Program Alumni

Graduates of our Executive Certificate in Home Modification Program, Catia Garell and Damian Sempio, founders of Thrive for Life, LLC, with a home modification client

 

The USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology boasts a network of over 2,000 Executive Certificate in Home Modification graduates throughout the nation and around the globe.

We invite you to connect with some of our talented and diverse Program Alumni. Enjoy browsing through the Alumni Directory!

Please click an entry below to learn more about our program alumni!

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Liz Donovan

Graduation Year: 2016
Title: Director Company Name: Senior Support and Transition Company Address: 192 Cross Ridge Rd. , New Canaan , CT 6840 Phone: (203) 939-7039 Our Home Modification Assessment process includes a careful observation of your senior(s) and how they live their daily lives in their current environment, in order to determine household hazards and impediments and to suggest remodeling and/or assistive devices to facilitate their activities and independence. Thus as a Certified Home Modification Assessor Liz performs Home Modification Assessments, and can also take on all details of working with the family to get major modifications agreed upon, obtain estimates, research available public funding, and oversee implementation. Unlike some other vendors who provide a strictly one-time one-size-fits-all impersonal checklist, our more holistic and long-term approach readily ties in with our other services to determine the best ways to keep your seniors happy and functional at home, where they want to be.

Kiersten Dortone

Title: Owner/Founder Company Name: Safe at Home Senior Solutions LLC Company Address: Philadelphia , Pennsylvania Skilled occupational therapist board certified in gerontology (BCG) by AOTA and certified Case Manager (CCM) with extensive experience care coordination and home assessments

Xiaolu Dou

Graduation Year: 2014
Title: Director of Research Department Company Name: http://bridata.com/ Company Address: Room 3403, Zhongguojin of Greenland Center, Wangjingxiyuan , Beijing , China 100010 Our firm provide a series of services across consulting, research and data analysis regarding social service area.

Leonard Dubas

Graduation Year: 2004
Title: President Company Name: Safe in your Space Company Address: 100 Bowman Dr. , Feasterville-Trevose , PA 19053-1601 Phone: (215) 275-6910 Safe in Your Space specializes in Aging-in-Place home solutions. We are a complete resource for assessing safety and independence within the home environment for all individuals who want to maintain their active lifestyle. We provide products and services that are designed to minimize the impact that aging and disability has on quality of life within the home environment. We provide solutions as simple as changing door knobs to levers up to removing bathtubs and converting them to roll-in showers. Our other company Rehab Equipment Hub was started twelve years ago providing rehab equipment to the physical therapy clinics around the country. The company sells equipment and supplies to the various healthcare markets.

Michele Duero

Graduation Year: 2019
Title: Co-Owner, Occupational Therapist Company Name: Homefree: Solutions for Independent Living Company Address: PO Box 697 , Templeton , CA 93465 Phone: 805-303-4663 We are occupational therapists who are passionate about helping people age in place with dignity and helping those with barriers to accessibility in their homes live full and independent lives. Homefree: Solutions for Independent Living is a home and environmental modification consulting business that operates on the California's Central Coast.

Marge Eberle

Graduation Year: 2018
Title: Design & Sales of Accessible Home Modifications Company Name: The Board Store Home Improvements Company Address: 514 Copeland Ave. , La Crosse , WI 54603 Phone: (608) 782-8877 I consult and design for customers who are preparing for the future by implementing home modifications, such as accessible baths, widening of doors, adding a lift, etc. I also work closely with people with disabilities who have received grants from the state to do accessible home modifications.

Tom Elston

Graduation Year: 2018
Title: Owner Company Name: Thrive At Home LLC Company Address: 1104 NW 26th St. , Ankeny , IA 50023 Phone: (515) 451-4542 The experiences I've had in healthcare guided me toward home modification. I'm passionate about providing the opportunity for those who want to stay at home the ability to do so.

