Team

Monday, August 10, 2015

Genevieve Faulk

Genevieve Faulk, LCSW, MSW, CMC, C-ASWCM, CSA

Owner/CEO

Genevieve Faulk is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Georgia. She earned a graduate Certification in Gerontology from the Gerontology Center at the University of Georgia and a Certification in Geriatric Care Management through the University of Florida. Genevieve also is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and is a current member of the following organizations: Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) (formerly called the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers), Aging Life Care Association Florida Chapter, National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Florida Health Care Social Workers Association (FHCSWA), and Society of Certified Senior Advisors (CSA).

Genevieve is a Certified Family Mediator with the Supreme Court of Florida and received a Certificate in Elder Care Mediation Training from the Conflict Resolution Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. Genevieve works with seniors and their families in conflict centered around reaching a resolution with regards to the care needs of the senior.

In addition to her education, Genevieve's experiences in the field of aging have been very diverse. They include the following: nursing homes, hospital based geriatric case management programs, community councils on aging, grant proposals for aging issues, ombudsman programs and abuse investigations, Alzheimer's adult day care programs, home based services, and caregiver support groups. Education, experience, compassion and sincere care for the elderly and aging issues enable Genevieve to establish a trusting and respectful relationship with the older adult and their family members, as well as, other professionals in the aging field.

Genevieve opened her private geriatric care management practice in 2002 after seeing seniors "fall through the cracks" within the health care system. Genevieve's goal at Aging Care Advocates is to improve the quality of life of older adults and their entire family system. Soon after opening her practice, Genevieve discovered that there was a great need for this type of service so much so that Genevieve's business has grown over the years from a sole practice to a team of expert geriatric care managers all having diverse backgrounds in the aging field.

Genevieve manages and oversees all care management cases with her primary goal being to provide the best quality of care to clients of Aging Care Advocates.

Katie Colwell Williams

Katie Colwell Williams, MA, CMC

Director of Advocacy Services & Care Manager Certified

Katie Colwell Williams has been with Aging Care Advocates since 2006. She is a Care Manager Certified (CMC) and is the Directory of Advocacy Services for all the clients served by Aging Care Advocates. Prior to working with Aging Care Advocates, Katie graduated Cum Laude from the University of Florida with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and a minor, as well as, a Certification in Gerontology. Katie also served as a research assistant at the University of Florida during a pain study, which examined behavioral pain indicators of cognitively impaired older adults.

Katie completed an extensive amount of volunteer work in assisted living facilities in Gainesville while completing her undergraduate degree. It was through her volunteer work that Katie discovered her passion for working with older adults. Thus, Katie went on to receive her Master's in Gerontology from the University of South Florida. Her graduate focus was in the area of Case Management. Following her Master's degree, Katie worked with the West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging as a Medicaid Waiver Specialist. This experience allowed Katie not only to learn about the many of the resources available to older adults in the Tampa Bay Area, but helped her to gain expertise of the Medicaid Waiver Program, as well as, extensive knowledge of the participating facilities throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Katie is a very compassionate, caring and dedicated care manager. She gives her all in everything she does, which allows her to not only gain the trust and faith of our clients, but their family members as well. Katie strives to make certain that all her clients have the best quality of life possible.

Michelle Abdel-Aziz

Michelle Abdel-Aziz, LCSW, MSW, CMC

Certified Family Mediator, Geriatric Care Manager & Care Manager Certified

Michelle Abdel-Aziz has been with Aging Care Advocates since 2013 and serves Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco counties. Michelle earned her Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Indiana University. As an undergrad, she worked for various social service agencies and participated in volunteer work. She gained experience with domestic violence crisis prevention, homelessness prevention and the psycho-social needs of those residing in nursing facilities.

After graduation, Michelle worked at the local Area Agency on Aging as a case manager. She helped elders gain access to Medicaid waiver services. These services assisted her clients in securing independence in their own homes. In addition to this position, Michelle was also appointed as a board member on the South Central Community Action Program.

She went on to earn her Master's degree in Social Work with a specialization in Geriatrics at the University of Louisville. While obtaining her Master's degree, Michelle was accepted into the Foundation Practicums Partnership Program. The partnership program consisted of two rotating practicums. The first was working with a non-profit guardianship agency as a case manager. The second was as a social worker of an interdisciplinary team administering various cognitive testing at the University of Louisville Geriatric Treatment Evaluation Center.

After graduation, Michelle worked full time at the guardianship agency as a case manager where she continually educated families and those under her agency's care on issues such as: dementia care, disease process, safety assessments, and living options.

Prior to joining Aging Care Advocates, Michelle worked as the Social Service Director at a rehabilitation center in the Tampa Bay area and as a social worker for a local home health care agency. These experiences extended her continuing commitment and understanding of the care needs and desires of our aging population, their families, and the services available to them both. Michelle ensures that each individual is treated with dignity and respect while maintaining their optimum quality of life.

Michelle is a Certified Family Mediator with the Supreme Court of Florida. In this capacity, Michelle works with seniors and their families in conflict centered around reaching a resolution with regards to the care needs of the senior. Michelle is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). She is a Care Manager Certified (CMC) and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Jamie Cooney

Jamie Cooney, MSW, CMC

Geriatric Care Manager & Care Manager Certified

Jamie Cooney has been with Aging Care Advocates since 2014 and serves clients in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Her passion for the aging population grew early on while visiting her grandparents each summer at a retirement community. She sought out an education that would give her the tools to improve the quality of life for older adults.

