OUR TEAM

BRENDEN SHANNON
Certified Dementia Practitioner
Brenden was born in Soroako, Sulawesi, Indonesia. Both his parents were born in Pittsburgh PA. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his daughters, friends and competing in Ironman triathlons. His favorite movie is Saving Private Ryan and his favorite musician is U2. As for food, it’s Tex Mex.
In his free time you can find Brenden spending time with his precious two daughters and serving the community with his church.
Brenden attended Blinn Jr. College in Bryan TX, Texas A&M University-Mays Business School in College Station TX and University of Houston Main Campus-C.T. Bauer College of Business Executive Education in Houston TX. Receiving a Double Major and Triple Minor.

AMY CALDER
Chief Medical Officer Gerontological Nurse Practitioner MSN, ANCC, APRN
Amy received degrees in Biology and Theology from the University of Notre Dame in 1996. She then went to nursing school and received her BSN from St. Mary’s College in 1997. After that, she went straight to graduate school and received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a focus on gerontology. She has been certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner since 1998 and is recognized by the Texas Board of Nursing as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).
When choosing her nursing specialty, Amy focused on her lifelong love of the elderly, and their unfortunate, but frequent, lack of support. Many other specialties enticed her, and probably would have been more glamorous. In general, working with the elderly is physically and emotionally taxing, but Amy knew they needed advocates. She has always been very conscious to treat her elderly patients with compassion in all areas of their life - mind, body, and spirit.

Brenda Patrick
Certified Dementia Practitioner RN, Case Management Specialist Vice President of Case Management
Brenda Patrick has always known she would be a nurse. When asked as a little girl what she wanted to be when she grew up, her answer was a nurse and that is what she did. Brenda has 47 years of experience in nursing. Upon graduating from Houston Technical Institute Vocational High School, she began her career as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Brenda continued her education and obtained her RN license. At 17 Brenda started her first job at Methodist Hospital in the Fondren and Brown Cardiovascular Recovery Unit under Dr. Michael E. DeBakey where she worked for two years. Brenda continued her career at St. Lukes Episcopal Hospital where she gained experience in all areas of critical care working with Dr. Denton Cooley. During Brenda’s 30 years of service with St. Lukes Episcopal Hospital she worked in neuro ICU, coronary care, pediatric ICU, transplant ICU, and hemodialysis. Because of her exceptional bedside manner and being known for her attention to detail she took on the position as charge nurse and unit preceptor to new graduate nurses. Before leaving St. Luke’s the Woodlands Brenda was the case manager responsible for discharge planning following post-acute care. Brenda is currently working in Hospice as a case manager. It was at this time Brenda felt she was being called to serve and care for the special needs of patients with dementia related disease processes. She then became a certified dementia practitioner.
Brenda has been married for 42 years and has four daughters, 10 grandkids and one grand-dog. She enjoys baking, gardening and cooking for her family. Brenda takes pride in caring for others. It is in her very core to be a nurturer and caregiver.

ANDREA OSBORN
Certified Dementia Practitioner, MA, LCDC, MAC & AADC, Vice President of Human Resources, Counseling, and Mediation
Andrea has been a counselor/therapist for over thirty years. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California with a Master’s degree in Counseling and Guidance and Pepperdine University in Malibu, California with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. She is also a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, Master Addictions Counselor, Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and works with Geriatric Substance Use clients who abuse alcohol and opiates. Lastly, Andrea is also a Transitional Lifestyle Coach for seniors and their families. When she is not working, Andrea likes to read, cook, hang out with friends and family, and listen to a lot of good old classic rock. She also has two cats - one that is “special needs” and the other is her eighteen pound brother.

MELISSA SNYDER
Certified Dementia Practitioner, PTA
Melissa was born in Corpus Christi, Texas and moved to Houston when she was two years old. With that, she considers Houston her hometown. Melissa started working in the medical field at seventeen at a minor emergency clinic for her co-op job in high school. Her next ten years of experience was spent in medical and physical therapy office settings conducting insurance verification, scheduling, billing and collections, occasional marketing, and eventually office management.
When her daughter was born, she was blessed to be able to stay home with her throughout her first five years of life. At that time, Melissa took the opportunity to go back to school for what she believed had always been her calling. She spent the next three years in school; the first year getting all of her prerequisite classes and observation hours completed to apply for the Physical Therapist Assistant program. She was accepted into the program at Lone Star College – Montgomery campus where she spent the next two years taking her required courses to sit for her state board licensing exam.

