Our Staff at BrightStar Care® Bradenton

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.

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 recently joined BrightStar Care and am excited to begin this new chapter. With eight years of experience in the healthcare field, my background spans nursing leadership, direct patient care, and staff development. I have worked in both long-term care and clinical settings, experiences that have shaped my approach to delivering compassionate, high-quality care.

I was drawn to BrightStar Care for its strong commitment to personalized service and its supportive, team-oriented environment. The organization’s values—integrity, compassion, and excellence—closely align with my own professional and personal principles.

The most rewarding part of working in healthcare is knowing that I can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life. Whether it’s offering comfort to a patient, supporting a family through a challenging time, or mentoring a team member, I find deep purpose in this work.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, being outdoors, listening to music, and caring for my pets. I also value staying active—working out helps me maintain balance and energy, both physically and mentally.

I bring over four and a half years of experience in the home care industry, with a background spanning scheduling, client relations, hiring, and hands-on caregiving for nearly a year. I chose to join BrightStar Care because of its exceptional reputation in the senior care industry and its commitment to delivering the highest quality of care as a Joint Commission-accredited provider.

What I find most rewarding about my role is building meaningful relationships with both our clients and caregivers. It’s inspiring to hear how caregivers become like family to clients during some of the most vulnerable times in their lives, and how those connections leave a lasting impact on both sides.

Outside of work, my greatest joy is spending time with my three-year-old son—whether we’re reading books, visiting the zoo, or enjoying a Target run. Any moment spent with him is when I’m at my happiest.

I joined BrightStar Care in the summer of 2025 and have truly enjoyed becoming part of a team of healthcare professionals I deeply admire and respect. It is incredibly rewarding to support individuals who reach out during some of their most challenging moments, and to be the one tasked with finding solutions that make their day-to-day lives a little easier. Born and raised in Sarasota, I have always felt a strong commitment to helping people in our community. After caring for my own family, I experienced firsthand how real caregiver burnout can be. That experience inspired me to become an advocate for families and to help ensure they know BrightStar Care is here as a trusted resource to provide support and fill any gaps in care. As a University of Florida Public Relations graduate, I understand the importance of building relationships. Families are not only trusting us to enter their homes, but also to care for their loved ones. Building and maintaining that trust is essential and at the core of everything I do. There is no greater feeling than knowing you’ve made a difference in someone’s life by being the support system they need. Outside of work, I love making the most of living on Florida’s beautiful coast. You can often find me swimming in the Gulf, freediving, scalloping, or road-tripping to Key West to explore the reefs and go lobstering.

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!