Our Team

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.

Teresa (Terry) Sweaney, BA, CSA, CGCM, CMC,

Executive Director ChooseHome

Terry joined Riverside six years ago after serving as the Executive Director of a non-profit whose mission was to provide adult day programs to the community. She previously served ChooseHome members as a care coordinator and member sales advisor. Terry also served older adults in the community as a principal in a physical therapy practice, geriatric care manager, and educator and brings with over 30 years of knowledge and experience to ChooseHome. Earning her Bachelor of Business Administration from Strayer University, Washington, D.C., she received a graduate certificate in Geriatric Care Management from the University of Florida. As a dementia consultant of families and persons living with dementia, Terry helped launch the Benjamin Rose Institute in Aging Dementia Care Consultation with Riverside Dementia Wellness Initiatives through The Center for Excellence in Aging. Terry also trains Riverside staff and community on the Teepa Snow Positive Approach to Care as part of Memory Care Academy. Terry believes in treating all persons living with dementia with respect and dignity. Terry serves the community as Vice-Chair of the Advisory Council for the Peninsula Agency on Aging. She is the board of directors for the United Methodist Church Respite Program and board of directors for the Hospice House of Williamsburg. Terry lives in Williamsburg with her spouse and enjoys gardening, golf, and spending time with her three grandchildren.

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.

Sue Boisvert

Business Office Coordinator

Susan (Sue) Boisvert, joined the ChooseHome Riverside team in March, 2022 as our new Business Office Coordinator.

Sue’s career paths have been primarily in the healthcare sector as a re-credentialing specialist. Her previous job was working at the University of Virginia recredentialing physicians. She also did recredentialing for a managed care company in Connecticut. Her passion truly is with working with numbers and enjoyed several positions working at Webster Bank. Sue’s banking experience contributes to the success of managing our invoices. She diligently follows up with discrepancies.

Sue earned her Bachelor of Science in Business at Bay Path College in 2010 in Massachusetts. She also earned her Associates Degree in Data Processing in Connecticut upon graduating high school.

Her hobbies include baking, especially for the Holidays and crocheting both baby blankets and prayer shawls. She also enjoys planting flowers at her Williamsburg home with her husband as well as getting her steps in walking her fur baby, Lucke. She loves spending time with her two grandsons and baby granddaughter.

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 Tillman

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 System 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 two furry children, Steu and 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 Holiday

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.