Together in Caring
Rochester, NY
Proudly serving families in Monroe,
Ontario, Wayne, Livingston, and Yates Counties
500 Linden Oaks
Suite 230
Rochester, NY 14625
- 585-450-3828
- fax: 585-495-2699
- info@togetherincaring.com
MARK MCDERMOTT
Chief Executive Officer
Mark has over 35 years of home care management, human resources, business and legal experience. He is co-owner of Touching Hearts at Home, a leading companion home care company with four offices and over 200 employees in New York State. He is a member and recent past Chair of the Lifespan of Greater Rochester, Inc. Board of Directors. Mark is a member of the Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly where he has served on the Advocacy Committee. He is a certified Eden Associate. Mark has a bachelor’s degree Magna Cum Laude from Boston College and a JD degree from University of Buffalo law School.
Mark is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys quiet time at his cabin in remote Quebec and canoe camping in the Adirondacks with his wife. He expects the Buffalo Bills and the New York Yankees to win it all every year. He enjoys reading just about everything, but novels, historical fiction and murder mysteries are his favorites.
KATHY JACOBS, MBA, CMC
President, Certified Care Manager
Kathy Jacobs is a proven leader in care management, project management, logistics and financial services. Most recently, she was co-owner of Entrusted Care, a geriatric care management company. She is a certified by the National Academy of Certified Care Managers and is an Advanced Professional Member with the Aging Life Care Association. Kathy is also an approved Article 81 Guardian, meaning she is able to be court-appointed to assist if an individual can no longer handle their affairs. Kathy is also a Certified Aging in Place Specialist through the National Association of Home Builders and is essentiALZ certified by the Alzheimer’s Association. She has extensive experience working with people with disabilities and those with chronic and/or terminal illnesses. In addition to holding a bachelor’s degree in psychology and an MBA from the Simon School of Business focused on Health Care Operations, she also holds a Gerontology Certificate from St. John Fisher College.
Kathy is married with three adult children. She and her husband enjoy being outdoors kayaking, hiking, and doing landscaping work at their home. She and her family will often travel to the Adirondacks with their three German Shepherds. If not outdoors, then Kathy is likely reading a book!
JENNIFER DEWYEA
Office Administrator / Care Manager Assistant
Beginning at age 14, Jennifer volunteered at a local nursing home in the recreation department, piquing her interest in working with older adults. Jennifer went on to work with adults living with developmental disabilities in group home and day program settings. She coordinated activities for the residents, focusing on inclusion and ensuring the residents had the same opportunities as others to participate in every aspect of life. She helped manage several high needs group homes. Now, she takes on many responsibilities at the Together in Caring office.
Jennifer is married with 4 children and 1 dog. She enjoys spending time outdoors during every season, usually with a book in hand. Rooting for the Baltimore Orioles, reading, traveling, and yoga are among her favorite hobbies, although with 3 children in travel sports, it can be hard to find the time. Jennifer is a true DIYer, she believes if you can Google it, you can do it!
KARA STADT
Community Engagement Specialist
Kara brings over 20 years of experience in education, project management, and community engagement. She spent 21 years as a Special Education Teacher in the Rochester City School District, supporting students through Individualized Education Plans and guiding them toward success. She also coordinated numerous state and local grants and served as a School Improvement Team leader, where she focused on data-driven strategies to foster growth and meaningful change.
In addition to her work in education and project management, Kara is a proud parent of two adult children and grandmother of three. She enjoys crafting jewelry, preserving family memories through photos and genealogy, and spending time with her loved ones. Her creativity and passion for connection shine through in both her professional and personal life.
EVELYN JACOBS
Care Manager Assistant
Evelyn’s journey in senior care began as a companion caregiver, where she discovered her passion for supporting older adults. She has also worked as a patient care technician in a hospital setting, gaining valuable hands-on experience. With nursing training and a background in nutrition, Evelyn brings a well-rounded approach to care. A natural caregiver and advocate, she is dedicated to ensuring the well-being and dignity of those she serves.
When she’s not working, Evelyn enjoys the outdoors, including hiking and kayaking, and is a lover of animals. She also spends time reading, enjoying her two cats, and being with family.
CHELSEA CRAWFORD, LPN, CMC
Certified Care Manager | Clinical Supervisor | PAC Certified Trainer
Chelsea first began her career serving older adults when she was just 15 years old as an aide at a local skilled nursing home. After graduating high school, she became a Licensed Practical Nurse and went on to work as a civilian nurse for the US Army in Hawaii. After returning to Rochester, she completed her bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration and has since then spent her time working in senior living communities. Chelsea has had experience working in admissions, case management, and director of nursing roles, making her well-rounded in the field. Chelsea’s grandmother and mother raised her and instilled the importance of patience, gratitude and compassion, which Chelsea says has helped her work with the senior population so naturally. Chelsea says she truly feels a sense of peace and as if she is “home” working with older adults in our community. Chelsea is also a Certified Trainer in Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach® to Care (PAC) Program. She is certified by the NACCM as a Certified Care Manager.
When she is not working, you can find Chelsea reading, boating, grilling, fishing, socializing, spending time with her family, friends and her daughter, Gianna.
JENNIFER DIORIO, MSW, CMC
Certified Care Manager
Jen has spent over 15 years of her career working with older adults in senior living, where she has served as director of various assisted living communities. She holds a master’s degree in social work, and is a Certified Green House Educator, as well as Certified Eden Associate. Jen takes pride in creating a better quality of life for residents and her clients through guidance and support and has a true passion for advocacy. Jen considers the joy, laughs, and wisdom shared by this population to be priceless.