SUSAN COOPMAN-MOSER
Certified Dementia Practitioner, CAADCT

Julie Mosier
PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Caregiver Counseling

SUZANNE TRUAX
RN, Area Sales Manager, and Wellness Director

Kim Hegwood
J.D. & P.C. and Elder Lawyer Certified Dementia Practitioner and CAADCT

Blanche D. Smith
J.D. & P.C.
Legal Counsel and Elder Lawyer
Blanche D. Smith received her Juris Doctorate degree (Cum Laude) from South Texas College of Law in 1992. Blanche is admitted to practice in the Texas county and state courts, the District Court for the Southern District of Texas and the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. She is a member of the Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Texas Bar Association and the Probate, Trusts and Estates Section of the Houston Bar Association.
Blanche is also accredited for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for veterans’ benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Blanche is also a member of Lawyers With Purpose, which is a unique organization of like-minded attorneys who bring sincere empathy and compassion to their work. Lawyers With Purpose members share a philosophy that each person is an individual who deserves respect and the highest quality of life possible, regardless of age or ability.

Saul Gauthier
Certified Dementia Practitioner
Skilled Nursing Specialist
Area Sales and Marketing Manager
Saul is a graduate of Northwestern State University where he received his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. Immediately after college Saul accepted a job in management in a major retail company where he developed his management and administrative abilities. During his career in retail Saul felt a calling to use his experience and abilities to care for the elderly. Watching his grandmother suffer with dementia was a huge motivator that aided in Saul's healthcare career in a management role at a skilled nursing facility. Saul enjoyed his time helping the residents and making sure they got the best care. From there he moved on to work in several skilled nursing facilities throughout the years until he got the opportunity to be the marketing director for a well known assisted living memory care company where he received his certified dementia practitioner certification. Saul found his true calling aiding and helping families navigate the road of senior placement. He currently work at a skilled nursing facility where he helps families place their loved ones who need 24/7 care. Saul specializes in getting potential residents approved both financially and clinically to make sure they get the best care and provides options for the families. He has a passion for what he does, and he advocates for his residents. Saul feels that nothing is more fulfilling than making a difference in someone's life and following your heart.

Joseph Wehrly
CPA
Veterans Assistance Specialist
Investment Advisor Representative Joseph Wehrly has more than twelve years’ experience in the insurance and financial services industry. He serves clients by providing guidance across several areas of their finances, including investments, 401(k) plans, taxes and insurance. Joseph holds the Series 65 security license, insurance license, Certified Tax Preparer and a Registered Tax Return Preparer.
Joseph’s mission is to help his clients potentially grow their assets and reduce their tax liability. As an Investment Adviser Representative, he is required to adhere to the fiduciary standard, meaning he must do what is in the best interest of his clients, rather than making recommendations that are simply suitable. His business philosophy is to “do what’s right, every time.”

Michael Snasel
CPA
Long Term Health Insurance Specialist
Mike's mother lived with dementia, so he can relate to what you are going through and the burden of the additional financial stress and worry. He is here to help you out with the Complete Dementia Solutions team. He would like to share with you the most cost-effective financial solutions, including the option of Long Term Health Insurance to bring peace of mind now and in the future. Mike is a Business Administration graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, and Series 65 IAR, representing LifePro Asset Management. Mike is a highly sought after Financial Advisor with over 35 years of planning experience.

Kim SUmrall
Certified Dementia Practitioner
Area Sales Manager
Kim was born in New Orleans and was raised in Philadelphia. She moved to Texas in 1978 where she started her sales career started with her Dad and his company. Kim has two adults children and five grandchildren. She has been in the healthcare industry for twenty-five years and started out in assisted living and memory care. Kim has been in hospice and memory care since 1990 when her father was diagnosed with early onset dementia and having both her grandmothers pass from Alzheimer's and Lewy Body dementia. Kim is a people person and loves helping families. Her passion is dementia care for those who have a difficult time expressing their voice.

Stephen Catoe
Consultant, Trainer & Coach in Positive Approach Care, C.V.W, C.A.D., Gerontology & Case Management
Stephen is a native Texan. Born in Houston, he moved to Austin in 1985. He now resides in nearby Lockhart with his soulmate of more than 30 years in a restored house that is 120 years old. He has two beautiful beagle girls and three rescued cats. He has a passion for collecting antique clocks, particularly 18th and 19th century clocks. Stephen enjoys painting in his free time, having majored in art at the University of Houston.
Stephen is a Certified Assisted Living Manager having spent sixteen years serving as a Memory Care Director. He managed Memory Care Programs ranging from twenty to forty-two residents. He is also a Certified Activity Director and has certifications in Gerontology and Case Management from the former Texas Consortium on Gerontology.
Stephen is a Certified Validation Worker in The Feil Method of Validation.
In Positive Approach to Care, created by the esteemed dementia educator, Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, he holds multiple certifications. He is rated as accomplished as a Consultant, Trainer and Coach. He actively works as a consultant, educator and dementia coach.
His goal is Culture Change. His favorite quote is from G. Allen Power, M.D.: “Dementia is a shift in the way a person experiences the world around her/him.” He believes that until we understand the “experiences” of the person living with dementia, we can’t truly understand their needs and wants. As Teepa Snow puts it, “Seeing it from the other side.” Empathy can’t be taught, but we all have it in us to learn it.