Meet Our Team

Dr. Benenate has been a Long-term Care Medical Director for 32 years. He finds great reward in helping patients cope with aging and the medical issues that arise. he is motivated everyday by his participation in Ashford Hall’s healthcare team and their collective goal of keeping are residents happy and healthy.

Dr. B, as he is lovingly referred to, understands that patients are unique and therefore have unique experiences that require personalized attention and treatment plans.

Dr. B holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Texas, and received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from UNT Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX. He is board certified in Hospice and Palliative Care, and is a Certified Hospice Medical Director.

Dr. Michael Hassell, DO is a physiatrist currently working for Integrated Rehab
Consultants. Dr. Hassell is fellowship trained in interventional spine procedures and pain management. He is particularly interested in finding the best way to help patients recover their abilities or improve their functional status, and is excited to bring his expertise in physical medicine and rehabilitation to the patients
at Ashford Hall!

Not all skilled nursing facilities have a PM&R on staff. Ashford Hall believes care from a PM&R is vital to recovery.

Dr. Hassell earned a Master’s degree in Biomedical Science from The University of North Texas Health Science Center and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine.

J.P. Hundley serves as Administrator of Ashford Hall and brings nearly 20 years of skilled nursing experience to the organization. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from University of Louisiana at Lafayette and is a Licensed Nursing Facility Administrator.

J.P. began his healthcare career in 2006, working in finance and marketing before advancing into operations leadership. Since becoming a licensed administrator in 2017, he has focused on delivering high-quality care and building strong teams.

His passion for long-term care is deeply personal. Having cared for family members during serious health challenges, he understands the importance of compassionate, resident-centered care. These experiences continue to guide his leadership approach. J.P. believes Ashford Hall’s family ownership, local decision-making, and long-standing commitment to residents and staff distinguish it from larger corporate organizations.

Darren Lee has been a senior executive in the skilled nursing industry for more than 28 years. Throughout his career, he has overseen nursing facilities that have cared for thousands of residents and their families. While he is proud of the impact those facilities have made, Darren is quick to credit the dedicated employees he has had the privilege to work alongside for their compassion and commitment to resident care.

Darren finds the most rewarding part of his role is seeing the gratitude and appreciation of residents whose lives have been positively impacted by quality care and service. He is motivated each day to ensure residents receive the support, dignity, and attention they deserve. Darren believes Ashford Hall’s greatest strength is its staff, whose selfless dedication enriches the lives of residents and creates a culture of compassion that sets the facility apart.

Darren holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from University of Utah and a Master of Business Administration from Westminster College.

Nathan Lee serves as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Ashford Hall, bringing more than 23 years of skilled nursing facility leadership experience to the organization. A graduate of Brigham Young University with a degree in Business Management, Nathan has spent his career leading operations, human resources, and information technology within the long-term care industry.

He is passionate about creating systems and processes that improve both the resident experience and operational performance. Nathan enjoys working alongside dedicated healthcare professionals to ensure residents receive high-quality care in a safe, supportive environment. He believes Ashford Hall’s family-operated approach sets it apart from many larger organizations, allowing the team to make decisions locally, respond quickly to resident needs, and provide a more personalized level of care.

Denise Altum is an accomplished nursing leader with more than seven years of leadership experience in long-term care and skilled nursing operations. She is known for combining clinical excellence with genuine compassion, creating environments where residents feel safe and teams feel supported.

Throughout her career, Denise has driven significant improvements in quality and compliance, including increasing compliance audit scores from 82% to 90% within four months and improving clinical audit outcomes from 68% to 94% in six months. She brings expertise in regulatory standards, interdisciplinary collaboration, and operational leadership, always with a focus on delivering exceptional resident care.

Denise is passionate about mentoring her team, building strong relationships, and fostering a culture of accountability, kindness, and continuous growth. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her children and grandchild, as well as life on her small cattle ranch.

