The Karring Group

Breann Speights, BSW Case Manager is the COO of The Karring Group. Breann was born in Washington State on the Air Force base, where her father, a Detroit Native was stationed. Shortly after her birth the three of them packed up moving to Michigan, where Breann has been living all her life aside from her college years that were spent in North Carolina. Breann attended North Carolina A&T State University on a volleyball scholarship. After three years Breann returned home and finished her bachelor’s degree at Oakland University double majoring in Social Work and Journalism.

Shortly, after graduation Breann received a call from her mother, (Karri) saying, “let’s start our own company” and from that moment on they hit the ground running and never looked back. Breann wed her long-term boyfriend Eddie in Aug of 2019 and together they parent his 8-year-old daughter, Cydnee. They live in Royal Oak with their two huskies. Breann loves shopping, shoes, and handbags bring her tons of joy, vacationing and spending time with her family. Breann says, “Coming out of college I would have never guessed that case management would be the career path for me, but I know I couldn’t picture doing anything else. Developing relationships with my clients and offering them the comfort and stability they so desperately need during such a vulnerable time, helping them recover and watching them progressing and returning to their normal selves really offers a feeling that cannot be explained. I truly love what I do and what our company is about.”

Kimberly Kryzaniwskyj is Executive Director of The Karring Group. She was born, raised and currently resides in Macomb County, MI. Kimberly was introduced to health care at a young age when a family member was diagnosed with cancer. Providing them care revealed an amazing passion to her and knew that helping others would play a tremendous role in her life. After graduating from high school, she joined the Red Cross and trained to become a certified nursing assistant. She worked in-home care for several years before taking some time off to raise her three children, Kayla, Jay and Rosalie. Kimberly is also a patient care technician, certified in phlebotomy, dialysis, EKG and mental health, using her experience and knowledge on a medical-surgical floor before joining the team at The Karring Group. 

Kimberly’s greatest passion in life is her children, if she could use one word to describe herself it would be “Mom”. She loves traveling and having outdoor adventures with her family such as camping, hiking and fishing.  Other leisure activities she enjoys writing poetry and playing guitar. Kimberly is dedicated to giving our clients and their family the best care possible, helping to clear the path for our clients on their road to recovery.

Tinaka Thomas, RN, CCM is the Clinical Director of The Karring Group. Tinaka graduated from Baker College of Auburn Hills as a Registered Nurse. Prior to her current career as a Case Manager, she served as a Home Care Nurse, Visiting Wound Care Nurse and an Orthopedic/Neurosurgery Nurse. One of her top reasons for being proud and excited about being a part of The Karring Group team is, “We truly care about our clients and it’s shown through our leaders. We are helping to change lives for the better. Plus, it’s a great place to learn more about yourself and grow.”

In her spare time, Tinaka enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, family and friends. She is involved with her church as she serves alongside her husband as Youth Pastor. She loves to travel and loves good food. She is adventurous yet reserved and quiet. She enjoys shopping, reading, listening to music and living life. She educates others about personal financial success and is also a Licensed Notary Public.

Sheri Sample is the Director of Finance of The Karring Group. She met Karri in 2014 while Karri was Nurse Case Managing a friend. She joined our little family in May of 2015 after Karri reached out about starting her own company and needed a coordinator. Sheri has over 25 years of experience in the fields of Accounting, Tax Preparation and Finance. She is now responsible for all invoicing and collections as well as making sure we are compliant with our insurances. She enjoys working for such a giving company, helping individuals in their recovery journey. The Karring Group truly CARES about our clients, and she feels fortunate to be a part of helping all our clients.

Sheri and her husband Tim have been married since 1993 and have three beautiful children, Elijah, Justin, with his wife Kenzie and Sophia. They also have two Grandsons, Greyson, and Tatum with a granddaughter on the way September 2023. On her off time, they like to spend it with friends usually watching their daughter barrel race her horse, Bonds McDreamy at different arenas around Michigan and Ohio. When not at a barrel race, they are usually relaxing at home around a bon fire, at the beach, kayaking or playing with the grandbabies.

