Dallas Area Gerontological Society
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Dallas Area Gerontological Society
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About US

Your 2024 DAGS Board

DAGS President Elect
Sherri Sparks
Owner of Elderly Care Concierge

Sherri Sparks - President

Susan Rogers - President Elect

Susan Rogers - President Elect

In January, 2022, Sherri unveiled Elderly Care Concierge to the Dallas-Fort Worth marketplace, with a mission to improve life experiences and provide peace of mind for families.  Sherri's mother was the company's first client.

Currently, Sherri serves as the Vice President of Business Development for Home Health Companions.

Email Sherri
DAGS Communications Chair
Susan Rogers, MSG
Community Liaison for
McNair Dallas Law

Susan Rogers - President Elect

Susan Rogers - President Elect

Susan Rogers - President Elect

After earning a BA in Psychology from UCONN, and an MS in Gerontology from UNT, Susan spent 20 years working with elders and their families in a range of care settings.  She applies that expertise in her role as Community Liaison for McNair Dallas Law, where she has worked for over 10 years.  Susan is a member of the Down Syndrome Guild o

After earning a BA in Psychology from UCONN, and an MS in Gerontology from UNT, Susan spent 20 years working with elders and their families in a range of care settings.  She applies that expertise in her role as Community Liaison for McNair Dallas Law, where she has worked for over 10 years.  Susan is a member of the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas, NPRA of Texas, and is a Dementia Friend Champion with Dementia Friendly Dallas. 

Email Susan

Lin O'Neill - Secretary

Susan Rogers - President Elect

Lisa Shardon - Treasurer

A graduate of Texas Woman's University and the Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business & Management, Lin possesses broad expertise in operations, human resources, and organizational behavior.  Lin is a successful consultant, author, and speaker.  She serves as the Founder & President of O'Neill Enterprises.

Email Lin
DAGS Treasurer
Lish Shardon
Owner of Home Health Companions

Lisa Shardon - Treasurer

Robbie McCullough - Past President

Lisa Shardon - Treasurer

Lisa is President and CEO of Home Health Companions, a licensed home health company that provides nursing services and professional caregivers to assist adults with limitations of daily life.  She serves on the UT Dallas, Center for Vital Longevity Advisory Council, is Vice President of the Aging Mind Foundation Board of Directors, and a Professional Member of the Aging Life Care Association.

Email Lisa
DAGS President Robbie McCullough, Owner of Assisting Hands Home Care.

Robbie McCullough - Past President

Robbie McCullough - Past President

Robbie McCullough - Past President

Robbie is a 30-year financial services and insurance veteran with a passion for caregiving.  Robbie's personal life experiences and prior work history led him with a lifelong aspiration of building a homecare business.  Robbie is a graduate of Baylor University.  He earned the Certified Senior Advisor designation.  He is the owner of Assisting Hands Home Care, a nationally recognized agency.

Email Robbie
DAGS Legal Advisor
Certified Elder Law Attorney
John McNair
Owner of McNair Dallas Law

John McNair - Legal Advisor

Robbie McCullough - Past President

Robbie McCullough - Past President

John has practiced law in Dallas for over 40 years.  He is board certifed by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Estate Planning and Probate, and in Tax Law.  He earned the National Elder Law Foundation's Certified Elder Law Attorney Designation. John previously served as DAGS Treasurer, and has advised the Board on legal matters f

John has practiced law in Dallas for over 40 years.  He is board certifed by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Estate Planning and Probate, and in Tax Law.  He earned the National Elder Law Foundation's Certified Elder Law Attorney Designation. John previously served as DAGS Treasurer, and has advised the Board on legal matters for the past 10 years. John also serves on the board of the Dallas Area Parkinsons Society.

Email John
DAGS Advocacy Chair
Debbie Austin
Dallas Senior Affairs Commission
District 8 Representative

Debbie Austin - Advocacy

Melissa Gomez - Fall Forum

Melissa Gomez - Fall Forum

A graduate of UTSW Medical School of Allied Health, and the University of Texas at Arlington, Debbie has Bachelors' degrees in Long Term Care Administration and Geriatric Services and Elementary Education.

As a City of Dallas Senior Affairs Commissioner, appointed by Councilman Tennell Atkins, Debbie serves on a 15-member advisory board to

A graduate of UTSW Medical School of Allied Health, and the University of Texas at Arlington, Debbie has Bachelors' degrees in Long Term Care Administration and Geriatric Services and Elementary Education.

As a City of Dallas Senior Affairs Commissioner, appointed by Councilman Tennell Atkins, Debbie serves on a 15-member advisory board to the City Council.  Retired from Dallas ISD after 30 years, she has used her Gerontology background as an advocate for seniors.  Community advocacies include Alzheimer's Association Community Educator, AIM and Walk to End Alzheimer's Committee Volunteer, Long Term Care Ombudsman, and CMS/PAN Task Force Member.

Email Debbie
DAGS Fall Forum Chair
Melissa Gomez
Senior Companion Program Director
The Senior Source

Melissa Gomez - Fall Forum

Melissa Gomez - Fall Forum

Melissa Gomez - Fall Forum

Melissa is the Program Director for the Senior Companion Program sponsored by The Senior Source in Dallas.  She graduated from TWU with an MS in Family Studies, and worked as a Non-profit Volunteer Manager for over 20 years.  She is active with her church, Lakepointe in Rockwell.

