Our Team

Pat and I began SelectCare 25 years ago with the declaration that homecare can be delivered in a compassionate and professional manner, keeping the client, caregiver and family in the fore front of our decisions.  We have worked very hard to assure that each person who becomes part of SelectCare shares in this belief.

We are very proud to have staff members who make a commitment to quality care every day.  I invite you to learn more about us and how we work together to ensure you and your loved ones will be well taken care of.

Janet Stofkoper, RN, Director of Nursing

My job is to get things done.  Working with the client, family and physicians, I ensure that the nurse, caregivers and everyone involved in your care communicates to provide you with the best, most comprehensive care in your home environment. I have worked in home care since 1992 and with SelectCare since 1999.  Home care appeals to me because I work directly with clients and their families and receive great satisfaction from seeing the results of a well-developed plan of care create an environment of well-being and comfort.

Joan Biswas, RN, Field Nurse Supervisor

I am an RN Field Supervisor at SelectCare. I trained as an RN in London, England and worked in many countries around the world before finally settling in New York. For many years I worked in the hospital setting first as a staff nurse in ICU and the ER before taking on various hospital management positions. Ten years ago I began working in homecare and of all the areas I have worked in, this field is by far the most enjoyable and rewarding.

It is a great pleasure getting to know our clients and their families.  It is very rewarding helping clients improve their quality of life, first by providing superior homecare and then helping them get the services they need to remain at home in a healthy and safe environment. At SelectCare, all nurses have the opportunity to get to know all of our clients even if they are not directly assigned to us.  We visit our clients on a regular basis and an RN is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  We encourage our clients to contact us with any problems or concerns and are eager to help in any way we can. We also keep in close contact with the client’s other health care providers. As an RN working with SelectCare I strive to meet the needs of our clients and their families with compassion and care.

Kelly Shearer, RN

I have been a Registered Nurse for 3 years, working in pediatric and psychiatry before joining the SelectCare team in the summer of 2009 as an RN Field Nurse Supervisor.

While I found my previous experience extremely rewarding, my time at SelectCare has taught me that with age comes wisdom, reverence, and a deep understanding of life that is often overlooked. I make every effort to provide skillful, individualized care to each client I serve with respect and appreciation.

Karen Braglia, RN, Field Nurse Supervisor

I have been an R.N. Field Supervisor for ten years and I would like to share a few things I have learned during this time.  I understand I am in your home; I respect you as an individual and I respect how you choose to live. My goal is for us to get to know each other so we can trust each other. I have learned that trust is the key to keeping you healthy and independent in your home environment.

Patients now spend less and less time in hospitals and spend little time with their doctor on the day of discharge. This is where I come in.  I will help you learn what you need to know after a complicated hospital stay. I will help you or your loved one to better understand their medical condition, related test results, medication changes, and what needs to be monitored when you are at home and when the doctor needs to be called.

I will help guide you at home, especially when no one is there to assist you or your loved one. This is where trust comes in to play. You will get better faster when you trust the person who cares about your wellbeing.

Edith Kindell-Shahjahan, Service Coordinator

I have had the pleasure of being a caregiver for more than thirty years. I began my career in health care as a Certified Nurses Aide before entering the home care field as a Home Health Aide, eventually joining SelectCare in August of 2001 as a member of the field staff.  After a month in the field, I demonstrated my home care experience and organizational skills and was promoted to a Service Coordinator position.

I enjoy and take pride in my job as a Service Coordinator.  I use my prior experience an aide to ensure that we provide the best care and connect clients with care workers best suited to their needs. After a brief illness left me dependent on the assistance of caregivers, I better understand and empathize with our clients. This experience combined with my eight years of homecare coordinating gives me a unique insight into the importance of finding quality care for my clients.

Sandy Barreras, Service Coordinator

I have worked as a Service Coordinator for more than 15 years and take pleasure in finding the right person to care for you or your family member. I do my best to find the most skilled Home Health Aides to provide you or your family member with excellent daily care and companionship.  I consider the unique characteristics of each of our workers and the specific needs of our clients.

I find home care rewarding because it is comforting to know that someone’s mom, dad, sister or brother is not alone and in good hands when busy schedules keep other family members away from their loved one.

You can depend on me to listen to your needs and search until I have found the right person to care for your needs at home or at the hospital.

Ellen Bond, Compliance Coordinator

As the Compliance Coordinator, I ensure that the SelectCare staff is comprised of the most qualified, well-trained and trustworthy caregivers in New York City by ensuring that all employee medical records, training and background checks are up to date and in compliance with the Department of Health.

I have worked in home care administration for the past 20 years following an education in Human Services with an emphasis on Geriatric Care.  I’m a woman of integrity who enjoys helping people both at work and during my off hours. I volunteer on weekends helping people learn to read, live and cope during distressing times.  I understand the value of a strong family bond and think of my three children, husband and 85-year-old mother whenever I am assisting a SelectCare client. I am extremely approachable and I invite you to call me whenever you are in need of assistance.

Meghan Turville, Administrative Assistant

I have worked at SelectCare as the Administrative Assistant for 2 years, ensuring a smooth flow of information between clients, families and the home care staff. I like being behind the scenes helping the team succeed every day.  I have learned a lot about home care and the hard work that goes into making sure our clients receive the best care possible.

My time with SelectCare has been a truly rewarding experience because I work with a group of people who are dedicated to our elderly clients and caregivers. The skills and experience I have gained during my time here have helped focus me in my pursuit of a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Administration at Berkeley College.

Pat Tarantino, President

Upon graduating college in 1973, due to unforeseen circumstances, I became the primary caregiver for my grandmother who helped to raise me from birth. My family and I thought that she had only weeks to live and we agreed to do everything possible to have her maintain her dignity and comfort. The two years that I cared for her instilled in me the rewarding value of good home care.

After my grandmother’s death I was hired as a Service Coordinator by a national home care service and that started a 35 year career leading up to owning a home care company along with Carla at SelectCare. I am so proud of our entire staff. Their professionalism and dedication assures me that SelectCare will take care of your loved one as though they were members of our family.

We strive for perfection in every aspect of care delivery at SelectCare. Should you be dissatisfied in any way, do not hesitate to call me. I assure you that we will make every effort to get it right and live up to the philosophy that drives our organization, “The Right Person Makes All the Difference”.

Carla Holub-Tarantino, Vice President and Community Liaison

As Community Liaison for SelectCare, you can count on me to identify and connect you to community services and organizations that enhance and support your wish to remain in the comfort of your home for as long as possible. An example of these services are dentists, physicians, and optometrists who make house calls, volunteer musicians, pet walkers and small home repair workers.

As the Vice President, you can count on me to ensure that SelectCare staff provides you with appropriate and professional care and that you are treated with respect and compassion. As the manager of the daily business, be assured that your questions or concerns will be answered correctly and in a timely manner.

Richard Elfers, Controller

I am here to assist you with any questions or concerns regarding your account.

I began as SelectCare’s Controller in the Spring of 2003 and oversee all the finances for the company. Although I have worked in finance and accounting throughout my working life, I wish I had discovered the home care industry years ago.

I take satisfaction in my job at SelectCare because my work helps ensure that someone’s mother, father, brother or sister gets the best care possible. On top of that, the quality and professionalism of my coworkers really makes my job a pleasure.