Outside of work, Jen enjoys spending time with her husband, three kids, and two dogs. They enjoy being outdoors. In the winter, they enjoy skiing, and in the summer, they enjoy and spending time with family on Seneca Lake.
ASHLEY METALLO, LMSW, CMC
Certified Care Manager
Ashley has worked in geriatrics since 2011, beginning with internships at the Alzheimer’s Association and St. Bernard’s dementia day program, where she unexpectedly discovered a passion for memory care. As a licensed social worker, her experience includes case management at Catholic Family Center’s guardianship program, years as a social worker in home care, and most recently, supporting individuals with severe mental illness and substance use disorders through a Medicaid managed care plan.
She finds deep meaning in working with older adults and their families, believing every older adult deserves to age with dignity, safety, and purpose. Supporting caregivers is especially important to her.
Outside of work, Ashley enjoys traveling with her wife and kids, exploring the Adirondacks and Mexico, and practicing yoga and mindfulness.
KATHY PREISH, LPN
Nurse Care Manager
Kathy brings more than 35 years of geriatric nursing experience to her role as Care Manager, guided by a lifelong respect for older adults. Kathy pursued her nursing education through BOCES, completing two years of Practical Nursing coursework in high school, followed by formal training at the Rochester School of Practical Nursing (RSPN). She further deepened her expertise through a Gerontology program at St. John Fisher College in 2007, solidifying her commitment to aging-focused care. Her career spans enriched living, memory care, hospital-based geriatric consults, and community care coordination.
Personally, Kathy is a proud mother of three adult children and a devoted “Nana” to four young grandsons. She was deeply involved in caring for her own grandparents while raising her family, an experience that reinforced her commitment to honoring elders with dignity and respect. A defining moment early in her nursing career, when a resident reminded her that the person inside remains the same despite aging, shaped her philosophy of care and continues to guide her compassionate, person-centered approach with every individual and family she serves.
JEANNE MULLEY, LPN
Nurse Care Manager
Jeanne has been a nurse in the Rochester community for over 35 years focusing on serving the needs of older adults. Her previous roles have included hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, memory care units, adult day care programs and independent living communities. She was the nurse manager of the St. Ann’s memory care community, Ranier Grove at Cherry Ridge, for 13 years. Jeanne is a graduate of the Isabella Graham Hart LPN program. She has a Certificate in Gerontology from St. John Fisher College and is essentiALZ certified by the Alzheimer’s Association.
Outside of work Jeanne enjoys time with her family. Her greatest joy is spending time with her grandchildren. She also enjoys traveling, attending baseball games with her husband, walking, and cooking.
SUSAN WILLER, RN
PRI Nurse, Relocation Nurse
Sue has decades of experience as a Registered Nurse and as a Care Manager. She is highly experienced in conducting Patient Review Instrument (PRI) assessments. She has worked in individual and management roles in a variety of senior housing settings including assisted living, “greenhouse” communities and skilled nursing. Her employers have included the Highlands at Pittsford, St. John’s and Maplewood Nursing Home. Sue also assists clients in relocating to another area in the United States.
Outside of work, Sue enjoys attending Rochester Broadway Theatre League Shows and Geva Theatre. She roots for New York Yankees and Buffalo Bills. Susan is also a member of PEO International, a philanthropic women’s organization that supports scholarships for women.
DIANE CIANCIOTTA, RN, BSN
PRI Nurse
For the past 27 years, Diane has worked in home care, predominately as a case manager, aide supervisor and trainer. Diane’s early career included working in a hospital setting as an Intensive Care Unit Nurse and in quality assurance for cardiothoracic surgery. Diane obtained her PRI Assessment Certification in 2010 and is highly experienced in conducting Patient Review Instrument (PRI) assessments. Diane finds working with older adults both rewarding and humbling. The shared life experiences, unique history, and wisdom of her patients often helps her learn about each individual and personalize their care even more.
Outside of work, Diane enjoys spending time with family and close friends the most. Her other interests include the theater, music, walking and gardening.
JENNIFER DISALVO, RN
PRI Nurse
Jennifer has served the healthcare industry for over 30 years, starting her career as a CNA and working her way up to become a Registered Nurse.
She is highly experienced in conducting Patient Review Instrument (PRI) assessments. Working primarily in long-term care and hospital settings, Jenn has come to love working with older adults. “Especially after being raised by my own grandparents, I love hearing their stories, and learning from them,” she says. “I feel strongly that older people need and deserve advocates to help them keep maintain their quality of life.”
In Jenn’s free time, she is a runner, biker, swimmer, mom of three, and grandmother to three.
HOWARD GORDON, JD, MBA
Financial Care Manager
Howard joined the Together in Caring team after 40 years as a trust officer and fiduciary advisor at several Rochester area banks. He specializes in estate, tax and financial planning as well as elder law issues affecting seniors. He received his JD from New York University School of Law and his MBA from the University of Rochester Simon School of Business. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association and a past president of the Estate Planning Council of Rochester. He currently serves on the investment advisory committee of JCC Rochester and the development committee of Lifespan of Greater Rochester.
In his spare time Howard enjoys tournament bridge, cycling, travel, reading, movies and attempting to master the bass guitar. He and his wife of fifty plus years also enjoy their role as servants to their three cats.
JESSICA RUSTICI
Digital Marketing Manager
With a background in memory care and community engagement in senior living and at the Alzheimer’s Association, Jessica brings a deep understanding of aging, caregiving, and connection to her work in digital marketing. She now combines industry insight with creative strategy to tell meaningful stories and build strong community connections.
Outside of work, you can find her spending time with her family, chasing life with her two sons, or tending to her vegetable garden.
