How Connections to Care Began
Whether it's connecting reliable home services, navigating Insurance Policies, or transitioning from home to a new care setting, Connections to Care will help manage the journey of aging well.
Our founder, Heather Burton, a South Carolina upstate native, graduated from Lander University with a Bachelor's in Healthcare Management. After graduation, she started her career with the Appalachian Council of Governments Ombudsman Program, advocating for individuals living in care facilities. Mrs. Burton continued her love and care of seniors as she began working for Health Management Resources as an Administrator-in-Training, where she would become a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator.
For the next 15 years, Mrs. Burton led teams of nurses, aides, office staff, and dietary groups as she cared for seniors in various facilities across the upstate of South Carolina. During this time, Mrs. Burton would also get licensed as an Executive Director for Assisted Living Communities. After 16 years in long-term care, a new opportunity to care for people emerged, and Heather began a new chapter as the Executive Director of a Hospice Company. As the Executive Director of the Hospice Company, Mrs. Burton was able to learn a new side of the continuum of care for people of all ages. Working with an interdisciplinary team to grow and expand the community's knowledge about Hospice services, Mrs. Burton added to her already broad knowledge base of healthcare. It was during this time that she recognized the need for there to be a better way to connect the many services available to seniors and their caregivers. Mrs. Burton desires to not only join services but to come alongside seniors/families to help them understand and navigate all healthcare options.
Heather, her husband Edward, and their two sons call Greer home. They like to spend time together at the lake and attend the boy's various sports games.
Laurie DeMint, Case Manager
With deep roots in the red clay of Perry, Georgia, Laurie DeMint was committed to being a Georgia girl. However, she came to Greenville in 1998 to attend Furman University, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Sociology. She met her future husband, Jake, and did not return to Georgia. Since then, she has been helping kids and adults with disabilities and has enjoyed spending time with older adults. She has never met a stranger and loves helping others. She is excited to join Connections to Care to help make the aging journey a pleasant one for all.
In her free time, she loves to read, write, and make travel plans (that usually don't happen).
Yarelia Fuentes, Case Manager
Connections to Care is delighted to announce the addition of Yarelia Fuentes to our Case Management team. As a Case Manager, Yarelia will oversee and manage clients who live in Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union Counties. Yarelia and her family live in Spartanburg, where she grew up. She attended and graduated from Dorman High School. Yarelia also has a Community Health degree from the University of South Carolina Upstate. With experience in community resources for clients and the ability to connect with clients/families who speak Spanish, Yarelia is expanding Connections to Care's mission to help clients and their families.
Sheena Topicz, Case Manager
Sheena is a native of the Spartanburg area. She graduated from Dorman High School in 2001. She is also a graduate of Limestone College in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. After college, Sheena moved to Florida where she began her career working in the area of Families and Moms facing substance abuse. She worked as a Case Manager in Florida for ten years with Families and Moms completing home visits, assisting parenting education and relapse prevention support.
Sheena also has experience in Case Management as an Early Intervention Case Manager for children with special needs and developmental delays.
Sheena returned to the Upstate of South Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family. She and her husband call Duncan home. They have two furry babies that complete their family.
Sheena will cover the following counties:
Cherokee,
Greenville,
Pickens,
Spartanburg
and
Union.
Sammy Stewart, Case Manager
Caregiving comes naturally to some people and Sammy Stewart is one of those people! Connections to Care is delighted to add Sammy as one of our Case Managers.
Sammy grew up in the Easley area where he attended Tabernacle Christian School. He graduated from Tabernacle in 1994. He has experience working with families and children through his time at the Department of Social Services. Sammy also served as a Police Officer with the City of Mauldin. Sammy attended Southern Wesleyan University and completed his degree with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2012.
In his free time, Sammy enjoys spending time at the gym, being outdoors and spoiling his two dogs, Jack and Winnie.
Why wait any longer? Schedule your complimentary consultation at (864) 549-0023.