Our Staff at BrightStar Care® Gastonia

Cari Sanders, Owner and Director of Operations, has been with BrightStar Care since April 2014.
Cari’s mother, a warm-hearted exemplar was the Director of Nursing at Llanfair Retirement Community in Cincinnati, Ohio, and at the age of 17 and one of eight children, Cari was convinced to work as a CNA.  After some resistance and hesitation, she found unwavering devotion to her clients and their families.  Cari went to the University of Cincinnati for Business Marketing/Management and graduated in 1990 but during her 15 years of employment with the Retirement Community, she decided to go to nursing school. She graduated in 1999, and began working at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati.
Marriage and two kids later, she decided to leave the hospital setting and put her marketing and management skills to the test. She worked 8 years for a private physical therapy company in Cincinnati, Ohio growing her talent for management of client-oriented operations.  Once established, her family was asked to transfer to Charlotte, North Carolina for her husband's position of 41 years with Duke Energy as Director of Health and Safety.   Cari was fortunate to begin her comprehensive career with BrightStar Care and utilize her core business competencies in conjunction with her healthcare mastery.

"Caregiving often calls us to lean into love we didn’t know possible.”
 

Michelle Buettner is a dedicated office manager at Brightstar Care, a leading home health care and staffing company. Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Michelle has a passion for helping seniors and disabled individuals. In her free time, she enjoys working in her yard, going to the beach, and watching movies. With her strong work ethic and compassionate nature, Michelle is committed to providing the highest level of care and support to those in need. She finds it incredibly rewarding to be able to make a positive impact on their lives by ensuring they receive the care they need. Michelle is passionate about providing high-quality care and ensuring that her clients are happy and comfortable. She takes great pride in her work and is always looking for ways to improve the services provided by Brightstar Care.
 

Megan joins BrightStar Care as the Business Development Manager, bringing with her a strong background in sales and marketing within the senior living industry. Originally from Martinsburg, West Virginia, Megan holds a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from West Virginia University, where she initially pursued a path to become a physician. However, her passion for making a tangible difference in people's daily lives led her to a fulfilling career in senior care instead.
Since relocating to the Charlotte Metro area in 2017, Megan has demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of seniors by building relationships, enhancing community outreach, and driving occupancy in various retirement communities. Her transition to BrightStar Care reflects her dedication to expanding her impact on the home care side of the industry, where she aims to bring the same level of care and commitment to clients and their families.
Outside of work, Megan enjoys traveling, riding horses, and kayaking with her husband and dogs. Her guiding principle is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves compassionate and personalized care, no matter where they call home.
 

Hali has been with BrightStar Care for 3 years now as the Community Relations Manager. She has a very creative eye and loves being able to set up for fun events and fairs! She loves being able to help those in need and has a special passion for animals. She has her BA in Environmental Science and hopes to one day pursue a career in conservation. In her free time she loves spending time with her 3 dogs outside and working out at the gym! Her favorite quote is, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” -Jane Goodall
 

Maddison is our Marketing and Community Outreach Manager at Brightstar Care. She is passionate about our clients, their comfort, and getting them the right care for their specific needs. Maddison's favorite part of working for BSC is her "Love Visits" where she gets to meet face to face with our client and their aid, bring them gifts, and make sure everyone is satisfied with their care. Outside of work Maddison enjoys writing music, scrapbooking, going to concerts, and traveling. "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's about thinking of yourself less"
-CS Lewis.  
 

Said Yousef is a highly skilled and compassionate Physical Therapist with over 12 years of work experience in various healthcare settings. With a Master of Science in Physical Therapy, Said has made a significant impact on the lives of countless patients during his tenure with BrightStar Care and Thrive Now Therapy. Throughout his career, Said has worked diligently in diverse environments, including outpatient clinics, assisted living facilities (ALF), independent living facilities (ILF), home health, and skilled nursing facilities (SNF). This broad exposure has honed his expertise and provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges faced by patients across different settings.

What sets Said apart is his commitment to his patients’ well-being and his relentless pursuit of their success. His genuine compassion shines through in every interaction, making patients feel cared for and supported. Whether it’s helping individuals recover from surgery, managing chronic pain, or addressing mobility limitations, Said’s dedication to improving his patients’ lives is unwavering.

Said’s approach to patient care extends beyond the treatment room. He actively engages and educates patients and their families, empowering them to participate in their own recovery process. His warm and empathetic demeanor creates a comfortable environment, fostering trust and collaboration with his patients. Recognizing the importance of staying abreast of advancements in the field, Said is committed to lifelong learning. He regularly attends professional conferences, pursues continuing education opportunities, and stays up to date with the latest research and evidence-based practices. This dedication ensures that he provides the most effective and innovative treatments available.

Said Yousef’s dedication, compassion, and exceptional work ethic have made him an invaluable asset to BrightStar Care and Thrive Now Therapy. Through his commitment to his patients’ well-being and his focus on improving functional independence, he has touched the lives of many, helping them regain their strength, mobility, and confidence. Said’s contributions to the field of physical therapy are an inspiration to his colleagues and a testament to his profound impact on the lives of those he serves.
 

Brent Porter, lead Occupational Therapist at Thrive Now therapy/BrightStar Care, graduated from Slippery Rock University with a BS in Exercise Science and furthered his healthcare background by obtaining a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at Chatham University. Brent completed his training and clinical fieldwork at UPMC Medical Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Brent is an established and highly skilled Occupational Therapist with over 10 years of experience spanning multiple areas of healthcare including service delivery, educator, community liaison, and public advocate for the geriatric and pediatric populations. He has had the pleasure of working in a wide range of settings from skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient, and now home care. He specializes in evaluations of geriatric patients to design holistic and client-centered care plans incorporating medical, physical, and social needs to improve health and wellness and reduce the risk of injury and hospitalization.

Brent’s unwavering commitment to patient success sets him apart. He has a proven track record of guiding patients in their recovery journey and assisting them in meeting their goals. He takes pride in educating patients, families, caregivers and collaborating with the IDT team to ensure positive outcomes for his patients.

Outside of work, Brent enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, tennis, hockey, and cheering on his Pittsburgh sports teams!
 

Pamela Ann Boswell, 57, of Cherryville, NC, passed away on October 12, 2024. Born on July 4, 1967, Pamela dedicated her life to caring for others, a passion that was evident both in her professional and personal life. Her kindness and loving nature extended beyond her faith and into every aspect of her life. She was a nurturing presence, always ready with a smile and support, whether at home, at work, or within her community.

Pamela enjoyed simple pleasures like sitting on the beach with her family, snuggling with her dogs and cats, going abroad with her husband on a cruise, and playing with her grandchildren whom she adored. Her love for her family was immense and she cherished every moment spent with them.

Pam Boswell, Director of Nursing, was a dedicated professional who had continuously expanded her knowledge and expertise in the healthcare field. She played a crucial role in our joint accreditations at BrightStar Care^®, ensuring that our nursing services adhere to the highest standards of quality and safety.
Pam's unwavering commitment to excellence and her ability to navigate the intricacies of accreditation made her an integral part of our team. Her passion for helping others and providing exceptional care drove her to pursue further education.