Ebony Daniels is the Assistant Finance Director with the Karring Group. Healthcare has always been her passion, helping and assuring others that the quality of life isn't diminished because assistance is required. She's held a variety of roles within the healthcare industry, including medical assistant and Dialysis Technician, in which she is certified. Ebony has been with the Karring Group since October of 2017 and if you ask her, she LOVES her job and how dedicated we are about the care that we provide. 

Ebony has a wonderful husband whom she married in August 2015, two beautiful children who she loves spending time with and a dog named Blue. She enjoys gardening and good laughs with family and friends. 

Tracie Giacona is the Director of Intakes of The Karring Group. She is the clients’ initial contact, and helps jump start a plan of care for their road to recovery. Tracie has been in the medical field for over ten years and has a lot of experience in health care. Working in Hospice for so many years has given Tracie the compassion and understanding for clients who have been faced with these life changing events. With her knowledge and experience she is able to connect with the client and assist them with any concerns and questions about their care.

Tracie was raised in South Florida and moved to Michigan with her family where she finished school and started her career in the medical field. Tracie has a loving husband and they have two beautiful healthy boys that keep her extremely busy. Between soccer games, field trips, and family outings she loves to scrapbook and take pictures. Tracie is looking forward to the future and creating memories with loved ones.

Denise Jacques, RN is a Nurse Case Manager with The Karring Group. She received her registered nursing degree from Delta College and a B.A. in business from Northwood University. She was a Critical Care Nurse/Manager for nine years at Saginaw General Hospital. She then spent much of her career working for Abbott Laboratories, Hospital Division, as an account manager selling hospital equipment and injectable drugs. The division then became known as Hospira, Inc., and in 2016 it was obtained by Pfizer. In total, she worked for 32 years in hospital sales. Since mid-2016, she has been working as a case manager for The Karring Group. She enjoys this opportunity to interact with clients and support their needs while using her medical background.

Denise is an avid skier and member of the National Ski Patrol, spending time on the slopes at Schuss Mountain. She also enjoys boating and summer activities at Torch and 8 Points Lakes. She and her husband are blessed to have a son and daughter, their spouses and six grandchildren. They reside in Saginaw, MI.

Kathryn Froberger, RN, BSN, Certified Case Manager is a Nurse Case Manager with The Karring Group.  She graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science.  While working throughout the years in different roles, Kathryn realized she wanted to further her education and returned to school to pursue her nursing degree.  Kathryn graduated Cum Laude from Oakland University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Kathryn has worked on St. John Hospital's main campus in the orthopedic/neurosurgical unit, having a vast understanding of the orthopedic world.  Kathryn previously worked as a case manager for a home care company, providing in-home care to patients to improve their health.  Kathryn is excited to be part of The Karring Group and is looking forward to providing assistance for those back on the road to recovery.

DeSharra McKinley BSN, RN is a Nurse Case Manager with The Karring Group. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Eastern Michigan University in 2009. During the three years she worked as an Adult Intensive Care Registered Nurse she realized her passion to provide care to children. DeSharra accepted a Registered Nurse position at the University of Michigan in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in 2012. There she served on many organized groups to help give Nursing a voice, and to assist with studies to better Nursing practice for patients. She is a member of American Critical Care Nursing.

DeSharra spends her leisure time with her daughter, shopping, traveling, and being involved in church organizations.

Shannon Zalewski, LPN, is a Nurse Case Manager with The Karring Group. Shannon, with over 20 years’ experience attends initial evaluations with new clients who are in need of case management services, also having the responsibility of developing reports attending patient appointments.  

Shannon moved to Michigan from Ohio in July 2017 and is kept busy with her two daughters’ sports and school activities, while planning for her wedding in October 2019. Shannon enjoys outdoor activities such as gardening, fishing and taking long walks and traveling, especially for concerts.

Tina Padula, COTA, BS, is a Case Manager with The Karring Group. She was born and raised in the Detroit metropolitan area. Tina received her certified occupational therapist assistant degree from Schoolcraft College and a BS in healthcare management from Bellevue University. She has worked as a COTA in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, schools, and traumatic brain injury clinics. After years in the healthcare industry, her love of the work has only grown.  

She is passionate about being an advocate for our clients and providing the best quality of care for improving the recovery process. Tina enjoys spending time with her family, jogging, boating, and being a lifelong learner.

