Kevin Smith
CEO, Best of Care, Inc.
Kevin Smith represents the second generation of leadership within his family’s long-standing home care organization. Since joining in 2007, he has immersed himself in every part of operations — hiring, scheduling, payroll, and direct client support — gaining a deep understanding of both the workforce and the families they serve. Now as CEO, Kevin leads with that same grounded perspective, expanding services beyond Massachusetts to northern Connecticut, Rhode Island, and parts of New Hampshire.
Leadership Team
Bringing together decades of experience in senior care, healthcare, and business operations, our leadership team is united by a shared commitment to delivering exceptional service and supporting the families and professionals who trust us with their most important decisions.
Kevin Smith
CEO
Kevin joined Best of Care in 2007, learning every facet of the business — hiring, scheduling, billing, payroll, and supervision — before becoming Vice President in 2011 and CEO in 2019. Under his leadership, the company has grown through strategic acquisitions, expanded partnerships with aging services providers across Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Western Massachusetts, and secured new state contracts. Kevin served as president of the Home Care Aide Council of Massachusetts, where he collaborated with agency owners statewide and advocated for workforce and policy changes through the COVID-19 pandemic. He has shared his industry expertise with national outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN. Kevin is a graduate of Providence College.
Faye English
Vice President of Operations
Faye joined Best of Care in 2009 after graduating from the University of New Hampshire and has since built a comprehensive career rooted in home care operations. Beginning as a Scheduling Coordinator, she quickly developed a deep understanding of both client needs and caregiver support, later transitioning into a Human Resources role where she strengthened her expertise in team development and organizational growth. Today, as Vice President of Operations, Faye brings a perspective shaped by years of experience across the company. Known for her compassionate leadership style, she is a trusted point of contact for clients, families, and team members alike. She takes pride in fostering strong relationships, supporting her team at every level, and helping others better understand the value and impact of home care.
Erica Hanks MSN, RN
Director of Nursing
Erica is a nursing leader whose career has primarily focused on home health services for the senior population, with a goal of helping older adults thrive at home through every stage of aging. She holds a master's degree in nursing with an Executive focus. Over the course of her professional journey, Erica has worked across the full continuum of home-based care, gaining comprehensive experience in both clinical practice and executive leadership, and brings that depth of knowledge to every client and family she serves at Best of Care.
Erin Lynch, Gerontologist, CMC, LNHA
Vice President of Care Management
Erin joined Best of Care in 2015 and has built her career at the intersection of clinical expertise and compassionate family support. A gerontologist with more than 17 years of experience, she is a licensed nursing home administrator and certified care manager who oversees the care management and move management divisions and leads key partnerships that support clients and families.
Annie Grealish
Vice President of Human Resources
Annie has been in the home care industry for over 20 years, providing direct care and supporting caregivers and our aging community. Annie has a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology from Bridgewater State University and has managed the Human Resources Department for Best of Care since 2013.
Leah Kerr
Director of Finance
Leah has served as Director of Finance for over a decade, bringing a steady, strategic approach to financial leadership built on experience, integration, and trust. Her strength lies in creating strong integration across departments, using forecasting and financial analysis to provide clarity in complex environments. As a leader, Leah values collaborating with teams and building a reliable financial framework that enables informed decisions and consistent organizational growth.
Arona Bauer, MSW, LICSW
Director of Strategy
Arona brings more than 20 years of experience in home care leadership, operations, and strategic growth. A Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, she has spent her career building high-performing teams and delivering exceptional client service across complex, multi-site organizations. Arona holds a Master of Social Work from Salem State University, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience from UMass Amherst, and is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
Zach Fried
Director of Technology
Zach brings over twenty years of hands-on technology experience to the Best of Care Team. He joined Best of Care in 2024. With a Master's degree in Behavior, Education, and Communication, he has spent his career helping individuals and organizations cut through technical complexity — solving problems, securing systems, and making tech work the way it should. His focus is clear communication, practical solutions, and fewer barriers between people and the tools they rely on.
Caregiving Team
The heart of what we do, our caregivers are carefully selected, thoroughly trained, and deeply committed to building meaningful relationships with every client they serve.
