Meet The Team

Denise is CEO/Co-Owner of Luna Del Valle Healthcare Services, and is a seasoned medical professional with 34 years' experience, specializing in end-of-life care and private home care. She has evolved from a Registered Nurse to an administrative

specialist in hospice management. Denise has experience working on the Neuro-Trauma Unit at UNM Hospital, as a Clinical Services Director, Hospice Director, and is now CEO and co-owner of Luna Del Valle Healthcare Services. Denise brings a passion for individualized patient-centric care, the highest level of quality care and compassion, charity, and community outreach. Her philosophy of people before profits brings a unique perspective and community focused approach to health care. During her Hospice Career, Denise has placed a priority on taking charity/non-funded patients and homeless patients because “it is the right thing to do” which emphasizes her belief that it is about what you can do to help others when you receive nothing in return. While working for major corporations, despite not having formally established programs and budget limitations, Denise has always focused on volunteer work to include Thanksgiving Trees, toy drives, and pet care programs for the elderly and ill. Denise is looking forward to

bringing the community together to give back to those who truly need it on a greater scale. Her innovative approach to healthcare as a basic human right is coming to fruition through development of a full spectrum home-homebased healthcare company and The Willow Foundation. Denise volunteered for 12 years with the Girls Scouts of America to support her nieces' and other youths’ interests. Denise is interested in traveling, music, and has a deep

passion for animals. Denise dreams of starting a subsequent non-profit rescue foundation to benefit abandoned and forgotten animals in the future. Denise serves as the Board Chair for The Willow Foundation.

Jackie is the registrar for Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School and has worked for Albuquerque Public Schools for 21 years. Jackie has spent 30 years volunteering in the community with children and the elderly in association with APS, and in her personal life. Jackie has raised three children and instilled the values and importance of hard work and giving back to the community through example. Jackie has always been involved in volunteering from being a girl scout leader and boys scout leader, to booster clubs, PTA and PTO. Jackie is a firm believer in advocating for the community, especially the underserved who have no one to advocate for them. Jackie joined The Willow Foundation because she believes that everyone should be treated the way that she would treat her own loved ones. The measure of a society is how we treat our young, our elderly, and our sick; Jackie views volunteering and Non-Profit work as her way to give back to improve the measure of our society. In her free time, Jackie enjoys spending time with her family, especially her two grandchildren.

Jackie serves as the Board President of The Willow Foundation

Ashley has 3 years of experience working with non-profit organizations

 as an employee, board member, and contracted event planner. 

Prior to joining the board of The Willow Foundation,

Ashley worked as the Assistant Executive Director at Northwest Carriage Museum and served on the board of Appelo Archives Center. 

Ashley has a history of working as a private home health aide with certification as a caregiver (HCA) with a focus on the diabetic community. During her time in Healthcare, Ashley realized her passion for helping others and supporting her community. One of her most treasured memories working in healthcare was rehabilitating an 80-year-old surfer to the point where he was able to get back on his surfboard and enjoy the waves once again. Ashley has a deep appreciation for the world and humanity and all it has to offer. She spent time working in a Bakery to benefit the Finnish population in Washington State and was a part of a community theater which raised money to benefit the elderly. Ashley values giving back to humanity and the Earth. Ashley became part of the Willow Foundation Board to contribute to those who need it the most. 

In her spare time, Ashley enjoys hiking, spending time in nature and

foraging. Ashely serves as the Board Secretary for The Willow Foundation.

Alex has four years of experience in higher education. She currently works at Tarleton State University in Fort Worth, Texas as a Registrar and Admissions Associate. Prior to Enrollment Management at Tarleton State University, Alex received a Master of Arts in Media and Communications during December 2013 and a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communications with a concentration in Public Relations during December 2011 from Texas Tech University. Upon graduation, she was a member of the Grand Prairie Rotary Club from January 2014 to October 2018. During that time, she served one year as the Youth Services Coordinator and three years as a co-secretary for the Grand Prairie Rotary Club. Rotary is a global network of neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and create

lasting change across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. The mission of service to others, promoting integrity, and the fellowship of community leaders is very important to Alex.

