The team

Meet our founders

Founded by physician experts in fully integrated care to bring you elevated home care

Gordon L. Chen, MD

Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Gordon Chen, is committed to enhancing the lives of older adults, drawing from his success at ChenMed, where he served as Chief Medical Officer. There, he oversaw the care of over 200,000 seniors across 15 states, helping them live 5-7 years longer through a unique, home-focused care model. Inspired by this success, Dr. Chen founded ThriveWell™ to promote health and longevity through integrated home care. ThriveWell At Home, the first brand under this initiative, revolutionizes private-duty home care with compassionate, comprehensive services. Dr. Chen is also an accomplished author, co-writing "The Calling: A Memoir of Family, Faith and the Future of Healthcare," reflecting his vision for transformative care. He holds degrees from Brown University and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and is active in charitable work, supporting medical missions and at-risk youth. He is married to Dr. Jessica Chen, ThriveWell's Chief Health and Wellness Officer. Together, along with other world-class leaders and advisors at ThriveWell, they continue to pursue their shared mission of enhancing the well-being of older adults across the nation to fulfill their God-given purpose.

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Jessica Chen, MD

Chief Health & Wellness Officer

Dr. Jessica Chen, is the embodiment of compassion and excellence in healthcare. As Chief Health and Wellness Officer at ThriveWell™, she brings extensive... experience and an unwavering commitment to serving older adults. Co-founding ThriveWell and ThriveWell At Home, Dr. Chen addresses a nationwide issue facing older adults: the challenge of maintaining independence, health, and wellness as they age. Her vision is to empower older adults with the support they need to thrive at home, guided by compassionate doctors and caregivers. With a doctorate from the University of Miami and active participation in medical missions in Nicaragua, Dr. Chen's dedication to serving others knows no bounds. Alongside her family, she continues to inspire hope and transform lives through tireless advocacy and commitment to compassionate care.

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Our ThriveWell At Home leadership team

Melissa Garcia Villa

Marketing & Communications Director

Melissa Garcia Villa is a seasoned marketing professional based in Florida, highly regarded for her expertise in digital media strategy, branding, and marketing communications. With over a decade of hands-on experience in the... industry, Melissa has consistently delivered innovative solutions and tangible results across various projects and initiatives. Since joining the ThriveWell™ team in March 2024, Melissa has enthusiastically embraced the challenge and opportunity of contributing to a startup dedicated to enhancing health, wellness, and longevity in South Florida. In her role, she leads branding efforts, develops comprehensive communications and marketing strategies, and drives the organization's digital presence and growth. Beyond her professional achievements, Melissa's journey at ThriveWell is deeply rooted in faith and purpose. She believes that God has placed her in this role for a reason, guiding her to make a positive impact in the lives of older adults. Drawing inspiration from personal experiences, including witnessing her grandmother's challenging journey of aging, Melissa understands the importance of compassionate care. She is committed to upholding ThriveWell's mission of bringing more love and better health to those they serve, guided by her unwavering dedication and faith-driven passion.

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Kandice Paige Stanley

Director of Patient Services

Kandice Paige Stanley, RN, brings over 22 years of diverse healthcare experience to her role as Director of Patient Services at ThriveWell At Home. With a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, Kandice's journey began with a heartfelt commitment to serving older adults with warmth and compassion. Throughout her career, Kandice has honed her skills in geriatric care, emphasizing holistic well-being and building trusting relationships with patients and their families. From her early days in the ICU to her leadership roles in medical clinics and surgical center operations, Kandice's dedication to patient-centric care has remained unwavering. In her role, Kandice oversees our ThriveWell Champions (TWC) and ensures that our services are delivered with the highest level of quality and professionalism. She is deeply committed to promoting healthy aging and enhancing the quality of life for older adults, both in her professional endeavors and personal life. Whether it's assisting with activities of daily living, managing chronic illnesses, or offering companionship and emotional support, Kandice and her team approach each interaction with warmth, empathy, and genuine care. Kandice's dedication to excellence and her compassionate approach make her a cherished member of the ThriveWell team. Outside of work, Kandice treasures spending time with her children, which reinforces her commitment to creating a nurturing and supportive environment for our ThriveMembers.

