Our team l ChooseHome l Riverside Health

Ed Heckler, PT, MSHA

President, Lifelong Health and Aging Related Services

Ed joined the Riverside team in 1997. Throughout his many positions, he has remained dedicated to high quality, patient- centered care, interdisciplinary collaboration and the operational success of the organization. His 21 years of experience across the health care spectrum, from physical therapist to manager to multi-department director, gives him a unique and valuable perspective. In his current role, Ed oversees Riverside's seven nursing facilities, three assisted living facilities, three continuing care retirement communities, home health, hospice agencies, wellness centers, and rehabilitation services. Under his leadership, all facilities received at least a three-star rating under the five-star CMS rating system, in addition to achieving the Virginia Health Care Association Bronze Award for Quality Improvement. Prior to becoming vice president for Lifelong Health and Aging Related Services, Ed served as administrator of Riverside Rehabilitation Institute, a 50-bed acute rehabilitation hospital, creating significant financial and patient satisfaction improvements. He holds a bachelor's degree in physical therapy from the University of Buffalo and a master's degree in health care administration from MCV-VCU. Ed lives in York County with his wife and two children.

Garnet Gilmore, LNHA

Executive Director ChooseHome

Garnet Gilmore lives in Poquoson, Virginia, where she enjoys spending time with her family and her three dogs. Having grown up in Virginia, she has a strong connection to the community and values family, which she integrates into both her personal and professional life. A double graduate of William & Mary, Garnet holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Leadership & Development, as well as an MBA.

With over 10 years of leadership experience within Riverside Health System, Garnet has dedicated her career to improving healthcare services and expanding offerings that support individuals in living independently and with dignity. As the Executive Director of ChooseHome, Riverside's premier continuing care at home program, she leads strategic growth and community partnerships, ensuring members receive the highest quality care while aging in place. Garnet is passionate about building meaningful relationships with both members and team members, and she takes pride in mentoring and developing teams that consistently deliver exceptional service.

Paul E. Evans, M.D.

Medical Director, Lifelong Health and Aging Related Services

Paul began his tenure at Riverside during his residency. After completing his training at Riverside Regional Medical Center, he went on to practice family medicine for the health system. In 2006, he and his wife, Dr. Teresa McConaughy, opened a new Riverside practice, Patriot Primary Care, in Grafton. After seven successful years, Dr. Evans began splitting his time between Riverside PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) and Patriot Primary Care. Eventually, Dr. Evans was drawn toward serving the older population at PACE and transitioned there full time, soon becoming the Medical Director of Riverside PACE. Dr. Evans has served in various capacities throughout the Lifelong Health continuum, including providing geriatric consultative work at CEALH and being named the first director of the Riverside geriatrics fellowship program. He is also an assistant clinical professor of family practice at Virginia Commonwealth University. Prior to his residency at Riverside, Dr. Evans attended the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. He is Board-certified in Family Medicine.

Liz Sarson, MBA

Senior Consultant

Liz Sarson joined the ChooseHome Riverside team in December 2023. Her two decades in business development, marketing, and operations across diverse industries brings a unique perspective to the team. Prior to ChooseHome, Liz spent seven years in government contracting supporting operations and education efforts surrounding public health programs in over 30 states across the U.S. Efforts included initiatives focused on vulnerable populations, including seniors.

Having recently assisted both her mother and mother-in-law with their long-term care needs, Liz has both firsthand knowledge of – and a deep appreciation for - the work that ChooseHome does for its members.

Liz holds a Master's Degree in Marketing from the University of Technology, Sydney (Australia), and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Rutgers Business School in New Jersey. Outside of work, Liz enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two young children or snuggling up with a historical fiction novel.

Melissa Tilman

Senior Care Services Manager

Melissa earned a Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University and recently completed her Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management. She was selected to participate and graduated from the Riverside Emerging Leaders Academy in 2021. She is an experienced Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) from Riverside College of Health Careers. As Business Office Manager for Riverside Center for Excellence in Aging and Lifelong Health (CEALH), Melissa’s logical, organizational, and triage skills were of utmost value. She supported community members and events, operations, and the Geriatric Assessment and Driver Rehabilitation clinics. Prior to CEALH, Melissa worked as an LPN with Riverside Neurology Specialists, responsible for patient care with a variety of neurological conditions, while providing family support in specialty clinics, Memory Care Clinic and ALS clinic.

Jennifer Hughes, MSW

Personal Service Coordinator

Jennifer Hughes joined Riverside Health in 2015. Jennifer was a volunteer for five years before joining the Riverside Hospice team as a volunteer coordinator. She transitioned into a Medical Social Work role with the team after earning her master’s degree. For more than seven years, she has been educating the community and families of hospice philosophies, setting up hospital discharges with Riverside services, supplying community resources, and supporting families throughout the peninsula. She is proud of the lasting relationships she built over the years. In addition to her duties with Riverside, Jennifer worked with a local non-profit in the mental health and substance use field.

Jennifer earned an Associates in Early Childhood Education from Virginia Peninsula Community College, formally Thomas Nelson Community College, a Bachelor’s in Human Services and minor in Psychology from Old Dominion University, and a Master of Social Work from Simmons University.

Jennifer is a Newport News native, with her furry baby, Fiona. She is married to her high school sweetheart. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, camping, crafting, amongst other activities.

Suzanne Holliday

Personal Service Coordinator

As the newest member of the ChooseHome team, Suzanne joins us with a deep history in social services coordination and advocacy. Prior to joining ChooseHome she served James County Social Services as a Family Services Specialist, navigating seniors to available resources and supporting guardians in decision-making requirements. Suzanne is trained as a Stephen Minister and Crisis Intervention Counselor (ICISF), and recognizes the importance of active listening, empathy, and non-judgmental presence in her work with others. Certifications include Life Celebrant from In-Sight Institute, Anger Management Counselor from Anger Institute, Counsel Care Connections, and Life Coaching, from Coaching Training Alliance. Suzanne began her education in West Virginia, at Webster College. Suzanne has coached individuals through difficult challenges and complicated losses and has received top ratings and national recognition in senior outreach programs.

Ciarra Guyer

Business Office Coordinator

Ciarra Guyer is originally from Maryland and now resides in Williamsburg. With nine years of experience in administrative work, she has developed a diverse skill set that adds immense value to her role at ChooseHome. After learning more about her dedication to making a positive impact in the field of social work and a deep commitment to helping others, Ciarra was a natural fit to join our team and support our members.

Ciarra holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland Global Campus. She is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work at Walden University. With a strong passion for mental health, Ciarra also holds certifications in Mental Health First Aid, further enhancing her ability to support individuals in crisis.

Outside of her professional and academic pursuits, Ciarra enjoys spending time with her cat, Leo, as well as with her friends and family. A favorite pastime is exploring the outdoors while learning new ways to connect with – and expand her knowledge of – nature.

Lifelong Health

Lifelong Health

Our Team

Age in Place - ChooseHome

Our Team

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