Shantell Brown
Certified Nursing Assistant
Shantell is a dedicated, dependable caregiver known for her reliability, warm personality, and outstanding communication skills. She builds genuine relationships with her clients, who enjoy her company as much as they appreciate her care. Deeply committed to the people she serves, Shantell consistently goes above and beyond—and when she needs time away, she makes every effort to ensure her clients' care is never disrupted. Currently enrolled in Best of Care's Home Health Aide Training Program, Shantell is working toward her HHA certification, a reflection of her commitment to growing her skills and delivering the highest quality care possible.
Inocencia DaSilva
Supportive Home Care Aide
Inocencia brings 29 years of caregiving experience to Best of Care, having begun her career in group home settings supporting residents with mental health challenges before transitioning into home care approximately 20 years ago. She is bilingual, has completed extended training through our Supportive Home Care Aide classes, and maintains a full-time schedule. Throughout her time with Best of Care, she has demonstrated flexibility and dependability, and communicates regularly with families and office staff on behalf of her clients.
Javoan Davy
Home Health Aide
Javoan is a compassionate caregiver with a warm, relaxed presence and a genuine ability to connect with the people he supports. He brings patience and confidence to personal care, taking time to learn each client's preferences and what makes their day feel normal and good. When one client experienced a significant decline in his health—losing his ability to walk and needing help with his daily routine—Javoan stepped in and quickly became a steady, reassuring presence. The family reflected, "Javoan's respectful but relaxed demeanor was a true comfort to our hearts in a time of so much change in our lives." That kind of quiet, consistent dedication is what makes Javoan a valued member of the Best of Care team.
Michelle Flynn
Personal Care Homemaker
Michele is a dedicated Homemaker based out of Best of Care’s Dennis office. Known for her compassion and reliability, Michele has earned praise from every client she serves, with many describing her as “an angel on earth.” Families are delighted to hear their loved ones speak so highly of the care and companionship she provides. Michele consistently goes above and beyond, accompanying clients to important medical appointments in Boston and willingly extending her schedule to ensure they receive the support they need. Her kindness, flexibility, and commitment make her an invaluable member of the Best of Care team.
Joy Goncalves
Personal Care Homemaker
Joy brings three years of private homecare experience to our team, a passion that was sparked by caring for her own family member. As a Personal Care Homemaker, she maintains a full schedule of devoted clients—many of whom routinely give her words of appreciation at the end of her visits. Throughout her time with Best of Care, Joy has consistently demonstrated compassion, reliability, and integrity. She is a fantastic communicator and an absolute asset to our Springfield office.
Marie Zamy
Certified Nursing Assistant
Marie has been a valued member of the Best of Care team since 2017 and has become a familiar and trusted presence within the Fuller Village community. Over nearly a decade, Marie has provided compassionate care to countless residents, offering clients and their families peace of mind through her attentive and caring approach. Recently promoted to On-Site Caregiver, Marie is now based at Fuller Village full-time, ensuring residents have immediate support whenever their needs arise. Her warm smile, friendly demeanor, and genuine dedication help clients feel comfortable, supported, and cared for from the moment they meet her.
Home Care Team
Our team of dedicated Home Care professionals provides personalized, compassionate support that allows clients to remain safely and comfortably in their own homes — whether that means help with daily activities, companionship, or specialized care for complex needs.
Faye English
Vice President of Operations
Faye joined Best of Care in 2009 after graduating from the University of New Hampshire and has since built a comprehensive career rooted in home care operations. Beginning as a Scheduling Coordinator, she quickly developed a deep understanding of both client needs and caregiver support, later transitioning into a Human Resources role where she strengthened her expertise in team development and organizational growth. Today, as Vice President of Operations, Faye brings a perspective shaped by years of experience across the company. Known for her compassionate leadership style, she is a trusted point of contact for clients, families, and team members alike. She takes pride in fostering strong relationships, supporting her team at every level, and helping others better understand the value and impact of home care.