Deepali Yawalkar serves as Ashford Hall’s Director of Rehabilitation Services and brings more than 31 years of experience in rehabilitation and healthcare. Her background includes 23 years in leadership roles overseeing rehabilitation programs, multi-site operations, process improvement initiatives, project management, and marketing throughout the post-acute care continuum.

She earned a Master of Public Health in Health Services Management from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from Nagpur, India.

Deepali is passionate about developing clinical programs that improve resident outcomes and enhance quality of care. She especially enjoys seeing the positive impact of initiatives such as fall prevention and wound care programs. She values Ashford Hall’s collaborative leadership team, efficient decision-making process, and commitment to providing exceptional skilled nursing care. Deepali believes the facility’s engaged ownership and strong compliance culture help set it apart.

Hemali Vasant Dharod is the Assistant Director of Rehabilitation Services at Ashford Hall and has dedicated more than 14 years to the field of occupational therapy. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from LTMMC OT School in Mumbai, India, and has advanced through multiple leadership roles during her career, from OT Supervisor to Lead Occupational Therapist and now Assistant Director. Hemali is driven by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on residents’ lives while mentoring and supporting her team. She values Ashford Hall’s collaborative environment and resident-centered culture, which allows for both professional growth and individualized care.

Courtney MacMurray serves as Social Services Coordinator at Ashford Hall and is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). She earned her bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and her master’s degree from The University of Texas at Arlington. Courtney’s background includes experience in both skilled nursing and state hospital settings, giving her a strong understanding of the emotional and social needs residents and families face during transitions in care. She is motivated daily by meaningful resident interactions and works to ensure every resident feels supported, heard, and valued. Courtney believes Ashford Hall’s commitment to continuous improvement and positive change helps create a stronger experience for residents and families alike.

Anisha Dangal serves as MDS Coordinator at Ashford Hall, where she combines clinical expertise with a passion for resident advocacy and quality care. She holds a Master of Public Health degree from The University of Texas at Arlington, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Nobel College in Kathmandu, and is currently pursuing an MBA in Healthcare Administration while working toward RAC-CT certification. Since beginning her skilled nursing career at Ashford Hall, Anisha has transitioned from floor nursing into the MDS role, where she focuses on ensuring residents receive the services and care plans that best support their quality of life. She values the teamwork and compassionate culture at Ashford Hall, where every department works together to provide resident-centered care.

Bill Cope brings more than 30 years of experience in skilled nursing and healthcare leadership to Ashford Hall. He holds an MBA and is both a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and Licensed Nursing Facility Administrator (LNFA).
Throughout his career, Bill has remained focused on delivering quality care and creating a supportive environment for residents, families, and staff. He values the relationships built within the skilled nursing setting and believes compassionate care is the foundation of a successful facility.
Bill enjoys working alongside dedicated healthcare professionals who share a commitment to resident well-being. He takes pride in helping ensure residents receive the care, dignity, and respect they deserve. Bill believes one of Ashford Hall’s greatest strengths is its welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere, which fosters a strong sense of community and connection.

Ruth Castillo serves as Ashford Hall’s Dietary Service Manager and has been a valued member of the team since 2018. Certified in Dietary Service Management through the University of Florida, Ruth is passionate about creating meals that bring comfort, satisfaction, and joy to residents. She finds the most rewarding moments in hearing residents genuinely enjoy the food and care provided by her department. Ruth believes Ashford Hall’s warm atmosphere and smiling faces create an environment that feels welcoming and supportive for both residents and staff.

Delores Vela is Ashford Hall’s Strategic Relationship Manager and brings more than 15 years of healthcare experience focused on senior living and skilled nursing. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and her master’s degree in Healthcare Leadership from East Texas A&M University, and she will soon begin doctoral studies in Healthcare Administration at Oklahoma State University. Delores is passionate about helping older adults and their families make informed healthcare decisions with confidence and compassion. She believes Ashford Hall’s family-owned structure allows the organization to make thoughtful, resident-focused decisions quickly while maintaining a high standard of personalized care.

