Cast & Crew

Mike Wargo

Director, Producer

As Chief Operating Officer of the Hospice Foundation, the supporting foundation of the Center for Hospice Care and U.S. partner of the Palliative Care Association of Uganda, Mike is actively engaged in promoting the Foundation's work to audiences throughout the U.S. and around the world. Whether through film, print or speaking engagements, he is continually working to raise awareness of the important work being performed by hospice and palliative care professionals as they strive to improve the quality of living of those for whom they provide care and comfort. Prior to joining the Hospice Foundation, Mike spent his career working in the higher education, banking and hospitality industries as well as spearheading an assortment of entrepreneurial ventures. Mike earned his Certificate in Non Profit Executive Leadership from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame and associate and bachelor’s degrees from Indiana University South Bend. He currently serves on a number of not-for-profit boards, including the Michiana Public Broadcasting Corporation/WNIT Public Television. He resides in Granger, Indiana with his wife, Dena, and three children: Michael, Grant and Blair.
View Mike's IMDb page here: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4677558/

Ted Mandell

Director, Editor

If it’s on TV, in the news or at the movies, chances are Mandell has something to say about it. A member of the faculty of Notre Dame’s Department of Film, Television, and Theatre (FTT), he has for more than 20 years worked with budding filmmakers, teaching them the art of film and video production and spearheading Notre Dame’s annual Student Film Festival. A keen observer of the media and cultural landscape, he also is a regular columnist for the Indianapolis Star, for which he writes about anything from the perils of reality television to the societal implications of violence on TV. He also is the author of two books – “Heart stoppers and Hail Marys” and the children’s story “I Play for Notre Dame.”
View Ted's IMDb page here: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1979087/

Jacob Griswold

Assistant Director, Boom Operator, Camera Operator

A New York and Pennsylvania-based professional filmmaker and videographer, Jacob has a passion for creating work that makes a difference and stands out. Whether he is traveling abroad to shoot a documentary or producing a small-town drama, Jacob's goal is to captivate audiences and leave viewers with something to think about. With a wealth of experience behind the lens, Jacob knows what it takes to tell compelling stories.
View Jacob's IMDb page here: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3814362/

Michelle Carlisle Lee

Assistant Director, Boom Operator, Camera Operator

A filmmaker and video producer from the northern suburbs of Chicago, Michelle graduated magna cum laude from the Honors Program at the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Film, Television & Theatre. She's passionate about using the power of creative media to reach people in a meaningful way. When she's not making films, Michelle enjoys traveling, playing bass guitar, playing volleyball, and singing. She is the co-founder of Response, Inc., a small nonprofit organization developed to help feed and educate children in central Uganda. Currently, Michelle is living in Northern Indiana with her husband Mike. She is available for freelance work on narrative films, documentaries, videography, photography, and design throughout the midwest.
View Michelle's IMDb page here: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4614036/

Rose Kiwanuka

National Coordinator for the Palliative Care Association of Uganda

The film documents Rose's travels throughout the country as she works to train, support and encourage the nation's 120 palliative care professionals by working alongside them to care for patients living in remote villages. While not spending time in the field, Rose is recruiting health care workers to join her in this important work and advocating in support of palliative care issues with parliamentarians and other government officials. The film follows her journey and that of other specially-trained nurses as they work to relieve the physical, emotional and spiritual pain of patients and their families while at the same time respecting the cultural beliefs and traditions of those for whom they care. While many may find all this a hopeless task, Rose operates with the simple philosophy that, “We do as much as we can, as well as we can, with the little we have.”