Meet the Bridges® Norwalk Team

Stephanie Lantz Riggio
Senior Advisor

Stephanie brings many years of experience to her role at Bridges® by EPOCH and a deep understanding of the challenges that families and caregivers face when a loved one is dealing with cognitive decline. As Senior Advisor, she is dedicated to supporting individuals and families as they navigate the complexities of memory impairment, helping caregivers make informed and compassionate decisions.

Stephanie is also responsible for connecting with area professionals and local organizations in Norwalk, Stamford, Greenwich, Darien and beyond to share how the expert care and enriching lifestyle at Bridges® improves the quality of life for those with memory loss. Stephanie has a diverse background as a Social Worker, Physician Assistant, and Home Care Liaison for seniors. She also has experience in Special Education within the Darien Public School system where she worked as a Paraprofessional while raising her two children. She’s navigated the journey of caring for her own aging parents, and she understands how overwhelming these situations can be – both for families who have time to plan and those who are reacting to a crisis. Today, she’s grateful that her 89-year-old father is living his best life in an assisted living community in Pennsylvania. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work from Juniata College in Huntington, PA and a Degree in Applied Science/Physician Assistant certification. She loves spending time with her two adult children, Lantz and Stella. She is very passionate about helping others and loves working with the geriatric population.
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Dean Brown
Area Community Liaison

As an Area Community Liaison, Dean supports the Senior Advisors at Bridges® by EPOCH and Waterstone communities in Connecticut and New York.

Dean is responsible for building relationships with area professionals and organizations to coordinate support for seniors and families who are looking for living options or care for a loved one.

Dean joined the EPOCH Senior Living team in 2022. He has worked in the senior living and healthcare industries for more than 10 years. During this time, he made countless connections with doctors, hospitals, and organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association® in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. He has a passion for helping seniors and their families connect with resources that benefit them and their loved ones.

Dean has always had a special place in his heart for service. Prior to working in senior living, he graduated from the U.S. Army Military Police program at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from East Carolina University.

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Alicia Seaver
VP of Memory Care and Brain Health

Alicia provides memory care education, training and guidance for Bridges® by EPOCH team members, families, fellow professionals and the greater community.

Alicia is a Memory Impairment Specialist certified by the National Institute on Aging and serves as an expert educator and trainer across Bridges® by EPOCH communities. She has more than 25 years of experience in the senior living industry, including her role as Executive Director of the flagship Bridges® by EPOCH community in Hingham, for which she was named Mass-ALFA Executive Director of the Year.

With her extensive experience and deep understanding of various forms of dementia, Alicia supports Bridges® teams in maintaining the unique culture and personalized approach to care across all Bridges® communities, helping make a difference in the quality of life for those living with memory challenges.

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Michael Toce, ADN, RN
Vice President of Wellness Services

Michael is responsible for managing and coordinating the clinical outcomes, policies and procedures for all EPOCH Senior Living communities.

Michael develops and implements education and training for the wellness teams within all EPOCH communities and conducts peer reviews that ensure quality of care and regulatory compliance.

Michael is a veteran in the field of senior living, having worked in various leadership roles for the last 15 years.

Prior to joining the EPOCH Senior Living team, Michael served in several senior living management roles where he was responsible for multistate regulatory compliance, quality management techniques, and resident safety for senior living communities in New England, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

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