Creating environments where moments of joy, independence, and wellness are the focus each and every day
Creating environments where moments of joy, independence, and wellness are the focus each and every day
Learn more about our great La Pine Assisted Living team at Prairie House Assisted Living and Memory Care!
As the Administrator, Judy is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Prairie House. Achieving resident satisfaction and offering quality resident services is a high priority for Judy.
Judy believes that establishing an atmosphere of JOY, INDEPENDENCE, and WELLNESS on a daily basis, begins with the Administrator.
A native Californian, Judy began her career in Long Term Care in 1973. She served 15 years as a Skilled Nursing Facility Administrator. Upon her husband’s retirement and move to Oregon in 2004, she began to seek, once again, a place to fulfill her heart’s need to serve the elderly. With that, she became part of the team at Prairie House in 2005. She views her passion to serve the elderly as truly a calling, not just a job.
Judy has 5 daughters, 13 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. During her time away from Prairie House, she enjoys playing the piano, singing in her church choir, and going “antiquing” with her husband.
Andrew grew up in a small rural area in Western Pennsylvania. He attended Slippery Rock University and graduated with a BS in Psychology. Andrew began his career working in a boys residential treatment facility in Western Pennsylvania. He was involved with daily counseling, family therapy sessions and the creation and implementation of individualized treatment plans. After three and a half years, Andrew relocated with his wife to Portland, Oregon. There, he began working as a Home Manager for a developmentally disabled group home for adults. Andrew gained more interpersonal skills, multitasking skills, supervised a large staff, and maintained financial/medical needs for the adults of the home. In 2009, he changed directions, slightly, and began working at an intermediate care facility as an activities director for a 108-bed community. His duties included creating the monthly calendars, organizing outings, and supervised staff. In 2010, Andrew was promoted to Social Services Director. He continued to supervise staff and new duties included organizing weekly care conference meetings, scheduling assessments, and he was the primary liaison between family members and outside agencies.
When Andrew is away from Prairie House, he enjoys spending time with his wife and son, who recently turned one. He also enjoys spending time with his family while camping, hiking, and participating in other outdoor activities. Andrew says, "We recently moved to Central Oregon for a quiet and safe community for my son to grow up."
Being the Dining Services Coordinator is a demanding job. This person is a key member of the leadership team responsible for the proper service of meals to residents in the dining room, creating a meaningful dining experience for residents and guests. This position is responsible to maintain cleanliness of the kitchen service areas and record keeping functions. Responsibilities include assisting staff with cleanliness and sanitation. This person will also act in the role of a cook, and will mentor and train cooks. This position is responsible to order supplies and food, prepare menus, and oversee all dietary staff including the hiring and scheduling. The Dining Services Coordinator must manage a budget as well.
Linda has been working for Prairie House for almost 6 years. She started out as a Resident Assistant and worked in this position for 2 years. From there she became the Dining Services Coordinator. Along with her regular duties, Linda makes a point to meet with residents and hear their input on meals, what they like to eat, how they like it prepared. Cooking for a facility of 60 residents can be trying at times but Linda finds it very rewarding. She also appreciates how the staff at Prairie House interact with each other and the residents, creating a family atmosphere.
Born in Newport, Oregon, Linda moved to Central Oregon in 1969. She did childcare in her home for several years and then started taking care of the elderly in their homes. Linda also has extensive experience in restaurant cooking, which makes her a vital part of our Dining Services team.
As the Life Enrichment Coordinator, Michelle is responsible for creating programs that promote Joy, Independence and Wellness among the residents at Prairie House. Michelle understands the importance of having many different activities that the elders can participate in. Her goal is to assist elders in the development of their skills so that they may continue to grow, even in late life. Michelle’s Life Enrichment program helps Prairie House carry out its mission of Creating environments where moments of joy, independence, and wellness are the focus each and every day. This allows Prairie House to stand out as one of the premier living options for elders here in La Pine.
Michelle grew up in Orange County, California. Since moving her family to La Pine in July 2008, she has been actively working in the care giving industry. She finds this to be a very rewarding profession. Michelle truly understands the process of life and enjoys making a difference to the elders that she meets. She has many solid values that help make her the person she is today. She thanks her loving and supportive family for the guidance they have given her.
Michelle has been at Prairie House Assisted Living & Memory Care since October 2009. While working at Prairie House, she has been a Resident Assistant and Medication Aide. Most recently she coordinated activities in our Memory Care Community. She has become such an important part of our resident’s lives as they have become to hers. In Michelle’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband raising their two young daughters, spending time with family and friends, baking, and camping.