Tammi Bradbury serves as Ashford Hall’s Business Office Manager and brings more than 26 years of healthcare experience to her role. She began her skilled nursing career in 2015 in admissions and has since advanced into business office leadership.

Tammi enjoys helping residents, families, and prospective residents navigate financial matters with confidence and clarity. She takes pride in answering questions, solving problems, and ensuring families feel supported throughout the process.

What motivates Tammi most is the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of residents and their loved ones. She values the relationships she builds with both residents and staff and appreciates being part of a team dedicated to quality care. Tammi believes Ashford Hall stands apart because of its family-oriented culture, where residents and employees are treated with compassion, respect, and genuine concern.

Berta Mejia serves as Housekeeping and Laundry Supervisor at Ashford Hall and has been a dedicated member of the team for 28 years. Her leadership helps ensure the facility maintains high standards of cleanliness, comfort, and quality for residents, families, and staff.

Berta enjoys leading and supporting her team, solving problems, and helping create an environment where residents feel safe, comfortable, and cared for. She takes pride in the important role housekeeping and laundry services play in the daily lives of residents.

What motivates Berta most is knowing she can make a positive difference for elderly residents by helping provide a clean, welcoming, and supportive environment. She believes Ashford Hall stands apart because of its commitment to compassionate care, high-quality service, and the strong sense of support shared among residents and staff.

Chandra “Peaches” Bonner serves as Activity Director at Ashford Hall and brings 15 years of experience in skilled nursing and long-term care. She is a graduate of L.G. Pinkston High School, attended Eastfield College as a Recreational Specialist, and holds an Activity Director Certification through NCAPP.

Throughout her career, Chandra has focused on creating engaging recreational, social, cognitive, and therapeutic programs that enhance residents’ quality of life and overall well-being. She is passionate about person-centered care and enjoys getting to know residents as individuals, developing activities that reflect their interests, abilities, and life experiences.

Chandra finds her work most rewarding when she sees residents smiling, participating, and reconnecting with favorite hobbies and experiences. She believes Ashford Hall stands apart because of its strong teamwork and commitment to providing quality care for every resident.

Sarah Roberts serves as Ashford Hall’s Medical Records Coordinator and brings more than 25 years of healthcare experience to the organization. Her expertise includes medical records management, chart maintenance, release-of-information requests, document scanning, and healthcare documentation compliance.

Known for her strong attention to detail, Sarah is committed to maintaining accurate, organized, and secure resident records. Her work helps ensure clinical teams have the information they need to provide quality care while maintaining compliance with HIPAA and industry standards.

Sarah finds her role rewarding because it supports both residents and caregivers behind the scenes. She takes pride in helping create an efficient system that contributes to positive resident outcomes. Sarah believes Ashford Hall’s teamwork, dedication, and supportive culture make it a special place to work and serve residents.

Guadalupe Mondragon serves as Human Resources Assistant at Ashford Hall. She joined the organization in 2024 as a receptionist and quickly advanced within the company, assuming her current role in 2025.

Guadalupe graduated magna cum laude from Nimitz High School and later earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Dallas College in 2023. She enjoys interacting with people and making a positive impact in their lives through her work.

What Guadalupe finds most rewarding is the opportunity to assist others and support both employees and residents each day. She is motivated by helping people, solving problems, and contributing to a positive workplace environment. Guadalupe believes Ashford Hall is unique because of its family ownership, hands-on leadership, and dedicated team members who work together to provide residents with the highest quality of care.

Samantha Espinoza-Robinson has been part of the Ashford Hall family for more than eight years and currently serves as Executive Assistant. Since joining the facility in 2018 as a receptionist, Samantha has worked in numerous departments across the organization, including admissions, human resources, business office operations, medical records, transportation, housekeeping, dietary, activities, and hospitality. Her broad experience gives her a unique understanding of how every department contributes to resident care and facility success. Samantha is passionate about building strong teams and takes pride in seeing coworkers grow and advance within the organization. She believes Ashford Hall’s in-house dialysis services and commitment to quality care make the facility truly unique.