Providers
Zaheer Khan, MD
Dr. Khan completed medical school in Bangalore, India. He began his studies in gerontology and became a member of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) in England prior to moving to the United States in 1991. He completed his residency at Jersey Medical Center and fellowship in Geriatric Medicine at UAB, and later served as an assistant professor at the UAB Huntsville campus. In 2009, he founded the Center for Elder Care with a desire to provide quality specialized primary care for those aged 65 and older.
Dr. Khan was inducted into the Alabama Senior Citizen’s Hall of Fame on August 10, 2025 in Montgomery, AL.
The Hall of Fame honors and recognizes Alabamians aged 60 or older for their outstanding contribution to the lives of seniors in their local communities. Dr. Khan was recognized for 30+years of dedicated service to seniors in the North Alabama area.
Julie McCormick, MSN, CRNP, AGPCNP-BC, GS-C
Julie joined the Center For Elder Care in 2013 after graduating from UAB with her Master’s of Nursing degree. Before becoming a NP, she had 15 years of RN experience in neurology and hospice. She is certified as an Adult Gerontological Nurse Practitioner and received her Geriatric Nurse Specialist certification in 2018. She is a Dementia Care Specialist and serves as a Care Navigator for the Medicare Dementia GUIDE program. Julie is married and has 2 children and enjoys the farm life, gardening, her church, and music.
Elena Kruse, MSN, CRNP, FNP-BC
Elena joined the Center for Elder Care in 2022. She graduated from UAH in 2019 with her Master’s of Nursing degree and then received her certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Before becoming an NP, Elena had 12 years of experience working in the cardiac unit and ICU as an RN. She works for both the Center for Elder Care and Parkway Urgent Care. Elena is married and has 2 children. She enjoys gardening, camping, hiking, and spending time with her family.
Office Staff
Roya Khan
Roya began working at the Center for Elder Care as the office manager since 2010. She studied Computer Science in England before moving to the United States. She graduated from the Ultrasound School of Medicine with honors in General and Vascular Ultrasound. She later received a degree in Adult Echocardiography. Her interests include painting, interior design, traveling, and spending time with her two children.
Cindy Swafford
Cindy is a certified medical assistant that has been with the Center for Elder Care since 2012. She obtained an Associate of Science Degree from Virginia College and works as a Certified Medical Assistant. She works in the front office answering calls, sending in prescriptions, calling lab results, coordinating with home health agencies, and scheduling follow up appointments. Cindy is married with five children and eight grandchildren. She enjoys church, walking, and spending time with her family
Mersadze Ford
Mersadze works as a Medical Assistant at the Center for Elder Care. She graduated from Ross Medical Education Center in 2023. She has a daughter and enjoys spending time with her daughter as well as reading.
Shary Briggins
Shary is a Certified Medical Assistant who joined the Center for Elder Care in 2020. She graduated from Virginia College in 2016 and then received certifications in Medical Assistant and Phlebotomist. In the past, she has worked in cardiology. She currently works in both the Center for Elder Care and Parkway Urgent Care. Outside of work, Shary enjoys spending time with her two children and her dog.
Ciara Sheehy
Ciara joined the Center for Elder Care in June of 2024. She graduated from Grissom High School where she was enrolled in medical classes and became a Patient Care Tech. Ciara works at the front desk taking phone calls, payments, and making appointments. Her goal is to make all patients feel welcome when they come into the office. In her free time, she enjoys shopping and spending time with her daughter and family.
Sue Cheek, Social Worker, LBSW
Sue joined the Center for Elder Care in 2025 as a Care Navigator/Dementia Care Specialist for the GUIDE dementia care program. She received her degree in Social Work from Radford University in 1979 and studied under Dr. Wolfelt at the Center for Loss in Colorado to receive her certification in Bereavement Counseling. For over 40 years she has worked with the senior population in long-term care, hospice, assisted living facilities, and now primary care. While living in Seattle, WA, she set up new Memory care units and developed programs and training for staff to effectively be able to effectively communicate with dementia residents. When Sue is not working, she enjoys hiking, reading, kayaking, and playing with her cats and dogs.
Adriel Paul, Certified Billing/Coding Specialist
Adriel joined the Center for Elder Care in 2025. He graduated from Ross Medical Education Center as a certified billing and coding specialist. He also assists the providers by taking vital signs, calling patients back with results, and assisting with paperwork in the office. He enjoys reading and teaching about the Bible, playing all sports, watching Batman movies, and painting.