GAMS, LLC

Our Professional Backgrounds

Pamela Braun is a Masters-level social worker and a licensed clinical social worker for independent practice in Arizona. She is also a Certified Private Fiduciary through the Arizona Supreme Court. She is founder and owner of Geriatric Assessment, Management & Solutions, LLC since 2000. Pam is originally from Wisconsin but grew up in the Kansas City area. She received a bachelor’s degree in social work and a minor in gerontology from Kansas State University and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Kansas in 1990. Her work experience has been primarily in health care and mental health. She has worked in the hospital setting since 1986 including the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota with neurology and neurosurgical patients. Since moving to Arizona in 1994, she worked on a geriatric mental health/medical unit at Del Webb Hospital in Sun City West for 6 years. Her areas of interest have been with individuals with dementia and their families specifically with behavior issues. She does extensive volunteer work with the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter.

Pamela Bloom Foster is a Masters-level social worker that received a bachelor of art’s degree in business administration/marketing and European history from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan. She received a master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University in 1995 and a master’s degree in business administration. She is a licensed clinical social worker for independent practice in Arizona. She is originally from Michigan but grew up in Arizona. She has extensive health care experience in geriatrics in the areas of acute care, crisis management, oncology, hospice and home health care. She has been employed by Sun Health Corporation since 1991 and also serves on the Oncology Resource Team, Patient Rights Committee, and Professional Practice Committee. She is skillful in assessment and resource acquisition for clients and their families.

Luann Arvonen has worked over 21 years in geriatric healthcare. Her experience has taken her along the continuum of care - skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care assisted living, independent retirement living and hospice. Luann worked as Family Services Director for a retirement community, where she was able to use her extensive community resource knowledge to assist seniors, problem solve and maintain a safe environment and their independence. Luann has also served on various committees for a number of health-related organizations, and co-chaired the 1999 Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter’s Memory Walk and the 2004 Hearts for Hospice Walk. Luann holds a bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy from Arizona State University. She is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of her clients and advocating on their behalf.

Jane Hamby is a 25 year healthcare and community service administrator. She has extensive experience in managed care, emergency services and the continuum of care including skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care and independent retirement living. Jane spent 15 years managing pre-hospital care systems, emergency and non-emergency, for a large Fire Department and Ambulance Corporation. During her experience she implemented a nationally recognized emergency medical dispatch protocol program. This process involved working with hospital and other healthcare and community officials to ensure proper care delivery. Jane received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration through the University of Phoenix. Ever since her move to Arizona in 1981, Jane has been active in various community organizations. She is a dedicated professional providing excellent attention to detail in all facets of her work responsibilities and is devoted to the senior population in helping them maintain their health, independence and quality of life.

Brenda Unsworth has worked in the areas of medical and mental health social work for more than 20 years. She has extensive experience with geriatric social work as both a clinician and as a supervisor in various hospital and mental health settings. Most recently she has been a Community Enrichment Center director for a large federal grant project within a local elementary school district. Brenda is licensed as an independent clinician by the state of Arizona and certified as a domestic violence counselor by the National Association of Forensic Counselors. She serves on the Advisory Board for ASU West’s School of Social Work and has taught classes there on medical documentation and violence prevention, as well as training new social workers as a field instructor. In addition, Brenda has presented seminars on domestic violence intervention and served on the Maricopa Association of Government’s task force for domestic violence education and prevention.

Johna Young has more than 15 years experience in the healthcare field. For five years she worked in memory care facility administration, with emphasis on financial management and the provision of social and spiritual services to older adults with memory disorders. She has volunteered extensively with the Alzheimer's Association and other associations benefiting the issues affecting older adults. Dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for older adults, Johna brings compassion, good humor, professional expertise and management skills to her relationships with the seniors and families she serves.

Jeannie Singleton is a licensed Masters-level social worker. She received a Bachelor’s degree in social work from Northern Arizona University in 1995 and a Master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University in 2002. Jeannie has worked in mental and medical health care since 1995 and has extensive experience in providing social services to geriatric patients and their families within a hospital setting. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. While working as a medical social worker, Jeannie created a behavioral health manual to provide nurses with tools to work more effectively with patients with behavioral health problems. Jeannie worked as an emergency room social worker at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, a level one trauma center, for 5 years providing crisis intervention services to patients and families. Her areas of interest are working with individuals with mental illness and physical disabilities. Jeannie is a dedicated advocate, making a difference in the lives of the clients and families she serves.

Valorie V. Litchy has 22 years’ experience in senior healthcare administration. As Administrator of a memory care facility, Val served residents and families experiencing unique challenges of a diagnosis of dementia and other complex medical issues, assessing and coordinating medical care and services and residential/social enhancements to quality of life. In her work in a Continuing Care Retirement Community, Val was involved in the provision of services to residents in independent, assisted and skilled nursing care settings, including evaluation of residents’ needs, wants, and desires, and new facility design and construction. Val has been an active local community volunteer, coordinating fundraisers for both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease patients. Val is committed to using her communications skills and extensive knowledge of local resources to helping older adults maintain the highest possible levels of dignity and independence. Val holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Bachelor’s degree from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, and is a licensed Assisted Living Facility Manager in the state of Arizona.