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People
Connie Hawley, CNHA
Email: Connie.Hawley@kissitohealthcare.org
Prior to coming to Kissito, Connie Hawley began her career in health care as a licensed practical nurse at a county hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. The rotating shifts required by policy for this job were difficult for a mother of two which led Hawley’s search for a more regular schedule. That search brought her to the nursing home setting—and a better schedule was just the catalyst that would lead Hawley to fall in love with geriatrics and spend the rest of her career in that setting.
Barbara Castaneda, RN, Post Acute ADON
Email: Barbara.Castaneda@kissitohealthcare.org
Native of Yuma, Barbara Castaneda, RN obtained her nursing degree from Arizona Western College in Yuma in 1987. Barbara has worked seven years total at Palm View Rehabilitation and four years ago became the Medicare MDS coordinator. Aligning herself with the shift in focus to post acute chronic disease management, she has transferred to a new position as assistant director of nursing of the post acute unit. She made the conscious decision to practice in geriatrics as it provided the opportunity to connect with people and to form relationships with patients. In addition to her work, she loves to spend time with her husband, two cats, two dogs – a miniature pinscher and a miniature dachshund – and loves gardening.
Lori Stockton, LPN, CPCP Manager
Email: Lori.Stockton@kissitohealthcare.org
Lori Stockton, LPN, is the Post Acute Manager at Palm View Rehabilitation and Care Center team. Previously, she worked for Life Care Center of Yuma, holding a variety of positions. Licensed practical nurse for 25 years in geriatrics and certified wound care nurse, Lori entered the nursing field as a result of her desire to care for people in addition to her potential to play a part in improving patients’ quality of life. She has experience with usage of ventilators, trach tubes and wound VAC’s. Before nursing, work experience in sales taught Lori the philosophy that the customer is always right and to identify what she can do to make that person’s life better right now. She has carried this philosophy with her into her nursing career which has allowed Lori to develop good relationships with residents and their families. Lori reminisces about visiting museums in her hometown of Berwyn, Illinois. She continues to be passionate about art and often paints portraits. She is a mother of four children, two dogs, a cat, a parrot and three ferrets – which she contends is enough to keep her busy!
Maria Baker, LPN, PPS MDS
Email: Maria.Baker@kissitohealthcare.org
Endearingly called “Melly” by her colleagues, Maria Baker, LPN, is Palm View’s MDS (Minimum Data Set) Coordinator and has worked in the nursing field since 1979. Her path began at the Health Department in San Luis R.C., Mexico when, for three years, she was responsible for a rural program in ten small communities that focused on preventive education, birth control, immunizations and prenatal control. Later, she worked for the Women’s Hospital in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and attended the University of Sonora for nursing. In 1995, Maria moved to the United States but did not continue her pursuit until she was fluent in English. In 2001, she went to Lorain County Community College in Ohio and received her licensure as a licensed practical nurse and began working in nursing – what she had dreamed of doing since she was 16 years old. With all her nursing experience in geriatric care, Maria began working for Kissito in 2010 as MDS Coordinator which ultimately allowed her to improve patients’ quality of life. Maria has been married for 15 years. She and her husband have a dog named Mia and cat named Jorgi. She loves to dance and travel. In the next two years, Maria hopes to become a registered nurse.
Cynthia Miranda, LPN, LTC MDS
Email: Cynthia.Miranda@kissitohealthcare.org
Cynthia Miranda, LPN, has been a licensed practical nurse for almost seven years. She has been employed at Palm View for three years, currently as Director of Staff Development. In her nursing career, she has experience as the unit coordinator and as the MDS coordinator for long term and Medicare residents. Currently, she is enrolled at Excelsior College to further her nursing career – more specifically to obtain her license as a registered nurse. Though she entered the medical field at first with the intention of becoming a labor and delivery nurse, Cynthia wound up obtaining her license as an LPN and as a result, was hired at a rehabilitation and care center as a staff nurse. Now she says she would not change working in geriatrics. Cynthia believes in maintaining a positive attitude in her workplace and defines success in her career as making a difference in a person’s life. It may be as simple as making someone smile or listening when others are not.
Stephanie Chaney, BS, BA, Marketing Director
Email: Stephanie.Chaney@kissitohealthcare.org
Raised in Salinas, California, Stephanie Chaney, BS, BA, is the Marketing Director of Kissito Heathcare’s Palm View facility. She attended San Jose State University where she founded a multi cultural sorority, Sigma Omega Phi, with four of her peers. Continuing her education in San Diego and graduating from American InterContinental University with a degree in business administration with an emphasis in organizational psychology development ignited her search for a career. Her journey took her through technical recruiting when dotcoms first struck it big, online interpreting, telemarketing and now health care. She didn’t originally imagine herself in the health care field, but the opportunity with Kissito that arose was the catalyst that would lead her to discover her love for the industry, the company, her colleagues and the residents they serve. She takes great pride in Palm View’s services and people. Stephanie is married with three daughters and two dogs – a Yorky and a Pitbull. She loves reading, writing, playing golf, spending time with her family and is a self-proclaimed expert griller!
