Our People - Care Manager Profiles

Q&A:

Nancy Hickman, BSW, MA, CMC
Director of Client Services

Nancy Hickman graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Ohio State University. She spent her early years as a Social Worker in Ohio involved in human service program development. In 1977 Nancy began her work as a Hospital Social Worker by developing a Department of Social Services.

Nancy has served as a hospital Social Worker in many places helping patients with aftercare plans, grief counseling and referrals to community-based services. Nancy also was a member of a multi-disciplinary Geriatric Diagnostic Team at Medical University of South Carolina.

Nancy has been with Eldercare Services since 1994. She became Care Manager Certified in 2002 and is a member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. Nancy is the Director of Client Services for Eldercare Services.

Supervisors

Nancy Chaknova, MSW, LCSW, CMC
Professional Geriatric Care Manager Supervisor

Nancy has an undergraduate degree in psychological social welfare from UC Berkeley and a Master’s degree in social work from San Diego State. She has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 1984.

With more than 35 years of experience in geriatrics, Nancy has directed geriatric services for Jewish & Family Services of the East Bay, Satellite Senior Housing, and the Masonic Home for Adults. Nancy has supervised clinical staff and coordinated trainings with Psychiatrists and Clinical Specialists. Nancy became a Care Manager at Eldercare Services in 2000. She became a Care Manager Supervisor in 2001 and Care Manager Certified in 2003. Nancy has facilitated many Alzheimer’s support groups for Eldercare Services as well as serving on several Bio-Ethics and Aging Groups in Southern Alameda County.

Patti Liberman, RN, MA, MFT, CMC
Professional Geriatric Care Manager Supervisor

Patti has been a Registered Nurse since 1974. Believing early on that the mind and body have a profound effect upon each other, Patti returned to school and obtained her Master’s degree in psychology in 1989 and became licensed as a Marriage Family Therapist in 1992. Her past experience includes a private therapy practice and work in medical as well as psychiatric hospitals, clinics, and home health agencies. Patti’s well-established nursing background makes her a committed and astute medical advocate for her clients. Her expertise as a family therapist makes her a caring and skillful guide for clients and families who are experiencing conflict or confusion when making difficult decisions and facing issues of aging.

Patti has been with Eldercare Services since 2001 and is certified by the National Association of Certified Care Managers. Patti is a member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Managers. She loves her work as a Care Manager and a Supervisor of Care Managers. She also oversees the “Extra Hand” program for Rossmoor residents.

In her spare time Patti loves dancing, hiking, and, bicycling with her family and friends and she is a certified Emergency Rescue Trained (CERT) Volunteer for the Town of Moraga.

Eileen Nevitt, LCSW, ACSW, CMC
Professional Geriatric Care Manager Supervisor

Eileen Boisen Nevitt LCSW, ACSW, CMC received her Master’s degree in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago in 1976. During the past thirty-two years, Eileen has worked extensively in the areas of psychiatric and medical social work in both hospital and community-based settings. Her hospital tenures include work at Northwestern University Medical Center in Chicago, St. Francis Hospital in San Francisco, and John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. During the past fourteen years, she has combined her knowledge of the psychosocial aspects of chronic illness with growing expertise in geriatric care management.

In addition to her current work as a Care Manager Supervisor at Eldercare Services, Eileen facilitates both the Contra Costa County Support Group and the East Bay Support Group for ALS patients and families, both of which meet monthly. She is the consultant for Patient and Family Services at the Bay Area Chapter of the ALS Association and serves on the Advisory Boards for the Contra County Support Group and the newly developed Carlton Plaza Assisted Living in Sacramento. Eileen has lectured to both the public and to professionals on issues related to aging, chronic illness, and mental health issues. Eileen possesses a unique knowledge of ALS and the care management model. She has been with Eldercare Services as a Professional Geriatric Care Manager for over 13 years.

Eileen Zagelow, BA, CMC
Professional Geriatric Care Manager Supervisor

Eileen received her BA in 1995 from John F. Kennedy University with an emphasis in psychology. She has 29 years of experience serving the geriatric population. She has been involved in healthcare and related fields all of her professional life. Eileen has been with Eldercare Services since 1993 and became a certified Geriatric Care Manager in 1997. In 2002, Eileen became a Care Manager Supervisor.

As one of our resident specialists in Alzheimer’s and dementia care issues, she provides extensive community education including instruction for the American Society on Aging. She also facilitates many support groups for the Alzheimer’s Association, Eldercare Services and many other organizations.

