Lauren is a doctoral occupational therapy student from Thomas Jefferson University who will be working with JFS COMPASS as part of her capstone work. At JFS, she will be working as an extension of Jefferson Elder Care, providing COMPASS patients and caregivers with individualized occupational therapy services and leading Memory Cafe alongside one of her cohort members.
Lauren’s passion for helping individuals with dementia and their caregivers has largely been inspired by her family’s recent experience helping her grandmother. As she has seen their struggle firsthand, she understands the challenges associated with caring for a person with dementia. Lauren’s aim at COMPASS to support the growth of caregiver skills that are essential to the caregiving role and maximize their ability to connect with their loved one. She believes that her previous work experience will serve her well in this role, and she is excited to apply that knowledge through the lens of occupational therapy.
Lauren has held a lifelong passion for serving others, due in large part to her parents, who showed Lauren and her brother the wonders of volunteering with Special Olympics Delaware. She loves helping others pursue their goals, celebrate the wins, and learn from the losses. She leans on her ability to connect with others, and she is excited to meet you all. In her spare time, you can find Lauren exercising, hanging with her cat, baking seasonal bundt cakes, and visiting with family as much as possible.
Melissa is a clinical social work intern for the JFS COMPASS program. She is also the course assistant for the Savvy Caregiver course, helps with the Memory Café, and more generally supports COMPASS families in navigating the difficulties they face. Melissa’s undergraduate work was completed at Penn State University, from which she has a BA in Anthropology and another in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies. She also has an MA in Transpersonal Ecopsychology from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. Currently, she is working on an MSS in Social Work at Bryn Mawr College.
When she gets free time, Melissa likes to write, read, practice martial arts, and play with her dogs. Spending time with friends and being in nature is also very important to her. One fun fact about Melissa is that she published a nonfiction book with her mentor on nature connection and navigating life’s challenges in 2020.
Emily is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing therapy for JFS clients. She embraces a holistic approach to therapy, that is collaborative and built on creating a safe and compassionate environment where each unique individual can feel heard, empowered, and not judged. Emily values the belief that everyone comes with their own strengths, which allows them the resilience to walk on a therapeutic path towards healing.
Before coming to JFS, Emily worked as a community hospice social worker, joining patients and families on their journey coping with terminal illnesses and end of life. Through this time, she worked with a range of populations and individual experiences.
Recently married, they are proud dog parents to their energetic pup, Paris.
Emily loves to travel and learn about the world’s rich history and cultures outside of her own. During her undergraduate program, she had the opportunity to study abroad. She studied for four months in Chennai, India at a local college’s social work program. During that time, she also backpacked in Thailand enjoying the amazing food and seeing the breathtaking temples.
Emily enjoys reading, yoga, and crocheting. She loves being creative and appreciates art. She recently inherited her grandmother’s sewing machine, and is looking forward to continuing its use with love.
Licenses and Certifications
Approaches, Theories, and Modalities
Populations and Issues
Start your therapy journey today by submitting an online intake form or contact our Intake Department at 302-478-9411 ext. 306
As a Master’s Level Therapist, Jordan provides evidence-based mental health therapy services to individuals and families. She believes in providing a safe environment for each person to be seen, heard, and known and in tailoring treatment to each individual’s unique needs.
Jordan completed her Master’s of Social Work degree at Widener University and her Bachelor’s in Human Services at the University of Delaware. She has worked with people of all ages – from children to adolescents to older adults – and with people from over a dozen countries in her past teaching, social work, and administrative roles. She is passionate about using a holistic approach to meet people where they are and to help them live their best lives mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
Jordan has spent over 8 years living in Asia and Europe, but she is proud to call Delaware her home. In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies, reading, doing yoga, spending time in nature, and enjoying quality time with family.
Start your therapy journey today by submitting an online intake form or contact our Intake Department at 302-478-9411 ext. 306
Amie works passionately with older adults and their families in our community. With the help of her corps of volunteers, she supports clients all across the spectrum, whether it is food delivery, rides for medical appointments, tech support for video calls, helping to return home after hospitalization, or just a friendly call to talk about grandchildren or the weather.
“They inspire and motivate me every day to be present, compassionate, patient, and kind,” she says.
Amie has had several careers in her life including camp counselor, television producer, administrator at a preschool, and, now, working with older adults.
“They all require patience, enthusiasm, quick-thinking, and a sense of humor,” Amie shares. “There is never a boring day when you are of service to the community!”
Amie has been married for 17 years to Bob Hronsky; they have a son named Ethan who is the light of their lives!
Dr. Maria D’Souza is a geriatrician who brings special expertise in dementia care and caregiver support to JFS. Dr. D’Souza participated in the development and evaluation of an innovative multidisciplinary dementia care program during a geriatrics fellowship at Duke University, which she published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. One of only 7,500 geriatricians in the US, Dr. D’Souza previously served as Medical Director of a PACE program, enabling older adults with complex medical and social needs to continue living in their own homes. She has 15 years of experience providing holistic medical care for older adults in a variety of settings including primary care, acute hospital care, nursing facilities, assisted living, memory care units, house calls, and hospice and palliative care.
A graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Dr. D’Souza completed her residency training in internal medicine at the University of Washington, a 3-year geriatrics fellowship at Duke University, and a Masters of Public Health degree at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. She is a member of the medical staff at ChristianaCare.
Dr. D’Souza is thrilled to be part of the JFS mission of strengthening individuals, families, and the community as Medical Director of the JFS COMPASS program, providing team-based medical care for individuals with dementia and guiding families through their journey.
“My patients and their families often tell me how much they value the way I listen. Each older adult has a unique story that I am passionate about hearing and honoring in order to provide true person-centered care. Discussing individual values and goals allows us to formulate a plan of care together and partner with all members of the care team to achieve those goals. Geriatrics is a team sport!”
Leroy is a Family Consultant for JFS. He completed his Bachelor’s in Biology at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania and is pursuing a Master’s in Medical Sciences – Public Health from Liberty University. Leroy previously worked at Evolent Health in Baltimore, MD as a case manager.
Leroy has one niece and three nephews. He likes to go on hikes with his dog, a two-year old American Bully named Geno, and is a huge sports fanatic. Some fun facts about Leroy is that he is currently learning how to play the piano, and he got the chance to fly a Cessna 172 airplane for his 16th birthday.
Karen “Renna” Van Oot is a dynamic and versatile professional with over 30 years of experience in the development, growth and leadership of government, non for profit and business organizations. She has expertise in nonprofit management with emphasis on strategic planning and organizational restructuring and is knowledgeable in a breadth of nonprofit related issues. She brings a talent for building and maintaining strong business and community relationships.
Renna graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in Psychology, and went on to Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research for both a Master of Social Service and a Master of Law and Social Policy. Later in her career, she attended Widener Law School (now Delaware Law School) and obtained her Juris Doctor. Renna has served on numerous boards, and currently is on the board of YWCA Delaware.
Renna is passionate about serving the community through nonprofit mission-based work. She also enjoys traveling, music, and learning about other cultures. Renna grew up and worked predominantly in northern Delaware and the metropolitan Philadelphia region, and now resides in Chester County, Pennsylvania.