Maryanne Drysdale
Community Partnerships & Intake Director
Maryanne has been a dedicated member of the Best of Care team since 2015, growing from Scheduling Coordinator to Office Manager and now serving as Community Partnerships and Intake Director. Bringing experience across both healthcare and business operations, she is united with her colleagues by a shared commitment to supporting the families and individuals who trust Best of Care with their most important decisions. Before entering healthcare, Maryanne spent more than a decade in product specialization, customer service, and office management, building a strong foundation in client relations and operations that she brings to every family she serves. She takes great pride in helping families navigate difficult decisions with compassion, understanding, and personalized guidance, ensuring that no one faces life's most challenging moments without support.
Danielle Gonzalez
Scheduling & Client Relationship Specialist
Danielle brings over 18 years of home care experience and 15 years in a hospital setting, giving her a well-rounded perspective across multiple care environments. Since joining Best of Care, she has advanced from field aide to Scheduling Coordinator and now serves as Scheduling and Client Relationship Specialist, where she leads scheduling operations, oversees daily workflow, and plays a key role in ensuring clients and families receive responsive, personalized support. Known for her strong work ethic, leadership, and dedication to exceptional service, Danielle is committed to building meaningful relationships with clients, families, caregivers, and colleagues to deliver the highest quality care experience.
Erica Hanks, MSN, RN
Director of Nursing
Erica is a nursing leader whose career has primarily focused on home health services for the senior population, with a goal of helping older adults thrive at home through every stage of aging. She holds a master's degree in nursing with an Executive focus. Over the course of her professional journey, Erica has worked across the full continuum of home-based care, gaining comprehensive experience in both clinical practice and executive leadership, and brings that depth of knowledge to every client and family she serves at Best of Care.
Samantha Lepore
Private Billing Specialist
Bringing over 10 years of experience in billing, finance, and administrative operations, Samantha serves as Private Billing Specialist at Best of Care, driven by a commitment to transparency, accuracy, and building trust and strong relationships with clients and their families. A graduate of Bay State College with a degree in Business Administration, she has built deep expertise in billing operations, financial analysis, and process improvement — creating efficient, compliant systems that support both clients and the professionals who serve them. Samantha understands that billing is ultimately about trust, and takes pride in providing clear communication and guidance that helps clients and their families feel informed and confident at every step — while continuously working to strengthen relationships, improve workflows, and contribute to the success of the individuals Best of Care serves.
Melissa Wuerth
Director of Operations for Western MA and CT
As the Director of Operations at Best of Care, Melissa firmly supports the right for elders to age safely at home. With over 20 years of experience in homecare, this work is her opportunity to serve her community. Melissa’s journey began as a homemaker in Western MA; she worked her way up from Home Health Aide to Coordinator, Manager, and ultimately, Director of Operations. Throughout her career, she has mentored hundreds of caregivers, staffed thousands of hours of care, and developed company-wide operational manuals. Driven by integrity and empathy, Melissa thrives on creating efficient, sustainable solutions. Today, she focuses on growing the Springfield office, fostering a supportive environment, and mentoring the next generation of caregivers.
Care Management and Care Consulting Team
Experienced in navigating the complexities of aging, illness, and long-term care, our Care Managers coordinate services, advocate for client needs, and guide families every step of the way.
Erin Lynch, Gerontologist, CMC, LNHA
Vice President of Care Management
Erin joined Best of Care in 2015 and has built her career at the intersection of clinical expertise and compassionate family support. A gerontologist with more than 17 years of experience, she is a licensed nursing home administrator and certified care manager who oversees the care management division and leads key partnerships that support clients and families.
Chaya Aronson, RN, BSN
Nurse Care Manager
Chaya is a registered nurse with nearly 20 years of experience in medical-surgical care, private home care, and holistic pelvic health. After caring for her son’s father at home during hospice, she returned to nursing to support clients in their own homes. She brings creativity, compassion, and a focus on quality of life to every family she serves.
Elizabeth (Liz) Barr, OTR/L, COC-C
Care Manager and GUIDE Care Navigator
Liz is a licensed Occupational Therapist and seasoned clinical manager with over 25 years of experience. She specializes in Parkinson’s disease, neurological conditions, and complex care management. Liz partners with clients, families, and care teams to promote safety, independence, and quality of life across home and community settings.