Janet Engel

Title: Owner Company Name: Home Designs for Life, Ltd, Co. Company Address: 4085 Hillcrest View Court Northeast , Suwanee , GA 30024 Phone: (352) 281-6681 I am an occupational therapist specializing in aging in place and Universal Design. I offer consulting services both in person and virtually to people who want to remain in their homes and reduce their fall risk.

Sientje Engler

Graduation Year: 2018
Title: Occupational Therapist Company Name: Legacy Healthcare Services Company Address: 8327 Hollister Hills Dr. , Raleigh , NC 27616 Phone: (952) 270-5736 I am currently seeking out ways to utilize my newly found certification to benefit my community.

Amy Evenstad

Graduation Year: 2018
Title: OT Manager Company Name: Vernon Memorial Healthcare Company Address: N496 County Rd. Pi , Coon Valley , WI 54623 Phone: (608) 790-1295 I am an Occupational Therapist working on a regular basis with home safety. I am also starting a consulting business for home modification.

Deanne Everton

Graduation Year: 2016
Title: Executive Director Company Name: Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley Company Address: 1701 S. 7th St. #10 , San Jose , CA 95112 Phone: (408) 578-9519 We believe that everyone deserves a safe and healthyhome. We do our part by providing overdue home repairs and safety modifications for older adults and people with disabilites at no cost to them. We focus on making sure the low-income homeowner can move about their home safely and can get in and out of their home safely. We install grab bars, handrails, shower seats, handhell shower faucets, raised toilets, additional lighting, ramps/lifts, progressive steps, and more.

Kathy Feeney

Title: COO Company Name: Havenside Construction Group Company Address: 171 Industry Drive , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15275 Phone: 4122862206 Havenside researches, plans, and installs home improvement and modification solutions through a supportive process that ensures independence, dignity, and a safer, healthier home environment. Havenside home improvement and modification specialists take the time to listen and create a customized solution for making homes safer, more comfortable, and more functional. We work closely with every client to understand how they would like to improve the functionality of their home so it is safer, more comfortable, and fits their individual lifestyle and budget.

Romanos Fessas

Title: Co-Founder & CEO Company Name: Jukebox Health Company Address: 228 Park Ave S , New York , NY 10003 Phone: 212-321-5113 Jukebox Health is a leading provider of home modifications for older adults and people with disabilities, serving thousands of individuals through its work with state HCBS waivers, Medicaid Managed Care Organizations and Long Term Care Insurance programs.

Caryn Fidalgo

Graduation Year: 2026
Title: Occupational Therapist Company Name: GreenLight Mobility Charlotte Company Address: PO BOX 128 , Charlotte , NC 28214 Phone: 704-275-2412 I own and operate GreenLight Mobility with my husband who is a Physical Therapist and Certified Aging in Place Specialist. We offer free in home assessments in the greater Charlotte, NC area with professional installation.

Jill Finkle

Title: Registered Occupational Therapist Company Name: Aveanna Health Care; Worcester Public Schools Company Address: 181 Chester Street , Worcester , MA 01605 Phone: (508)736-9246 I have over 25 years of experience as a registered occupational therapist working with adults, geriatrics, early intervention, as well as school aged children. I work per-diem in home health care, and I am actively involved with HMOTA: Home Modification Occupational Therapy Alliance. I am continuing to research how to use my skills in the area of home modifications. I do not have my own business.

Stacy Fisher

Title: Associate Professor Company Name: Touro University Nevada Company Address: 874 American Pacific Drive , Henderson , NV 89014 Phone: (702)777-3889 I complete home safety evaluations and make recommendations and offer resource materials. I will also advocate for home modification resources in Nevada (Southern and/or Northern).

Jessica FitzGerald

Title: Owner Company Name: Safe Haven Home Modifications Consulting Company Address: 21 Locust Lane , South Berwick , ME 03908 Phone: 2077523234 I have incorporated home modifications counseling in my position as a home care PT since completing the course in 2010. I have now opened a solo mobile outpatient practice focusing on home safety and aging in place!

