Alive Names New Chief Nursing Officer
Published on October 28, 2025
Alive concludes an extensive search with the selection of Dr. Karen Hyden, PhD, MSN/Ed, APN-BC, ACHPN, LC Pastoral Counselor, as Chief Nursing Officer. She brings over seventeen years of clinical experience and over seven years in executive leadership.
Prior to joining Alive, Dr. Hyden held leadership roles at Evergreen Nephrology, Care Hospice, Amedisys, and Compassus, bringing meaningful experience in compassionate hospice, palliative, and integrated care.
In addition to her leadership experience, Karen is a published author, educator, and national advocate for advancing hospice and palliative care standards. She has served on the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center Board of Directors and currently serves on the Tennessee Palliative Care and Quality of Life Council. She brings a faith-informed, holistic approach, which is well aligned with Alive’s mission to provide love, support, and dignity to all patients.
“Alive has been a staple in the Nashville palliative and hospice care space, with a reputation for providing excellent, compassionate, end-of-life care to Middle Tennessee patients and their families,” said Hyden. “I am excited to join a mission-first organization and have the opportunity to lead the nurse teams, grief counselors, and chaplains of this organization, which has maintained a prominent legacy within the Nashville community for 50 years. With Alive’s incredible team, I know we can evolve and grow to serve more patients and families in the many years to come.”
Dr. Hyden joins at an exciting time as the beloved organization celebrates its 50th Anniversary in November. Alive was the first hospice established in America’s heartland and the third in the nation in 1975. It is the only nonprofit provider of hospice and palliative care and end-of-life services in Middle Tennessee. Today, it remains true to its roots as an innovator and leader, helping individuals live fully and maintain hope and joy no matter where they are in their illness journey.
Dr. Hyden assumes the CNO role from Fran Doehring, whose retirement marks the end of an exceptional eight-year tenure. During her time at Alive, Fran was instrumental in driving organizational growth and spearheading strategic initiatives and partnerships that strengthened operations and expanded Alive’s capacity to serve the Middle Tennessee community. The organization is deeply grateful for her dedicated leadership and lasting impact.
“Fran has been an invaluable leader and champion for our patients, families, and staff,” said Amir Hamad, CEO of Alive. “Her commitment to excellence in care and her vision for Alive’s future have positioned us well for continued success. We wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement.”
As Alive welcomes Dr. Hyden, the organization looks forward to building on this strong foundation and entering its next chapter of compassionate care.
About Alive
Alive’s mission is to provide loving care for people with life-threatening illnesses, support to their families, and service to the community in a spirit of enriching lives. This includes in-home and in-patient hospice care, grief support, advance care planning, outreach, support to underserved communities, education about the end of life, financial assistance, a robust volunteer program, and clinician training.
CONTACT: Abby Lemons Stevens (615) 351-0084