As the Administrative Assistant, Steven is the first person you see when entering Prairie
House. Steven greets all visitors and assists them as needed. He answers
all phone calls with a smile! Steven also assists our elders in
appointment and transportation needs. He maintains the schedule for
Resident Assistants and assures all shifts are covered. Steven holds
monthly Fire Drills and Safety inservices for all Staff. He Assists the
Administrator in many ways and assures the office runs smoothly each day.
Steven graduated from Reedley Community College in Reedley, California with an AS Degree in Natural Science. In 1980, Steven enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He spent 20 years in the service as an Independent Corpsman. During this time, Steven was involved in most aspects of the medical field. This included the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of patients. He was also involved in the administrative side of medicine; he was responsible for running a medical department aboard a ship. In 2000, Steven retired from the Navy in San Diego, California. He continued his medical career while working for an Eye Surgeon, then for a pain specialist. In 2005, Steven and his family left San Diego and moved to La Pine, Oregon to help take care of his mother who had Alzheimer’s Disease.
In November 2006, Steven joined the Prairie House team as a Medication Assistant. In February 2007, he was promoted to Resident Services Coordinator. His twenty years in the Navy, prepared him to multitask, as is a necessary skill for this position. In 2010, Steven worked as the Life Enrichment Coordinator at Prairie House. He returned to the Resident Services Coordinator position as of July 2011.
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Vivian moved to La Pine in 1982. In February, 2002, she began
working at Prairie House as a Medication Assistant and Resident
Assistant. After 10 years in those positions, Vivian accepted the position of
Housekeeper. Vivian says, "I really enjoy making the residents and families happy with
a clean environment." Vivian has two children, Jake & Cassie. Her grandson, Evan is a very special part of her life. In her time away from Prairie House, Vivian enjoys cooking and
sewing. She is currently remodeling her house with the help of her daughter.
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Marsha was born and raised in Western Oregon. She
graduated from SW Oregon Community College in 1991, with an Associates of
Science, Nursing Degree. Prior to moving to La Pine in 1993, Marsha was
employed at Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay, OR, on the post-op floor.
Marsha has held various Registered Nurse positions in Central Oregon and most recently
at St. Charles Home Health Agency, in Bend, OR, for the past 9 years. She
has cared for residents of Prairie House as a Home Health and Hospice RN since
the community opened in 1999. Marsha finds satisfaction in assisting others to feel better
and achieve optimal health. Her hobbies include spending time with her
husband, three daughters and 7 awesome grandchildren. She is busy in
church activities, outdoor recreation, reading and knitting. Marsha hopes
to contribute to the resident’s pleasant living environment and appreciates
being a part of the Prairie House Team.
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As the Staff Development/Health
Service Auditor, Jennifer is responsible for the orientation and training of
new staff, and is also responsible for the daily, weekly and monthly auditing
of health records. In addition, Jennifer is responsible for scheduling,
coaching and supervising Medication Aides, and assuring on-going compliance of
the medication delivery system.
Jennifer graduated from Northstate Business College in March
of 2004 with a certificate in Medical Office Applications, Medical Terminology
and Coding. From 2007 to 2011, Jennifer worked at a local school district as a
Secretary and then as an Associate Preschool Teacher part-time. In 2010, she
obtained her Associate Preschool Teacher certification from Cerro Coso
Community College. In 2011, due to California Budget cuts, Jennifer was laid
off and decided to move her family to La Pine to be closer to her mother. In August 2012, Jennifer joined the Prairie House team. She
enjoys spending time with the residents, and is known by most of them as
“Smiley”. Jennifer has two teenage boys and three dogs. In her spare time she
enjoys quilting, gardening, cooking, baking and restoring her 1968 VW Beetle.
Jennifer looks forward to serving the residents at Prairie House Assisted
Living for many years to come.
Jonathan is responsible for maintaining the community,
inside and outside and assuring everything is in working order. Jonathan
also oversees outside contracts and vendors to assure the community is well
maintained.
Jonathan is a native Oregonian. He has lived in La Pine for
the past six years with his wife, Jennifer and son, Mason. Two Dogs are
also part of their family, Duke & Zoey. Jonathan has held many positions in construction and
repair, and also recently was a Department Manager at G.I. Joe’s in Bend.
He is definitely a people person, and the elders of Prairie House love him. Jonathan and his family love hunting, fishing, rafting, and
anything else that gets them out in the GREAT outdoors of La Pine.