Our Staff

Working with a Geriatric Care Manager means establishing a relationship built on trust and shared values. That's why we select staff who meet the two most important criteria for professional relationship – expertise and integrity.

All of the professional ElderCare Solutions (ECS) staff:

  • are Registered Nurses who hold, at a minimum, a Bachelor's degree

  • have the expertise to recognize and address the physical and cognitive changes that can occur as individuals age; and

  • have years of experience working with the elderly and their families in a variety of settings, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, medical and psychiatric hospitals and in the community.

  • know how to advocate on behalf of disabled or older adults to ensure their needs, desires and values are recognized, respected and protected.

But more important for ECS, our staff are all dedicated, compassionate professionals who embrace and practice our core beliefs:

  • that we are all interconnected;

  • that learning and growth is possible throughout life;

  • in the power of hope and the sense of possibility even in the darkest times;

  • in coupling honesty with a compassionate heart.

We encourage you to meet our staff, the exceptional professionals who bring their knowledge and compassion to ECS and those we serve.

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Penny Golden

BSN, RN

Penny is one of the owners of ECS and holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from North Park University in Chicago. Penny spent 8 years working for Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center on the Geriatric Psychiatry Unit. She also has many years of experience as the Director of Nursing for a nurse-staffing agency and an in-home companion care agency. Penny's passion is direct client contact. Her mission in nursing is to be an advocate to promote quality of life for the geriatric population. She's fulfilled professionally by having the opportunity to problem-solve with geriatric clients.

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Karen Miller

MS, BSN, RN

With over a decade of leadership experience in elder care and nursing services, Karen Miller brings compassionate expertise and a deep commitment to quality care. As a seasoned Registered Nurse with a Master's in Nursing Leadership, Karen has overseen complex clinical operations in a Continuing Care Retirement Community, led multidisciplinary teams, and developed comprehensive care strategies for older adults.

Karen’s background includes oversight of Nursing, Social Services, and Culinary Departments, chairing the Ethics and Risk Management Committees, and writing and implementing policies and training programs to elevate safety and person-centered care standards. She is also certified in Alzheimer’s and dementia care and holds credentials in aging services Risk Management.

Karen is known for her hands-on leadership style, her ability to resolve challenges with empathy and professionalism, and her dedication to promoting the dignity and well-being of every client she serves.

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Amy Zucker

BSN, RN

Amy has a life long commitment in working with older adults. Amy started working as a certified nursing assistant in nursing homes while in high school. She graduated from Syracuse University with her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing. Additionally, she was awarded a certificate in Gerontology from the Syracuse University Gerontology Center.

She began working with older adults with chronic mental illness, behavior and cognitive disorders on the inpatient geriatric psychiatry unit of Rush University Medical Center in 1987 until its close in 2018. She began a pet therapy program with her dog, Gladys, at Rush and continues this therapeutic practice with her dog, Albus. She additionally has worked at inpatient psychiatry units with patients who have mood and thought disorders as well as those with cognitive diagnoses. In 2018, she obtained ANCC Certification in Psychiatric Nursing.

Amy is able to rely on her many years of experience to provide advice and guidance to caregivers as well as assist families through the complicated health care system. Goals that encourage independence and respect are at the core of her nursing practice.

Amy is also an artist who works in mixed media and oil paint. Her artwork is a response to her nursing practice including representations of nursing relationships with patients and their relationships within the health care system.

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Kate Gawlik

BSN, RN

Kate Gawlik brings a unique blend of professional nursing experience and deeply personal caregiving insight to her role as Elder Care Manager. A seasoned pediatric and neonatal nurse, Kate has provided compassionate care in hospital, clinical and hospice settings, supporting patients and families through life’s most delicate transitions.

In addition to her extensive pediatric background, Kate spent 20 years as the primary care manager for her aging father through heart disease, cancer, and a stroke, gaining firsthand knowledge of the emotional and logistical challenges families face in elder care. She had the privilege of transitioning her grandmother from a beloved home of 50 years to assisted living, supporting her throughout the next phase of life. Her personal and professional journeys combine to make her an empathetic advocate, skilled communicator, and thoughtful guide for clients and their loved ones.