Brooke Klawitter is the Physical Therapist Assistant with The Karring Group. She has been a PTA for over 18 years with over 7 years of experience working directly with Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord injuries related to auto accidents. As a Case Manager, her passion is to help assist our clients through their recovery to return to their prior level of functioning as quickly as possible. Her role with The Karring Group is working closely with the primary Case Managers and Case Coordinators to coordinate therapy appointments, ordering durable medical equipment, attending therapy and orthotic/prosthetic appointments and preparing our clients home to be accessible for a speedy return home. The Karring Group has a motivated, dedicated, compassionate team that she enjoys being able to be a part of. 

On Brooke’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, exploring new places, and trying new adventures. Brooke keeps herself busy in the winter snowboarding with her family and friends, and in the warmer months going to Michigans many lakes! 

Justina Smith is an Internal Care Coordinator with The Karring Group. Working for the family business founded by her grandfather and great-grandfather in Ferndale, MI. Justina was first introduced to health care when her grandfather became ill. While providing care for him along with running the family business, when the family business was sold, she transitioned seamlessly into the medical field as an administrative assistant. After 7 years in this profession, she began work in retail as a Store Manager but knew her passion was helping others and shifted her focus back to working in the medical field. Now working with The Karring Group Justina is elated to continue to develop her passion and advance her career.

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In Justina's personal time she loves spending time with her family & animals.  She also enjoys gardening, playing sports, camping, playing practical jokes on her family and above all shoe shopping!  

Dorothy Steen has always had an interest in the medical field as well as in law. In 1999, she attended Dorsey Business School where she obtained a diploma to work as a Medical Assistant, however, Dorothy graduated as a Medical Assistant Specialist. Dorothy furthered her education at Baker College obtaining an associate degree in Criminal Justice. To have a hand in both fields she enrolled at Kaplan University to study psychology with a focus in adolescent behavior analysis. Dorothy is currently still working to complete her bachelor’s degree in this field.

Dorothy married her soulmate (James) in June of 2019. With their combined family, they have 5 children and 3 grandchildren who she loves spending time with. Dorothy has her own small business, “DS Creations”. She makes jewelry for women, men and children, custom painted drinking glasses, corsages and boutonnieres for weddings and proms. Dorothy also enjoys going to church and spending time with family and friends.

Theresa Sanders, was born and raised in the Eastside of Detroit, MI where she spent most of her life. She attended and graduated from the DPS systems and Northern Senior High where she wanted to be a defense attorney. In hopes of becoming an attorney, Ms. Sanders attended Michigan State University in 1999, but after one year she returned home and shortly became a mother. Ms. Sanders started working as a manager in the restaurant business moving up the ranks to a general manager and subsequently business management became her focus and passion.

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Ms. Sanders attended Davenport University in Warren, MI and earned her associates degree in business management in 2007 while becoming a new mom for the second time. Ms. Sanders and her long term boyfriend would welcome two more children while she attended school full-time and obtained her bachelors in business administration at Davenport University in 2020.

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During this time Ms. Sanders transitioned jobs and started working in the healthcare field becoming an administrative secretary for the gynecologic oncology department, this is where Ms. Sanders learned the inner working of the healthcare business, scheduling surgeries, appointments, collecting insurance information and patient care and compassion. Ms. Sanders joined the Karring Group in 2022 as an administrative assistant and while learning the business she says this team is amazing and displays the patient care and principles she learned in the hospital.

Odessa Hayes was born on Eastside of Detroit, where she currently resigns.  She attended Detroit Public Schools and graduated from Finney High School she attended Wayne Community College for 2yrs. From there her journey of began. In her early 20’s she became a mom and decided to do more and went into the medical field.  Once she reached her 30’s she became mom to her second daughter and a wife to her soul mate whom proceeded her in death.  

Odessa, has worked in medical field for over 25yrs. Her passion she has for helping other just come naturally with a smile.  The patients, caregivers, guardians, just loves her she stands by these words How, can I help and when I say she mean that she does.  She gives her all with no complaints to help in anything you have a problem with and don’t give up till she has put that smile on your face.  She hard working and loyal to her commitments.  Odessa, loves spending her spare time with family and her 2 grand kids, going by the water listening to her music and traveling.