Meet Our Team
Donna Cella, RN, MMHC, BCPA
Founder, Board Certified Patient Advocate
Donna Cella, RN, MMHC is the founder of ElderCARE, LLC. She has over 30 years of experience as a registered nurse and has worked in hospital and community settings in direct care, supervisory and leadership roles. She has served as the Director of Case Management and led care management teams supporting patients as they navigate the fragmented health care system. For the last six years, Donna has supported health systems across the country in the evolution to Value-Based Care and improving cross-continuum care coordination.
Donna is dedicated to supporting patients and families who are navigating the health care system, while helping them to maintain independence and make informed choices about their health. In addition, she believes that focusing on the “4Ms” (Mobility, Mentation, Medication and What Matters), as set forth by the Institute for Health Care Improvement (IHI), is the key to successful aging.”. To provide the best care and outcomes, Donna has built ElderCARE’s multi-disciplinary team of care managers who are uniquely qualified to support patients and families in Middle Tennessee.
Donna received her Bachelor of Nursing from Olivet Nazarene University and her Masters in Management in Health Care from Vanderbilt University. In addition, Donna is a Board-Certified Patient Advocate and recently completed her training to be a Facilitator/Trainer for “Respecting Choices,” a nationally recognized program for Advance Care Planning.
Donna lives with her husband Michael, two daughters, mother and dog Woody in Franklin.
Donna Cella, RN, MMHC, BCPA
Founder, Board Certified Patient Advocate
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DONNA
Jodi Jackson, RN
Partner, Board-Certified Case Manager
Jodi is a Registered Nurse who is board-certified in Case Management and an Advanced Professional Aging Life Care Manager with a diverse nursing background. Her previous experiences include critical care, home, care, Resident Services Director for a Continuing Care Retirement Community, and Area Director for a Care Management and Home Care company.
Being in the world of senior care management since 2010, she has become an expert in the field by helping to understand and translate client needs into creative solutions, bringing calm to the chaos of the aging process, and having compassion for her clients. She has a strong belief in creating connections and building relationships with her clients, team members, and community partners.
Outside of being a care management and business development consultant, Jodi loves spending time with her family, gardening, and watching baseball. She owns a small business that sells pickles for which she grows all the ingredients! She also volunteers at her church and helps children who are at risk in the community.
Jodi Jackson, RN
Partner, Board-Certified Care Manager
Aging Life Care Professional®
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JODI
Heather Johnson, RN
Aging Life Care Association® Associate
Certified Geriatric Care Professional
Faith Community Nurse
(c) 615-482-3684
Heather Johnson is a Registered Nurse and has been involved in caring for clients with acute and chronic illnesses for over 26 years. She is very familiar with the Nashville and Franklin health care systems and has worked closely with multiple physicians, specialists, social workers, and local community organizations.
Heather specializes in “whole person” care for individuals, including the needs of the caregiver. She is passionate about supporting patients in making informed choices and educating her clients and families about their health conditions and long-term care options. She operates by the Golden Rule, and “See a need, fill a need.” She has a passion for patient advocacy, which she practices daily with clientele, friends, and family.
Heather received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Kennesaw State University and is also a Faith Community Nurse. She has assisted fellow congregational members navigate the complexity of the health care system. Her passion for advocacy is also demonstrated by volunteering for congregational care meetings; home and rehabilitation visitations; and organization of a successful Children of Aging Parents and Alzheimer’s series at her local church.
Heather is married with three children. She enjoys spending time with her family, watching softball, hiking, yoga and long walks with friends.
Heather Johnson, RN
Aging Life Care Association® Associate
Certified Geriatric Care Professional
Faith Community Nurse
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HEATHER
Debbie Kissell, RN
Registered Nurse, Certified Case Manager
Aging Life Care Professional®
Debbie is a seasoned healthcare professional with over three decades of experience as a Registered Nurse. Since 2015, she has held certifications as a Certified Case Manager and an Aging Life Care Professional. With a solid foundation in Home Health Care spanning more than 20 years, Debbie has dedicated the past 11 years to specializing in Geriatric Care Management. Her commitment to her profession is deeply rooted in her passion for making a positive impact on the lives of her clients and their families. Throughout her career, Debbie has demonstrated a remarkable ability to navigate the complexities of healthcare, ensuring optimal care for her patients. Her expertise in case management and geriatric care has earned her recognition as a trusted advocate and caregiver within her community.