Shelley Everett, Business Office Manager
Email: Shelley.Everett@kissitohealthcare.org
Trained hands-on as well as by corporate, Shelley Everett is the Director of Finance and has been with Palm View Rehabilitation and Care Center since 2005. Shelley has worked in the medical field since 1996, which is also as long as she has lived in Yuma. The native of Salinas, California has been married for 16 years and is an involved mother of three teens; two sons and a daughter. They engage in 4-H, a youth development program, showing steers for the local fair and her daughter competes in barrel racing, pole bending and other rodeo events.
Evelyn Arellano, CDM, CFPP
Email: Evelyn.Arellano@kissitohealthcare.org
Native Yuman, Evelyn Arellano, CDM, CFPP, is the Director of Dietary Services at Palm View. Evelyn has 20 years of experience in the nursing home setting and has been at Palm View since 1998. Her career started as a dishwasher working part time, but eventually the demands of the job had Evelyn working full time. About two months into her dishwashing job, the dietary manager asked her if she’d like to cook and so she began to cook. A professor from Arizona Western College later approached her about Evelyn’s interest in going to school. Evelyn decided to go and after completion, she was hired as a diet technician – without training. As there was no one available to train her, she had to learn by fire. She is now a certified dietary manager and a certified food protection professional. Evelyn loves her work and the residents. Outside of work, Evelyn may be found bicycling, bowling, reading or walking. “Friends” at home include six dogs, two parakeets, a rabbit and a tank full of fish.
Beverly Germain, Medical Records
Email: Beverly.Germain@kissitohealthcare.org
With 30 years of experience in medical records, Beverly Germain, is the Director of Medical Records and has been working at Palm View for over seven years. A little over eight years prior, Beverly worked for Life Care Center of Yuma and had 15 years of experience in the long term care setting in her home state of New York. She first ventured into the medical field as a certified nursing assistant, then progressed to ward clerk and later to medical records director. Educationally, she got her start at Hudson Valley Community College and is now ICD 9 certified in coding. Hearing stories from elderly who have lived a full life and building relationships with the patients engage Beverly in the workplace. She says when residents tell her they miss her when they’re apart, all the work becomes worth it. Beverly believes in going beyond the superficies of any job description in order to do it well. Outside of Palm View, Beverly trains and mentors others in her line of work. Additionally, you can find her reading her Kindle, attending a live theatrical performance in Mesa or cheering her grandson at his sports events.
Terry Schmitt, BSW, Activities Director
Email: Terry.Schmitt@kissitohealthcare.org
Director of Activities, Terry Schmitt, BSW, has been working for Palm View since 2010. Terry has a Bachelor of Social Work and has been an arbitrator for Workers’ Compensation, a social worker of a doctor’s office mandated to serve the homeless population, and an addiction counselor. Terry says that at the end of the day, she knows she has made a difference in the lives of Palm View’s residents – and for her, that is living the dream. Terry, a native of Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada, married an American and immigrated to the United States. The bonus here allowed her to visit her brother’s family more often when he was home from his work overseas, working in the oil business. His work has allowed Terry to visit Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Oman and the United Emirates.
Connie Villegas, MAC
Email: Connie.Villegas@kissitohealthcare.org
Part of the Kissito Family since March, 2009, Connie Villegas, MAC, is the Director of Social Services. Born and raised in the Imperial Valley, Connie earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from San Diego State University. She received her master’s degree in counseling through the University of Phoenix. Her education and experience facilitate the process of addressing the psychological well-being of each resident. In her spare time, Connie enjoys dancing Zumba, watching classical movies and spending time with loved ones. Connie chose the occupation she’s in because she loves working with residents and their families. As a social worker, she is the liaison between residents and nursing staff to facilitate problem solving and help everyone to win.
David Kopmeyer, AAS
Email: David.Kopmeyer@kissitohealthcare.org
David Kopmeyer, AAS, is Palm View’s Director of Environment Services, head of maintenance and housekeeping. After high school, he completed a four-year machinist apprenticeship with the General Electric Large Steam Turbine Division in Schenectady, New York. Later, David received his Associate of Applied Sciences in business administration. Most of his career he spent as a shop foreman at General Electric and later transferred to another division as a facilities supervisor at a Navy Training Facility operated by General Electric and the U.S. Department of Energy. This facility was later taken over by Lockheed Martin who became his employer. He opted for an early retirement at age 55 and moved with his wife and daughter to Yuma. Their goal was a warmer climate and to be closer to their grandchildren in San Diego so that they could spend as much time as possible with them. David likes to travel and enjoys hiking and camping with his son and grandsons in the desert and on mountaintops during the winter months.