Hill Country Care Providers' Staff
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
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."
Josh can be found on the weekend teaching his children Michael, Samantha, and Weston life, sports and the outdoors.
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. She is well-known for her love of horse-racing (her father owns a horse farm in Louisiana), chocolate and her grandchildren, three year old Will and 18 month old Jane. A passionate supporter of the Longhorns, Beth and O.E. can be found on Saturdays teaching Will & Jane the University of Texas fight song and cheering for the "Horns."
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.
Becky is a member of Riverbend Church and serves on the Senior Vision Committee. She also has a five-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 four-year-old miniature poodle.
Barnabe Emagueu
Barnabe Emagueu was born in Cameroon, Africa. He graduated from Lycee de New-Bell in Cameroon and received a Bachelor in Chemistry from the University of Yaounde in Cameroon. He moved to the United States in September of 2003. He is married and has three children.From January of 2004 to September of 2005, Barnabe worked as CNA at a retirement nursing center in Austin. In January of 2005, he began working at Westminster Manor. He worked at Westminster until December of 2008. In September of 2008, he began as a caregiver at Hill Country Care Providers. In 2009, Barnabe became a staffing coordinator and continues in this position today.
Tami Ingram
Tami was born and raised in Austin, TX by her mom Judy Dornhecker, an LVN with HCCP. In 1996 she moved to Fort Worth. Her career in the medical field started at 18 as a CNA. She worked in a nursing home for two years until she had her first child. After her first child, she ran a home daycare for 10 years. She is now married going on 14 years, has three children and three dogs.In 2009, she and her family moved back to Austin to be closer to family. After staying home with the girls for 10 years, she was ready to get back out into the work world and the medical field where her heart is. She started as a caregiver with Hill Country Care Providers and within a year moved into her current position as a staffing coordinator.
