Meet Emily Davis, RN – Executive Director of Essence Hospice
Emily Davis, RN, our Executive Director, began her nursing career in 2005 at Florida Hospital's Oncology Department. From the start, her dedication and passion for patient care stood out. She became oncology-certified and quickly rose to the role of charge nurse within just two years. Emily also worked as an infusion nurse, providing chemotherapy to colon cancer patients in their homes—a role that deeply impacted her view of patient care. She realized the profound benefit of meeting patients in their own home environment, where she could offer more personalized, holistic care.
As her career advanced, Emily took on increasingly complex roles. At Florida Hospital, she worked closely with the team overseeing bone marrow transplants and was later recruited as the nurse partner to the head physician of the neuro-oncology department. In this position, she managed chemotherapy preparations and medication orders for brain cancer patients. Emily’s experience in the hospital setting was complemented by her time at a Skilled Nursing Facility, where she cared for patients with serious, complex conditions such as dialysis needs, ventilator dependence, and terminal diagnoses. It was here that Emily first witnessed hospice care firsthand, which ignited her passion for ensuring patients receive the right care at the right time.
After moving to California, Emily joined an oncology office, but it was her next career step that would shape her future. Emily was hired as a Case Manager at Sanctuary Hospice, where her combined background in oncology, home infusion, and skilled nursing proved invaluable. She quickly advanced to Director of Care Services and, within two and a half years, became the Executive Director.
With over 10 years of experience in hospice, Emily is deeply committed to supporting patients and their families during life’s most sacred moments. She finds great fulfillment in providing comfort and peace to families facing the end of life, and cherishes the opportunity to connect with each patient on a personal level. Learning about their histories, hearing their stories, and sharing in their lives is a privilege she holds dear. Emily also recognizes the importance of supporting those left behind—providing care and comfort to family and friends after a loved one passes.
Driven by the belief that there is always room to grow, Emily helped develop the Essential Care Program, a service designed to fill gaps in care and offer education and resources for patients not yet ready for hospice. This program ensures a gentle transition to hospice care when the time is right, providing families with the support they need to make this important decision.
As the leader of Essence Hospice, Emily has assembled a team of talented, compassionate professionals who share her commitment to patient-centered care. She is immensely proud of the Essence Hospice team, each of whom brings their unique skills and passion to the organization. Their collective dedication ensures that every patient and family receives the highest quality care.
On a personal note, Emily is the proud mother of two amazing adult children and shares her home with her family and two beloved dogs. She is a strong advocate for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, both for herself and for the staff at Essence Hospice. Emily believes that taking time for family and self-care is essential to sustaining the high level of care that Essence Hospice provides to the patients and families we serve.
Meet Amy Cavlovic, Regional Director of Palliative Care and Strategic Development
Amy Cavlovic, our Regional Director of Palliative Care and Strategic Development, brings over 30 years of healthcare experience to her role. She started her career in a primary care office, where she gained invaluable hands-on experience that laid the foundation for her future growth in the healthcare field. This early exposure to patient care and office management provided Amy with a well-rounded understanding of the healthcare system, setting the stage for her to take on increasingly complex and impactful roles throughout her career.
Early in her career, Amy had the opportunity to work as a patient care coordinator at a breast cancer center, where she helped patients navigate the overwhelming experience of a new cancer diagnosis. She guided them through their first appointments with doctors, assisted in coordinating their care, and supported them as they began new therapies. This experience profoundly shaped her understanding of the importance of truly individualized care. Amy witnessed firsthand how essential it is to provide not only clinical expertise but also compassionate, personalized support to help patients feel seen, understood, and empowered during such a pivotal time in their lives.
Amy has dedicated herself to hospice and palliative care since 2004, driven by her deep belief in the profound impact this specialized, compassionate care has on patients, families, and healthcare providers alike. The privilege of supporting individuals through some of life’s most challenging moments continues to inspire her. Amy thrives in environments where innovation and patient-centered care are at the forefront, which is why she is so proud to be part of the Essence Hospice and Palliative Care team.
A longtime resident of Southern California, Amy enjoys spending time at the beach each week, finding peace and renewal in the coastal landscape. Outside of work, her greatest joys are spending time with her family, friends, and beloved pets, who continue to enrich her life in countless ways.
Meet Dana Rambo, Director of Clinical Services
Dana Rambo, Director of Clinical Services at Essence Hospice. With a background in leadership, nursing and community health, I am dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive care to patients and families during end-of-life transitions. My role involves overseeing the clinical practices, ensuring the highest standards of care, and supporting our team in delivering dignified and respectful hospice services.
I am a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and have certification as a Public Health Nurse. My experience spans various healthcare settings including acute and long-term care with the last decade of my career focused in hospice, where my passion truly lies. Hospice was a calling of mine for many years after my grandfather received hospice care while I was in high school. His journey while on hospice was needless to say a difficult time for our family, but also a time of reflection and positivity as we were supported by a wonderful hospice team. I was inspired by hospice and how capable, calm and compassionate the staff were and knew I wanted to be a part of something like that someday. It is a privilege to now be living out the aspirations I once had and hope to bring a similar experience to others.
Outside of work, I find ways to recharge by spending time outdoors with my family, enjoying things like camping and exploring new hiking trails on the hunt for amazing views. I also love to adventure and travel abroad, experiencing new destinations, cultures and cuisines. One day, I hope to travel to more of the U.S. and even road trip down Route 66.
I am proud to be part of the Essence team which is collectively greater than the sum of its parts. I take great joy in fostering teamwork with the goal of delivering the highest quality care, creating meaningful and lasting impacts on those we serve.
