Board & Staff

Lois started her career in Long Term Care as a Certified Nurse Aide in high school and worked her way through LPN school. Eleven years later she completed her training and licensure as a Registered Nurse followed by Advance Practice Certification in Gerontology. Wanting to broaden her knowledge base even more she returned to school to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Management while completing the Administrator in Training program for Long Term Care Administration. She is a graduate Fellow of the first American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (now LeadingAge), Leadership Class of 2007. Lois began her career with Midwest Geriatrics in May of 1997 as an RN, Nurse Manager. She was promoted to Director of Assisted Living in December of 1997 and Vice President of Operations in 2000. In 2007 she was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer and continues to serve in that role.

Lois serves as a Board Member and President of LeadingAge Nebraska

Lois can be reached at 402.827.6056 or ljordan@shf.org.

Deb received her degree in accounting from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She began her career as a CPA with Seim Johnson LLP, specializing primarily in audit services for various healthcare clients. Before her role as Chief Financial Officer for Midwest Geriatrics, Inc., she held financial analyst positions at Clarkson Hospital and Children’s Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. Deb has earned her designation as a Fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA).

Deb holds the following professional memberships:

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants
• Past Board Director, Healthcare Financial Management Association
• Past Board Treasurer, Community 360
• Past Board Secretary & Treasurer, Santa Monica, Inc.
• Treasurer & Member, Omaha Network

Deb can be reached at 402.827.6053 or dthacker@shf.org.

Ann has worked in the healthcare industry for more than 20 years, beginning as a dietary aide and then as a CNA. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and her Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from Bellevue University. She has worked as a caregiver in all aspects of elder care, including independent living, assisted living, long-term care, skilled nursing, home health and private care. She completed the Administrator in Training program at Florence Home Healthcare Center, worked briefly as a social worker, and assumed the Administrator position at Florence Home in May, 2008. She was promoted to Vice President of Operations in 2014 and currently serves as Acting Administrator at Florence Home.

Ann can be reached at 402.827.6050 or aerickson@shf.org.

Dolores (DJ) Clarke has a background in communications and senior living. She led communications and public affairs for the Omaha Public Power District for nearly 20 years. After a personal experience helping her mother-in-law navigate through the senior living continuum of care, she switched careers and obtained her assisted living administrator’s license and received a certification in dementia training. She has sat on several non-profit boards, and she also holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and a masters degree in leadership.

DJ can be reached at 402-557-6861 or at djclarke@shf.org

Vanessa has her bachelor’s degree in Economics from South Dakota State University and master's of business administration from Southwest Minnesota State University. Before Midwest Geriatrics, Inc., she was an audit manager for Seim Johnson, LLP, serving various healthcare clients. Vanessa is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Healthcare Financial Professional.

Vanessa holds the following professional memberships:

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants
• Board of Director, Healthcare Financial Management Association, Nebraska Chapter

Vanessa can be reached at 402.827.6059 or vschmidt@shf.org.

Sheryl earned a doctorate of Pharmacy degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1993. She successfully completed her certification examination in geriatric pharmacy in May 1998, and is currently a member in good standing. Sheryl has been employed with Midwest Geriatrics, Inc. since 1994 and has been the Director of Pharmacy since 2002. She was involved with the long term care task force initiative in Nebraska, and continues to volunteer for LTC pharmacy projects. Sheryl was promoted to Vice President of Pharmacy Services in 2014.

Sheryl can be reached at 402.827.6080 or shavermann@shf.org.

Jennifer joined the Gerimed & Unimed Pharmacy teams in 2011. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Creighton University in 2001. Her first experience with Gerimed was in the spring of 2001, as a pharmacy student on rotation. It was here that she was exposed to what a difference a pharmacist can really make being a member of a health care team. After some time as a community pharmacist, she was able to come back to her true passion; working in geriatrics. She successfully completed her certification in geriatric pharmacy in September 2012.

Jennifer can be reached at 402.827.6080 or jkoerner@shf.org.

Benane joined Midwest Geriatrics in 2021 and is a member of SHRM and HRAM.

Benane began working in human resources in 2007. A USAF veteran who served in TX, NE. Kuwait, Afghanistan, she has experience in non-profits, social services, home healthcare, and long-term care. As an HR professional, Benane gets to touch and impact many lives behind the scenes. Having worked in LTC during the COVID-19 pandemic taught Benane the depth and impact that human resources has on employees and the organization as a whole, stating, “I learned to go beyond the policies and procedures and consider the human side of Human Resources.”

"I envision Florence Home/Royale Oaks Assisted Living/House of Hope Memory Care to be the employer of choice in the metro area. "

Benane can be reached at Human Resources at 402-827-6011 or bakurkuch@shf.org

Ed Hendershot joined the team at Midwest Geriatrics and brings 20 years of leadership, construction, and operational expertise to his role as Director of Environmental Services. From Journeyman Carpenter to General Foreman to Superintendent, Ed leads by example and brings a solid understanding of construction and building management.

Ed can be reached at 402.827.6000 or ehendershot@shf.org.

Robert Bloechle - Vice President, Hawkins Construction
Marc Butterfield – Vice President; First National Bank of Omaha
Stephanie O'Keefe - Retired
Lois Jordan – President & CEO, Midwest Geriatrics, Inc.
Debra Thacker – CFO, Midwest Geriatrics, Inc.

Robert Bloechle – Vice President, Hawkins Construction
Marc Butterfield – Vice President, First National Bank of Omaha
Mark Higgins – Retired, The Schemmer Associates, Inc.
Lyn M. Holley, PhD – Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska – Omaha
Stephanie O'Keefe - Retired, Kirkpatrick Pettis Trust Co.
Kristen Pratt – Director, Portfolio & Relationship Management, First National Bank of Omaha
Rebecca Wester – MD, Medical Director, Florence Home
Sr. Margaret Hickey, Notre Dame Sisters
Lois Jordan – President & CEO, Midwest Geriatrics, Inc.
Debra Thacker – CFO, Midwest Geriatrics, Inc.

Robert Bloechle – Vice President, Hawkins Construction
Marc Butterfield – Vice President, First National Bank of Omaha
Lyn M. Holley, PhD – Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska – Omaha
Stephanie O'Keefe - Retired, Kirkpatrick Pettis Trust Co.
Lois Jordan – President & CEO, Midwest Geriatrics, Inc.
Debra Thacker – CFO, Midwest Geriatrics, Inc.

Robert Bloechle – Vice President, Hawkins Construction
Mark Higgins – Retired, The Schemmer Associates, Inc
Lois Jordan – President & CEO, Midwest Geriatrics, Inc.
Debra Thacker – CFO, Midwest Geriatrics, Inc.

Marc Butterfield – Vice President, First National Bank
Kristen Pratt – Director, Portfolio & Relationship Management- First National Bank of Omaha
Brett Worick – Managing Director, Marketing – First National Bank of Omaha
Lois Jordan – President & CEO, Midwest Geriatrics, Inc.
Debra Thacker – CFO, Midwest Geriatrics, Inc.