The Willow Foundation is an excellent organization to get involved in making a difference in the lives of others. In addition to Rotary Club, Alex helped organize annual fundraisers for several nonprofit and public organizations including the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce, Grand Prairie Independent School District, GPISD Education Foundation, Lifeline Shelter for Families, and Children’s First Counseling Center. In her free time, Alex enjoys exercising, listening to Podcasts, and reading parenting books to help her through the toddler years of her two children. Alex serves as the Board Treasurer for The Willow Foundation.

Dr. Centenera is Medical Director and Co-Owner of Luna Del Valle Health Care Services, and has over 20 years of medical practice specializing in geriatric medicine and hospice care. A graduate of John Hopkins University and the Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine (Rutgers), Dr. Centenera has served as Medical Director at multiple hospices over a 12-year period. In addition to hospice, Dr. Centenera is a well-respected Concierge Primary Care Physician with over 400, predominantly elderly, patients residing at home and in assisted living facilities. Dr. Centerna is co-owner of Luna Del Valle Healthcare Services, a company which was founded on the belief that everyone has the basic right to healthcare and that more people deserve access to home based healthcare, especially those in rural and underserved communities. Dr. Centenera focuses his concierge services on patients in assisted living facilities and those who are home bound due to age and physical debility to ease the patient’s burden of having to travel to a physician’s office. Dr. Centenera is well respected and sought after by patients, families and the medical care community. Dr. Centenera serves as a Board Member for The Willow Foundation.

Laura is Executive Director of Luna Del Valle Hospice and has been a Registered Nurse in New Mexico for 8 years. Prior to becoming a nurse, she worked as a paralegal and as a civilian office administrator for the United States Air Forces in Europe Headquarters in Germany. Laura has always had a drive and desire to help people and spent her 2 years in Germany volunteering with the Wounded Warriors program. While volunteering with the Wounded Warriors Program, she realized her desire to help people in need of medical assistance and enrolled in Nursing School when she moved back to New Mexico. Immediately upon graduation from nursing school, Laura was on the path of leadership. Within her first 18 months of practice, she won the NM Excellence in Nursing Nightengale award for her work on multiple committees to improve clinical outcomes and patient care. After honing her nursing skills in the hospital, she went on to become the lead trainer and charge nurse in the ER solidifying a focus on nursing education and leadership. She found passion working with the elderly and terminally ill and took her skills to the hospice field. Laura started as an RN Case Manager and became a manager of patient care within a year. She has successfully created a platform for patient centered care and community education that takes hospice quality of care to a higher level. She is passionate about The Willow Foundations vision of helping those in rural and underserved areas of the state while focusing on populations that are often un-seen and overlooked due to location and financial means. In her spare time, Laura enjoys spending time with her two teenage boys, her family, skiing, hiking, and traveling. Laura serves as a Board Member for The Willow Foundation.

Kaitlyn is the Corporate Operations Officer for Luna Del Valle Healthcare Services with a deep understanding of the value of hard work. Kaitlyn is a graduate of Grays Harbor College in Aberdeen, Washington. While living in Washington, Kaitlyn worked for the Non-Profit Dr. O.R. Nevitt Memorial Swimming Pool as a lifeguard and a swimming instructor for Autistic Children. Kaitlyn volunteered for a community theater which benefited the elderly in her community. Kaitlyn moved to New Mexico in 2011 and began her career in healthcare services as a volunteer. With hard work and dedication to the service of the community she worked to become an experienced Hospice and Home Health Intake Coordinator, Business Office Manager, and Operations Manager. Regardless of what her title has been, Kaitlyn has maintained her beliefs in a strong community and giving back to those in times of difficulty. Kaitlyn believes that these ideals are vital to a functional society and represents compassion and support for everyone who need it. When we share wealth, health, and compassion with others, especially those who are underserved and without financial means it is inspiring and inspires a better humanity. Kaitlyn loves reading, music, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Kaitlyn serves as a Board Member of The Willow Foundation.