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Rosemary Fugazzotto

BS, RN

Rosemary began her nursing career in 1981. Her wide range of nursing experience includes years in trauma and critical care settings to home care. Rosemary worked in hospice care for many years before coming back to her first love, geriatric care management. She received her bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Maryland where she practiced as a certified geriatric care manager prior to relocating back to Illinois 15 years ago. Rosemary is an Advanced Professional Member of the Aging Life Care Association.

Rosemary’s philosophy for caring for clients can be similar to what a daughter might do for a parent, from helping them to navigate our complex health care system, advocating for them with a myriad of specialists and complicated health care practices and systems, to problem-solving age-related challenges, like transitioning to a new living situation or adjusting to having hands-on help in the home.

Rosemary is married with one daughter, two step-sons, and two grandchildren. She enjoys quilting and gardening in her downtime, and feels that geriatric care management is the most rewarding form of nursing. She uses all of her professional skills and experience to design creative solutions the most challenging situations. She strives to ensure the quality of one’s life is reflected in the plan of care, whether that is a beloved cat who moves to assisted living with the client or going on an outing to a concert with friends.

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Jean Larson

MSN, RN

Jean’s first job was at a nursing home when she was 15 years old. Working with the elderly and the nurses quickly sparked a desire to become a nurse herself. Jean graduated from North Park College with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and later earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Rush University. Jean has practiced in hospitals, physician offices and nursing homes, including Rush Medical Center, Swedish American Hospital and the extended care facility at the Edward Hines Jr Veteran’s Administration Hospital.

Jean loves the opportunity to interact directly with her patients, hear their stories and soak in their wisdom. She’s fulfilled by helping people navigate the healthcare system, understand their own health issues and help people make health care choices that enhance their quality of life.

Caring for her own aging parents was a privilege Jean cherished, and has given her the perspective of caring for the elderly not only as a nurse but also as a daughter. Jean loves to spend her time with her husband and three rapidly growing children. Practicing her faith, cycling, yoga, reading novels and long walks with her dog Stella provide perspective and balance to her life.

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Steven Golden

Director of Operations

Steven Golden has spent more than 35 years working exclusively in the supplemental staffing industry, holding both staffing and office management roles throughout his career. He began as a staffing coordinator and advanced to Director of Business Operations at a regional staffing agency, developing extensive expertise in operations, compliance, and financial management.

At Elder Care Solutions, Steve serves as Director of Operations and is the primary contact for insurance and employee benefits inquiries. He oversees the financial operations of the office, maintains all required business licenses and insurance coverage, and ensures ongoing operational compliance. Since becoming a partner in healthcare-related businesses in 2001, Steve has played a critical role in supporting the organization’s mission through steady, behind-the-scenes leadership.

Steve earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Loyola University. He plans to retire in 2026, at which time his operational responsibilities will transition to Ann Elk-Weist to ensure continuity and uninterrupted service.

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Ann Elk-Weist

Vice President

Ann Elk-Weist has worked in the healthcare industry for 30 years, specializing in staff coordination, operational oversight, and building strong relationships with clients and healthcare providers. She began her career as a staffing coordinator at a local agency and advanced to the role of Director of Staffing, gaining hands-on experience across every aspect of healthcare staffing operations.

At Elder Care Solutions, Ann serves as Vice President and is the primary contact for new client intake requests, payroll, invoicing, and website management. As part of the organization’s long-term leadership plan, Ann is assuming the operational and financial responsibilities currently managed by Steve Golden, including payroll and invoicing, ensuring a smooth and thoughtful transition as the company looks to the future.

Ann holds a Master of Arts degree in Consumer/Industrial Research Psychology from Cleveland State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from The University of Toledo. She has been a partner in healthcare-related businesses since 2001 and remains deeply committed to Elder Care Solutions’ mission of advocacy, quality, and client-centered care.