Professional Geriatric Care Managers

Vickie Bellingham, RN, BSN, PHN, CMC
Professional Geriatric Care Manager

Vickie graduated from University of California at San Francisco with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. She became a Registered Nurse in 1965. For 35 years she has served the geriatric population in Home Health and Assisted Living settings. She held Patient Care Coordinator and Director of Clinical Services positions at local Hospices. Her extensive nursing experience makes her particularly incisive in client assessments, advocacy, medical settings and proactive health recommendations.

Vickie joined Eldercare Services in 2005. She became Care Manager Certified in 2007.

When Vickie isn’t at Eldercare or with a client, she is volunteering her time by singing with her “old time folk with a little bit of country” band “Around the Bend” in senior community settings.

Julianna Dickey, MSW, LCSW, CMC
Professional Geriatric Care Manager

Juli received her Master’s of Social Work in 1976 and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Arkansas in 1982. She obtained her California license in 1990. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the Academy of Certified Social Workers. Juli has more than 22 years of experience working with seniors. Part of that experience includes Adult Day Care Programs both in direct patient care and as a program supervisor. Her background includes psychotherapy and clinical treatment.

Juli joined Eldercare Services as a Professional Geriatric Care Manager in 2001. She became Care Manager Certified in 2003.

Juli is musically inclined with beautiful piano and vocal abilities. Her environmental and social work interest combine in her volunteer efforts with inner-city youth.

Sylvia Gandolfo, MSW, CMC
Professional Geriatric Care Manager

Sylvia received her Master’s of Social Work from UC Berkeley with a focus on Gerontology. Her undergraduate studies centered on Human Development and Sociology. She has spent several years with Hospice of the East Bay. Her background includes experience as the Director of Social Services of an independent living facility HUD subsidiary for seniors and disabled adults.

For 13 years, she taught in an environment that involved extensive work with children and their families. She participated in the development and execution of the Senior Fraud Fighters Forum.

Sylvia has been an Eldercare Professional Geriatric Care Manager since 2003. She became a Care Manager Certified in 2006.

 

Chris Rose-Franks, PTA, MPA, CMC
Outreach Care Manager

Chris has been involved in the geriatric arena since 1990. A licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, she earned her BS in Kinesiology and Physical Education and MPA with an emphasis in Health Care Administration from Cal State Hayward (now East Bay).

Since becoming a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant in 1990, her clinical physical therapy experience is in a variety of settings including outpatient, acute care, skilled nursing, and rehab centers. Her initial desire to be involved in sports medicine quickly became a career of caring for and serving seniors. She has had the good fortune of having strong relationships with her grandparents, which fueled her desire to do the work that she now does so passionately. Her hands-on therapy training evolved and grew into an aspiration to make a difference in Administration and Assisted Living Operations, a challenging and rewarding profession in a constantly changing environment. As she interacted and collaborated with Eldercare Services’ Care Managers while working in other positions, she knew becoming a Care Manager was the right role for her. Chris came to Eldercare Services in November of 2006 and became Care Manager Certified in Spring of 2009.

Chris enjoys playing softball, photography, gardening, needlepoint and sharing laughter with others.

Anne Rosenthal, Ph.D., MFT, CMC
Professional Geriatric Care Manager

Anne obtained her B.A. degree from the University of California, Berkely, her M.A. from San Francisco State University and Ph.D. in Health Service Administration from Columbia Pacific University. She is a State Licensed Marriage, Family and Child Therapist and holds a certificate in Neuropsychological Assessment from U.C. Berkeley. She became Care Manager Certified in 2003.

With over 30 years of experience serving the senior community, she has been interviewed in several media outlets including CNN, ABC, NPR, Oakland Tribune, and San Francisco Chronicle.  Other activities include authoring chapters in Handbook of Geriatric Care Management, “Geriatric Care Managers Working with Families”, and Care Managers Working with the Aging Family, “Working with Couples”, edited by Cathy Cress.

As a member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM) since 1985, Anne has served on the national and regional executive boards of and has earned the distinction of Fellow. She is a recipient of the Rose Kleiner Award for Outstanding Achievement in Geriatric Care Management and the B.J. Curry Spitler Community Service Award. 

Anne is a well-known speaker and has presented on many subjects dealing with aging, family challenges and quality of life for elders. She joined Eldercare Services as a Professional Geriatric Care Manager in the Spring of 2009.

