Our People
Executive Team
Joe Schifano
PRESIDENT/CEO
Joe Schifano is the President/CEO of Dependable Health Services. In his role, Joe manages all aspects of the companies that comprise Dependable Health Services in-home healthcare. Joe has many years of experience in home health care as he began his career in 1986. Although Joe has a sense of passion and urgency for home health care services, he is also well involved with the Tucson community in civic activities. These activities include Tucson Conquistadores President; board member with Playability Toys, and advisory committee member for the Tanque Verde School District.
Tom Pepping
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Tom Pepping is the Chief Financial Officer for Dependable Health Services. In his role, Tom manages all aspects of Finance including Revenue Cycle, Information Systems, Human Resources, Accounts Payable, Payroll, and Contracting. Tom Pepping is no stranger to healthcare, having spent the past 40 years as a Finance Executive where he oversees the financial direction of the numerous companies he has worked for throughout his career.
Rebecca A. Mott-McCarthy MHA, MSN, RN, CHPN, CHPCA, CWS
CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICER
Rebecca A. Mott-McCarthy is an accomplished and solidly credentialed senior-level Healthcare Leader with expansive expertise in strategic growth initiatives in a variety of healthcare settings, including Palliative Care, Home Health, and Hospice.
She has a proven track record of success as a respected leader known for 20 + years of experience in hospice operations, clinical operations, compliance and quality management, innovative clinical program development, and working with high-risk organizations to mitigate damages due to external audits. She is also a certified change agent dedicated to building robust clinical programs through developing a framework that strengthens an agency’s business plan by enhancing consumer outcomes and clinical experience leading to resiliency.
Dependable Health Services looks forward to continuing to benefit from her leadership, vast experience in the healthcare field, and proven notable outcomes.
Dr. Philip Maharaj-Prasad, M.D., M.B.A.
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Dr. Philip Maharaj-Prasad is a board-certified physician and seasoned Medical Director
with over 14 years of clinical and leadership experience in hospice, home health, and
hospital medicine. He specializes in patient-centered, end-of-life care and leads
interdisciplinary teams to improve outcomes and uphold dignity during critical
transitions.
Holding an Executive MBA in Healthcare from the University of Arizona and an M.D.
with honors, Dr. Maharaj-Prasad blends medical expertise with strategic insight to
enhance care delivery and regulatory compliance. Fluent in Hindi and proficient in EMR
systems like EPIC and Cerner, he brings a well-rounded, culturally competent approach
to care.
Outside of work, he enjoys golf, autocross, movies, and spending time with his family.
Tiffany Gates
QUALITY DIRECTOR
Tom Pepping is the Chief Financial Officer with Dependable Health Services. In his role, Tom manages all aspects of Finance including Revenue Cycle, Information Systems and Supply Chain. Tom Pepping is no stranger to Healthcare, having spent the past 31 years as a Finance executive where he oversees the financial direction of the numerous companies he has worked for throughout his career.
Jaime Miracolo
REGIONAL CLINICAL DIRECTOR - Tucson and Nogales
With a lifelong dedication to elderly care, Jaime began her healthcare career at age 18 as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Patient Care Technician. At 25, she advanced to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, and by age 34, she earned her Registered Nurse credentials. Her journey has been driven by a passion for providing compassionate, high-quality care to the aging population, and she brings decades of hands-on experience and clinical knowledge to every aspect of her work.
Lani Andres
REGIONAL CLINICAL DIRECTOR - Nevada and Phoenix
Tom Pepping is the Chief Financial Officer with Dependable Health Services. In his role, Tom manages all aspects of Finance including Revenue Cycle, Information Systems and Supply Chain. Tom Pepping is no stranger to Healthcare, having spent the past 31 years as a Finance executive where he oversees the financial direction of the numerous companies he has worked for throughout his career.