Beth Cardillo, M.Ed., LSW, CDP
Care Manager & Support Group Leader
Beth is a licensed social worker and Certified Dementia Practitioner with 25+ years of experience supporting older adults. She pioneered the Dementia Friendly Movement in Massachusetts and has spent over 20 years working with the Alzheimer’s Association. Beth provides dementia coaching for Best of Care's contracted ASAPs and leads caregiver support groups, in addition to advocating for clients and families.
Kerry Conlon, CDP
Care Manager
Kerry is an elder care professional with more than 25 years of experience in gerontology, social rehabilitation, and dementia care. A Certified Dementia Practitioner, she supports clients with complex needs and partners with families and community networks to ensure coordinated, person-centered care that promotes safety, dignity, and independence.
Kelli Fieldhouse, Gerontologist, LCSW
Care Manager
Kelli is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with graduate training in Social Work and Gerontology. She brings experience in behavioral health, community aging services, and six years as a family caregiver. As a Care Manager, she supports clients and families while building strong community partnerships to enhance access to aging services.
Alison Keller, End-of-Life Doula
Care Manager
Alison is an end-of-life doula and facilitator devoted to helping individuals and families navigate death with clarity, compassion, and presence. She supports caregivers and the dying through emotional, spiritual, and practical transitions, with experience in care management and move management that helps families navigate complex life changes with greater ease and support. Her work creates space for meaningful conversation, reduces fear and isolation, and encourages deeper human connection at life’s threshold.
Ariel Miller, RN
Registered Nurse
Ariel has been a nurse for over 10 years across hospice, home care, and community health settings. Ariel has served in various clinical and case management roles. Her background highlights strong skills in hospice and palliative care, case management, and home health. Ariel also brings experience in staff supervision, interdisciplinary collaboration, and use of EMRs. Ariel enjoys working with the elderly population.
Kelly Roach, Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Fall Prevention Specialist, PTA
Care Manager and Mobility Specialist
Kelly brings 25 years of experience as a physical therapist assistant and certified personal trainer. She specializes in helping clients maintain strength, balance, and independence through personalized mobility support and brings extensive experience from both rehab facilities and in-home care.
Annie-Kay Rose, RN, BSN
Care Coordinator Supervisor
Annie-Kay Rose has a B.S. in Nursing and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau. She is known for her leadership, dedication, and commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care to the Nantucket community and beyond. Annie-Kay also serves as a Clinical Professor, where she enjoys mentoring future healthcare professionals and sharing her knowledge and experience with the next generation of nurses. She works closely with clients and their team to develop and coordinate care plans that promote safety, independence, and quality of life.
Rebecca Sleeper, BSN, RN, OCN
Nurse Care Manager and GUIDE Care Navigator
Rebecca is an Oncology Certified Nurse with 25+ years of healthcare experience. She has a strong background in home health, care coordination, and outpatient hematology-oncology, where she administers chemotherapy and infusion therapies. A DAISY Award recipient, Rebecca brings deep clinical expertise and compassionate support to the clients she serves.
Nicole Tartaglione, LPN
Nurse Care Manager
Nicole is an experienced Licensed Practical Nurse with 25 years in skilled nursing, assisted living memory care, and acute care liaison work. Her background spans admissions, subacute and memory care, and clinical outreach. Known for her strong industry relationships and commitment to patient advocacy, Nicole helps clients and families navigate their aging journey with clarity and support.
Nursing Team
Skilled, compassionate, and clinically grounded, our nursing team delivers expert assessments, care coordination, private nursing, and hands-on support that bridges the gap between medical care and everyday living.
Erica Hanks MSN, RN
Director of Nursing
Erica is a nursing leader whose career has primarily focused on home health services for the senior population, with a goal of helping older adults thrive at home through every stage of aging. She holds a master's degree in nursing with an Executive focus. Over the course of her professional journey, Erica has worked across the full continuum of home-based care, gaining comprehensive experience in both clinical practice and executive leadership, and brings that depth of knowledge to every client and family she serves at Best of Care.
