Our Staff at BrightStar Care® North Sarasota

Jeff Cooper, alongside his wife Susan, is the proud owner of BrightStar Care of North Sarasota and Manatee Counties. With a passion for helping others, building meaningful relationships, and making a positive impact in his community, Jeff has dedicated his career to creating opportunities that improve the lives of those around him.

A graduate of the University of Kentucky with a degree in Psychology and an emphasis in Behavioral Studies, Jeff began his professional career in sales and marketing. Through years of hard work, dedication, and leadership, he advanced to the position of Vice President at a large company in Southwest Florida. However, his desire to make a more personal and lasting difference in people's lives ultimately led him to the home healthcare industry.

Having experienced firsthand the importance of private-duty home care within their own families over the past four decades, Jeff and Susan developed a deep appreciation for the comfort, independence, and peace of mind that compassionate care can provide. Inspired by these personal experiences, they opened BrightStar Care in 2011 with a shared mission: to provide families throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties with dependable, high-quality care and the reassurance that their loved ones are in trusted hands.

Since opening their doors, Jeff and Susan have worked tirelessly to establish BrightStar Care as a respected and trusted home healthcare provider within the community. Jeff takes great pride in upholding the highest standards of quality, safety, and professionalism. From maintaining Joint Commission accreditation and adhering to Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration requirements to providing 24/7 access to nursing support and ensuring thorough caregiver screening, he remains committed to delivering exceptional care and earning the trust of every family the agency serves.

For Jeff, the most rewarding aspect of owning BrightStar Care is knowing that his team can make a meaningful difference during some of life's most challenging moments. He believes that every family deserves compassionate guidance, reliable support, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing their loved ones are receiving the care they deserve.

A Sarasota resident since 2007, Jeff enjoys spending quality time with Susan and their three children. Outside of work, he can often be found playing golf, boating, exploring the outdoors, or cheering on his favorite football teams.

Susan Cooper, alongside her husband Jeff, is the proud owner of BrightStar Care of North Sarasota and Manatee Counties. With a lifelong passion for helping others and a strong background in psychology and social work, Susan brings a compassionate, people-first approach to her leadership and the care her organization provides.

A graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in Psychology, Susan began her career working in hospital settings, volunteering with underserved populations in abuse shelters, and providing counseling to individuals with special needs. These experiences strengthened her dedication to advocating for others and inspired her to further her education, earning a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania.

In 2011, Susan and Jeff, alongside their Director of Nursing, opened the doors to BrightStar Care with a shared vision of providing exceptional, personalized care to individuals and families throughout their community. Since then, Susan has taken great pride in building an organization that serves as a trusted resource and guiding hand for families navigating the complexities of healthcare and caregiving.

For Susan, one of the most rewarding aspects of owning BrightStar Care is the opportunity to connect personally with clients and make a meaningful difference in their lives. She affectionately refers to the individuals they serve as their "Unforgotten Treasures," a phrase that reflects her deep respect and admiration for the generations of wisdom, experiences, and accomplishments each client carries. Through meaningful conversations and lasting relationships, Susan finds inspiration in the stories of those she serves and believes every individual deserves to feel valued, respected, and cared for.

Outside of work, Susan enjoys spending quality time with her family, watching and playing sports, admiring vintage cars, and finding every opportunity to share a good laugh. She also treasures spending time with older adults, listening to their stories, learning from their experiences, and celebrating the lives they've lived.

Jamie Weatherford has been a valued member of the BrightStar Care team for over three years. With a professional background in workers’ compensation insurance, Jamie brings a unique perspective, strong communication skills, and a genuine passion for helping others to her role.

Jamie's desire to work in home healthcare stems from a deeply personal experience. After witnessing her grandmother's need for around-the-clock care during the final year of her life, she developed a profound appreciation for the importance of compassionate, dependable support for seniors and their families. That experience inspired her to pursue a career where she could make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

For Jamie, the most rewarding part of working in healthcare is building lasting relationships with clients and their families. She takes pride in knowing that her work can bring comfort, reassurance, and a positive impact during some of life's most important and challenging moments.

Outside of work, Jamie loves spending quality time with family and friends, exploring new restaurants, going for walks, and enjoying a beautiful sunset.

Charlie Cooper joined the BrightStar Care team six months ago, bringing a fresh perspective, a passion for helping others, and a strong foundation in understanding human behavior. A recent graduate of Trinity College with a degree in Psychology, Charlie first became familiar with BrightStar Care through an internship two years ago. Inspired by the company's mission and commitment to exceptional care, he returned to become part of the family business and serve the Sarasota and Manatee County communities.

With a genuine interest in understanding people and making a positive impact, Charlie was naturally drawn to BrightStar Care's mission of providing compassionate, personalized care. He believes in the importance of building meaningful relationships, creating positive experiences, and ensuring that clients and their families feel supported, valued, and understood.

For Charlie, the most rewarding aspect of working in healthcare is knowing that even the smallest efforts can make a lasting difference in someone's life. Whether it's helping clients maintain their independence, offering reassurance to families, or contributing to a higher quality of life, he finds fulfillment in being part of a team dedicated to making each day better for those they serve.

Outside of work, Charlie enjoys playing golf with friends, spending time on the water, watching and playing sports, and making memories with his family.

Rachel Voznyak joined the BrightStar Care team in April 2026, bringing valuable experience from her background as a pharmacy technician and a genuine passion for helping others. Her experience in the healthcare field has given her an appreciation for the importance of compassionate care, attention to detail, and ensuring individuals feel supported throughout their healthcare journey.

