Dementia Care in St. Louis, MO
Leadership Team
Dolan Memory Care Homes’ leadership team is comprised of highly experienced professionals who are committed to providing the highest quality of life for our Residents and their families.

Tim Dolan – Owner/President
Started team in 1993
Evolution of an Idea
Tim began reading everything he could find on environmental design and different care techniques that he could incorporate in a new model of care. He had heard of other ideas that were similar to his that were beginning to take shape in other parts of the country. He traveled to these facilities to see how their approach might help with his design. Tim learned that a family member in New York had donated funds to a research center in Ohio; the Corrine Dolan Alzheimer’s Research Center (CDARC) which he collaborated with in the development of his new care design. While CDARC was not his exact vision, it proved to be a wealth of knowledge that he could use in the developing his own program. In fact, every place he visited he learned something that he could use.
Vision Takes Hold
The journey was a definite struggle; but he did have some successes along the way. Tim did not anticipate the lack of social awareness and the overall stigmatism that existed with the illness. When you couple that with the state’s various licensure categories that ran counter to his style of care; he soon learned that he would be in for a long campaign. In 1999 Dolan Residential Care, as his young company was known, was chosen as one of only 2 facilities in the St. Louis area to participate in the State’s Alzheimer’s Pilot Program to investigate and develop new environments and care techniques for Missourians suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. He developed 3 state-of-the-art households that included numerous environmental design features that addressed the cognitively impaired along with several new innovative building techniques. In 2006 Tim’s effort in the field was instrumental in helping to change the licensure regulations in Missouri. Senate Bill 616 was introduced, passed and later signed by the Governor providing Missouri families with an array of long term care choices never before available to Missourians. In 2010 Tim was chosen by the Governor to be a member of the Missouri State Alzheimer’s Task Force representing the long term care in the state. Other Task Force members included Dr. John Morris, Margret Donnelly, Director of Missouri Health and Senior Services, Senator Bill Stouffer sponsor of Senate Bill 616, Carol Rodriguez from the Alzheimer’s Association. The Task Force’s duties were to identify how the disease was affecting Missourians, what resources were available and how the state could better serve those families affected with the disease.
Vision Becomes a Reality
Currently, Dolan Memory Care Homes has 12 households in the St. Louis area. In 2014 Tim completed Les Maison a memory neighborhood. Les Maison is the first of its kind green development consisting of four homes specifically built to accommodate those suffering from various forms of memory impairment. It is a true patient centered, social model in every sense of the word. Residents are encouraged to participate in their own care as well as to be involved in the day to day operation of the home. Residents have the freedom to go outside in an enclosed yard and to socialize by visiting other residents within the neighborhood. To date, there is no other development like it in the country, making it a true “feather in the cap” for St. Louis Based on Les Masons’ success, in 2018, Tim began developing his second memory neighborhood, Waterford Crossing.
Vision for the Future
While Tim’s mission of care for persons living with dementias and their families; he also contributes to a world without Alzheimer’s by working closely with and donating to the St. Louis Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and Memory Care Home Solutions.

John Munch, LNHA – Director of Operations
Joined team in 2002
Over his 15 plus years with Dolan Memory Care Homes he has been involved in all aspects of the households. He has great interactions with the Residents and wonderful stories to share. John says “I feel very fortunate to be part of Dolan Memory Care Homes.”

Toni Dewhirst, RN, LNHA – Resident Care Coordinator
Joined team in 2006

2014 Award Recipient– Senior Division

Sandi Antalick, ADC – Activities Director
Joined team in 2013
“Whenever I visit the Residents at their homes, they are always so welcoming and so appreciative that I have come to visit them. I love the stories they tell me and learning so much about them. I love working on new projects with them and going out to lunch with them. Every day is always a new day!! Although I am supposed to be going to visit to make their day special, they always end up making my day special too!”

Allison Dolan-Boschert, NP-BC – Nurse Consultant and Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
Joined team in 2004

Tracey Ray, RN, LNHA – Original 5 Administrator
Joined team in 2012
I worked as a CNA on the Alzheimer’s unit until I graduated from nursing school in 1996. By 2004, I was certified in Legal Nurse Consulting, but my passion remained with the elderly. Other work experience includes 4 years at St. Anthony’s emergency room and the medical / surgical floor. I also was a fiduciary specialist for Bank of America Private Trust working with individuals who were receiving HomeCare.
I came to Dolan in 2012 and immediately fell in love with the small group residential settings. I am dedicated to providing the highest quality of life for residents and families who are affected by dementia. Being a nurse at Dolan Memory Care Homes give me great joy in the care I provide.

Bill VanDillen – Director of Facilities Management
Joined team in 2012

Amanda Declue – Staffing Coordinator
Joined team in 2020

Laura Geisen – Food Service Supervisor
Joined team in 2019

Steve Vicalvi LNHA – Waterford Administrator
Joined team in 2020

Stephanie Dudic– Administrator at Les Maisons
Joined team in 2014
My grandma moved in with us when I was a junior in high school. She had severe dementia and was unsafe to live alone. She stayed with us for three years and could not recall that I was her granddaughter, so she just called me Nurse. She passed away the year I started nursing school, but she was the reason I decided to become a nurse.
After I graduated I went to work at Lutheran Convalescent Home part of Laclede Groves in Webster, Missouri. I worked there for almost three years. I spent the next 15 years at Barnes Jewish Hospital, specializing in orthopedic surgery.
I was married in 2004 to my husband, Faruk. My husband is from Bosnia, and we met at Lutheran Convalescent Home in 1998. We have three beautiful children: Lejla (2006) and twins, Eldin and Ariela (2008). We all reside in South County.
I came to Dolan in June of 2014 and couldn’t be happier with my decision. It’s a wonderful program we have here for people affected by dementia. I couldn’t be more proud of the work we do here for our Residents and their families. It gives me great joy every day to see the difference we make in the lives of people who have memory impairments. I hope to spend many more years here doing what I love – taking care of people.