For Debbie, the most rewarding aspect of her career is the opportunity to work closely with individuals and families, providing compassionate support and guidance during challenging times. She finds immense fulfillment in making a tangible difference in the lives of her clients, enriching their quality of life and fostering a sense of well-being.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Debbie enjoys a fulfilling life at home with her husband, beloved dog, and cherished cat. Their cozy household provides a sanctuary where she finds joy and relaxation amidst the busyness of her career. In her leisure time, Debbie indulges in her love for fiction by immersing herself in captivating novels. She also finds solace and creative expression through her passion for singing and playing guitar, hobbies that bring harmony and balance to her life.
Debbie Kissell, RN
Registered Nurse, Certified Case Manager
Aging Life Care Professional®
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DEBBIE
Christy Painter, MSSW, ACM-SW
Social Worker/Care Coordinator
Aging Life Care Professional®
(c) 615-591-4585
Christy has over 26 years of experience in medical social work with an extensive knowledge of discharge planning, community resources and insurance benefits for utilizing post-acute care. Christy has a passion for working with older adults and their families to ensure that they have the resources they need based on insurance coverage to support their ongoing care.
Christy was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee before moving to Williamson County and settling in Franklin. After graduating from Middle Tennessee State University with her Bachelor’s of Social Work, Christy worked for National Health care Corporation at NHC Franklin and NHC Dickson where she gained experience working in skilled and long term care. She then transitioned to a position in acute care at Williamson Medical Center and obtained her Master’s of Science in Social Work at the University of Tennessee College of Social Work in Nashville.
Christy is married and has three children. She spends her free time hiking with family and relaxing with her two cats. She never turns down an opportunity to travel to Perdido Key and sit by the Gulf of Mexico.
Christy Painter, MSSW, ACM-SW
Social Worker/Care Coordinator
Aging Life Care Professional®
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHRISTY
Teresa Keffer, PT, DPT, CFPS
Physical Therapist, Care Coordination,
Certified Fall Prevention Specialist
Teresa Keffer, PT, DPT, CFPS is a physical therapist with more than 20 years of experience and is a Certified Falls Prevention Specialist. Teresa utilizes her physical therapy experience, passion for advocacy and education to bring valuable knowledge and solutions to improve the health and quality of life of her clients.
Teresa uses a client-centered, collaborative approach to find a successful blend of individual choice, safety, and available resources. She is committed to caring most about what matters to her clients. Teresa provides compassionate care, believing that no senior should ever feel they’re alone in navigating aging and the health care system.
After earning an undergraduate degree in exercise science at Auburn University, Teresa continued her education and received a Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1995 and recently completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy from A.T. Still University. In addition, she is a former adjunct faculty member at Belmont’s School of Physical Therapy.
Teresa lives with her husband, Jim, and has three children, two in college and one in high school. She enjoys teaching fitness classes, walking, reading, playing games, spending time with family and their goldendoodle, Rosie.
Teresa Keffer, PT, DPT, CFPS
Physical Therapist, Care Coordination,
Certified Fall Prevention Specialist
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TERESA
Kim Easton, OTD
Occupational Therapist, Care Coordinator
Kim Easton is a noted specialist in senior care with a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy and more than 25 years in practice. Her experience in geriatric rehabilitation at acute hospitals, skilled nursing, home health, and outpatient practice settings has equipped her with an expert understanding of health systems and the barriers that make navigating the next steps challenging.
Her passion for client outcomes and success is the foundation of her desire to advocate for you and is the basis for her comprehensive knowledge of resources and interventions. Kim has personally developed and taught clinical applications such as assistive technology for aging in place, treatment for incontinence, dementia interventions that focus on what clients can do, and interventions that maximize activity engagement, safety and independence.
Kim’s past experience as a clinical and reimbursement consultant enables her to help clients make the most informed decisions. She believes successful client outcomes are achieved by approaching the interrelated connection between a person’s physical, emotional and spiritual being. A native of Canada, Kim spent 20 years in Southern California and today is pleased to call Tennessee home. When not busy working, you’ll find Kim mountain biking or hiking in the hills, cooking unique and flavorful dishes, entertaining at home, and serving at her church.
