Meet Our Team

Mt. Baker Care Center and Summit Place Assisted Living Management Team

Catherine Reis-El Bara

Administrator

Catherine Reis-El Bara Bio

Catherine has been the Administrator at Mt. Baker Care Center since 2014 bringing with her 25 years of long-term care experience, 18 as a facility Administrator. As Administrator, she is responsible for overseeing all facility operations, including monitoring its compliance with State and Federal regulations, leading staff and personnel management, monitoring financials and reporting, and addressing and resolving any conflicts or issues that pertain to the facility and its residents.

Catherine first came to Mt. Baker Care Center in 2000, remaining in the Administrator role for 8 years until transitioning to another area skilled nursing facility until her return in 2014. She is licensed in the State of Washington for Nursing Home Administration and received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Pacific Lutheran University.

When Catherine is not at work, she enjoys camping, knitting, shopping, and spending time with her family (husband, Mark; son, Brandon; daughter, Morgan; and three pugs, Homer Simpson, Eva Longoria, and Luna Legend).

Jozef Bosman

Exec. Director, Summit Place

Jozef Bosman Bio

Bio coming soon!

Catherine Thomas, RN

Director of Nursing

Catherine Thomas Bio

Catherine joined the Mt. Baker Care Center management team in July 2018 as its Director of Nursing. In this capacity, she is responsible for overseeing the facility’s nursing staff, which includes approximately 40 licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants. In doing so, she is also responsible for maintaining the quality standards of care in accordance with current Federal and State guidelines and regulations. Daily duties include conducting assessments of each resident’s unique care plan, collaborating with the facility’s nursing and therapy teams to ensure that internal standards of compassionate, effective, and patient-centered care are also met.

Catherine received her RN from Skagit Valley College. Prior to joining Mt. Baker Care Center, she was a Registered Nurse at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham.

When she isn’t providing exceptional care to residents, Catherine enjoys refinishing and painting furniture, spending time outdoors with her family, knitting, and playing with her pugs. She has a husband, Nate, and two kids, Phenix and Kai.

Sara Bushaw, RN

Assistant Director of Nursing

Sara Bushaw Bio

Sara joined Mt. Baker Care Center as Assistant Director of Nursing in 2014. In this role, she manages patient care, runs exercise programs, heads the “fun” committee, and ensures that State and Federal rules and regulations are being followed. Sara maintains a decade of healthcare experience, having previously held a RN Manager position at a nearby skilled nursing facility.

When she isn’t overseeing patient care plans, you can find Sara enjoying the outdoors – kayaking, camping and spending time with her girlfriends. She is married to her husband, Daniel, and together they love on their fur-baby, Luna, an Australian Shepherd.

Tracie Clarke, LPN

Medical Nurse Manager

Tracie Clarke Bio

Tracie is a mainstay at Mt. Baker Care Center, having joined the caregiving team in 1988. In her current role as Medical Nurse Manager, she manages nursing care and coordinates resident cares, working cohesively with the rehab team to optimize individualized care plans to best prepare her patients for their discharge plan.

Tracie offers more than 30 years of professional healthcare experience. She received her Licensed Practical Nurse certificate in 1993 and is currently working toward becoming a Registered Nurse.

When she’s not caring for the wonderful residents of Mt. Baker Care Center, you can often find Tracie reading a book, shopping, or enjoying the beach in Moclips. Tracie is married with two children.

Elizabeth Martin, RN

Resident Care Director

Elizabeth Martin Bio

Liz has been Summit Place Assisted Living since July 2021 as its Resident Care Director. In this capacity, she provides compassionate care and oversight of Summit Place Assisted Living residents, including assessing, managing health needs, communication with healthcare teams and family members, as well as oversight of the staff providing resident care. Prior to joining Summit Place, Liz worked as a Resident Care Manager at another area nursing facility.

Liz received her RN from Bellingham Technical College. She is also a certified infection preventionist.

When Liz is not at work, you can usually find her reading, spending time with family and friends, or working on her garden. Liz is married with three teenage children: a son and two daughters.