Rachel was drawn to BrightStar Care by the opportunity to be part of a dedicated team that makes a meaningful difference in people's lives. She values working alongside individuals who share her commitment to kindness, compassion, and providing dependable care to clients and their families.

For Rachel, the most rewarding aspect of working in healthcare is knowing that her efforts can help others feel cared for, valued, and supported. She believes that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a lasting impact, and she takes pride in contributing to an environment where clients and their loved ones feel comfortable and reassured.

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys paddleboarding, taking in beautiful beach sunsets, and, most importantly, spending quality time with her husband and family.

Drew Brown joined the BrightStar Care team in the summer of 2025, bringing a deep-rooted connection to the Sarasota community and a genuine passion for helping others. Born and raised in Sarasota, Drew takes pride in serving the community she has always called home and working alongside a team of dedicated healthcare professionals who share her commitment to compassionate, high-quality care.

Drew's passion for caregiving stems from personal experience supporting members of her own family. Having witnessed firsthand the emotional and physical demands of caring for a loved one, she understands the importance of having a reliable support system and the challenges families face when navigating care. This experience inspired her to help raise awareness of the resources available through BrightStar Care, ensuring families know they don't have to manage their caregiving responsibilities alone.

A graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in Public Relations, Drew understands the importance of building meaningful relationships and establishing trust. She recognizes that inviting a caregiver into the home is a deeply personal decision, and she is committed to helping clients and their families feel confident, comfortable, and supported throughout their care journey.

For Drew, the most rewarding part of working in healthcare is being able to provide solutions and reassurance during some of life's most challenging moments. Whether it's helping a family find the right level of care or offering much-needed relief to an overwhelmed caregiver, she finds fulfillment in knowing her work makes a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Outside of work, Drew embraces everything Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast has to offer. An avid ocean enthusiast, she enjoys swimming in the Gulf, freediving, scalloping, and taking road trips to Key West to explore the reefs and go lobstering.

Emily Tragethon has been a valued member of the BrightStar Care team for nearly two years, bringing more than four and a half years of experience in the home care industry. Her diverse background includes scheduling, client relations, caregiver recruitment, and hands-on caregiving, giving her a well-rounded understanding of the needs of both clients and the dedicated professionals who care for them.

Emily was drawn to BrightStar Care of Sarasota because of its outstanding reputation within the senior care community and its commitment to delivering exceptional, high-quality care. She especially values the organization's Joint Commission accreditation, which reflects its dedication to maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and service.

For Emily, the most rewarding part of working in healthcare is building meaningful relationships with both clients and caregivers. She finds it especially fulfilling to witness the special bonds that develop between caregivers and the individuals they support. Hearing stories of caregivers becoming like family to their clients during some of life's most vulnerable moments serves as a constant reminder of the profound impact compassionate care can have on everyone involved.

Outside of work, Emily's greatest joy is spending quality time with her three-year-old son. Whether they're reading books together, visiting the zoo, or enjoying a simple Target run, she treasures every opportunity to make memories with him.

Bianca Tengerdy brings a wealth of experience in healthcare and senior care to her role as Director of Business Development at BrightStar Care, where she has been a valued team member for over two years. Her career began as a Medical Assistant working with geriatric patients, where she discovered her passion for supporting older adults and advocating for their well-being.

Driven by this passion, Bianca transitioned into the senior living industry as a Senior Care Advisor, guiding seniors and their families through important care decisions. Through this experience, she developed extensive knowledge of senior living options, in-home care, and community resources, along with a deep understanding of the challenges families face when navigating care for their loved ones.

Before officially joining BrightStar Care, Bianca spent more than a year working closely with the agency as a trusted referral partner. During that time, she witnessed firsthand the organization's dedication to exceptional client care, its commitment to caregivers and staff, and the hands-on involvement of owners Susan and Jeff. These experiences ultimately inspired her to become part of the BrightStar Care family.

Bianca takes pride in representing an organization that combines the personal touch of a locally owned and operated family business with the resources of a nationally recognized brand. She especially values BrightStar Care's skilled nursing capabilities and Joint Commission accreditation, which reflect its commitment to quality, safety, and high standards of care.

For Bianca, the most fulfilling aspect of her work is advocating for individuals and families who need guidance, reassurance, and access to trusted care resources. She is passionate about helping seniors understand their options, connecting families with meaningful solutions, and ensuring that every individual feels supported throughout their care journey.

Outside of work, Bianca is a proud dog mom to four Goldendoodles and enjoys caring for her six backyard chickens. She loves boating, spending time at the beach with friends, and giving back to her community through local charitable and senior-focused organizations.

Maggie Cooper has been a part of the BrightStar Care family since 2016, growing alongside the organization from her early days assisting with administrative responsibilities to eventually leading its marketing efforts. Over the years, she has developed a deep appreciation for the dedicated, compassionate, and hardworking team that makes BrightStar Care such a trusted resource within the community.

A graduate of the University of Central Florida with a degree in Marketing and Communications, Maggie combines her passion for creativity with her commitment to sharing BrightStar Care's mission. Through social media, digital content, and community engagement, she enjoys finding meaningful ways to bring the organization's values to life and connect with the families it serves.

For Maggie, the most rewarding aspect of her role is using creativity and storytelling to make a positive impact. Whether she's developing engaging visual content, strengthening BrightStar Care's online presence, or building relationships throughout the Sarasota community, she takes pride in helping communicate the compassion, dedication, and quality of care that define the organization.

Outside of work, Maggie enjoys spending time at the beach, making memories with friends and family, photography, traveling to new destinations, and, of course, shopping!