"It is rare to find such caring and dedicated professionals as your care managers." -
J.L.N.
Compassionate and dedicated, our professional care managers are nurses and social workers with advanced education and extensive experience in the field of aging.
Our founder, Debra Levy, MSW, LCSW-C, CMC * has over 30 years of experience serving the elderly and disabled in home health care, adult day care, nursing home and hospital settings. She has a BA in Psychology (Magna Cum Laude), a Master's Degree in Social Work and a Master's Certificate in Aging, all from the University of Maryland. Debra is licensed and certified by the Maryland and Washington, DC Boards of Social Work Examiners, as well as nationally certified by the National Academy of Care Managers. President of her care management agency since 1988, Debra is one of the area's longest practicing Professional Geriatric Care Managers. She served for many years on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, and often makes presentations to community and professional groups. Debra loves working with seniors and their families to provide the highest quality of care. In her spare time, she enjoys oil painting and walking outdoors with her dog.
Susan Blum, MSW, LCSW-C, LICSW, graduated from Smith College School for Social Work, August 1977 with a Masters Degree in Social Work. She joined the Debra Levy Eldercare Associates staff in 2004. A licensed clinical social worker, over the past 30 years Susan has served as a social worker and psychotherapist at Family and Child Services of DC, George Washington University Medical Center Outpatient Psychiatry, and the Washington School of Psychiatry. Most recently, she has worked in a psychotherapy private practice with a geriatric psychiatrist and served as a social work consultant to several nursing homes providing consultation and ongoing psychotherapy services to residents. For enjoyment, Susan likes walking her dog, and swimming on a Masters Swim Team.
Ellen Lauer, LGSW, LPN, ALM. Ellen brings more than 30 years of progressive experience in service to the senior community as a licensed Masters level Social Worker and a Licensed Practical Nurse. Ellen received her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and a Masters of Science in Social Work from Temple University. Ellen is certified as an Assisted Living Manager in the state of Maryland.
Ellen’s experience includes Executive Management of a Continuing Care Retirement Community; an Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Center and a long term care Nursing & Rehabilitative Center. She served as Director of a multi-service, non-profit community senior service agency, where she was also responsible for opening the first Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Community Program in Brooklyn, New York. The program is aimed at supporting and maintaining seniors in their homes and community.
In her spare time, Ellen enjoys walking, hiking, sailing, reading, cooking and gardening.
Ellen Manning, LCSW-C, LICSW, received her Masters Degree in Social Work from Boston College and has worked for over 25 years as a clinical social worker, supervisor and program director. Most recently, she has served as a social worker in a nursing and rehabilitation center and as a Nursing Home Ombudsman Volunteer with the Montgomery County Office on Aging, advocating on behalf of residents in long-term care and rehabilitation facilities. Ellen joined the Debra Levy Eldercare Associates staff in 2003, and enjoys solving complex problems on behalf of seniors and their families. For relaxation she rides her horse and volunteers at an animal shelter.
Valerie McGuire RN, BSN received her Bachelor of Science degree from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and completed graduate courses in nursing at Fairfield University in Connecticut. The focus of her professional life has been in community health and geriatrics. Valerie served for many years as the nurse manager of evening, night and weekend services at United Home Care, which at the time, was one of the largest home care agencies in Connecticut. She was supervisor of home health aide, homemaker and companion services of the Home Care Department of Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, Ct. and helped develop private support services offered by the hospital. Valerie served as the Director of the Home Hospice Department of Greenwich Hospital prior to moving to DC. She has experience in medical surgical nursing from Georgetown University Hospital and Tallahassee Regional Medical Center in Florida. She has always taken a serious interest in advocating for the best health care outcomes for those with whom she works. Valerie enjoys every kind of outdoor activity and loves time spent with friends and family.