Kara Lea West, BSN, RN

Resident Services Director

Kara Lea West Bio

Kara has been with Mt. Baker Care Center since early 2015 as its Resident Services Director. In this capacity, she provides compassionate care and oversight of Summit Place Assisted Living residents, including assessing, managing health needs, communication with healthcare teams and family members, as well as oversight of the staff providing resident care. With two decades of experience in the healthcare profession, 11 years as a nurse, she brings with her a passion for what she does and a knowledge that benefits the residents she serves.

Kara received her RN from Bellingham Technical College and her BSN from the University of Washington. She has previous work experience at another area nursing facility as its Staff Development Coordinator.

When Kara is not at work, you can usually find her enjoying her family (husband, 5 daughters and 3 granddaughters), geocaching, or participating in Girl Scouts activities with her daughter.

Alison Scott Zdenek

Admissions Coordinator

Alison Scott Zdenek Bio

Alison has been the Admissions and Staffing Coordinator at Mt. Baker Care Center since July 2017. With nearly two decades of professional experience, including time as the Director of Social Services and Admissions at another area skilled nursing facility, she understands the intricacies of resident care and proper admissions protocols. In her role at Mt. Baker Care Center, Alison is responsible for coordinating admissions from hospitals and community settings. She also oversees the nursing and floor staff scheduling within the facility.

Alison studied at Bellingham Technical College and at Western Washington University. She is a Certified Nursing Assistant.

When Alison isn’t at work, she enjoys hiking, camping, cooking, and family adventures with her nephew and cocker spaniel, Sophie.

Nichelle Kelley

Social Services Director

Nichelle Kelley Bio

Bio coming soon!

Lauren Conlan

Rehabilitation Director

Lauren Conlan Bio

Lauren joined Mt. Baker Care Center as its Co-Director of Rehabilitation in 2017 bringing with her a decade of professional experience. In 202, she became the Director of Rehabilitation. In this capacity, she is responsible for the daily operations of the Rehab department, including the staffing, scheduling, utilization reviews, and (most importantly) patient care.

Lauren maintains her PTA licensure, completing her PTA accreditation. She has an Associates degree in Ongoing Continuing Education/Science.

When she’s not helping heal residents at Mt. Baker Care Center, she can often be found weight lifting and exercising. Lauren is married to her husband, Justin, a head golf professional at Loomis Trail, and together they have three children.

Alex Baldwin

Social Services Director

Alex Baldwin Bio

Bio coming soon!

Fred Kamperman

Life Enrichment Coordinator

Fred Kamperman Bio

Fred joined Mt. Baker Care Center as its Life Enrichment Coordinator on Valentine’s Day 2018; a fitting day considering he expends his energy each day filling the hearts and minds of the residents he serves. As a Life Enrichment Coordinator, he is responsible for coordinating the enrichment activities for the residents, bringing fulfillment and daily satisfaction into their lives.

Prior to his arrival to Mt. Baker Care Center, Fred was an instructor, maintaining 25 years of experience and a Master’s in Education.

In his free time, Fred enjoys traveling, comedy writing, and documentary making. He resides with his husband, Jozef, and their four dogs and two cats.

Amanda West

Dining Services Manager

Amanda West Bio

Bio coming soon!

Christie Walker

Medical Records Manager

Christie Walker Bio

Since 2014, Christie has coordinated the medical records system to ensure accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with State and Federal requirements at Mt. Baker Care Center’s Medical Records Manager. In this capacity, she also assists nurses enter physician orders, responds to medical records requests, and makes sure that patient files are accurate.

Christie has seven years of professional healthcare experience with prior experience as a unit secretary at another area skilled nursing facility. She obtained her degree in Medical Transcription and Medical Coding from Bellingham Technical College.

In her free-time, Christie enjoys running 5K races and spending time with her family, which includes her husband, Jon, and sons Logan and Landon.

Branka Devic

Director of Plant Operations

Branka Devic Bio

Branka joined Mt. Baker Care Center in 2000 as its Director of Plant Operations. In this capacity, she is responsible for recruiting and training the facility’s housekeeping staff, ensuring a clean and safe working environment, always. Previous experience includes nearly two decades of housekeeping experience where she was able to hone her skill set and technique.

In her free time, Branka enjoys cooking and gardening. She lives happily with her husband and daughter.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions at 360-734-4181. We understand this journey can be overwhelming and, at times, challenging. We are happy to assist you along the way.