Mary Tierney, BA, CMC
Professional Geriatric Care Manager

Mary received her BA in 1964 from Marquette University. She started in Care Management as a social worker in New York City, and brings more than 14 years of geriatric experience to clients and their families. She has been with Eldercare Services since 1997.

Mary is one of our resident specialists in Alzheimer’s and dementia care issues. She facilitates workshops and support groups at Eldercare Services in her areas of specialty. Mary became a certified Geriatric Care Manager in 1998.

Jean Tokarek, MPA, CMC
Professional Geriatric Care Manager

Jean Tokarek holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business and a Masters in Public Administration in Health Services from the University of San Francisco. She has 18 years experience in the field of Elder Care. She has experience working with older adults who have been conserved by the probate court, clients who are on hospice care and management experience in multipurpose senior services organizations.

Prior to joining Eldercare Services, Jean developed, expanded and provided oversight of a daily money management program at Jewish Family and Children’s Services. This program became part of a continuum of care offered to seniors to promote their independence. More recently, she recruited, trained and supervised 90 volunteers for Sutter VNA & Hospice to serve hospice patients in their homes and assisted living facilities, focusing on end of life care. Jean’s innovative training program for volunteers has become a model often requested and replicated in other settings.

Jean joined Eldercare Services as a Professional Geriatric Care Manager in 2008 and became Care Manager Certified in Spring of 2009.

Vivian Torres, RN, LCSW, CMC
Professional Geriatric Care Manager

Vivian has a Bachelor’s of Nursing degree from Rutgers University and became a Registered Nurse in 1979. She then earned her Licensed Clinical Social Work degree from UCLA. Vivian spearheaded the Senior Outreach and Consultation Services for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health in 1989.

Through her work, she has helped to empower countless families and individuals to deal with a myriad of mental health issues including depression and dementia. As a licensed psychotherapist, Vivian offers our families counseling as well as Care Management services and consultation.

Vivian became and Eldercare Services Care Manager in 2008 and Care Manager Certified in 2009.

Dawn White, MPH, CMC
Professional Geriatric Care Manager

Dawn White received her Master’s Degree in Public Health, Health Policy and Administration, from U.C. Berkeley in 1987. She has worked in health care for more than 20 years, in home health and hospital-based programs, at the UCLA Medical Center, Summit Medical Center, and the American Red Cross. Dawn has been serving the geriatric population for more than 10 years.

Dawn joined Eldercare Services as a Professional Geriatric Care Manager in 2006. She became a Certified Care Manager in 2008. Her specialty as a Care Manager draws from her extensive experience in hospitals and ancillary health care settings, which allows her to efficiently navigate the health care system and obtain prompt access to medical resources on behalf of her clients. As an elder care advocate, Dawn works with medical providers and family members to meet client needs and enhance their quality of life.

Dawn’s creative interests include dance and music.

On-Call Care Managers

Judy Lebens, BA, RN, MSW, MDiv
Professional Geriatric Care Manager On-Call

Judy Lebens became a Registered Nurse at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in 1970. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Heritage College in 1993 and a Master’s of Social Work at Eastern Washington University in 1997. Judy received a Master of Divintiy in 2009. She has extensive well-rounded nursing experience including Gerontology and is currently working as a Hospital Chaplain at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco.

Judy came to Eldercare Services as an On-call Professional Geriatric Care Manager in 2007. In Care Management, she specializes in spirituality and guiding families through life transitions. Her propensity for crisis intervention allows her to skillfully navigate any issues that arise.

In addition to serving the geriatric population, Judy’s passions include medical missions to communities in third world countries. In her spare time she enjoys arts and crafts, singing and playing her guitar and spending time outdoors through swimming, bird watching, and taking photographs.

Cindy Tilton, BA
Professional Geriatric Care Manager On-Call

Cindy Tilton graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Sonoma State University and completed her Master’s in Social Work from CSU, Long Beach. Her work for the past 12+ years has been social work case management in many different settings, primarily addiction medicine and medical modalities. She found the model of care at Eldercare Services, with the non-medical focus on care giving, to be unique and a great support to elders and their families.

Cindy was hired as the first On-Call Professional Geriatric Care Manager for Eldercare Services in 2006.

In her spare time, Cindy loves to quilt. She also enjoys traveling, water exercise, and camping. She is active with her church and participates in many of the programs they offer.