Meet Our Team
Ellen S. Platt, MEd, CRC, CCM
President & Certified Aging Life Care Manager
[email protected]
Under her leadership, The Option Group has not only been a trailblazer in the senior industry but has also significantly impacted the lives of younger individuals requiring specialized attention. The firm has consistently collaborated with other leaders to ensure high-quality services are available, helping families navigate through intricate and emotionally charged situations.
Still as passionate as ever, Ms. Platt remains dedicated to broadening the spectrum of clients served by The Option Group. With an aim to address the evolving needs of clients from all age groups, The Option Group plans to introduce several innovative programs over the next two years. These programs are designed to ensure individuals lead the most enriching, functional lives possible, with safety, comfort, and dignity at the forefront.
Diana (DeeDee) Bycoffe, RN
Nurse Care Manager
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Diana (DeeDee) Bycoffe is a nurse care manager and who has been with The Option Group since January of 2020. She really enjoys working with all clients and finds it rewarding when she can help families work on long term plans, sort through feelings that they have about a loved one who needs different choices, and then help them carry the plans through. Ms. Bycoffe has been a nurse for 25 years in numerous fields including cardiology, interventional radiology, the ER, the surgical intensive care unit, and home health care. If Ms. Bycoffe doesn’t have the answer, she will find it for you.
Samantha Morelock, MA
Care Manager
MD/Main Number: 410-667-0266
[email protected]
Samantha Morelock joined The Option Group in May of 2017. She has a Master’s degree in Counseling, with a concentration in marriage and family therapy. Her past clinical experience includes working with at-risk families doing both individual and family counseling. In her current position as a Care Management Associate, Samantha has gained valuable experience working with seniors, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with dementia. Samantha is passionate about preserving the dignity of every individual and is proud to be an advocate for each client’s care.
Janet D’Agostino, MA, MSN, RN
Clinical Supervisor
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Janet D’Agostino joined The Option Group in October of 2023 as the Clinical Supervisor. She has 50 years of experience in nursing at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in the Department of Medicine and Surgery. Over the years she has cared for individuals in all age ranges. For many years she has cared for patients with trauma brain injuries, various dementias, congenital anomalies, and all surgical procedures and is trained in Critical Care. She also has graduate degrees in Clinical Psychology, Nursing and Theology. For the last 40 years, she has professionally shown cats in the Cat Fanciers’ Association as a hobby.
Jackie Tangires, LCSW-C
Certified Aging Life Care Manager
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Jackie Tangires joined The Option Group in February of 2018. She earned her Certification in Case Management and is also a member of the Aging Life Care Association. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the State of Maryland with over 30 years of experience in different areas of health care. She worked in hospitals in Maryland, Michigan, Washington, and Hawaii. Prior to The Option Group, she worked with University of Maryland, Upper Chesapeake Health, where she provided Medical Case Management services and discharge planning services for orthopedic, neurological, and oncology patients. She belongs to the Academy of Certified Social Workers and is a member of NASW (National Association of Social Workers). Jackie enjoys her job at The Option Group because of the positive environment and the countless opportunities for growth.
Helena Wallace, MHA, MSHS
Care Manager
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Helena Wallace joined The Option Group as a Care Manager in January 2024. She has over 15 years of experience in the Healthcare Industry, specializing in Gerontology. What she enjoys most about working with this population is their wit, wisdom, and passion for life. Helena is dedicated, resourceful, and trustworthy. She is devoted to her work and willing to go the extra mile for families caring for individuals who need assistance. After pursuing her master’s degree in health administration with a concentration in Gerontology, her passion grew in assisting and advocating for families in crisis. To stay ahead of the continuous change in health care (caregiving), she successfully gained her second master’s in human services. Helena enjoys spending time with family and friends, doing yoga when time permits, and reading a good book on rainy days. More importantly, she believes in inspiring change, One Step at a Time.
Mary Jo Siebert, MS
Director of Educational Advocacy and Training
MD/Main Number: 410-967-0122
[email protected]
Mary Jo Siebert, a seasoned Educational Law consultant with a psychology background and over four decades of experience, has announced her merger with Ellen Platt of The Option Group, reinforcing their mission to offer a comprehensive continuum of care for individuals and family caregivers. With a career spanning services provided to children, adolescents, and adults diagnosed with autism, cerebral palsy, ADHD, and rare neurological disorders, Mary Jo’s alliance with The Option Group heralds a new era of holistic care.
