President

Carol Huffman, LCSW

Carol Huffman, owner of Social Work Advantage, obtained her Master of Social Work from Case Western Reserve University. She has extensive clinical experience in medical social work and bio-ethical patient care. She has served as the chair of a large hospital's ethics committee, as well as the director of a hospice program and developer of a palliative care team. She is committed to providing appropriate care through this proxy service to those who need to be represented.

vice president

Megan Samaniego

Megan Samaniego, BSW, M.Ed., graduated from Anderson University with a degree in Spanish and Social Work, and from Angelo State University with a master's degree in Guidance and Counseling. She is fluent in English and Spanish, and has worked with diverse populations throughout her teaching and counseling career, both in the United States and abroad in Spain and Africa. Megan oversees the daily operations of Social Work Advantage.

health care proxy

Bernadette

Bernadette Brunetti, LCSW, has almost 20 years experience working as a medical social worker in outpatient and acute care. She has worked in several settings including a large public hospital system. Her experience includes working with trauma, transplant, and hematology/oncology patients and their families. She also has experience in end of life care and has been part of a hospital bioethics team. She brings a unique perspective to the SWA health proxy team.

health care proxy

Debbie

Debbie Stanley, LCSW, earned her MSW at Barry University in Miami Shores.  She has over 20 years experience working as a medical social worker in hospitals and specialty clinics. She brings vast experience with pediatric, adult and geriatric populations.  She has worked in trauma, transplant, hematology/oncology, endocrinology, med/surg and palliative care.  

health care proxy

Diego

Diego Serpa, LCSW and qualified supervisor, has 14 years of experience working as a medical social worker in acute care, comprehensive cancer center and outpatient transplant settings. He received his BSW and MSW from Florida International University. He is fluent in Spanish. He has experience with end of life care and working with the geriatric population. He believes in providing ethical decision making and is proud to be part of the SWA health proxy team.

health care proxy

Jennifer

Jennifer Pejoves is a LCSW who has experience in working in the Guardian ad Litem Program for Miami as well as working in a Palliative care program and a Hospice Service. She is fluent in English and Spanish and has a professional experience working with diverse cultural populations. She has a passion for social work and is dedicated to providing quality and ethical decision making for all of her health care proxy patients.

health care proxy

Luisa

Luisa Betancourt, LCSW, has a background in medical social work and hospice. She has experience and skills in the psychosocial care of dying individuals, bereaved families, and groups dealing with complicated grieving. Luisa has had extensive exposure to different cultures and communities through years of volunteer work in Latin America, Europe, and South Florida. She has her MSW from Barry University and is part of the Academy of Certified Social Worker and Advance Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Social Worker. 

health care proxy

Megan

Megan Alderman obtained both her bachelor’s degree in psychology and her master’s degree in social work from Florida International University. She is an LCSW and a qualified supervisor with almost 10 years of healthcare experience. She has worked in both adult and pediatrics and has served on the ethics committee. She has a strong passion to advocate for vulnerable populations

Central Florida Staff

health care proxy

Alison

Alison Moore, LCSW, has an extensive background in working with patients in a medical setting. She has worked in hospital and home health settings, and also works as a therapist in a private practice. She graduated from Florida State University and the University of South Florida. She has a special interest in providing ethical decision making as she works with patients who have no one to advocate for them.

health care proxy

Josephine

Josephine Cannella-Krehl, LCSW, is a graduate of Stony Brook University in New York and Florida State University. She started her career as a substance abuse therapist but her passion led her to working in the field of hospice with critically, chronically and terminally ill individuals. Josephine has been licensed as a clinical social worker for nearly 30 years and has extensive experience as a medical social worker, as a private practice Psychotherapist specializing in geriatric care and in Legislative Policy Reform. She feels honored to act as the “Voice for the Voiceless,” both at the Florida Legislature and in her role as health care proxy with SWA. 

health care proxy

Sandra

Sandra Richards, LCSW, has a background in medical social work and behavioral health. She has an interest in bioethics and has served as a director of a social service team. She obtained her MSW from Florida State University, and has a special interest in working with patients who are in the medical setting.

health care proxy

Susan

Susan Bruno, LCSW, graduated with her Master’s in Social Work from Syracuse University.  She brings a strong background in the healthcare field beginning her career as a medical social worker in a hospital and nursing facility.  She has 40 years of hospice care experience working as a clinician, educator, consultant, director of social work and regional administrator.  She has served on Bio-Ethics committees for many years.  Susan has dedicated her career to end of life care and is passionate about helping people live with dignity throughout their life.