healthcare professional wearing a stethoscope, standing with arms crossed against a transparent background.

"Sunsets are proof that endings can be beautiful too." We provide compassionate, high-quality hospice care to patients and families throughout Arizona.

Arizona State Licensed & Medicare Accredited

"Sunsets are proof that endings can be beautiful too." We provide compassionate, high-quality hospice care to patients and families throughout Arizona.