Staff Bios 
Toby F. Laping, Ph.D., L.M.S.W.
Toby F. Laping, Ph.D., L.M.S.W., a geriatric care manager, formed Laping, Sayers Associates in 1982. Laping, Sayers Associates is the predecessor firm to Toby Laping Associates and Laping, Surdej Associates, LLC. She is a social worker licensed by New York State with a master’s degree in social work and a doctoral degree in public policy. Toby is working as a consultant to Laping, Surdej Associates, LLC.
Toby Laping has been affiliated with the faculties of the Division of Geriatrics of the Medical School and with the Graduate School of Social Work, both at State University of New York/Buffalo. She writes an award winning monthly article for Forever Young and has taught medical residents to use a comprehensive approach in evaluating patient needs, and has taught courses to social work students on geriatric related issues e.g. the impact of aging on family units, financial ramifications, alternatives to institutional care, etc.
Her previous positions include that of Director of Admissions and Social Work at a local nursing home, and evaluator of geriatric services for federal and county agencies. Her public policy background provides her with the basis for dealing with Medicare, Medicaid, and other funding sources for geriatric health care, as well as for identifying the wide range of options available when putting together the best possible plan for an aging person. Toby is a frequent public speaker on issues related to aging, the delivery of health care, and the provision of support services. She has served on the Boards of Directors of several area providers of geriatric services; including as vice president of Legal Services for the Elderly. Professional affiliations include the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, the National Association of Social Workers, the Network in Aging, and the American Society on Aging.
Email: tflaping@aol.com
Kristin Surdej, L.M.S.W., C.M.C.
Kristin Surdej, L.M.S.W., C.M.C is a geriatric care manager since 1995 when she started with Toby Laping Associates. Kristin became the principal of Laping, Surdej Associates, LLC in July of 2008. Kristin has national certification as a care manager and is a certified court evaluator. She is a social worker, licensed by New York State with a Master's degree in social work and with special interest in geriatric services and health care delivery. As an advocate for the elderly and a professional geriatric care manager Kristin participates in events to educate the public on community services related to the elderly. She regularly is invited by the human resources departments to speak to employees of local companies such as Moog and National Fuel. Likewise, Kristin presents for the local Alzheimer’s Association chapter and other groups to families regarding services for the elderly that are available in the community. With the goal of educating consumers and other professionals Kristin spent many hours on research and training related to the Medicare Part D benefit. In December 2005, she developed a Medicare web site guide used in training by Erie County Department of Senior Services. Kristin was featured in Business First 2010 Healthcare Who's Who this summer. She was also selected as part of the 19th annual Business First Forty Under Forty class. Business First honors forty local individuals under the age of forty each year, these local individuals are recognized for their professional success and community involvement as up and coming Western New York leaders.
Kristin is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, American Society on Aging and the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. She is a member and serves on a committee at WNY Alzheimer's Association and the Network in Aging of Western New York. Kristin served on the Board of Directors for the Network in Aging from 2002 to 2008. Kristin received her B.A. and M.S.W. degrees from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Email: ksurdej@wnycaremanager.com
Julie Divencenzo, L.M.S.W.
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Julie Divencenzo, L.M.S.W. has been a social worker since 1990 when she received her Master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia University, she is licensed in New York State. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Ithaca College. Julie attained a post-graduate certificate in Gerontology in 2011 from The Sage Colleges School of Nursing in Troy, NY. She began her career in Human Resources/Employee Relations at Smith Barney Inc. in New York City where she was involved in the implementation of a firm-wide Employee Assistance Program. She continued her EAP work as a Clinical Consultant at the Child and Family Services in Buffalo. Julie joined the Laping, Surdej and Associates, LLC team in November 2011. Julie also brings work experience from: The Capital District Psychiatric Center in Albany, Wesley Health Care Center in Saratoga Springs, Millard Fillmore Hospital in Buffalo and the Jewish Home and Hospital in the Bronx.
Email: julie@wnycaremanager.com
Kelly Bainbridge, L.M.S.W., C.M.C.
Kelly Bainbridge, L. M.S.W., C.M.C. is a licensed master social worker that started with Toby Laping Associates in October of 2005. She holds a Bachelor’s in human relations from Empire State College and following employment in journalism, she entered graduate school, earned a degree in Social Work from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She is licensed as a social worker by the State of New York and is nationally certified as a care manager.
Email: kelly@wnycaremanager.com
Mary Kate DeMarzio, M.S. Ed., L.M.S.W.
Mary Kate DeMarzio, M.S. Ed., L.M.S.W. joined Toby Laping Associates in June of 2004. She has a Masters degree in Counseling from St. Bonaventure University, as well as an Education degree from Buffalo State College. In 2009, Mary Kate earned her Master's Degree in Social Work from the School of Social Work at the State University of New York at Buffalo. She is licensed as a social worker by the State of New York..
Email: marykate@wnycaremanager.com
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1207 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14209
Phone: (716) 884-3277
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Fax: (716) 885-9127
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