SYDNEY CREEK - Key Persons
A mentally challenged brother and a gravely ill grandmother gave Anastasia Camacho some valuable experiences that began at an early age. While still in high school, she volunteered at her brother's school, and at just 18, she was tasked with caring for her terminally ill grandmother. It was a lot to take on at such a young age, but it prepared her well for her current position as Sydney Creek's Wellness Coordinator.
Anastasia's work experience includes being a para-educator for the Santa Maria school district, as well as lead care-giving positions at two Assisted Living communities before coming to Sydney Creek. With her grandmother (who passed away from cancer at just 62) and her three children as major inspirations, Anastasia brings a huge heart, tons of experience, and a genuine passion to her work: providing the best care possible for the seniors with dementia who live at Sydney Creek.
Bringing a broad-based set of food industry experiences to The Village at Sydney Creek, Bonifacio Aboites was part of the first kitchen crew in 2000, when Sydney Creek opened its doors to the community.
Born and raised in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico, Bonifacio moved to California in 1992 when he landed a job in fresh produce. He was soon snatched up by the famous Apple Farm restaurant where he worked his way up from prep cook to line chef, and eventually to server. Preferring "the back of the house" to the front, Bonifacio spent the next decade in the kitchen of the popular SLO Brew as well as a long stint at New Frontiers grocery store before assuming the top job at Sydney Creek.
Well organized and meticulous, Bonifacio runs his kitchen with confidence and calm, and enjoys his daily interactions with residents, who always have questions for him.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Operations
Lisa comes to The Villages with a B.S. in Nursing, a Public Health Nursing sub-specialty, a Psychology Minor, and a huge heart. With a list of previous experiences as wide as her sunny smile, Lisa has worked in hospital settings as well as home health care settings, and with all ages, from children to seniors.
Serving as both a direct-care nurse and later as director of clinical services across a broad range of communities, Lisa knows about the caring profession from every angle. She understands the importance of great communication, responsive management, ongoing training, and leading by example.
Surprised by the pervasive "friendliness" she found upon her arrival at The Villages from a large, national company, Lisa was smitten by the number of smiles and hugs exchanged on a daily basis in all four of our communities. She makes her home in Cambria with husband Hank and children, Amber and Jordan.
"My goal is simple," she says. "To serve our residents well, in all ways, every day."
As Executive Director for two Villages communities, Liza brings a lifetime of knowledge, experience, and compassionate support to both her residents and her staff.
With a working life that began as a young flight attendant, Liza Hix has a plethora of "real-world" experiences that prepare her well for her current position. In college, she studied Art and Psychology while raising her own family, before accidentally falling into Senior Housing. "I fell madly in love with the industry," she says. "I had found my true calling in life." But there's more …
Liza's youngest daughter was born with a severe learning disability that mirrored dementia in many ways. Her struggles to learn, and Liza's efforts to help her, became the perfect education for working with seniors in a memory care setting.
Liza enjoys being surrounded by altruistic people with big hearts who find joy in helping others. She says, "I love knowing we get to make so many of our seniors' last chapter in life a better one."
Michael Guinn has a long and varied background as the head "fix-it" man. First as a U.S. Marine / aircraft electrician during the Vietnam War, and later as a technician for a well known air conditioning company and two County Offices of Education. So he knows how to keep most anything in good working order. Having lived in an "over-55" community himself, he also has an affinity for working with the elderly, enjoying his role as the guy who can help.
Born and raised in Fresno, California, Guinn moved to the Central Coast where he spent time as the maintenance director for a large local retirement community before landing the top job at Sydney Creek. Here, he takes pride in keeping the building itself gleaming, with all its various parts running like a clock. But it's the little jobs he does for residents that make him the happiest. "I really enjoy helping them out," he says, "because I know how hard it can be."
Job Titles:
- Community Relations Coordinator
Raised with two siblings who are autistic and non-verbal, Michaela learned early on how to "read" people, and to take care of those who can't take care of themselves. An early loss of a beloved sibling inspired her desire to really make a difference in people's lives.
The residents at Sydney Creek and their families are the lucky beneficiaries of Michaela's generous heart, her talent with people, and her genuine calling to work with the elderly, especially those with dementia. With her strong background in service, and previous experience in Life Enrichment, she brings an array of valuable skills to her position.
"Since I was little, I've always wanted to help people, but I was never sure exactly how to do that," says Michaela. "Once I started at Sydney Creek, it just felt right."
Born in Templeton and raised in Nipomo, Unica is a true Central Coast native. She comes to Garden Creek with nearly 8 years' experience at Community Health Centers of the Central Coast (CHC). She has specialized training in Medical Terminology and Health Information Technology. Unica began as Garden Creek's Lead Receptionist and quickly rose to the position of Business Office Manager.
She developed her desire to care for others from her parents, who spent their lives adopting and / or fostering children with special needs. She was drawn to work in assisted living to learn more about how we age-the other end of life. "I enjoy being of service," she says with a smile. "It makes me feel accomplished."
Raised right here on the Central Coast, Yovana is deeply devoted to her own large family, where five generations often gather under the same roof. Right after high school, she became the primary caregiver for her beloved grandmother, which sparked her interest in a career in the medical field.
Yovana earned two certifications; one as a Certified Nursing Assistant and the other in Medical Billing and Coding. She's always been "crafty" and resourceful, as well as being the events and activities planner for her large family--all of which she puts to good use in her position at Sydney Creek.
"I use all my talents and bring my own unique touch to leading The Life Enrichment team," she says. "It's our pleasure to bring love, attention, and fun to all our residents."