Kyle Purdom
CLINICAL MANAGER
Tom Pepping is the Chief Financial Officer with Dependable Health Services. In his role, Tom manages all aspects of Finance including Revenue Cycle, Information Systems and Supply Chain. Tom Pepping is no stranger to Healthcare, having spent the past 31 years as a Finance executive where he oversees the financial direction of the numerous companies he has worked for throughout his career.
Neena Lopez
NOGALES SITE DIRECTOR
Tom Pepping is the Chief Financial Officer with Dependable Health Services. In his role, Tom manages all aspects of Finance including Revenue Cycle, Information Systems and Supply Chain. Tom Pepping is no stranger to Healthcare, having spent the past 31 years as a Finance executive where he oversees the financial direction of the numerous companies he has worked for throughout his career.
Board of Directors
Joe Schifano
Joe Schifano is the President/CEO of Dependable Health Services. In his role, Joe manages all aspects of the companies that comprise Dependable Health Services in-home healthcare. Joe has many years of experience in home health care as he began his career in 1986. Although Joe has a sense of passion and urgency for home health care services, he is also well involved with the Tucson community in civic activities. These activities include Tucson Conquistadores President; board member with Playability Toys, and advisory committee member for the Tanque Verde School District.
Pam Schifano
Pam considers herself a native of Tucson as she moved here as a young child in a military family. After graduation, Pam began a career in the legal field, eventually earning her certification as a legal assistant. After marrying and having two daughters, she became active in her community and has served on several different philanthropic boards such as Catholic Community Services and Imago Dei Middle School, as well as joining the board for Dependable Health Services. She assisted in raising funds for the Tanque Verde School District and their Educational Enrichment Foundation. In 2007, Pam was asked to join Angel Charity for Children, where she is still a member today and also currently sits on the board for the Gooter Jensen Foundation which works to benefit research for sudden cardiac death. Pam remains very active in supporting many local community organizations that help benefit the residents of her community, both young and old. Pam is an avid reader and also enjoys traveling.
Tom Pepping
Tom Pepping is the Chief Financial Officer for Dependable Health Services. In his role, Tom manages all aspects of Finance including Revenue Cycle, Information Systems, Human Resources, Accounts Payable, Payroll, and Contracting. Tom Pepping is no stranger to healthcare, having spent the past 40 years as a Finance Executive where he oversees the financial direction of the numerous companies he has worked for throughout his career.
Michael Duran
Michael Duran recently retired as Vice President and Chief Development Officer for TMC HealthCare and the TMC Foundation after serving in that capacity for 16 years. Currently, Michael is a consulting Vice President with the Bryant Group, a national executive search firm specializing in higher education and health care. Michael has served on numerous boards and committees in Tucson, including BBVA Compass Bank, the TUSD Blue Ribbon Committee and is currently serving on the board of the Rialto Theatre Foundation and is an emeritus member of the Tucson Airport Authority. Michael has committed his professional life to improving the lives of others as demonstrated in his work with underserved populations improving the health of our community and in advocating for a stronger education system. Michael received his associate degree from Pima Community College and his business and law degrees from the University of Arizona. Michael and his wife enjoy the performing arts, travel, and outdoors.
MaryAnn Juarez, MSN, BSN, RN
MaryAnn Juarez brings 23 years of her expertise in clinical nursing to the Board of Directors. MaryAnn is a transformational leader with a vision and a passion for people as shown in her commitment to providing excellent patient care in the safest and most effective manner possible. MaryAnn earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix and her Master of Science in Nursing Leadership from the Grand Canyon University. Her compassion and dedication in providing access to care for the most vulnerable population is what she strives for daily. In her spare time, MaryAnn enjoys cooking, wine tasting with a group of friends and above all spending time with her grandkids.