Mary Jo brings a wealth of knowledge from her years at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and her ground-breaking work with ASK and ACES, LLC, her independent practice launched in 2003. The fusion of these organizations is set to transform how families and individuals can access disability care and services across Maryland, Northern Virginia, Southern Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
Michele Gillum
Vice President of Operations
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Michele Gillum has been with The Option Group since 2012. She manages and coordinates the daily operations of the company with impeccable attention to detail ensuring implementation of efficient operations. Michele strives to foster a collaborative work environment with the team to best address the needs of their clients. Outside of work, she enjoys walking, playing games, and spending time with family.
Joyce McGuire
Intake Coordinator
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Joyce McGuire joined the Option Group as an Intake Coordinator in September 2023. She brings extensive experience as she has worked as an Administrative Assistant in many industries. A resident of Baltimore County, MD, she has three children and six grandchildren. Joyce enjoys her family, people, the beach, and DIY projects. She is looking forward to being a part of The Option Group team, and especially helping locate the solutions for the many children who need advocacy and services.
Michelle Tillman, MEd
Client Liaison/Administrative Coordinator
MD/Main Number: 410-667-0266
[email protected]
Michelle Tillman joined The Option Group in September of 2016. She has a professional background in education, having taught arts and special needs students of all ages, as well as assisting in the offices of the Maryland public school system. Michelle values the enthusiasm and dedication of the entire Option Group staff as they strive to help families navigate life’s challenges.
Carol Conroy
Administrative Assistant
MD/Main Number: 410-667-0266
[email protected]
Carol joined the Option Group in April 2023 having spent many years in the Healthcare industry. She grew up in the Hamilton area of Baltimore City. She adores her three beautiful adult children and loves The Arts, entertainment, and cooking. Community Outreach is of great importance in Carol’s life and
she is looking forward to contributing to The Option Group team and mission.
Ariel S.
Intake Coordinator/Executive Assistant
MD/Main Number: 410-667-0266
Ariel S. is a compassionate and determined individual who joined The Option Group in February 2024 as an Intake Coordinator/Executive Assistant. With five years of experience in the legal field, Ariel decided to switch careers to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives and connect them with the resources they need. Their passion for helping others is evident in their primary goal, which is to assist as many people as possible while upholding The Option Group’s mission. Ariel’s dedication to helping the community is unwavering, and they strive for greatness in their role. They are thrilled to bring their diverse skills and expertise to The Option Group and contribute to its noble cause.
Amy Vernon
Liaison
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Amy Vernon joined The Option Group in June of 2022 as a Liaison. She has over twenty years of experience in administrative work in several industries and at various levels. Amy moved to Baltimore from Minneapolis after college to be closer to family and began working in the administrative offices of Johns Hopkins Emergency Department supporting, at different times, the Clinical Director, the Director of Nursing, and the Director of Special Operations. She also coordinated the medical student rotations through the department each month. She then spent over ten years in the accounting industry before taking positions supporting the President of Loyola University and the CEO of a local non-profit focused on support and care of differently abled individuals. Amy’s career focus is centered on finding soul-satisfying work that allows her to help others and try to leave situations better than she found them.
Her position as a Liaison is as close to a match as she’s been looking for. Amy likes being surrounded by like-minded, caring individuals with the same intention. In her free time, Amy loves to cook, feed the birds, and garden.
Steve Gale
Business Development Coordinator
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Steve joined The Option Group team in June of 2023 and has been in senior living sales and marketing for his entire career and has built his foundation of doing right by the families we serve before anything else. I’m grateful to work with other families everyday who need assistance, but do not know where to turn. I love the creative process of figuring out new ways to come to solutions, knowing everybody’s situation is unique. Personally, being a father is the most rewarding thing I have the pleasure of doing. I’m a huge Baltimore sports fan and enjoy live music, summer beach vacations, and pool days in my free time.
Noel White
Community Outreach Liaison
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Noel White joined The Option Group in February 2020. A graduate of Towson University, Mr. White has spent the bulk of his professional career working for The Chimes, Inc, The American Lung Association of Maryland, and sales and management for home health equipment and pharmaceutical companies. He is pleased to bring his experience to Ellen’s growing team and assist with connecting our message of expertise, professional resourcefulness, care, and hope to the community he is committed and honored to serve. Mr. White is married to Pastor Lisa Arrington and has two wonderful adult children.