Neville Sarkari, MD, FACP

Chief Mission Medical Affairs Officer

Neville Sarkari, MD, FACP, is the Chief Mission Medicfal Affairs Officer for Empath Health. He joined Tidewell Hospice, a member of Empath Health, in July 2015. Dr. Sarkari has a strong background in primary care, hospice care and medical management. He previously served as Senior Vice President, Medical Services and Senior Vice President, Operations/Interim COO at Covenant Hospice in Florida’s Panhandle. Prior to hospice, Dr. Sarkari spent five years doing acute palliative care in the inpatient hospital setting. He started his medical career in General Internal Medicine, working in the group practice setting and owning an independent practice for several years. He is board certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine and Internal Medicine and has been elected a Fellow in the American College of Physicians. Dr. Sarkari is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and University of Kentucky College of Medicine. Areas of specific interest include Patient Safety, High Reliability Operations, Quality, Lean Healthcare Management, Strategic Planning and Complex Systems.

Wendy L. Kraszewski, LCSW

Executive Director

Wendy L. Kraszewski, LCSW, is the Executive Director and Vice President of Palliative Care Services for Empath Medical Services. Wendy joined Empath Medical Services in August 2019. As Executive Director, Wendy leads the organization’s hospital-based palliative care, mobile physicians/primary care, long-term care medical directors and outpatient/community palliative care along with the partnership with The Paradise Center wellness clinic in Longboat Key. Wendy’s leadership experience in the hospice and palliative care fields. She spent 12 years at VITAS Healthcare Corp., including six years as National General Manager, providing operational leadership and oversight for all VITAS palliative care practices across the company. Wendy began her career as a field supervisor and psychosocial counselor at Hospice Care of SE Florida and held the same position at Broward General Medical Center, both in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Florida Atlantic University and a Master of Social Work degree from Barry University.

Ira Azneer, DO, FACOI

Dr. Azneer comes to Empath Medical Services with many years of experience working with the geriatric population, including veterans. He obtained his medical degree from Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth, Texas, and performed his Internal Medicine Residency at Botsford General Hospital in Farmington Hills, Mich. Dr. Azneer is board certified in Internal Medicine. Before joining Empath Medical Services, Dr. Azneer served for 11 years as an Internal Medicine Specialist at C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center in St. Petersburg, Fla. He also has held several teaching staff positions, most recently at the medical center.

Pamela Chapman, DO

Dr. Chapman comes to Empath Medical Services with experience working as a Family Medicine Physician. She obtained her medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton and completed her Family Medicine Residency at St. Petersburg General Hospital. Dr. Chapman is board certified in Family Medicine. Before joining Empath Medical Services, Dr. Chapman opened The Beauty and Wellness Institute in Bradenton, serving as a Functional Medicine and Aesthetics Physician. She also served as Faculty Physician for transitional-year residents at Blake Hospital in Bradenton and was a Family Medicine Physician at Immediate MedCare & Family Doctors in Bradenton.

Anthony Montanaro, DO

Dr. Montanaro is a dedicated family physician who provides primary-care visits to patients in the home setting, including assisted-living and long-term care facilities. A Tampa native, he received his medical degree from Ohio University. After completing his medical studies and family medicine residency, he joined the staff of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. During his 11 years of practicing medicine and teaching medical students and residents, he was named “Outstanding Teaching Faculty Member” of 2006. Dr. Montanaro’s return to Florida to care for his aging parents led him to the field of home-based medical care. He prides himself on providing skilled, compassionate and trusted care to his patients wherever they may call home.

Traci Martin

Practice Operations Manager

Jo-Ann Irving, APRN

ADeja Jenkins

Doug Tidwell, APRN

Betty Johnson

Physician Liaison

Charles Copeland

Central Support and Intake

Karla Moreno, LPN

Clinical Navigator

Lori Dengler, APRN

• Graduate Education

  University of South Florida – Family Nurse Practitioner
  St. Leo University – Master of Business Administration

• Board Certification

  American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
  American Heart Association

Carrie Miranda, APRN, MSN, BSN, RN, FNP-C

• Graduate Education

  Brenau University – Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, and Family Nurse Practitioner

• Board Certification

  American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

Lynn Schwarz, APRN, MSN

• Graduate Education

  Simmons University – Master of Science in Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner

• Board Certification

  American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Hospice and Palliative Nurse

Emily Smith, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

• Graduate Education

  Mount Carmel College of Nursing – Master of Nursing

Lorie Thompson, DO

• Medical School

  Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)-Bradenton

• Residency

  Largo Medical Center, Largo, Fla.

• Board Certification

  American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine

Beth Wispelwey, APRN

• Graduate Education

  New York University – Master of Science in Advanced Practice with sub-specialty in Palliative Care

• Board Certification

  Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse

Karen Wyant

Medical Practice Assistant