Team: August 2015

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).

Ashley Zeck, MSW

Ashley Zeck, MSW, CMC

Geriatric Care Manager & Care Manager Certified

Ashley Zeck, originally a native of the Chicagoland area, joined Aging Care Advocates as a Geriatric Care Manager in 2019 after moving to the Tampa area. Ashley earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. While in her undergrad studies, Ashley worked for the Arlington Police Department’s Victim Services Unit, where she primarily assisted victims of domestic violence. This experience helped teach her how to empathize and assist people from a variety of different backgrounds, while also challenging her to adapt to a wide array of complex situations.

Ashley returned to Illinois upon graduating and went on to earn her Master’s degree in Social Work at Aurora University in Aurora, IL. Ashley completed dual specialization in gerontology and healthcare, while also serving as an intern with Elmhurst Hospital's case management department. This experience exposed Ashley to the process of discharging patients, setting up home care services, and working on a personal level with patients and their families.

Ashley used that experience to go on to work in-house at a skilled nursing facility as the Director of Social Work. Her primary duties included managing a team of master-level social workers and interns, who helped ensure patients were receiving specialized plans of care that were appropriate on a patient-by-patient basis. She also worked as part of the interdisciplinary team, which required her to communicate regularly with doctors, nurses, and therapists throughout the course of a patient’s care. Everything a patient needed, Ashley was there to assist with, so that patients and families could focus on their healing and rehabilitation.

Ashley is thrilled to now be advocating for the care of the geriatric population in the Tampa Bay Area. Ashley is a Care Manager Certified (CMC).

Lauren Griffin, RN, BSN, BA

Registered Nurse & Geriatric Care Manager

Lauren is a Registered Nurse, who obtained her Bachelor's degree from Loyola Marymount and BSN from Rasmussen. Her past experience working as a service representative for a medical company lead Lauren to pursue a career in nursing. While pursing her BSN, Lauren became an EMT which gave her a unique perspective of the patient experience from home to hospital. After obtaining her BSN and becoming a Registered Nurse, Lauren's experience at a local hospital’s OBS unit has been invaluable in her knowledge of medically complex cases and patient care.

Lauren is passionate about making lives better through patient advocacy. That coupled with her wonderful ability to build rapport quickly with the clients and their families makes Lauren a true asset for all she serves.

Ramey Sola, MSW

Geriatric Care Manager

Ramey Sola joined Aging Care Advocates in 2021 after moving to Tampa from Southern Indiana. She is originally from Illinois, where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Millikin University and her Master’s of Social Work degree from the University of Illinois. Her coursework throughout higher education focused on the health care system and older adult population. In 2016 she received a Behavioral Sciences Award and Social Work Merit Scholarship.

While at the University of Illinois, Ramey was chosen as a participant in Health Education and Leadership Scholarship program. During this program she helped to organize a health care policy event and attended a summit in Washington, D.C. to meet with state representatives regarding medical social work legislation.

In Ramey’s younger years, she helped her grandparents lead church service and exercise classes in nursing facilities. As she continued into her adult years, she enjoyed volunteering at a Senior Grocery Program and interning at retirement communities to assist with social activities for the residents.

Since beginning her social work career, Ramey has been successful in catering to the social, emotional, and medical care needs of patients and their families across the continuum of health care. This has included work in outpatient doctors’ offices, inpatient hospitals, and home health/hospice. Ramey is greatly looking forward to building relationships with the clients she serves as a Geriatric Care Manager with Aging Care Advocates!

Alli Maginot, MA, CMC

Geriatric Care Manager & Care Manager Certified

Alli Maginot joined Aging Care Advocates in 2021. She received Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Spanish from Miami University in Oxford, OH. Her interest in working with older adults began in undergrad when she had the opportunity to participate in a weekly program that assisted residents with dementia to complete art projects at a local long-term care facility. This peaked her interest on the subject and she went on to take electives in Gerontology to broaden her knowledge on the population. She ultimately decided to pursue a Master’s degree in Gerontology from the University of South Florida.

During her graduate program, she was able to complete an internship and later work part-time for Aging Care Advocates. She also completed an internship at a local skilled nursing facility, where she was able to gain experience in both rehab and long-term care settings. After graduation, she began working as the Social Services Assistant at another local skilled nursing facility. Within a few months of working at that facility, Alli was promoted to Social Services Director. In that role, she played an integral role in assisting the interdisciplinary team with the plan of care for each resident. During her time as the Social Services Director and in the same position elsewhere, she assisted residents from admission to discharge and worked to connect them with resources to ensure that their transition back to the community would be successful.

Alli is happy to be a part of the Aging Care Advocates team and serve the aging population.