Our Staff at BrightStar Care® North Sarasota

My wife Susan and I are the owners of BrightStar Care of North Sarasota and Manatee Counties. My curiosity and desire to understand and work with people led me to earning a degree in psychology with an emphasis in behavioral studies. Upon graduation from The University of Kentucky, I began my professional career working in sales and marketing. After years of perseverance and hard work, I earned a position as the VP of a large company in SW Florida.

My passion for helping, problem solving, and giving back to the community, led my focus toward the Private Duty Home Healthcare Industry. Susan and I have recognized and valued the support of private duty home health services in our own families over the past 40 years. So naturally we felt the need to share our stories and give the gift of “Peace of Mind” to others who are facing the challenges of aging within their own families. We have dedicated the past 13 years of our lives building BrightStar Care into the reputable and trusted agency that it is today. I hold my team to the highest standards through Florida’s Agency for Healthcare Adminstration, Joint Commision Accredidation, 24/7 RN/ live person availibility, drug screening, background checks, etc. Not all agencys are regulated by the State, so do your homework.

We have been residents of Sarasota since 2007. I enjoy spending time with my wife and 3 children, playing golf, boating, exploring nature, and of course watching football!

My husband Jeff and I the owners of BrightStar Care of North Sarasota and Manatee counties. I earned a degree in Psychology from Michigan State University. After working a couple of years in hospitals, volunteering my time to underserved populations in abuse shelters and serving as a counselor to individuals with special needs, I continued my education to pursue a Masters Degree in Social Work from The University of Pennsylvania.

Jeff, our Director of Nursing, and I opened our doors 13 years ago. Being the owner and operator of BrightStar Care has been a rewarding experience. It warms my heart to be a resource, guiding hand, and business owner in an industry that acknowledges the various needs within my communities as we provide services to individuals at all stages of life.

In my past time, I enjoy hanging out with my family, watching and playing sports, admiring vintage cars, laughing and then laughing some more...... and spending time with the elderly. In the office, I have coined the phrase that our clients are our “UNFORGOTTEN TREASURES.” Spending time with our clients has allowed me to learn their stories, absorb their wisdom, and respect their accomplishments. I love what we do!

As the Director of Operations, it is my responsibility to ensure that BrightStar Care’s overall goals, objectives, and mission are carried out through daily operations, while maintaining excellent customer service and care.

My experience and enthusiasm to help people began at an early age while helping to take care of my ailing Grandmother for 9 years. My family and I were grateful for the peace of mind the caregivers brought to our family and wanted to give back the same gift to my community. I have worked in the healthcare field since 2010 and have loved every minute! So now my own passion and mission have come full circle as the Director of Operations for BrightStar Care serving Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

I enjoy spending time with my nieces and nephews. I love to spoil them by taking them shopping or surprising them with gifts. I believe the most rewarding part about working in healthcare is providing clients with the compassionate care they deserve. I feel proud that they and their families entrust BrightStar Care to support and help them along their journey to recovery and independence.

I have enjoyed working for BrightStar Care since 2018. Within my role as Director of Nursing, I draw on my rich and extensive background in Medsurg and Home Health Nursing to drive strategic initiatives, ensure regulatory compliance, and cultivate a culture of excellence within the healthcare organization. I posses a strong passion for innovation and a dedication to enhance patient outcomes! I chose BrightStar Care because I am able to navigate the evolving landscape of healthcare in partnership with skilled, knowledgeable, and caring coworkers. I appreciate BrightStar Care’s professional development opportunities, positive work environment, and the good fortune to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.

I feel rewarded and blessed with the opportunity to build meaningful connections with patients and their families. It is a privilege to be s trusted nurse to individuals during some of their most vulnerable moments to provide comfort, compassion, and support. Being a personal witness and seeing the positive impact of care, improved health and recovery, followed by the client’s smile is powerful. Knowing that I played a role in their journey towards wellness is incredibly fulfilling.

In my free time, I enjoy traveling and spending quality time with family and friends. I am passionate about exploring nutrition, maintaining fitness, delving into literature, and expressing creativity through painting and cultivating serenity in my garden.

With a robust background in senior care and a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for older adults, Bianca is a dedicated professional in the private duty home health sector. She started working for BrightStar in the early summer 2024. Currently, Bianca leverages extensive experience gained as a Senior Care Advisor in the placement industry to deliver compassionate, personalized care solutions for clients and their families needing private duty home health.

Bianca's career began in the medical field as a Medical Assistant serving the Geriatric population. Her passion for supporting and caring for senior's led her to start a career in the placement industry, where she gained skills in assessing individual needs, navigating complex care options, and providing tailored recommendations for senior living arrangements. This experience equipped Bianca with a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by seniors and their families, as well as a keen ability to connect clients with appropriate care services and resources to keep them safe. 

Transitioning to her role in private duty home health, Bianca now applies this expertise to ensure that clients receive the highest level of personalized care in the comfort of their own homes. By combining a comprehensive knowledge of care options with a genuine passion for supporting seniors, Bianca continues to make a meaningful impact in the field of senior care. She notes that every day, no matter that challenges she may face, is rewarding when serving seniors in need of compassionate care and support. 

After a year and a half as a referral partner, I joined BrightStar to take a more active role in providing personalized care. My background in senior care placements gave me deep insights into client needs, and now I’m eager to directly influence and enhance care quality. This shift allows me to apply my expertise hands-on, ensuring exceptional service and tailored care plans for each client. Bianca mentions her loyalty to the team over the past year is a testimony to the team of caregivers and direct involvement of owner's Susan and Jeff.  

In her free time, Bianca enjoys spending time with her three dogs and backyard chickens. She also enjoys going to the beach and spending time on the boat. Bianca also spends time volunteering with various local charities as well as a few senior focused initiatives in the community.

I have been an employee of BrightStar Care since 2016! From starting off helping with administrative work to years later running the Marketing department, I feel thankful to be a part of such a dedicated, loyal and hard working team. With a degree in Marketing and Communications, I enjoy spreading BrightStar Care’s message and mission through my creative lens across our social media accounts and throughout our community. The most rewarding part of my job is being able to connect with the viewer through the graphics I create and networking within our great Sarasota community. I love being able to bring the BrightStar Care vision to life! In my free time, I enjoy spending time at the beach, hanging out with friends and family, taking photos, traveling, and of course shopping!

This is my first year with BrightStar Care, where I bring 8 years of scheduling knowledge and 25 years of CNA experience to the team. I chose to be a part of BrightStar Care due to the empathy and compassion the company holds. Something that sets BrightStar Care apart from the rest is their 24/7 availability and their attention to detail with each and every client. I believe the most rewarding part of working in the healthcare field is getting the opportunity to provide services that can make a difference in others’ lives. Providing care at the highest standard is something we do not take lightly and we feel grateful to have a positive impact on our community. In my free time, I love spending time with family and watching my grandchildren grow! 

I am entering my Junior year of school at Trinity College in Hartford, CT where I am a student athlete studying Psychology. While I am home for the summer, I am interning with BrightStar Care, assisting in many different parts of the company. When I am not on the football field or in the classroom, I love working out, spending time with friends, and beating my dad in golf!