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Meet Our Team
Your Experts in Dementia Care and Caregiver Support
Maria D'Souza, MD, MPH
Geriatrician and Medical Director
Dr. Maria D'Souza is a geriatrician who brings special expertise in dementia care and caregiver support. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine and completed her residency training in internal medicine at the University of Washington, 3-year geriatrics fellowship at Duke University, and a Master of Public Health degree at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. She is a member of the medical staff at ChristianaCare. Additionally, she participated in the development and evaluation of an innovative multidisciplinary dementia care program during a geriatrics fellowship at Duke University, which she published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. One of only 7,500 geriatricians in the US,
Dr. D'Souza previously served as Medical Director of a PACE program, enabling older adults with complex medical and social needs to continue living in their own homes. She has 15 years of experience providing holistic medical care for older adults in a variety of settings including primary care, acute hospital care, nursing facilities, assisted living, memory care units, house calls, and hospice and palliative care.
"My patients and their families often tell me how much they value the way I listen. Each older adult has a unique story that I am passionate about hearing and honoring in order to provide true person-centered care. Discussing individual values and goals allows us to formulate a plan of care together and partner with all members of the care team to achieve those goals. Geriatrics is a team sport!"
Kate Gruber, BSW
Care Manager
Kate is a Care Manager with a Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Ohio University. She has experience working with diverse populations and has spent the last 13 years working with older adults, 6 of those years being with COMPASS. Kate provides support to patients and families through her compassion, expertise in the aging field, and her collaborative demeanor.
Kate is originally from Ohio and has also lived in Connecticut, Maryland, and now Delaware. She is married and has two young sons. In her spare time, Kate enjoys rowing, hiking, photography, and being outside.
Laura Dickol, LCSW, MSW
Social Worker / Therapist
Laura is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and has worked exclusively with individuals and caregivers navigating dementia and caregiving challenges. She earned her Master’s of Social Work degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2022 with a focus on policy and practice.
She is a certified trainer in the Savvy Caregiver program, a nationally recognized, evidence-based initiative designed to support family caregivers of individuals with dementia. Through this training, Laura helps caregivers build skills, confidence, and personal empowerment in navigating the challenges of dementia care.Laura helps her clients discover their resiliency as they navigate the world of dementia.
In her spare time, Laura enjoys reading, local travel, and, spending time with her family, friends, and pets!
Barb Hughes, MSS, LCSW
Therapist
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with expertise in working with individuals, couples, and families. I also work with caregiving families dealing with the complexities of dementia and elder care. I firmly believe in the healing power of relationships. My goal is to build relationships with my clients based on trust, authenticity, and collaboration. I help clients gain awareness of what may be holding them back, foster resilience, and enhance personal empowerment. Together, we can explore new possibilities for healing, transform destructive cycles, and grow toward richer, more fulfilling lives and relationships.