Roy Farrell, MD
Dr. Roy Farrell earned his MD from Temple University School of Medicine in 1972. Most recently, Dr. Farrell was the Chief Medical Officer at Holy Cross Hospital in Nogales, Arizona. Dr. Farrell has served in Tucson and Seattle as an emergency physician for 45 years. In addition, he is the author of one book and several articles on Emergency Medicine topics. Dr. Farrell’s hobbies and interests include serving on the Board of the Friends of Tubac Presidio State Park,, mountain biking, bird watching, gardening, and adventure traveling.
Basil “Base” Horner
Base Horner is a Co-founder of Arch Partners LLC, an early-stage seed fund, and past Screening Panel Chairman, Board Member, and Secretary and Treasurer for the Desert Angels Inc., one of the largest angel investment groups in the country. After 15 years on Wall Street as a senior member in the Corporate Finance Departments of two major Investment Banks, he Co- founded US Capital Partners LLC, a boutique investment banking firm formed to provide middle- market companies with first-class advisory services. Financial advisory experience includes sale and divestiture assignments, strategic mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, financial restructurings, takeover defense assignments, and valuation and capital structure studies. Financing transaction experience includes private placements of common and preferred stock, subordinated and convertible debt, and senior term and revolving credit facilities. Base received his BA degree with Honors in Business Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara and an MBA degree with Honors in Finance and Marketing from the University of Chicago.
David C. Smallhouse
David Smallhouse is a fifth generation Tucsonan, graduated from the University of California at Davis with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics and from the University of Arizona with a Master of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics. David currently is the Managing Partner of Miramar Ventures, LLC, a firm involved in agribusiness, real estate, private equity, and venture capital investments. Miramar Ventures is also an active investor in angel and early-stage ventures. Its portfolio includes bio-life sciences, drug development, software, clean tech, and medical device companies, many with close ties to the University of Arizona and/or the Arizona Tech Investors,. Additionally, he is a partner in Arch Partners, LLC, an active seed venture investment company. He serves as on the boards of Playability Toys, Western Alaska Copper & Gold Company, and I.Me.Mine Digital. Current civic activities include Board Member of Salpointe Catholic High School, Director of the University of Arizona’s Tech Launch Arizona, Treasurer and Executive Board Member of Sun Corridor, Inc., Board Member of Start Up Tucson, Trustee of the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, Board Member of the Tucson Medical Center Hospital, and a Member of the Eller College National Board of Advisors. David is also a Member of the Tucson Airport Authority, and the Tucson Conquistadores.
Mark H. Smith
Mark Smith is a native of Tucson having been born and raised in the Old Pueblo. Mark is an investor and has opened and been an investor in several restaurants including Frank’s Restaurant, Renee’s Organic Oven, and the Eclectic Café throughout the years. Mark has a passion for delivering meals to home-bound Tucsonans and as such, has been actively involved with Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona since 1988. Mark enjoys traveling, cooking, and playing tennis in his free time.
Oscar Lizardi
Attorney Oscar Lizardi brings more than three decades of legal experience, including 15 years as trusted legal counsel to Dependable Health Services, where he has advised on corporate governance, compliance, and complex business matters with a steady focus on long-term stability and risk mitigation. Beyond his legal work, Oscar is deeply committed to public and community service across Arizona, having served in numerous leadership and advisory roles at the state level, including the Governor’s Southern Arizona Hispanic Advisory Committee and the Arizona State Board of Directors for Community Colleges. His extensive civic engagement spans education, healthcare, children and family advocacy, and economic development through organizations such as the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, University of Arizona Law College Association, Children’s Action Alliance, and many others, often as board chair or president. Oscar’s career reflects a consistent dedication to strengthening institutions, both public and private, while advancing the well-being of the communities they serve.
Bob Smith
Mark Smith is a native of Tucson having been born and raised in the Old Pueblo. Mark is an investor and has opened and been an investor in several restaurants including Frank’s Restaurant, Renee’s Organic Oven, and the Eclectic Café throughout the years. Mark has a passion for delivering meals to home-bound Tucsonans and as such, has been actively involved with Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona since 1988. Mark enjoys traveling, cooking, and playing tennis in his free time.