Meg McKenna, RN, BSN received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from St. Anselm College in New Hampshire and is a Registered Nurse in both Maryland and Washington, DC. Much of Meg's nursing experience has been in oncology and hospice care, including the George Washington University Medical Center,
NIH, and the Washington Home and Hospice. She also has worked as a school nurse. Meg joined the Debra Levy Eldercare Associates staff in 2004, and feels the opportunity to work with seniors and their family is a great privilege. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and tennis.
Susy Murphy, BA, CMC, first worked with seniors when she was the nutrition director for a federally funded program for seniors in Hailey, Idaho, one of her first jobs after graduating with Honors from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She later served as the founding director of Connect-A-Ride, the senior transportation program for the Jewish Council on Aging and Volunteer Coordinator for the Easter Seals Family Friends program. Susy was the founder and original owner of Everyday Gourmet, a successful local bakery/gourmet shop, and also served as the leader and spokesperson of the local business association in Takoma Park. A longstanding staff member of Debra Levy Eldercare Associates, she joined our team in 1994. Susy is a Certified Care Manager, accredited by the National Academy of Certified Care Managers, and enjoys speaking at churches and community meetings about the needs of local seniors.
Maria Perry, MSW received her Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland in 1987 and has practiced social work for the last twenty years in a variety of setting including hospitals, public housing, and assisted living. Maria spent six years working for the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County where she was resident social worker responsible for 270 units at two county properties for the elderly. Maria also worked as an activities director for the Montgomery County Department of Recreation where she planned and implemented social and entertainment programs for two senior sites. In addition, she has hands-on experience with seniors with dementia, having developed and run programs at four private group homes for seniors with dementia to enhance cognitive skills, social interaction, and daily life skills. In her spare time, she likes to volunteer at her children's school, spend time in her garden, and play tennis.
Kim Picca, RN, BSN began her career with a BS degree in Horticulture, specializing in Horticulture Therapy. She assisted seniors in various settings to experience the joys of gardening, and also worked as an employment coach with developmentally disabled adults. Kim enjoyed working with these populations so much that she pursued a second career in nursing. Kim earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree with High Honors from the University of Maryland and has worked as a medical-surgical nurse at a local hospital. Kim joined the Debra Levy Eldercare Associates staff in 2003. She loves reading, gardening, and enjoying the outdoors.
Jennifer Sherwood, RN, BSN received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Maryland with honors. She went to nursing school and worked at Frederick Hospital along with long-time staff member Kim Picca. Jennifer has experience in the acute and homecare settings. Areas of emphasis have included care management, home health, orthopedics, and psychiatry. Jennifer worked as a solo Geriatric Care Manager for several years before joining our practice. She enjoys painting murals, decorating, reading, volunteering and spending time outdoors.
Carole Watson- Office Manager, has over 20 years professional experience as an office administrator in charge of technology, human resources, facilities management, finance and administration. In addition to her work with Debra Levy Eldercare, Carole is a Maryland and DC licensed Real Estate Agent with Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc and a Certified Senior Housing Specialist. She enjoys interior decorating, entertaining and vacationing in Negril, Jamaica, her favorite travel destination.
Cindy Kantor, BSN, NHA has extensive experience in geriatrics and has worked as a Director of Nursing and Administrator in area nursing homes, assisted living and hospital facilities, including Mercy Medical Center, Arden Courts Assisted Living, and Manor Care Healthcare. Cindy has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Nursing Home Administrator's license. She has been with Debra Levy Eldercare Associates since 1997. Cindy's interests include tennis and home decorating.
Aggie Patti, BA, is a graduate of Nettleton College, Sioux Falls, SD. She was previously employed by the United States Senate and the General Services Administration. Aggie has been with Debra Levy Eldercare Associates since 1998, and has a calm, helpful and professional manner with everyone. Her areas of responsibility include assisting with billing and financial matters. In her spare time, she enjoys antiquing.
- CMC - Care Manager Certified
- MSW - Masters of Social Work
- LCSW-C - Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (in MD)
- LICSW - Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (in DC)
- BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- RN - Registered Nurse
- MPH - Masters of Public Health
- MSN - Masters of Science in Nursing
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