Our Staff at BrightStar Care® Northern Charlotte / Huntersville

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.”

Pam Boswell, Director of Nursing, is a dedicated professional who has continuously expanded her knowledge and expertise in the healthcare field. She plays a crucial role in our joint accreditations at BrightStar Care^® Gastonia, 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 have made her an integral part of our team. She brings over 20 years of healthcare experience to her role, drawing from her diverse background in nursing and medical office administration. Her passion for helping others and providing exceptional care has driven her to pursue further education, with plans to obtain her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in the near future.
Pam possesses a deep understanding of the accreditation process and the importance of adhering to industry standards. She has a proven track record of successfully guiding our nursing staff through the accreditation requirements, ensuring that we meet and exceed the rigorous expectations set forth by accrediting bodies. Her attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and comprehensive knowledge of best practices enable her to navigate the complexities of the accreditation process seamlessly.
As Director of Nursing, Pam combines her deep knowledge of patient care with her strong leadership skills to ensure that our clients receive the best possible care. Her dedication to continuous improvement and her genuine compassion for those in our community make her an invaluable asset to BrightStar Care^® Gastonia.

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.

Tasha Gooden, a source of hope and inspiration, has dedicated herself to empowering others and driving meaningful change. Her journey, characterized by an unyielding pursuit of knowledge, unwavering spirit, and commitment to impacting lives positively, showcases her as a beacon of resilience.

Growing up in Queens, New York, Tasha's compassion and strong sense of justice guided her toward a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, providing a solid foundation to understand the complexities of the criminal system and its underlying causes. Her calling to counseling emerged from a desire to make a tangible difference. With a Master's in Professional Counseling, she honed the skills needed to assist individuals in navigating life's challenges.

Tasha's influence extended beyond counseling as she embraced writing to shed light on personal growth, resilience, and overcoming adversity. Her impactful books serve as guides for those seeking direction and empowerment. Further expanding her reach, Tasha excelled as a public relations director, using her narrative prowess and relationship-building skills to execute impactful campaigns. Her leadership, coupled with marketing acumen, has enabled her to help organizations define their stories and connect meaningfully with their audiences. Today, Tasha Gooden stands as a testament to resilience, a driving force inspiring and transforming lives worldwide.

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.  
 

Maria Casareto is a Recruiting Specialist for BrightStar Care, with over 10 years’ experience in talent acquisition, human resources and management. She is passionate about making connections with candidates and assisting them in finding the right fit for their career. She is a firm believer in the BSC core values and it’s one of the main reasons why she joined the team! Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children and their pets. She is an artist and enjoys painting, crafting projects, and tending to the many plants in their home and garden. ‘There is only one thing I hate more than lying: skim milk. Which is water that’s lying about being milk. – Ron Swanson’  

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!