Kim Easton, OTD
Occupational Therapist, Care Coordinator
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KIM
Garlan Adams, SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist, Licensed SPEAK OUT! Provider
Garlan is a medical Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) with an extensive background in a variety of acute care settings, including Level 1 trauma, private and teaching hospitals, focusing on the diagnosis and management of swallowing disorders. Over the course of her career, Garlan has gained experience in addressing a broad spectrum of conditions related to swallowing, speech, and language deficits with medically complex patients while implementing evidence based practice. She places great importance on providing services and education tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
Garlan received a Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She holds a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Tennessee State University where she completed her internship at the VA Medical Center. She is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP).
Garlan is a native of middle Tennessee. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, and traveling to national parks with her husband and 3 boys.
Garlan Adams, SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Licensed SPEAK OUT! Provider
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GARLAN
Mark Kirschbaum, RN, PhD
RN, PhD
Community Impact and Informatics
Mark S. Kirschbaum, RN, PhD, a clinician and leader for over 40 years, has served as a healthcare executive since 2006. He served as the chief quality officer at two large academic health centers and as VP for Population Health at a county health system in south-central Tennessee. His experience includes management, education, and clinical positions. He has significant experience in clinical informatics – both electronic health records and the use of large data sets; building the business case for palliative care consult teams, and establishing foundation building blocks for accountable care.
Mark received a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from the University of Minnesota, with a minor in Family Social Science, as a Bush Foundation Leadership Fellow. He holds a Master of Science in Nursing Sciences from the University of Illinois, with a concentration in Pediatric Nursing and a functional minor in education, as a Louise Mellen Fellow in Critical Care Nursing. He received his Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, in Nursing from the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN.
Mark Kirschbaum, RN, PhD
RN, PhD
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MARK
Rhonda King, RN, CCM
RN, CCM
Rhonda obtained her ADN from Tennessee State University after being an LPN for a couple of years. She immediately pursued her BS with a concentration in health communication from Middle TN State University, while she worked as a registered nurse full time. Over her thirty plus years, as a Registered Nurse, she has held several professional certifications. She has held her CNOR certification since 2006, also holding her CCM certification since 2019. In the past, Rhonda served on the Infection Prevention Board, with Competency and Credentialing Institute from 2008-2012. She worked on several nursing research groups while working at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, such as the Acute and Chronic Illness Project: co-chaired with Dr. Corey Slovis (2009-2011). In her time at various inpatient settings, she realized there are several gaps in care that can happen from the time a patient leaves the hospital to home, and there was a disparaging gap in care for the aging population. In 2012, she began working in case management and transitioned to Aging Life Care management outside of inpatient in 2017. She is presently working in Middle TN, serving people all over middle TN and surrounding counties.
Over the years, Rhonda has worked also in home health, rehab settings and even some time in quality control. This experience furthered her resolve that all patients, regardless of age, disability or barriers should have the tools to make the best decisions for their care. She is a fierce advocate for those without a voice and works with the patient and the family to ensure that everyone has a better understanding of the complexities of healthcare.
In addition to the above, Rhonda has completed four medical mission trips, in the US and abroad, some lasting for over six months. Rhonda volunteers in grief support groups and gives lectures, leading retreats; specifically for women experiencing immense grief/loss. She has been a member of the American Nursing Association for over 20 years, she has been a Volunteer Advocate for the Greater National Advocates where she specializes in complex medical cases and offering support for Special Care and Aging. She has been an Advanced Professional Member of the Aging Life Care Association since 2020.
Rhonda King, RN, CCM
RN, CCM
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RHONDA
AGING LIFE CARE™ is a trademark of the Aging Life Care Association®. Only ALCA Members are authorized to use this term to identify their services. AGING LIFE CARE PROFESSIONAL®, AGING LIFE CARE MANAGER®, and AGING LIFE CARE SPECIALIST® are trademarks of the Aging Life Care Association®. It is an indication of membership in ALCA, and only ALCA Members are authorized to use this term.
