Lutheran Homes of South Carolina leadership and staff members have one thing in common: a passion for the well-being of older adults. We believe in compassionate, person-centered care and supporting our residents and members to live a fulfilling life throughout their retirement.
We welcome you to contact our leadership using their contact information below.
Ms. Dickinsen joined Lutheran Homes of South Carolina in 2004 and serves as the Vice President of Planned Growth & Development. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with emphasis on aging and special needs populations from Whitworth University, and a Certificate in the Study of Aging from the University of Washington. Starting as a nursing facility volunteer in 1972, Denise’s career roles include certified nursing assistant, recreation/respite director; hospital discharge planner, national director for Alzheimer’s and specialty program development and vice president of program and partner development. She has devoted her career to support successful aging, specializing in operations, employee education, marketing, wellness and program development for non-profit and for-profit service providers, ranging from single sites to national corporations. Denise is known for her practical training insights for caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s and has authored several training programs and policy and procedure manuals for long-term care caregivers. Denise chairs the Professional Development Committee for LeadingAge SC.
Denise makes her home in Columbia and enjoys gardening, cooking, cultural arts and traveling.
“Older adults are a complex group with many differing needs. I enjoy the challenge of applying both art and science to make their corner of the world better – through hands-on personalized care or developing larger scale innovative programs.”
After serving as Plan Counselor for [email protected], Dina was promoted to Program Director in 2022. She has experience working with individuals in independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, home care, and hospice. This experience gives her the knowledge to help people talk about the options they have in planning for long-term care. Dina attended the College of Charleston, and received a B.A. in Communications and Health Promotions.
A Charleston native, Dina enjoys spending her free time on the beach reading a good book, participating in art and craft projects, and visiting family on the Australia coast. She currently lives in Mount Pleasant with her husband, bird, and three pug dogs.
Ryan is a Wellness Coordinator for [email protected] and oversees member health and wellness planning and the coordination of care services. She acts as trusted resource and advocate for our members. Ryan is a Mt. Pleasant native and worked as a Life Enrichment Coordinator in a Memory Support unit. She has experience volunteering with veterans, as well as individuals who are experiencing dementia. Ryan attended the College of Charleston, receiving a B.S. in Sociology and is currently at the University of South Carolina, where she is obtaining a Master of Social Work degree. She has completed a field placement with an organization that provides housing assistance for veterans, and is currently completing a field placement at a continuing care retirement community. Ryan is passionate about utilizing her social work training to assist seniors in their goals to remain holistically healthy.
Katharine oversees member health and wellness planning and the coordination of care services. Katharine grew up in Mt. Pleasant where she worked as a volunteer with older adults for many years. Katharine received her B.S. in Psychology from the College of Charleston and her Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina. Katharine had specializations in health and mental health. She enjoys serving as resource for individuals who want to improve or maintain the health of their minds and bodies. She has worked in a variety of fields including addiction, autism, foster care, care coordination, sleep therapy, research, and trauma. Katharine always seeks to align her profession with her value of serving others. She is also a certified yoga instructor for all ages and experience levels.
Priscilla is a Wellness Coordinator, overseeing member health and wellness planning and the coordination of care services. Priscilla received her Bachelors of Social Work and Gerontology Certificate from Winthrop University. She obtained her Masters of Social Work from the University of South Carolina. She enjoys educating older adults and their families on resources available to them. She brings to us a wealth of knowledge working in hospital and rehab settings.
Priscilla loves spending time with older adults, as she believes, older adults are our living breathing history. The first hand stories individuals share surpasses any writing in a history book. Priscilla most recently transitioned from Northern Virginia working with an At Home program. She enjoys the At Home model as it enables her to work with individuals in the transitioning stages of life.