Judith A. Flickinger
DIRECTOR OF NURSING

How long have you been a Nurse?
I have been working as a Registered Nurse for forty five years. I attended Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing in Ashland, Ohio where I received a scholarship for clinical work. Over the years I have worked in a variety of settings, the longest of which was at Stratford Pediatrics in Bloomingdale, Illinois. I worked there for over twenty years in an assortment of roles including charge nurse.

What experience do you bring to BrightStar Care®?
The majority of my career has been spent in a pediatric office setting, however I’ve worked in hospital settings as well. My background includes two years of orthopedic work, one year of psychiatric work, over twenty years in a pediatric practice, two years of med surg experience, and now three years as Director of Nursing for a Senior Care agency that provides Home Care and Skilled Nursing. As a nurse, I feel it is important to continue learning and expanding my knowledge on a daily basis. I strive to keep up to date with current medical issues and research and using that knowledge to better serve our clients.

What aspect of your job are you most passionate about?
As the Director of Nursing, I oversee a large number of complex medical cases and I’m proud that we are able to give these clients and their families a sense of comfort and safety. I am passionate about being able to ease some of the burdens and worries of our clients and their loved ones. I’m proud to be able to serve the clients wherever they are located, whether it be in their home, the hospital or a an adult oriented community.

I am Making More Possible for our BrightStar Care® clients by…
Providing appropriate and compassionate care whenever and wherever it’s needed. Also, by developing meaningful, personal relationships not only with the clients, but their family and caregivers as well. In addition, I make more possible for our clients by coordinating staff development and overseeing and encouraging our field staff.

Phebe Johnson, RN
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF NURSING

How long have you been a Nurse?
I have been working as a Registered Nurse for almost forty years. I graduated with honors from Indiana State University with my RN-BSN. Additionally, I am a member of the Hospice and Palliative Care Association. I have experience working in hospital, hospice, home health and private duty settings.

What experience do you bring to BrightStar Care®?
Prior to coming to BrightStar, I worked in a variety of settings including hospitals, health center, hospice and in-home care. I have experience in client case management including: complete physical assessment of patients, supervision of CNAs, nurses and caregivers, and overseeing orientation and competency of new employees. I worked as a Registered Nurse at CNS Home Health and Hospice for fifteen years where I conducted assessments and provided care for hospice patients in the Central Dupage County, Illinois area. Prior to working for CNS, I was a Registered Nurse at Geneva Hospital where I worked in med surg, epidemiology, and served as the relief head nurse. I also worked as an RN at Wheaton College Health Center for five years.

What aspect of your job are you most passionate about?
I am most passionate about our ability to meet people’s total care needs. This job is about more than meeting people’s physical needs and I enjoy being able to make a difference in the emotional and spiritual aspects of their lives as well. Furthermore, I am proud to be a part of a team that strives to deliver the highest level of care possible to our clients. Having worked for CNS for so many years, I am familiar with the Joint Commission standards and regulations that are required of our newly accredited BrightStar agency.

I am Making More Possible for our BrightStar Care® clients by…
Developing a meaningful relationship with the individual and their loved ones. By assisting our Director of Nursing with the orientation and competency of all existing and new employees, I’m also making more possible by ensuring that our high standards of care are upheld by our employees. In requiring this training of our employees, we are aiming to better serve our clients.