Naples Senior Center Adds Experienced Professionals to Board of Trustees

NAPLES, Fla. – Naples Senior Center, a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive programs and social services for local seniors and their families, announced that it has further broadened its experienced leadership with the appointment of supporters Lucinda H. Stebbins and Dr. Sunil Pandya to its Board of Trustees.

“The addition of these two experienced individuals to our board adds to the depth of professional expertise and community support on our board,” said Dr. Jaclynn Faffer, President/CEO of the Naples Senior Center. “Their service and guidance will help ensure that Naples Senior Center remains the leading advocate for seniors in our community.”

Stebbins is a retired financial consultant with nearly four decades of professional experience working with such financial services firms as Deutsche Asset Management, Zurich Scudder Investments and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Stebbins also brings many years of corporate board experience with Tekla Capital Management and Solstice Home Care Inc., a private family-owned home health care company in Massachusetts.

Locally, Stebbins serves as a board member of The Pointe I homeowners association in Pelican Bay and formerly was an Audit and Budget Committee member of the Pelican Bay Foundation. Stebbins earned her Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in accounting from Babson College. She received her undergraduate degree in Economics from Wellesley College. She retired as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Massachusetts and remains active as a member of the Florida Society of CPAs.

Dr. Pandya is an innovative physician executive with 20 years of clinical practice and 17 years of progressive management experience in the healthcare industry. He has held executive roles at the highest level, including Chief Growth Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Clinical Officer, Chief Executive Officer and National Medical Director. Currently, he is owner and Vice President for Strategy and Finance of Accountable Inpatient Medicine. He also provides leadership as Associate Medical Director of Vitas Hospice and Chief Medical Director of Sava Senior Care.

Dr. Pandya earned his Master’s degree in Healthcare Innovation from Arizona State University. He also holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Auburn University. Dr. Pandya received his Medical Doctorate degree from Rutgers University and his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Biology from Stevens Institute of Technology. He holds medical licenses to practice in Florida and four other U.S. states.

Naples Senior Center is the only human services agency of its kind, providing “one-stop shop” services addressing the emotional and social needs of seniors in Collier and southern Lee counties. Since opening its doors in January 2014, the organization has seen a surge in the depth and scope of need for comprehensive senior services in this region.

Naples Senior Center enriches the lives of those 60 years of age and older by providing comprehensive programs and social services that support and strengthen individuals and their families, often at times of vulnerability and crisis. Since the COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020, the center has been meeting the needs of seniors and their families virtually.

All programs and services are provided by licensed and credentialed professionals. These include Structured Dementia Respite Support; Geriatric Case Management and Senior Outreach Programs; and Emotional Support Services as well as a “choice” Food Pantry.

An average of 40 different social, educational and wellness programs also are offered each week thanks to a dedicated corps of more than 200 trained and vetted volunteers. Among the programs are a weekly “Lunch and More;” classes in art, music and film; brain fitness and educational seminars; courses in computer science; physical well-being; and interest groups. The center serves everyone regardless of backgrounds and beliefs.

To accommodate future growth, the Naples Senior Center has embarked on “A New Era for Seniors” capital campaign to raise $15 million for a new state-of-the-art facility. A lead $5-million gift by local philanthropists Patty and Jay Baker puts the capital campaign on a successful track and will inspire others to help in the cause. Additional support is being provided by the Brookdale Foundation, members of the Naples Senior Center Board and a matching grant from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation.