Cristina C. Hendrix, DNS, GNP-BC, FAAN
Center Director
Dr. Hendrix completed her BSN at the University of Santo Tomás in Manila, Philippines. She earned an MSN-FNP at the University of Alabama and a DNS from Louisiana State University. She also completed a post-master's gerontological nurse practitioner (GNP) certificate at Duke University School of Nursing. She presently practices as a GNP. Dr. Hendrix's program of research focuses on developing interventions to support the family caregivers of chronically ill patients. She has conducted clinical trials on the effects of an individualized cancer caregiver training delivered before hospital discharge. Dr. Hendrix is also a nurse investigator at the Geriatrics Research, Education and Clinical Center at the Durham VA Medical Center, where she developed and led the Durham Transitional Care (TLC) program. The Durham TLC was one of the 10 recipients of the 2012 VA Office of Nursing Services Innovations Award, a national award mechanism that recognizes nursing leadership in quality improvement. Dr. Hendrix will provide overall leadership in the development and implementation of the DEFT Center.
Doreen M. Matters
Program Director
Doreen joined the DEFT Center in August 2016. She comes to the Center after twelve years at the Duke Cancer Institute (DCI), where she served as the director of annual fund and board relations before accepting the position of administrator of external relations for the Duke Cancer Patient Support Program in 2011. While at DCI she had the privilege to work with interprofessional teams, program benefactors and most importantly, and most rewarding, patients and families. At the DEFT Center, Doreen will provide leadership in the strategic development, implementation, management and evaluation of all operational, communication and marketing processes. She will provide budgetary oversight and act as the DEFT Center’s advisory board liaison. Her commitment to the mission of the DEFT Center is due in part to her experience for nine years as a caregiver to her mother, who lost her battle with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2015. She is focused solely on promoting enhanced training and education of caregivers.
Sarah Vega
Intake Specialist
Sarah serves as the first point of contact for caregivers referred to DEFT. She oversees the scheduling of and communication with caregivers regarding all training class options. In addition to intake, she is responsible for data management, and reporting. Sarah spent over twenty years in corporate management in New England, where she obtained broad business experience in operations, human resources, project management, and mergers and acquisitions. Sarah received a BS in Business from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, several HR and insurance industry certifications, Six Sigma Yellow Belt, in addition to completing Leadership Development programs at Babson College and Wharton School of Management. Sarah is active in the community, her favorite experiences being in workforce development, mentoring, and the Boys and Girls Club. Sarah is thankful for life experiences in other countries, and across the United States and is now enjoying life in Hillsborough, North Carolina.