Email Melissa
DAGS Past President
Karisti Julia
Community Relations Director for Belmont Village Senior Living - T

Karisti Julia - Fall Forum

Melissa Gomez - Fall Forum

Stephen Dennis - Membership

Karisti is Community Relations Director for Belmont Village Senior Living - Turtle Creek.  She has a love for helping seniors and started working with them over 20 years ago as a volunteer in a nursing home.  She is active with her church, Highland Park UMC, and with The Alheimer's Association, AWARE, and the Dallas Dementia Symposium.  She served as DAGS President from 2021 - 2022

Email Karisti
DAGS Membership Chair
Stephen Dennis
Business Development Manager
Homewatch CareGivers

Stephen Dennis - Membership

Pamela Farris, MBA, RN - Nurse Liaison

Stephen Dennis - Membership

Stephen has over 20 years of Sales & Marketing experience in the service sector.  His mother was a client of a non-medical personal care company while she battled Alzheimer's Disease. He was so impressed with their care, that he now works as Business Development Manager for Assisting Hands.

Email Stephen
DAGS Member Engagement Chair
Paula Jones
Community Relations Director
Iris Memory Care Turtle Creek

Paula Jones - Member Engagement

Pamela Farris, MBA, RN - Nurse Liaison

Pamela Farris, MBA, RN - Nurse Liaison

Paula is the Community Relations Director for Iris Memory Care of Turtle Creek.  She developed a deep passion for seniors living with dementia after a close family member was diagnosed.  She as been helping seniors with dementia for over 10 years, and still LOVES what she does.

Email Paula

Pamela Farris, MBA, RN - Nurse Liaison

Pamela Farris, MBA, RN - Nurse Liaison

Pamela Farris, MBA, RN - Nurse Liaison

As an experienced nurse with over 30 years of Geriatric, Palliative, and Hospice care, there are not many scenarios that Pamela has not navigated with an improved outcome.  As the Owner of Harmony Care Management, Pamela and her team are able to provide expert guidance through her vast network of resources.

Email Pamela

Anne DeFilippo - Communications

Anne DeFilippo - Communications

Anne DeFilippo - Communications

After earning a BFA from The University of Oklahoma, Anne worked in Retail Marketing until joining Home Health Companions in 2011 where she is the Head of Marketing.

Email Anne
DAGS Programs Co-Chair
Nell Taylor
Senior Living Advisor
Ruby Care Senior Living Advisors

Nell Taylor - Programs

Anne DeFilippo - Communications

Anne DeFilippo - Communications

Nell is a Senior Living Advisor with Ruby Care SLA.  After caring for her mother who had Alzheimer's Disease, and her aunt who had dementia, she felt called to help others who needed guidance with placement for their loved ones.  Nell is a 3rd generation Dallasite, and a graduate of Southern Methodist University.

Email Nell
DAGS Programs Co-Chair
Lindsay Ford
Sales Specialist
Harmony Cares Medical Group

Lindsay Ford - Programs

Anne DeFilippo - Communications

Emilia Bourland - Scholarship

Lindsay is a Sales Specialist with Harmony Cares Medical Group (formerly Visiting Physicians Association).  Prior to working for Harmony Cares, Lindsay worked in Hospice and In-Home Care.  She is originally from Huntsville, Alabama.

Email Lindsay
DAGS Scholarship Chair
Emilia Bourland
President & Founder of 
Higher Standards Caregiver Training

Emilia Bourland - Scholarship

Emilia Bourland - Scholarship

Emilia Bourland - Scholarship

Emilia is the President and Founder of Higher Standards Caregiver Training.  After earning her BA in Psychology from UT Austin, and her Masters in Occupational Therapy (MOT) from TWU, she has worked as an OT for over 13 years.  She earned an Executive Certificate in Home Modification, is a Certified Fall Prevention Specialist, and is a Registered Clinician with the NBCOT.

Email Emilia
DAGS Social Work Liaison Co-Chair
Anna Tudor, BSW
The Legacy at Home

Anna Tudor - SW Liaison

Emilia Bourland - Scholarship

Eden Summers - SW Liaison

Anna earned her BSW from Midwestern State University where she was a member of Chi Omega.  She works for The Legacy at Home.  Anna believes it is her life's work and passion to empower people with knowlege about their healthcare rights and opportunities.  She strives to recognize her client's needs while honoring their values.

Email Anna
DAGS Social Work Liaison Co-Chair
Eden Summers, MSW
Medical Social Worker
Gentiva Hospice

Eden Summers - SW Liaison

Emilia Bourland - Scholarship

Eden Summers - SW Liaison

Eden has worked as a Medical Social Worker for Gentiva Hospice (formerly Odyssey & Kindred) for almost 20 years.  In 2022 she passed the Advanced Palliative and Hospice Social Work Certification exam.  She is committed to providing compassionate care for dying patients and their families to help them prepare for end-of-life.

Email Eden

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DAGS

6600 LBJ Freeway | Suite 188 | Dallas, TX 75240

Email: info@dags.org

DAGS Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 3:00pm.  The location varies.  The third Thursday in October is the exception - when the full-day DAGS Fall Forum is held.


All educational meetings provide 1 hour of continuing education for Social Workers.  Some meetings provide 1 hour of continuing education for Nurses.

  • Home
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Dallas Area Gerontological Society

6600 LBJ Freeway | Suite 188 | Dallas, TX 75240

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