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

Executive 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.

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.

Cheryl Wright, RN

Certified Resident Assessment Coordinator

Cheryl Wright Bio

With 50 years of professional experience, Cheryl brings to Mt. Baker Care Center a professionalism that is hard to come by. As the facility’s Certified Resident Assessment Coordinator, she is responsible for maintaining the minimum data set process to document nursing and therapy care. As needed, she also provides nursing supervision.

Cheryl was previously a manager of clinical nursing services for a home infusion company and boasts more than two decades of acute care nursing experience. She is a graduate of Everett Community College School of Nursing, is an intravenous nurse specialist, and a Certified Resident Assessment Coordinator.

When she isn’t working, Cheryl enjoys traveling, spending time with her eight grandchildren, reading, and researching topics that interest her. She is married to her high school sweetheart (who she still “likes”) and together they have three grown children, various dogs, and other pets.

Alison Scott Zdenek

Admissions and Staffing 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

Co-Director of Rehabilitation

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. As the Co-Director, 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.

Sara Williams

Co-Director of Rehabilitation, Speech-Language Pathologist

Sara Williams Bio

Sara started working with Mt. Baker Care Center as part of Infinity Rehab in 2017 as the Co-Director of Rehabilitation. As a Speech-Language Pathologist, she is responsible for leading and assuring patient quality, outcomes, and efficient processes. This includes the efficient and effective operations of the Rehab Department, management responsibilities such as monitoring admissions, tracking MDS assessment periods and data, providing clinical supervision, and case management.

Prior to her current employment, Sara was a Speech-Language Pathologist at Shands Teaching Hospital at the University of Florida. She brings to Mt. Baker residents 13 years of professional experience as well as a Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Florida.

In her free-time, Sara enjoys running, hiking, skiing, and spending time with her family. She currently resides in Bellingham with her husband, daughter, and family dog.

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.

Erin Bean

Life Enrichment Coordinator

Erin Bean Bio

Erin has been with Mt. Baker Care Center as its Life Enrichment Coordinator since August 2015 where she has been responsible for coordinating and implementing leisure opportunities for resident groups and individuals. She entered the long-term care setting in 2010 after graduating from Western Washington University where she received her degree in Parks & Recreation with an emphasis on Therapeutic Recreation. Erin is credentialed as a Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist (CTRS). In her free-time, she enjoys biking, hiking, traveling, playing lawn games, reading, and baking pies.

Caitlin Thompson, LPN

Staff Development Coordinator

Caitlin Thompson Bio

Caitlin has been the Staff Development Coordinator at Mt. Baker Care Center since 2017. In this capacity, she is responsible for the direct supervision, hiring, training, and compliance of all nursing staff. In addition, she oversees the facility’s Infection Control Management and the Annual Mandatory Training & Compliance tracking for all departments.

Caitlin has 14 years of experience in the healthcare profession. Prior to joining the Mt. Baker team, she was a Clinical Informatics Nurse and a Telehealth Manager. Caitlin receive her Licensed Practical Nurse certificate from Vermont Technical College and her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Ethnobotany from Connecticut College.

In her free-time, she enjoys gardening, traveling, camping, hiking, Buti Yoga, music, and cooking.

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.

Dale Poat

Maintenance Director

Dale Poat Bio

Dale has been maintaining the functionality and safety of the buildings and grounds at Mt. Baker Care Center and Summit Place Assisted Living since January 2015. Prior to his arrival, he was the Assistant Director of Environmental Services at Warm Beach Senior Community Center. He brings with him more than two decades of professional experience.

In his free-time, Dale enjoys camping and listening to music.

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.