Greg Fitzhugh

Graduation Year: 2012
Title: Owner/Opreator Company Name: Caregiver-Aid, LLC Company Address: 119 S. Ellis St. , Lancaster , TX 75146 Phone: (214) 460-4269 Greg & Georgia Fitzhugh have been caregivers for over 13 years. Georgia, a Teacher, has a BS in Rehabilitation Science & a MEd in Special Education. Greg, a Carpenter, has an Executive Certificate in Home Modifications. They now operate Caregiver-Aid.com, where they have written 275+ articles for and about caregivers and sell 155+ different types of durable medical equipment.

James Flanagan

Graduation Year: 2017
Title: Financial Gerontologist Company Name: Bentron Financial Group Company Address: 3020 Woodcreek Dr., Suite C1 , Downers Grove , IL 60515 Phone: (630) 505-8375 I am a financial gerontologist with experience in construction. I help people identify solutions and I help find ways to pay for what needs to be done.

Brian Fluhr

Title: Founder Company Name: SeniorThrive LLC Company Address: 5436 Via Carrizo , Laguna Woods , CA 92637 Phone: 7143717493 SeniorThrive is a proactive empowerment app designed to help older adults thrive independently in their homes. By leveraging Vision AI technology, it assesses home environments for safety risks and provides personalized recommendations to prevent falls, reduce social isolation, and enhance overall well-being. Thus, it empowers seniors and their families to make informed decisions about thriving in place.

Brian Fluhr

Graduation Year: 2024
Title: Founder Company Name: SeniorThrive LLC Company Address: 5436 Via Carrizo , Laguna Woods , California 92637 Phone: (714)371-7493 Specialty: SeniorThrive is a proactive empowerment app designed to help older adults thrive independently in their homes. By leveraging Vision AI technology, it assesses home environments for safety risks and provides personalized recommendations to prevent falls, reduce social isolation, and enhance overall well-being. Thus, it empowers seniors and their families to make informed decisions about thriving in place. SeniorThrive is a proactive empowerment app designed to help older adults thrive independently in their homes. By leveraging Vision AI technology, it assesses home environments for safety risks and provides personalized recommendations to prevent falls, reduce social isolation, and enhance overall well-being. Thus, it empowers seniors and their families to make informed decisions about thriving in place.

C. Renee Foy

Graduation Year: 2018
Title: Public Health Strategist Company Name: Racine County Public Health Division Company Address: 9531 Rayne Rd, Suite V , Sturtevant , WI 53177

Cheryl Frickel

Graduation Year: 2015
Title: Agency OT and Home Specialist Company Name: Madonna Rehab Company Address: 12004 N 176th Circle , Bennington , NE 68007 Phone: (402) 699-2688 I complete home assessments and make home modification recommendations to individuals to increase ease, safety, and fall prevention and decrease burden of care.

Renee Fruhwirth

Title: Founder Company Name: Safe in Your Place Company Address: 358 Moonbeam Loop , Oviedo , Florida 32765-6712 Phone: (321)282-3570 With over 25 years of clinical experience as a physical therapist, I specialize in wellness, prevention, and home safety. My mission is to help clients maintain their independence and confidence by optimizing their living environments. I provide expert assessments across the greater Orlando area to help you stay safe in the place you love most: your home.

Renee Fruhwirth

Title: Founder Company Name: Safe in Your Place Company Address: 358 Moonbeam Loop , Oviedo , Florida 32765-6712 Phone: (321)282-3570 With over 25 years of clinical experience as a physical therapist, I have shifted my focus to wellness and prevention. For me, this is not just a pivot from clinical work, but a personal passion to help others maintain their independence. As a Certified Home Modification & Wellness Consultant, I help you build the stability and confidence to continue doing exactly what you love. My goal is to keep you safe in the place you love most, your home. I look forward to the opportunity to assist you along this journey in the greater Orlando area.