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James Buscemi

Administrator & Sales Director

With over 24 years of diverse industry experience, James Buscemi has dedicated his career to improving home care, driven by personal life experiences with Alzheimer's disease. Witnessing his grandmother's struggle with moderate to severe Alzheimer's and the impact it had on his entire family, particularly watching his mother care for her, ignited his passion for the industry. James recognized the need for effective and compassionate home care and became determined to provide the best service beyond what the market was already delivering. James began his career as an Account Representative at Wall Street Access, where he honed his sales and leadership skills. He then embarked on an eight-year tenure at Forest Laboratories (now Allergan), holding various positions including Regional Sales Trainer, Specialty Sales Rep, Territory Sales Rep, and Division Manager. In 2015, James transitioned into entrepreneurship as the owner and CEO of Home Care Assistance of North Broward, LLC, overseeing all facets of organizational operations. By 2020, he had moved from ownership to a corporate role with Home Care Assistance, now rebranded as TheKey, overseeing the entire Florida region as the Regional Director. As ThriveWell's At Home Administrator and Sales Director, James leverages his extensive experience to optimize our product offerings, refine pricing strategies, and nurture our ThriveWell Growth Champions (our stellar sales team). His leadership ensures sustained growth and success for the organization, driven by a heartfelt commitment to enhancing home care.

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Carole Quedena-Watkins

Operations Manager

Carole Quedena-Watkins is a seasoned professional with over 17 years in the health industry. She brings a wealth of experience in home care as a compassionate leader dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those she serves. As the Operations Manager for ThriveWell At Home, Carole is committed to providing exceptional care and support, ensuring that each client feels valued and heard. Carole excels in leading customer service operations and improving the quality of care. Her expertise spans across home care management, Medicaid, and Medicare programs, and she is known for her ability to build strong, trusting relationships with both clients and team members. Originally from Peru, Carole received her degree in law before transitioning to the healthcare field. At The Key, as a Client Success Manager, she was instrumental in creating positive client experiences and driving operational efficiency.Beyond her impressive skills in project management, quality assurance, and policy implementation, Carole's true passion lies in making a personal impact.She is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment where every ThriveWell AtHome member feels cared for and supported. Carole believes in the power of compassion and personalized care, and she is excited to bring her heart and expertise to ThriveWell At Home. Connect with Carole to see how her dedication to exceptional service can enhance your experience with us.

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TWC

ThriveWell Champions

Smiling caregiver helping older adult

At ThriveWell At Home, our caregivers are known as ThriveWell Champions (TWC), and they are carefully selected to embody our core principles of compassion, integrity, and emotional intelligence. Each TWC undergoes rigorous evaluation for their character and commitment to exceptional care, ensuring they prioritize the holistic well-being of older adults.

Our hiring process aligns with our values, emphasizing the importance of the 5 Drivers of Health and Wellness: Personal, Community, Physical, Nutritional, and Spiritual. This focus on holistic well-being fosters a culture of support and empowerment among our TWCs, allowing them to provide the highest level of care to our clients.

In addition to our core values, we are committed to excellence in dementia care. Our comprehensive training program provides ThriveWell Champions with the specialized skills and empathy to support individuals with dementia. This advanced training, coupled with their Home Health Aide (HHA) certification, goes beyond basic education, and equips TWCs with the knowledge and confidence to provide compassionate, person-centered care, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for those living with dementia.

ThriveWell Champions (TWC) at ThriveWell At Home embody a unique set of qualities that define their exceptional caregiving:

  • Holistic Care: Prioritizing comprehensive well-being.
  • Dependability: Consistently reliable and prepared.
  • Warmth & Empathy: Genuine and compassionate interactions.
  • Deep Understanding: Tailored, personalized care.
  • Spiritual Support: Respectful of individual beliefs.
  • Clear Communication: Attentive listening and effective communication.
  • Accountability: Ownership and proactive resolution.
  • Family Engagement: Transparent and collaborative.
  • Continuous Growth: Committed to learning and development.
  • Professionalism: Exemplary conduct and representation.

TWGC

ThriveWell Growth Champions

Smiling sales agent, with coffee on her hand

As the driving force behind our organization's growth, the ThriveWell Growth Champion (TWGC) is dedicated to cultivating relationships with top-level referral sources, uncovering new opportunities, and driving impactful sales and growth initiatives.


With a keen understanding of ThriveWell's At Home product/service offerings and a focus on differentiation, they effectively convey the value of our services to potential
clients.


ThriveWell Growth Champions (TWGC) at ThriveWell At Home embody a unique set of qualities that define them, ensuring unparalleled service delivery and client satisfaction you can rely on:

  • Professionalism: Exemplify professionalism in all interactions, reflecting our commitment to excellence.
  • Needs Discovery: Discern client needs accurately, tailoring our approach to meet them effectively.
  • Resilience: Demonstrate resilience and determination in overcoming obstacles to achieve client satisfaction.
  • Authenticity: Embody authenticity, ensuring integrity and sincerity in our service delivery.
  • Collaborative Communication: Foster open communication and collaboration within the team for optimal client support.

Become a ThriveWell Champion