We believe that the quality and deep dedication of our staff is what sets us apart from other health care providers. Hebrew Senior Care encourages our employees to identify and implement best practices. Employees are provided comprehensive orientation, and ongoing training beyond regulatory requirements is available and encouraged.
Hebrew Senior Care employees are guided by a deep sense of purpose and an overwhelming sense of pride in knowing that they have provided the very best quality health care to a senior in need while supporting their family members and friends. Staff at all levels is committed to providing quality, patient care and our employees have been with Hebrew Senior Care for an average of 15 years. Because of the work we do and the way we do it; in many cases, our employees become more than care team members; they become family members. Meet the Hebrew Senior Care Senior Team:
Denise M. Peterson, RN, MSHCA, NEA-BC, FACHE, President and CEO
dpeterson@hebrewseniorcare.org
Denise Peterson is a senior healthcare executive with progressive responsibilities in leading patient care services and clinical operations. A visionary leader with proven ability to foster and build partnerships with physicians and staff to accomplish strategic goals while enhancing the patient experience. Proficient at improving and enhancing quality outcomes by engaging interdisciplinary teams through change processes with demonstrated strength in turnaround situations.
Ava Pannullo, MD, Geriatric Medicine, Medical Director, Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Pannullo is board-certified in Geriatric and Internal Medicine. Dr. Pannullo is a member of the American Geriatric Society, American College of Physicians and American Medical Directors’ Association. Dr. Pannullo’s areas of interest include health and aging; including topics of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. Dr. Pannullo is the Director of the Outpatient Services for Connecticut Geriatric Specialty Group; Hebrew Senior Care’s physician practice dedicated to the care of seniors. Dr. Pannullo has practiced at Hebrew Senior Care since 1993. Dr. Pannullo speaks English, German, and Italian fluently.
Madelene A. Francese, Director of Development and Marketing
MFrancese@hebrewseniorcare.org
Ms. Francese joined Hebrew Senior Care in 2007 to oversee the fundraising operation for Hebrew Senior Care and its affiliates. Ms. Francese and her fundraising team are charged with securing funds in support of operations, capital projects, special programs, and endowment. Since arriving at Hebrew Senior Care her team has successfully raised in excess of $5.0 million in support of operations and capital improvements. Ms. Francese has been fundraising on behalf of the nonprofit community for 30 years with the majority of that time spent in the Greater Hartford region. Ms. Francese estimates that she has raised in excess of $25 million in operating support for museums, higher education, the arts and health care.
Before joining Hebrew Senior Care, Ms. Francese worked for The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts for 10 years and during that time raised more than $8.0 million in operating support. Prior to joining The Bushnell, Ms. Francese was the Annual Fund Manager at Newington Children’s Hospital and subsequently Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. During her tenure at CCMC, Ms. Francese was responsible for organizing and carrying out the week-long grand opening activities for the new children’s hospital; a proud achievement.
Ms. Francese’s favorite part of her job is getting to know her donors and providing the necessary funding for the residents and families who we care for every single day.
Undergraduate: Connecticut College, B.S. in Psychology with a minor in English
Ms. Tracey Messina, Executive Director, Hoffman SummerWood
Tracey has been working in the senior living community for more than 10 years. Tracey was the Executive Director of Southwick Village and was responsible for the overall performance and operations of this newly acquired property. She managed the renovation of the property and developed a strong and consisted lead base growing occupany significantly in 11 months. Prior to working in senior living communities, Tracey was a Community Relations Advisor for A Place for Mom.
Undergraduate: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, BS in Marketing and Management
