Our Staff at BrightStar Care® Northern Charlotte / Huntersville

Cari Sanders, Owner and Director of Operations, has been with BrightStar Care since April 2014. For Cari, caregiving has always been more than a career—it has been a calling rooted in compassion, service, and a lifelong commitment to supporting others. Her commitment to caregiving began early, inspired by her mother, a compassionate nursing leader who served as Director of Nursing at Llanfair Retirement Community in Cincinnati, Ohio. At age 17, Cari began working as a CNA, and what started with some hesitation quickly became a deep devotion to serving clients and supporting their families. She earned a degree in Business Marketing and Management from the University of Cincinnati in 1990 and, during her 15 years with the retirement community, chose to further her healthcare career by attending nursing school. After graduating in 1999, she began working at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. Later, after marriage and two children, Cari transitioned from the hospital setting into business operations, spending eight years with a private physical therapy company in Cincinnati, where she strengthened her leadership, management, and client-focused operational expertise. When her family relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, for her husband’s long-standing role with Duke Energy as Director of Health and Safety, Cari brought her combined business and healthcare experience to BrightStar Care. Today, she applies her operational leadership, healthcare knowledge, and personal commitment to compassionate care to support clients, families, and caregivers.

Mac began her healthcare career in logistics, supporting nurse case managers who served high-cost, high-risk Medicaid patients. Through this work, she developed a strong commitment to patient education and later pursued nursing when her youngest child entered kindergarten. She began her nursing career in the Medical ICU, where she provided care throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Mac later transitioned into home care as a Nurse Case Manager and earned her wound care certification. She joined BrightStar Care in early 2025 as Director of Nursing. Mac is a dedicated patient advocate who is passionate about helping clients and families understand their care options, navigate home health services, and feel supported throughout the care journey. She remains committed to upholding the highest standards of care by promoting dignity, safety, compassion, and trust for every client and family she serves.

Michelle Buettner is the Agency Director at BrightStar Care and has dedicated more than 30 years to serving seniors and their families. Her journey in healthcare began as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), where she quickly discovered that caring for others was more than a career—it was her calling. That passion has continued to inspire her throughout every stage of her professional journey.
Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Michelle has called the Charlotte area home for the past 14 years. She has been a valued member of the BrightStar Care team for the last four years and has completed the company's Operations Training, further strengthening her commitment to delivering exceptional care and leading a compassionate, client-focused team.
Michelle believes that every client deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and kindness. She takes pride in building meaningful relationships with clients, families, and caregivers, creating an environment where everyone feels supported and valued. Helping others navigate the aging journey with confidence and compassion is what she enjoys most, and she considers it a privilege to make a positive difference in the lives of those she serves every day.

Robert McCallum, one of our business development managers, has a passion for serving community partners, clients and his Brightstar coworkers. His first job out of high school was working as a lab assistant for a pathology laboratory. Curiosity moved him to help in other departments and facets of the business, which allowed him to see how the business runs and operates. After spending years helping with the operations of a laboratory, he stepped into a role of business development for the laboratory in the Richmond, VA area. This role was the beginning of connecting people with services and education they needed to help them in their time of need.  
Robert eventually moved on to a new chapter of business development for a hospice agency. After three years in this field, he and his wife moved to Charlotte, NC to help care for a family member. This move allowed him to connect with Brightstar! Robert and his wife enjoy their worship and volunteer services, finding new restaurants, watching sports, and watching his wife’s favorite programs.

Hali has been with BrightStar Care since 2020 as the Community Relations and Marketing 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 family! 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

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.