About Us
Guardian Wings of Care Inc., a 501c3 non profit corporation, is a provider for the state of Texas Health Information Advocacy and Benefits program through the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, Texas Department of Insurance, Texas Legal Services, and are a Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and National Medicare Training Program Partner.
GWC also receives education updates from the Texas Medical Association (TMA) and Medical Management Institute.
Services are available to those who are of Medicare age or on Medicare due to disability, those who are eligible for Medicaid, and the uninsured or under-insured persons. For more information on services that are available please see services listing on this page.
Guardian Wings of Life gives support to adult cancer survivors and their caregivers through support meetings and scheduled one on one sessions. We are also a supporter of and facilitator for the American Cancer Society
Guardian Senior Care
From the Executive Director,
2002 was the most traumatic year of my life. I lost both of my parents in the same year. My Mom January 5th from a stroke and diabetic complications. My dad who lived with me and who I was the caregiver for, died in my arms from lung cancer with metastasis December 14th, and without the support of two McKinney physicians I don't know how I would have made it through.
My family and I were touched by the excellent care and compassion by both physicians and their staff, and I personally have forever been changed. In my years of medical practice management, and my own personal experience it is in my opinion that Amanullah Khan, M.D. of Cancer Center and Associates - Rena Tarbet Cancer Center - in particular is one of the best in his field of medicine.
Through my parents' illnesses, and the long emotional, and physical drain including, the difficult decisions that come with caring for your parents; I also remember how my parents gave of themselves to the young and the elderly of their community and the surrounding areas. And the many, many Seniors of the RSVP program for the City of McKinney that became my grandparents and loved me as their own.
I personally have lived in the McKinney area for 30 plus years and have seen the transition of the hospital going from a county hospital, Collin Memorial Hospital, to the Medical Center of McKinney that we have today. The hospital has changed hands so many times over the years and the incoming physician's to meet the growth of McKinney and the surrounding area is overwhelming.
I have been in the physician end of adult medicine, Internal Medicine and Family Practice, for 15 plus years, primarily medical practice management. As I reflect back on my parent's illness and death, and the many senior adult Medicare patient's that I have talked with and have come to me for help over the years, I have seen the need for the senior adult Medicare patient and the gap between them and their healthcare and insurance provider.
I have always been asked the same repetitive questions by the Medicare patient and their caregiver. "Why did I get billed by the doctor, hospital, or lab?", "I thought Medicare was my primary insurance?", "Why didn't Medicare cover this?", "What secondary insurance should I buy?", "What is Medigap?", What's an ABN?", "Medicaid says I do not qualify?" These are just a few of the many concerns of Senior Medicare patient's.
Then there are comments of "I hate filling out these forms.", "I do not understand these forms.", and "I wish someone would help me when I go to the doctor.", "Medicaid says I make too much money to qualify and I can barely pay for my prescriptions and my 20% that is due the doctor."
Guardian Senior Care understands the many various needs of the Senior Medicare patient and looks to service those needs by educating through seminars, assisting with the general Medicare questions, and the vast amount of individual needs the Medicare community has. Guardian Wings of Care also realizes and understands the financial difficulties of the Medicare, uninsured, and underinsured population.
Our mission is to provide assistance through evaluation and the application eligibility process. Those that are financially burdened may receive help by qualifying for FREE assistance that is made available to those who meet the required guidelines according to the funding source. In addition, to the Medicare savings programs that are made available to the Medicare beneficiary upon meeting the income guidelines set by The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services/Texas Department of Health & Human Services.
We invite you to be a part in reaching out and making a difference by contributing through our online Pay Pal and Facebook access with your MasterCard or Visa debit/credit card or by mail with check or money order payable to Guardian Wings of Care Inc. (mailing address listed on our contact page). If you are interested in volunteering your time or holding a fundraiser you may contact us by phone or by email as listed on our web page. If you are a business and would like to take part in our community outreach contact us and together we will partner in making a difference.
Thanks and God bless those who contribute to the needs of the senior adults' in your community!
Becky Bernardi
Guardian Wings Of Life
From The Executive Director,
My personal testimony is that of being a child of a smoker all the way through my early young adult life. My father fell at my feet from a heart attack, in which I could not lift him due to my being pregnant. At that moment, after open heart surgery, he quit smoking, and never smoked again. He was diagnosed years later with lung cancer, after quitting smoking, and turning his life over to a more healthy lifestyle. He gave of himself to the young and old of his community, and fought hard in his battle to the very end. He was a fighter, vibrant, with a love for life.
My mother gave of herself in helping senior adults as the Director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of McKinney and the surrounding areas, and served on the American Cancer Society, North Collin Unit, along with other non-profit organizations.
Wm. Richard Travis, M.D. has been an inspiration to my life and introduced me to Oncology/Hematology field of medicine in 1994. It was through Dr. Travis that I learned about the life, death, and survival of cancer after diagnosis, and how it affects people's lives emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Having worked with Dr. Travis was a privilege and has enriched my life. The City of McKinney is fortunate to have a physician who was dedicated to the care of the communities senior adult population.
Becky Bernardi
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