Jamie graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Gerontology from Towson University in Towson, MD. As an undergrad, she interned and volunteered at a senior center where she planned and implemented activities for seniors. Jamie then went on to get her Master's degree in Social Work at SUNY Albany in Albany, NY. As an "Internships in Aging Project" Scholarship recipient, she had the opportunity to have both her classes and fieldwork focused in aging. As a graduate student, she interned at a senior services office and a nursing home, where she learned about the services, and benefits available to help older adults age in place.

After completing her education Jamie moved to Florida to pursue a career working with the aging population. Prior to working with Aging Care Advocates, Jamie was the Director of Social Services at a continuing care retirement community in Lakeland, FL. As Director of Social Services, Jamie coordinated the resident discharge planning process, connected seniors to the appropriate home care services, and provided social support and counseling to both the residents and their families. She also assisted residents and families in applying for Medicaid benefits. Through this position Jamie learned the significance of being a resident advocate, and providing support to residents and families as they transition through different levels of care.

Jamie is dedicated to improving the quality of life of older adults both in the community, and facilities. She is an advocate for seniors aging in place safely with dignity, and providing the support older adults and their families need to navigate through the healthcare system. Jamie is a Care Manager Certified (CMC).

Mikaela Sandrik

Mikaela Wehby, MSW, CMC

Geriatric Care Manager & Care Manager Certified

Mikaela Wehby has been with Aging Care Advocates since 2016 and serves Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Mikaela earned her Master’s degree in Social Work and a Minor in Family and Child Sciences from Florida State University. During her graduate and undergraduate programs, Mikaela also worked as a Victim Advocate with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. As a Victim Advocate, Mikaela provided crisis intervention and grief/bereavement counseling to victims and their families. She then moved on to intern with the Liver Transplant Department at The Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. Working within the transplant setting, Mikaela compassionately advocated for and addressed the needs of patients with life-limiting illnesses.

More recently, Mikaela was nominated for Social Worker of the Year at Tampa General Hospital where she worked as a social worker on the ACE Unit (Acute Care of the Elderly). As a medical social worker, Mikaela acted as a critical member of the interdisciplinary team. She evaluated and addressed the complex needs and concerns of patients and families through psycho-social assessments. She provided services and resources to patients and their families in an effort to optimize the patient’s ability to cope with their medical condition, optimize treatment, and participate in their plan of care. Mikaela holds a wealth of knowledge in regards to discharge planning especially as it pertains to seniors.

Mikaela is known for her strong communication skills along with the innate ability to develop a therapeutic rapport. She has a passion for working with the geriatric population and consistently approaches all tasks positively and compassionately. Mikaela is a Care Manager Certified (CMC).

Paige Griffin, MSW, CMC

Geriatric Care Manager & Care Manager Certified

Paige Griffin has been with Aging Care Advocates since 2018 and serves Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Her passion for Gerontology began at a young age while spending time with her grandparents and their friends. One of her fondest memories serving seniors at a young age was volunteering for Meals on Wheels in Bradenton, FL alongside her grandfather.

Paige received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a Minor in Gerontology from the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL. Paige then went on to study clinical social work and received her Master’s degree in Social Work from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL. During her graduate program, Paige served as an intern at Morse Life Skilled Nursing Facility, where she learned about the services available in the community for adults recovering from illness, injury, and surgical procedures. Paige also completed an 8 month internship with Hospice of Palm Beach County where she served as an integral part of the interdisciplinary team for clients at the end stage of life. Her time at hospice allowed Paige to gain knowledge in grief counseling, Medicaid services/enrollment, and community resources. Her caseload allowed her to work closely with the homeless population, as well as, many different cultures that look at end of life issues differently. Her experience helping those with terminal illness strengthened her passion to help others.

Upon the completion of her degree, Paige accepted a position as a Recovery Care Coordinator for a skilled nursing facility in Wellington, FL. In this position, Paige served as the face of the interdisciplinary team to provide clients with a comprehensive look into their care, as well as, ongoing support and advocacy. Through this role, Paige was able to facilitate care for clients during their rehabilitation and prepare for their transition home. Paige assisted with access to care for her clients and ensured that he needs of these individuals were met.

Paige is devoted to providing compassionate care to older adults and strives to help improve the quality of life for her clients. Paige is overjoyed to be working with a group of professionals that share her passion for enriching the lives of seniors. Paige is a Care Manager Certified (CMC).

Ashley L'Huillier, MA

Ashley L'Huillier, MA, CMC

Geriatric Care Manager & Care Manager Certified

Ashley L’Huillier joined Aging Care Advocates in 2019 shortly after obtaining her Master's in Gerontology. Prior to that, Ashley obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida. Ashley was the recipient of the USF Harold L. Sheppard Endowed Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is presented each year to the student in the M.A. program in Gerontology who has demonstrated the highest level of academic performance and promise as a gerontologist.

During her time in both these academic programs, Ashley worked in various academic research labs. Her most rewarding research experiences were working in the EEG lab studying event-related potentials (ERPs) and neural motivation systems and in the cognitive aging and neurophysiology of an aging lab where Ashley focused on the cultural and individual differences that contribute to cognitive impairment. Ashley also volunteered with the University of South Florida's Technology Assistance Group (TAG). In this role, Ashley traveled to assisted living facilities monthly to help older adult residents resolve technology concerns.

Prior to finishing her M.A. degree, Ashley worked for a CPA firm, where she assisted older clients with VA applications, IRS documents, bill paying, among various other tasks.

Ashley is ecstatic to be a part of the Aging Care Advocates team and has a strong passion for helping improve the quality of lives for our clients and their families. Ashley is a Care Manager Certified (CMC).