Sarah House Board of Directors/Trustees
Join the Sarah House Board of Directors
We are currently seeking individuals to join the Sarah House Board of Directors. If you are interested in becoming a board member or for more information, please click on the attached application form.
Crystal Decker, Chairperson
Corporate Public Relations Lead, VITAS Healthcare
Crystal Decker is a seasoned public relations expert with more than a decade of experience in marketing and communications in local, regional, and national markets. Crystal’s board membership with Sarah House marries her previous professional work in the nonprofit sector at Talbert House, the largest social service agency in Southwest Ohio, with her current role at the nation’s largest independent hospice provider, VITAS Healthcare.
A Pennsylvania native and University of Pittsburgh graduate, she has called Northern Kentucky “home” since 2011. In her personal time, Crystal enjoys traveling, playing volleyball, attending live music events, sharing culinary experiences, and spending time with loved ones.
Zach Bohannon, Vice Chair
Senior Field Representative, U.S. House of Representatives
Zach Bohannon is a Southwestern Ohio native and joined the Sarah House Board in January 2023. Zach first met Sarah Zepernick at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center while undergoing chemotherapy treatment for advanced stage IV non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The two friends’ treatment schedules often coincided, and Zach was forever touched by Sarah’s bright smile, infectious joy, positive outlook on life, and resolve in the midst of hardship.
After the miraculous completion of his cancer treatments, Zach graduated from Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (CHCA) High School and went on to receive his Bachelors degree in Mass Communication/Radio Broadcasting and a Masters of Religion/Theology from Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois. His professional background includes non-profit, teaching and speaking at various levels, Christian higher education, and government/politics. He currently serves as Senior Field Representative for a United States Congressman from Ohio.
A resident of Lebanon, Ohio, and a member of Springdale Nazarene Church in Cincinnati, Zach enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, going to the gym, singing locally, being a connoisseur of 80s/90s pop culture, attending concerts, and experiencing the heartbreak and triumph of Cincinnati sports.
As a grateful cancer survivor, Zach hopes to honor Sarah’s legacy by serving children and families in need of compassionate care through his role on the Sarah House Board.
Ariel Schmid, Secretary
Former Strategy Analyst, VITAS Healthcare
Ariel Schmid is a Cincinnati native, receiving her undergraduate degrees from the University of Cincinnati and graduate degrees from Xavier University. She has healthcare experience ranging from EMT training, direct primary care clinic back office, and an administrative residency at VITAS Healthcare, one of the nation’s leading hospice organizations, where she worked as an analyst in the Innovation & Strategy department, creating tools to ease business processes, train staff on new applications, create business models and payment policy participation plans for six years. She recently started the new adventure of full-time motherhood and is enjoying (almost) every moment.
She appreciates the integral yet undereducated end of the healthcare continuum that hospice and palliative care full into and looks forward to contributing perspectives and ideas backed by experience and passion for patient experience and creating a dignified, peaceful care experience.
Brian Neuhaus, Treasurer
Employee Benefits Consultant, USI
A proud Northern Kentucky native, Brian grew up in Edgewood and is a graduate of Covington Catholic High School and Northern Kentucky University. He and his wife, Liz, have called Covington home for nearly a decade, where they are raising their two children.
Brian currently serves as an Employee Benefits Consultant at USI. He is passionate about making a positive impact in the community and is honored to support the mission and growth of this meaningful cause.
Shawna Langworthy, RN, DNP, MBA, NEA-BC, EDAC
Vice President, HKS Inc.
Shawna Langworthy, RN, DNP, MBA, NEA-BC, EDAC, is a healthcare executive and nurse leader with more than 27 years of experience in pediatric clinical care and organizational leadership. She spent most of her career at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, serving in a variety of clinical and leadership roles, and held leadership positions at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Shawna later served as Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.
Shawna is currently a Vice President with HKS, Inc., where she is a member of the Advisory team, supporting healthcare organizations through strategy, planning, and design. Shawna is deeply passionate about advancing care for children and families and strengthening the health of the communities they serve.
Michelle Locey, CPA
Managing Member, Locey, Mitchell & Associates
Michelle has a Bachelor’s in Accountancy from Wichita State University and over 30 years of public accounting experience, five of those with a Big Four Accounting Firm.
Michelle has dedicated her entire career to public accounting, focusing on the needs of the nonprofit and affordable housing industries. Michelle volunteers actively with Junior Achievement, Little Miami school district, and the Animal Friends Humane Society.
Sarah House Advisory Board
Kim Marcum-Mercier, RN, Founder
Founder, Sarah House; RN Home Health Care and StarShine Hospice of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Rebecca R. Stringer, RN
Hospice Case Manager (27 years), All Caring Hospice
Rachel Thienprayoon, MD, Clinical Liaison
Medical Director of StarShine Hospice, Assistant Professor of Anesthesia, Member of Palliative Care Team, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Norbert Weidner, MD, Co-Founder
Past Medical Director of StarShine Hospice, Assistant Professor of Anesthesia, Member of Palliative Care Team, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center