We are here to care for and support your loved ones. We not only strive to help our patients with everyday tasks, but we also want to develop a caring relationship with them in the comfort of their own homes.
We invest in our team of dedicated doctors, nurses, wound specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, music therapists, aides, social workers, spiritual counselors, and caregivers.
Our Leadership Team is Comprised of Highly Qualified and Caring People
Glenn Charlton, MD, MBA
Chief Medical Officer and President of Home Health and Hospice
Glenn (Bud) Charlton, MD, MBA joined Helping Hands in 2020 as Chief Medical Officer and President of the Home Health and Hospice Divisions. Dr. Charlton is responsible for all aspects of Helping Hands Home Health and Hospice Divisions. From 2012 to 2018, Dr. Charlton was Chief Medical Officer for Primary Health Network. From 2007 to 2012, Dr. Charlton worked in Emergency Medicine as Medical Director of Maria Parham Hospital in North Carolina, which was affiliated with Duke University. He also served on the Board of Directors at that hospital. From 2005 to 2007, Dr. Charlton was Medical Director for Clinical Content for a start-up software company in Austin, Texas. Earlier in his career, Dr. Charlton was a practicing physician in both Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine for several years prior to transitioning to full-time Emergency Medicine for more than 30 years in Sharon, PA.
Following his graduation from Westminster College, he began his medical career as a 1976 graduate of Thomas Jefferson University and then the Washington Hospital Family Medicine Residency. He obtained an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and post-graduate studies in medical informatics from Monash University.
Dr. Heidi Bee, DO
Medical Director - Hospice
Dr. Heidi Bee joined Helping Hands in 2020 and is Hospice Medical Director. Concurrently, Dr. Bee is Medical Director at Willow Women Center in Transfer, PA. From 2000 to 2020, Dr. Bee worked at Sharon Regional as a family doctor and practiced in that health care system.
Dr. Bee is board-certified in family medicine. She did her undergraduate work at Allegheny College followed by medical school at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, graduating in 1996. She did her internship at Suburban General Hospital in Norristown, PA, followed by a year of general surgery residency. She then specialized in family medicine, doing her residency at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA.
Stephanie Worona, RN
Clinical Director - Home Health
Stephanie joined Helping Hands in 2021 as Clinical Director of Home Health Division. From 2020 – 2021, Stephanie worked at VNA as Case Manager. In 2019, Stephanie worked in the hospital at UPMC as a Case Manager. From 2015 to 2019, Stephanie worked at Sharon Regional Hospice as a Clinical Manager. From 2008 to 2015, Stephanie worked at Sharon Regional Hospital as med-Surg unit and Charge Nurse. Caring for and educating people on how to best manage acute and chronic illness in their homes and enabling them to be with their loved ones is something she finds to be important in today’s ever changing health care journey for many patients and their families.
Stephanie was born and raised in Hermitage. She graduated from Sharon Regional School of Nursing.
Deborah Garrett, MSN
Clinical Director - Hospice
Deborah Garrett, MSN, joined Helping Hands in April of 2023. She has 25 plus years of Hospice experience, with the majority of her service being in Mercer and Lawrence counties. She was most recently the Director of Nursing at the Villa Maria, serving the Sisters of Humility of Mary in the Assisted Living residence from 2021-2023. She earned her Personal Care Home Administrator Certificate during this time. From 2019-2021, she served as the Executive Director for LHC, owned Sharon Regional Hospice. From 2013-2021, she served Hospice of the Valley in various roles, including Account Executive, Manager of Admissions and Hospital Liaisons, Director of Operations in the Pennsylvania Division of Hospice of the Valley, and lastly, Clinical Director overseeing both inpatient and outpatient services. She served at Sharon Regional Hospital, owned Sharon Regional Hospice, from 1992 -2013, in various roles ending with the Hospice Director role. Her nursing career started in 1988 at Sharon Regional Hospital serving on an acute medical-surgical floor, where she earned certification as a medical surgical nurse.
During her hospice career, she earned her Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse Certification, Hospice and Palliative Care Administrator Certification, and a Compliance Certificate through the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Deborah earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and Masters of Science in Nursing degree from Chamberlain College of Nursing.
Deborah lives in Mercer County with her husband and has two grown children. She attended Sharpsville Area High School.
Melanie Franz
Referral Manager
Melanie joined Helping Hands in 2021 as the Human Resource Generalist and Referral Coordinator. From 2020 to 2021, she was employed as Human Resource Director at Warren Nursing and Rehab. From 2018 to 2020, Melanie worked for Nugent’s as a Social Service Director. From 2000 to 2018, Melanie worked for the Mercer County Behavior Health Commission, Inc. as a Mental Health Crisis Worker and Case Management Supervisor. Melanie is passionate about serving the underserved in our communities and ensuring that everyone has access to the services they need most.
Melanie attended school locally at Kennedy Christian High School. She graduated from Thiel College with a degree in sociology.
Ashley Jones
Area Manager (Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, and Westmoreland counties)
Ashley Jones joined Helping Hands the year it was founded, in 2016, and is the Area Manager for the Home and Personal Care Division. Ashley has been instrumental in the starting up and the growth of Helping Hands, from 0 patients to over 220+ patients. Prior to Helping Hands, Ashley spent 10+ years working with adults with developmental disabilities. In addition, Ashley works as a volunteer for the inner-city youth outdoor programs.
Tara Hyman
Area Manager (Crawford, Lawrence, Mercer, and Venango counties)
Tara Hyman joined Helping Hands in 2021 and is the Area Manager for the Home and Personal Care Division. Tara oversaw the development and growth of Helping Hands, in the Hermitage office, from 0 patients to 120+. In 2001 to 2020, Tara worked at Kids Way Pediatrics as a Medical Assistant, overseeing all of the back-office operations, and supporting patient care. Prior to Kids Way Pediatrics, Tara worked at UPMC as a CNA.
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