I am so glad you are here! I am Hanna Epstein, CEO and co-founder of Beside Still Waters. I bring decades of clinical expertise and thoughtful leadership, guided by a deep commitment to compassionate, presence-centered care for the children of South Carolina.

My career has been shaped by years of caring for children and families during complex and vulnerable seasons of life. Those experiences inform both my clinical practice and my leadership approach—grounded in empathy, integrity, and respect for the whole person. I hold a Doctor of Nursing Practice and am a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner–Primary Care (CPNP-PC) and a Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse (CHPPN).

As a leader, I focus on building an organization that is mission-driven and operationally strong. I value collaboration, clear stewardship of resources, and thoughtful growth. I am committed to ensuring our work is sustainable, responsive, and aligned with the needs of the children and families we serve.

Outside of my professional life, I find great joy in time with my husband and our two children. I enjoy baking, penmanship and fonts, and find satisfaction in keeping a tidy home. I stay energized through Peloton workouts—simple rhythms that reflect my appreciation for care, discipline, and balance.

Welcome! We are truly so glad you are here! I am Katherine Mackey, co-founder and Director of Beside Still Waters.

I am a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-AC) with a degree from Duke University and with a special heart for serving children with life-limiting illness and their families. My God-given passion for caring for medically fragile children and their families has grown over the years through a diverse range of experiences. During my time at Wheaton College, I had a unique study-abroad experience that sparked my love for nursing and for connecting with people from all walks of life. After completing my initial nursing training in the Chicago-land area, I worked as a camp nurse in Wisconsin’s Northwoods—a role that combined care for young people with fun, engaging activities. I later moved into bedside oncology nursing and spent several years at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where I had the privilege to walk alongside children with cancer and their dedicated families. It brought me immense delight to meaningfully engage in the many difficult moments as well as in the joyful moments. Today, I’m grateful to continue serving families and children with compassion and dedication here in my hometown.

I find a calling in Paul’s words to the church at Corinth: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." ( 2 Corinthians 1:3–4, ESV italics added)

In my free time, I enjoy cooking and hosting friends and family alongside my husband, Sean. We also find rejuvenation through hiking with our pup, Olive, and through traveling!