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).
Catherine Thomas, RN
Director of Nursing
Catherine Thomas Bio
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.
Kara Lea West, BSN, RN
Staff Development Coordinator
Kara Lea West Bio
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.
Tracie Clarke, LPN
Medical Nurse Manager
Tracie Clarke Bio
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.
Laura Einan
MDS Coordinator
Laura Einan Bio
Bio Coming soon
Genora Devecca
LTC Nurse Manager
Genora Devecca Bio
Bio coming soon.
Jennifer Duqette
Social Services Director
Jennifer Duquette Bio
Jennifer joined the management team at Mt. Baker Care Center as its Social Services Director in October 2022, bringing with her nearly a decade of professional experience. As social services Director, she is responsible for overseeing care management and discharge planning, while acting as a family liaison, grievance ambassador, and community resource specialist.
Prior to joining Mt. Baker Care Center, Jennifer was the Social Services Director for another area skilled nursing facility.
Jennifer received her bachelor’s in Sociology from Western Washington University. She also maintains an associates degree in Accounting. Jennifer is a Specialized Habitation Provider for PASRR DDA as well.
In her free time, Jennifer enjoys competing in Tough Mudders. She is also a writer, a Nerf fun enthusiast, a gourmet cook, and a self-proclaimed beer pong champion. She is a single mother to five young men, ages 12 to 28.
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.
Lauren Conlan
Director of Rehabilitation
Lauren Conlan Bio
Lauren joined Mt. Baker Care Center as its Director of Rehabilitation in August 2017 bringing with her a decade of professional experience. As the Director, she is responsible for the daily operations of the Rehab department, including the staffing, scheduling, utilization reviews, and (most importantly) patient centered care.
Lauren maintains her PTA licensure, completing her PTA accreditation. She has an Associates in Science degree in Ongoing Continuing Education/Science.
When she’s not helping heal residents at Mt. Baker Care Center, she can often be found making jewelry, exercising, or taking pictures. She is a mother of three: two girls and a boy.
Pamela Sherron
Business Office Manager
Pamela Sherron Bio
With early 25 years of professionally related experience, Pamela joined the team at Mt. Baker Care Center in February 2022 in the capacity of Business Office Manager. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing billing insurances, checking insurance benefits, updating Point Click Care with census, posting deposits, and talking with residents and families regarding finances.
Prior to joining Mt. Baker Care Center, Pamela worked as Business Office Manager for another area skilled nursing facility.
Pamela received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Western Washington University with a minor in Office Administration.
When she is not at work, you can often find Pamela reading, walking her two pups (Bella and Finley), watching movies, or traveling. She is married with two adult children.
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.
Amy Schmidt
Life Enrichment Director
Amy Schmidt Bio
Amy joined Mt. Baker Care Center as its Director of Life Enrichment and Recreational Therapist in August 2018. In this capacity, she is responsible for organizing community outings for the residents, fostering community with both Summit Place and Mt. Baker Care Center, conducting quarterly and initial resident assessments, creating monthly activity calendars, crafting resident care plans, overseeing activity meetings and psych meetings, as well as keeping up with adaptive equipment.
Prior to her arrival to Mt. Baker Care Center, Amy worked for the Washington State ferries as a deck hand on Shaw Island. She maintains certification as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) and received her bachelor’s degree in Recreation from Western Washington University.
In her free time, you can find Amy traveling, knitting, reading, hiking, going to the beach, and baking. She resides with her partner, Charlie, and their two cats.
Branka Devic
Director of Plant Operations
Branka Devic Bio
In her free time, Branka enjoys cooking and gardening. She lives happily with her husband and daughter.
Alonzo Briones
Maintenance Supervisor
Alonzo Briones Bio
Bringing with him 15 years of professionally related experience, Alonzo joined the team at Mt. Baker Care Center as its Maintenance Supervisor in 2022. In this capacity, he works to ensure the proper functionality and safety of the buildings and grounds at Mt. Baker Care Center and Summit Place Assisted Living.
Prior to joining Mt. Baker Care Center, Alonzo was the Maintenance Supervisor at another nearby senior living community.
In his free time, you can find Alonzo enjoying sports and fishing. He has two sons, one daughter, and five beautiful grandchildren.
Amanda West
Dining Services Manager
Amanda West Bio
Amanda became the Director of Dining Services for Mt. Baker Care Center in 2019, bringing with her a decade of professional experience and leadership. In this capacity, she oversees day-to-day operations of the facility’s dining services, including management of both the Mt. Baker Care Center and Summit Place Assisted Living kitchens with regard to meal preparation and service, inventory, staffing, and events.
Prior to becoming the Director of Dining Services, Amanda was a cook for both Mt. Baker Care Center and Summit Place Assisted Living, honing her craft and better understanding the unique needs of her residents and the senior community.
In her free time, Amanda enjoys reading and playing video games.
Elizabeth Martin, RN
Executive Director, Summit Place
Elizabeth Martin Bio
Liz was appointed the Executive Director at Summit Place Assisted Living in October 2022. In this capacity, she oversees Summit Place’s day-to-day operations, including nursing, maintenance, dining services, and personnel with the goal of providing excellence in service and amenities to the residents she serves. Liz originally joined Summit Place Assisted Living in July 2021 as its Resident Care Director where she provided 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.
Maegan Enyeart
Resident Care Coordinator, Summit Place
Maegan Enyeart Bio
Maegan joined the Summit Place Assisted Living in August 2018. Boasting a decade of healthcare industry experience, she transitioned into the Resident Care Coordinator position in August of 2021 where she is responsible for coordinating resident care and working with residents and families to ensure the health and well-being of each resident. In addition, she is responsible for assisting with training Summit Place’s team of caregivers and med-aids; assisting on the floor and within the med room; collaborating with various teams of healthcare professionals; managing schedules; monitoring resident care needs; managing resident charts, and ordering supplies.
Prior to her role as RCC, Maegan was the lead Med-Tech at Summit Place for almost 5 years. She assisted residents with receiving medications per MD orders, monitoring health conditions, and daily care needs. Maegan as lead med tech also assisted facility nurse with managing coordination of labs and chart maintenance.
When she is not serving the residents of Summit Place, you can often find Maegan listening to True Crime podcasts, gardening, doing crosswords, and spending time with her family. Maegan is married to her husband of six years, and together, they have three cats: Maggie, Stanley, and Little.
Christina Williams
Community Relations Director, Summit Place
Christina Williams Bio
Christina joined the management team at Summit Place Assisted Living as its Executive Assistant / Community Relations Director in November 2022, bringing with her a depth of passion for service as well as a variety of related healthcare and marketing experiences. As the community face and voice of Summit Place, her primary responsibilities include front-end business office tasks as well as responding to inquiries, arranging facility tours, disseminating appropriate and timely information, overseeing the move-in experience and logistics for new residents, executing intentional and impactful internal and outgoing marketing efforts, and ensuring that current and accurate information is always available to the surrounding Bellingham community.
Prior to joining the Summit Place team, Christina was a veterinary assistant in the Bay Area and also has previous experience as a restaurant general manager during her time in Grand Junction, Colorado. Christina maintains a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with concentration in Entrepreneurship from Colorado Mesa University.
When she is not serving the residents of Summit Place, you can often find Christina studying animal medicine and behavior, singing, practicing her photography, and creating one-of-a-kind art pieces.
To contact Christina directly or for more information about Summit Place Assisted Living, please email directly her at CWilliams@mtbakercarecenter.com.