Jackie Verdoorn, Founder

JACKIE VERDOORN

Jackie Verdoorn, RN, MSN, BSN, CMC, is the owner and director of Hill Country Care Providers, Austin’s premier geriatric care management firm, a licensed personal assistance and a licensed home health agency.

Jackie has more than 41 years of experience serving Texas’ elderly. She has been involved in home health care, skilled and assisted living facilities and hospital settings. She has a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Baylor University. Jackie is licensed to practice geriatric nursing in Texas and is certified by the National Academy of Certified Care Managers.

“I started my business almost a decade ago when I realized Austin needed a professional group of caregivers who genuinely care about the elderly,” Jackie explained. “As we have grown the business, we have been able to offer more and more services to clients and their families. We can provide everything from case management to respite care to companion services to speakers for home care and elder issues.

“We offer the only ‘certified geriatric and home caregivers’ in Austin,” Jackie said, “a feature in our training and our company we are especially proud of. Every member of our staff goes through an intensive two-day training class of lecture, tests, role-playing and video to prepare them for the challenges of caring for a person with geriatric challenges.”

Jackie is a sought after advocate for the elderly in both professional and consumer groups throughout Texas. She has extensive knowledge of the aging process and the medical condition and medications of the elderly, years of clinical experience in nursing and is one of Texas’ longest practicing care managers.

Jackie enjoys playing with her grandchildren, traveling and her bunko friends and cards with her games group.

Professional Affiliations:

National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers
Registered Nurse -- Board Certified by the Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas
Austin Steering Committee for Dementia and Aging Issues, Founding Member
Former Board Member of the Austin Case Management Association
Texas Association of Home Care Member
Team Sponsor of the Austin Area Alzheimer’s Walk 2008
Senior Vision Team, Riverbend Church, Austin

SHELLA BYCURA

Shella Bycura, RN, BS, CMC, is a registered nurse and geriatric case manager for Hill Country Care Providers. A graduate of Kansas State University in Manhattan, Shella majored in Home Economics and Journalism and is the author of several consumer interest and feature articles.

Shella completed her registered nursing degree while she was living in South Carolina and her husband Mike was serving in the United States Air Force in Kuwait and Iraq during Desert Storm.

“While Mike was deployed, I was doing medical, surgical and orthopedic nursing in an acute care hospital. From there I went into home health and hospice nursing,” Shella explained. “I did that for the next eleven years, serving residents in South Carolina, Virginia and Texas.”

Before joining Hill Country Care Providers in 2008, Shella was the director of assisted living for a local community.

“Basically, I oversaw the care and nursing needs of 235 residents,” Shella explained. “It was a wonderful experience and it solidified my love and desire to work with our senior population.”

“Shella brings us excellent assessment skills in the home setting and a solid working knowledge of local community resources and the medical community. I have worked with Shella for several years and we were thrilled and delighted when she agreed to join our staff,” Jackie said.

“Her geriatric nursing skills, experience and exceptional nursing skills mean Shella has the tools to facilitate a higher quality of life for those she serves,” Jackie said. “She is a strong leader and advocate for the elderly and their families.”

Professional Affiliations:

National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

Registered Nurse – Board Certified by the Nurse Examiners of the State of Texas and other compact states

Certified Assisted Living Manager in the State of Texas, Texas Department of Aging & Disability Services

Member – National Association Directors of Nursing

Member – National Assisted Living Nurses Association

Founding Member –Austin Steering Committee for Dementia and Aging

Volunteer – Austin Affiliate of Girls On The Run

Volunteer – Assistance League of Austin

Volunteer – Sweet Charity benefiting the Seton Fund

JOSH VERDOORN

Josh Verdoorn, Quality Assurance Director, is an Austin native. He has been working in the elder care field for more than 10 years in long term, assisted living and home health care.

“I grew up watching my mom care for others. I saw her passion for the elderly and I wanted to be a part of the business,” Josh explained. “My grandparents were an important factor in my life and this is one way I can give back to their legacy.”

As Quality Assurance Director, Josh manages the staffing office and oversees the placement of Hill Country Care Provider’s “certified geriatric and home caregivers.”

“My job is making sure each staff member is suited to the person they are assigned to and then making certain everyone is performing to our standard of care,” Josh said. “I know what our clients expect and I hold myself accountable for our care. I’m proud of our business and the time we take to train every person.”

A University of Texas fan, Josh can be found on the weekend teaching his son Michael sports and cheering him on at Pop Warner football, little league baseball and basketball games.

Josh is also an avid hunter and camper and enjoys teaching Michael about the great outdoors. But Josh and Michael have to hurry; baby sister Samantha is due in the late Spring or early Summer.

“No problem,” Josh laughs,” “Samantha will make a great pitcher or quarterback or cheerleader.”

BETH DOWNING

Beth Downing, Chief Financial Officer, provides accounting and business management for Hill Country Care Providers. She and Jackie met when their sons started little league baseball many years ago. While their children were in school, Beth and Jackie worked on many committees together and formed a lasting friendship.

When Jackie formed Hill Country Care Providers, Beth began working with her a few evenings a week to assist with the accounting and billing details.

“Jackie was starting her company and while she is a great nurse, accounting is not her forte. She needed a bean counter and I wanted to work for a company geared towards helping others,” Beth said. “In November of 2003, I made the decision to join the business full time and I have never looked back.”

Born in Arkansas, Beth grew up in Dallas and Sherman and attended Stephen F. Austin University. In the final semester before graduating with her bachelor’s in accounting, she left school to marry O.E. Downing. Beth and O.E. will celebrate their 41st wedding anniversary this year.

Beth, a gourmet cook, is well-known for her love of horse-racing (her father owns a horse farm in Louisiana), chocolate and her grandson, one-year-old Will. A passionate supporter of the Longhorns, Beth and O.E. can be found on Saturdays teaching young Will the University of Texas fight song and cheering for the “Horns.”

“He can already make the hook ‘em sign and he knows burnt orange and white are the only real football colors that count,” Beth explained. “Will has brought a whole new dimension to our lives and we are excited to announce we are looking forward to the birth of our second grandchild in late 2009.”

BECKY LEGGETT

Becky Leggett, M Ed, Director of Medical Records and Alternate Administrator, is an Austin native who received her bachelor’s in elementary education from the University of Texas and her master degree in educational administration from Stephen F. Austin State University.

After 34 years as a teacher and principal, Becky retired from Spring Independent School District and returned to Austin. In 2003, she met Jackie when she contacted Hill Country Care Providers to provide care for Becky’s father.

“Jackie Verdoorn came to my family at a time when we had no idea where to turn for help. The caregivers took wonderful care of my father and helped my family cope with his illness,” Becky said. “A lasting friendship formed between us.”

Seeking a new challenge after retirement, Becky began working for Hill Country Care Providers as the Alternate Administrator and Medical Records Director. She is responsible for state compliance and client records.

“After my family’s experience with my father, I realized I strongly believed in what Hill Country Care Providers was doing for its clients and their families,” Becky explained.

But don’t look for Becky on Tuesday because that day is set aside for her 87-year-old mother. If you are out and about in Austin watch for Becky and her mom enjoying lunch out at a restaurant, getting a pedicure or haircut, shopping or buying groceries.

Becky is a member of Riverbend Church and serves on the Senior Vision Committee. She is a founding member of the Austin Steering Committee on Dementia and Aging Issues, where she serves on the Board of Directors as Secretary.

Becky also has a three-year-old granddaughter Morgan, who is the apple of her eye. She loves to cross-stitch, read and travel. Becky is also the proud owner of Harley, a two-year-old miniature poodle.