About Us
Michigan Palliative & Hospice Care is dedicated to providing our patients and their loved ones with a clinical team that supports their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Our dedicated team of physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, medical social workers, certified home health aides, and spiritual care counselors deliver a higher level of care that families can count on during their time of need.
Bios
Medical Director, Dr. Adil Akhtar is an oncologist and palliative care expert. He is an Associate Professor for the Department of Medical Oncology & Hematology at Oakland University’s William Beaumont School of Medicine. Dr. Akhtar is Director of Inpatient Clinical Operations at Karmanos-McLaren Oakland Cancer Center in Michigan. He is Chief of the Division of Palliative & End of Life Care for Michigan Healthcare Professionals (MHP). Dr. Akhtar specializes in oncology, hematology, palliative and hospice medicine.
Dr. Akhtar received his M.B, B.S. at Dow Medical College, University of Karachi in Pakistan. His training includes a research fellowship in experimental hematopoiesis in the Department of Oncology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and a clinical fellowship in the Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, at Wayne State University in Detroit. His residency was completed at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology in Detroit.
Growing up in Pakistan, Dr. Akhtar was very sick as a child and had to undergo a lifesaving surgery. He was inspired to become a physician because he saw the passionate and empathetic way the surgeons and nurses cared for him as a patient. Dr. Akhtar believes that oncology is one field of medicine where one does not choose the specialty, rather, the specialty chooses you. Dr. Akhtar was drawn to cancer care because of the lifelong bond that is established with patients and their families at a time when they are faced with a potentially fatal disease. Dr. Akhtar has patience and persistence regarding the care of his patients- from initial diagnosis, throughout the care process, and sometimes through the hard decisions at end-of-life. He has board certifications from the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Internal Medicine – Medical Oncology. He is also board certified in palliative care and hospice. Dr. Akhtar is a recognized artist whose paintings have been shown in the United States and Pakistan.
As Chief Clinical Officer, Karma Maxwell is responsible for the clinical operations of the company. She is Board-Certified as an Adult Gerontological Nurse Practitioner. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Michigan, Flint. She worked as a Registered Nurse and nursing educator at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital for 15 years in various specialties including medical/surgical, oncology, hospice, and palliative care. She then went on to pursue her Master of Science in Nursing from Oakland University and holds a national board certification through American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as an Adult Gerontological Nurse Practitioner. Karma has worked as a Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner in the community since 2016.
Alexa Stortz is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner at MHP Palliative Care. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Oakland University. She worked as a Registered Nurse at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital for 7 years in various specialties including medical/surgical, oncology, hospice, and palliative care. She completed a Master of Science in Nursing from Purdue University Global. She has worked as a Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner in the community and in the clinic setting since 2018. Alexa holds a national board certification through American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Dayna Buiting is a Board-Certified Adult Gerontological Nurse Practitioner at MHP Palliative Care. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Oakland University. She worked as a Registered Nurse at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland for 5 years in a variety of specialties during her time there. Dayna then returned to Oakland University to complete a Master of Science in Nursing in the Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Program. Dayna works as a Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner in the community and clinic settings. Dayna holds a national board certification through American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as an Adult Gerontological Nurse Practitioner.