Meet Our Staff
 Michele Zoss, BA, CALFM, CMC Certified Geriatric Care Manager,is the founder and owner of Senior Care Consultants, LLC and also works in the field as a Certified Geriatric Care Manager, representing a number of the firm’s clients. Michele has over 12 years of experience in the healthcare field and specializes in advocating for the elderly, particularly for those with dementia care needs and those clients residing in facilities. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Penn State University prior to relocating to Arizona in 1994. Michele holds a Certified Assisted Living Facility Manager Certification (CALFM) through the State of Arizona Board of Examiners of Nursing Care Institution Administrators and Assisted Living Facility Managers. She is also a Care Manager Certified (CMC) through the National Academy of Certified Care Managers, and is a member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, and the Case Management Society of America. She is an active volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association-Desert Southwest Chapter and is a member of the Association’s Speaker’s Bureau. Her experience includes working with for-profit as well as non-profit healthcare entities, including the City of Phoenix Human Services Department-Senior Services Division, The Foundation for Senior Living, and Alterra Healthcare Corporation. Michele has dedicated herself to the work that has become her life’s passion, and has assembled an exceptional team of qualified and experienced individuals who share her vision of being the best advocates possible for the cherished population we are entrusted to serve. |
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 Ericka C. Kowall, BA,Geriatric Care Manager,relocated to Arizona in 2003 from Florida, but originally hails from California. Ericka possesses a solid and extensive case management background, and has spent the majority her professional career working in the field of geriatrics. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Social Work from San Diego State University, and is currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at Ottawa University. Ericka’s experience has taken her across the spectrum of senior care and advocacy, including working as a Case Manager within Maricopa County’s Senior Services Program. While in Florida, she earned her Assisted Living Administrator’s license and garnered useful experience working as an Assisted Living Waiver Case Manager. In addition, as a Lead Case Manager with Adult Protective Services of San Diego County, she worked closely with at-risk seniors and disabled adults. Ericka is a true advocate for the aged, and her dedication to the needs of this population is unparalleled. |
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 Sue Burdick, Care Management Assistant,recently joined Senior Care Consultants’ Care Management Department as our first Care Management Assistant. She has over two years experience specifically in geriatric care management support services, and has a genuine affinity for seniors and advocating for their needs. As Care Management Assistant, Sue provides supplemental field support to the firm’s Principal. Before entering the health care arena, Sue’s professional experience was primarily in the education field, specifically with the Pharmacy Department at Midwestern University. She has been a resident of the Valley of the Sun since 1967, when she relocated to the area from Illinois. Sue’s impressive professional career made her a great fit for our organization. Her maturity, professionalism, compassion, and warmth have been embraced by our clients, families, collateral community contacts, as well as by her fellow SCC team members. |
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 Leticia Franco, B.S. Client Account Manager,became a permanent member of the Senior Care Consultants team in January 2010, and serves as the firm’s Client Account Manager in our Support Services Department. She completed her student externship with SCC after earning her Medical Billing & Coding program certificate at Everest College. Leticia also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Arizona State University. Prior to joining SCC, she was a Teaching Assistant in the Tolleson School District where she was responsible for conducting student needs assessments. While employed at a large independent living community in Sun City West, Leticia assisted residents, specific to their dietary needs, as a part of the community’s Dietary Department. She has quickly become an integral part of the SCC team, and is known for her patience, focus, and dedication. |
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 Sherry Praeuner, Billing Specialist,is a member of the firm’s Support Services Department, and assists our Client Account Manager. Prior to coming on board with SCC, Sherry served as Office Manager for a geriatric care management and private fiduciary firm for several years, where she was solely responsible for the firm’s client billing. She also provided administrative support to the firm’s care management staff, and assisted with training for their geriatric care managers. In addition to owning her own retail business at one time, Sherry held various management positions during her tenure at Qwest. Although she hails from Nebraska, Sherry has called Arizona home since 1996. Sherry exemplifies customer service, and we are fortunate to have her expertise, attention to detail, professionalism, and strong work ethic. |