Stephanie Wilson, MSN, RN
RN Nurse Educator/Field Supervisor
Stephanie is a nurse with 17 years of experience. She has a background in homecare, VNA, hospital nursing, school nursing, and outpatient oncology services. She earned her master’s degree in nursing at Norwich University with a concentration in Nursing Education and certification in Nursing Informatics at Capella University. Currently, she manages education and training for the aides, onboarding and training for nurses starting at Best of Care, while also assisting with homecare visits in the field.
Amanda Cardaropoli, RN
Nurse Supervisor
Amanda is a Registered Nurse with nine years of experience in skilled nursing and home health care. She holds an Associate's Degree in Nursing from Holyoke Community College, graduating with honors. Her background spans sub-acute and long-term care, dementia units, and nurse supervision in both home care agency and ASAP-funded settings. At Best of Care, she provides skilled nursing, aide training, and care plan development across Western Massachusetts.
Shelley Leandre
Registered Nurse
Shelley graduated in 2006 from the nursing program at Cape Cod Community College (CCCC). Prior to joining the BOC team 3 years ago, she worked in Long Term Care, Post Acute Care, Pediatrics, Ambulatory Care. When COVID arrived and in-office visits were halted, she pioneered the COVID testing team at CCCC. She continued performing drive-through Covid testing and managed the transition to vaccinations as they became available to local clinics.
Tara McDonough
Registered Nurse
Tara is a Registered Nurse with more than 10 years of experience spanning cardiac care, pediatric practice, and home health. She holds an Associate in Nursing from Massachusetts Bay Community College and a BA in Psychology from UMass Dartmouth. Her career includes supervising Home Health Aides, managing long-term care plans for geriatric patients, and supporting children with complex developmental and medical needs.
Guirlene Rodriguez, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse
Guirlene obtained her nursing license in 2012 and has worked in a wide variety of medical settings. She has acquired extensive knowledge and experience in multidisciplinary environments, focusing on restoring the health and physical functioning of her patients and clients. Given her work in rehabilitation and long-term units, Guirlene is well equipped to manage the care of clients. Her experience extends to managing young adults on mechanical life support and the significant complexity therein. Guirlene’s objective is to ensure that the care is delivered in a professional and compassionate manner.
Annie-Kay Rose, RN, BSN
Care Coordinator Supervisor
Annie-Kay Rose has a B.S. in Nursing and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau. She is known for her leadership, dedication, and commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care to the Nantucket community and beyond. Annie-Kay also serves as a Clinical Professor, where she enjoys mentoring future healthcare professionals and sharing her knowledge and experience with the next generation of nurses. She works closely with clients and their team to develop and coordinate care plans that promote safety, independence, and quality of life.
Lauren Wright
Registered Nurse
Lauren is a Registered Nurse licensed in both Connecticut and Massachusetts, holding a BSN from Goodwin University. Her clinical background includes acute medical-surgical care at Baystate Medical Center, labor and delivery, oncology, and long-term care. She brings strong skills in direct patient care, wound care, medication administration, and patient advocacy, along with prior experience as a licensed cosmetologist.
Move Management Team
Our team of expert Move Managers can help with both the physical and emotional aspects of preparing to move, rightsizing, downsizing, and relocation.
Erin Lynch, Gerontologist, CMC, LNHA
Director of Move Management
Erin joined Best of Care in 2015 and has built her career at the intersection of clinical expertise and compassionate family support. A gerontologist with more than 17 years of experience, she is a licensed nursing home administrator and certified care manager who oversees the care management and move management divisions and leads key partnerships that support clients and families.
Alison Keller, End-of-Life Doula
Move Manager
Alison is an end-of-life doula and facilitator devoted to helping individuals and families navigate death with clarity, compassion, and presence. She supports caregivers and the dying through emotional, spiritual, and practical transitions, with experience in care management and move management that helps families navigate complex life changes with greater ease and support. Her work creates space for meaningful conversation, reduces fear and isolation, and encourages deeper human connection at life’s threshold.
Allegra Haupt
Move Manager
Allegra supports individuals and families through major life transitions, helping them downsize, declutter, relocate, and create spaces that feel calm, functional, and joyful. With a background in education and community care, she brings warmth, compassion, and thoughtful guidance to every move management experience. Her work is centered on easing overwhelm, honoring personal stories, and helping people feel more at home in their next chapter.