Brenda Akers, BSW – Family Support Coordinator at Waterford Crossing
Joined team in 2020
In her free time, she volunteers at the Alzheimer’s Association as a support group facilitator for spouses and adult children. Brenda has also dedicated her time as an organizer for Alzheimer’s walk and a fundraiser leader. She demonstrates leadership throughout the community as a guest panelist and speaker for Alzheimer’s Association, Missouri League of Nursing, and Activity Directors Across Missouri. Her topics range from “Intimacy, Sexuality and Dementia”, “Lewy Bodies Disease”, “Sleep and Dementia” and “How to Have the Difficult Talk with Your Parents.” To top it off, Brenda also holds specialized certifications as a Dementia Practitioner (CDP) and Montessori Dementia Care Professional (CMDCP).
Over her professional career, Brenda learned about Dolan Memory Care Homes and continued to follow our progress. Dolan is humbled and honored that Brenda began working in 2020 as Waterford Family Support Coordinator. She shares, “I am totally committed to helping individuals with memory impairments, their families, through research and experience.” Brenda truly appreciates and understands the importance of caring for the complex dynamic of respective family members along with the individual with dementia. Brenda values her family—Rick, husband of over 40 years, 3 adult sons, 1 daughter in law, and a small 3-legged therapy dog named Sia. Brenda illustrates compassion and empathy to all that she graces her presence. Dolan Memory Care Homes is fortunate to have Brenda as a part of the leadership team.

Taylor Kennedy, MSW – Family Support Coordinator at Les Maisons
Joined team in 2020
I graduated with a Bachelors of Social Work from the University of Arkansas. I worked for a year in the field before returning to the University of Arkansas to obtain my master’s degree. I completed my Masters of Social Work in Arkansas and shortly after graduation moved back to St. Louis to be closer to family.
I have spent the majority of my career providing mental and behavioral health services to individuals struggling from trauma or mental illness. This experience helps me to assess situations and resident needs differently, taking all domains of their life into consideration.
My family and I plaid a large role in providing in home care for my grandmother when she was diagnosed with dementia. Since then, I have always been passionate about the care and treatment individuals with dementia receive. I joined Dolan after learning about their model of care and finding it aligned a lot with my personal and professional values. Working at Dolan allows me to get fulfillment through serving those who once played an instrumental role in their loved ones lives and now are unable.
When not working I enjoy gardening, being outdoors, traveling, shopping, swimming, spending time with my family, seeing my friends. I love ice cream, animals, Cheetos, fruit, reality TV, my two cats, boating and going to the beach.

Mindy Scmittgens– MSW Family Support Coordinator at Original 5
Joined team in 2020
I graduated from the University of Missouri- Columbia in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in both Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. I didn’t know when I began my social work education where it would lead me until both of my grandmothers were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s only a couple years apart. While it had quite a toll on my family and myself, I stepped up and was the main point of contact and very involved in their care; this is where I found my passion. I spent so much time in their assisted living facilities that I was on first name bases with staff, residents, and other family members, often planning and engaging in activities and events with them. Although these were some of the most trying times for me and my family, they were also some of the most rewarding and memorable.
When I first came to Dolan as a student in January of 2020, I took all the tools of person-centered care that I had accumulated home to my grandmothers, and it made all the difference. I was overwhelmed by the strengths-based model of care that Dolan provides and remember thinking to myself “this is what is missing.” My favorite aspect of Dolan is the patient environment that allows for staff to get to know each resident and form meaningful, trusting relationships. I felt so welcomed by residents, families and staff that it was like a home away from home. When students were asked to work remotely due to COVID-19 in early March, I felt unfinished in my Dolan journey. I am eager to pick up where I left off and immerse myself in the individualistic care of others’ loved ones.
In my free time I enjoy watching movies, long walks, reading, spending time with my family, and my pets (cat, dog and guinea pigs).

Barb Dumeyer – Administrative Assistant
Joined team in 2012

Ellen Cowick– Business Office Manager
Joined team in 2019
She grew up in St. Peters and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Accounting from ITT- Technical Institute. She comes from a large family as one of five children and, interestingly, she is also a twin!
Ellen is close with her immediate and extended family. She looks forward to times when they can all get together and enjoy a holiday meal or family outings to the zoo or the Butterfly House.
Ellen spends much of her time caring for her aging mother but in her free time she enjoys crafting, traveling and spending time with family and friends. She loves helping people and makes that a priority in her life. Her motto is “Today is a good day for a good day”, and she always tries to convey that sentiment to everyone she meets. Ellen is proud to be a member of the Dolan team and looks forward to building on the Dolan Memory Care mission of improve quality of life not only for individuals with dementia, but for their families as well.

Molly Pannett– Human Resources
Joined team in 2020
I took a short break to work at another job after graduation but when John called saying Dolan had an opening, I jumped at the opportunity! When I’m not at work I enjoy spending time with my soon to be husband James and my family. My favorite foods are a dang good cheeseburger and sushi! I love traveling, shopping and visiting my out of town friends as well as going to the beach every year with my family. Dolan definitely holds a special place in my heart and I am so glad I am here!
Call 314-993-9500 for more information or to schedule a visit.