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Silverado Senior Living - Sierra Vista

125 W Sierra Madre Ave

Azusa, CA 91702

626-513-4620

Silverado Senior Living - Sierra Vista | Who's Who

Who's Who in Azusa
Meet our team of LIFE Leaders! We are here for you and always available to answer your questions. Experience, generosity of spirit, and passion for helping others is the common thread at Silverado Senior Living.

Click on pictures or name for full biography.

Vida Gwinn

Administrator

Putting residents and families first is everybody's concern at Silverado Senior Living - Sierra Vista, and Vida makes sure this commitment is evident in all that they do. Having the unique experience of working with the elderly in various capacities, such as Director of Social Services in a 340-bed nursing facility with a special building reserved for Alzheimer’s residents, and also as a therapist in a Geriatric-Psychiatric Unit in an acute hospital, Vida recognizes the deep and urgent need of residents and families to understand the painful process they go through because of dementia. She looks at her previous roles as Director of Resident and Family Services, and her role as Administrator as a road map, a guide in the often confusing, but necessary phase in the move-in process.

Vida has a Master's Degree in Clinical-Counseling Psychology from Ateneo de Manila University. Prior to moving to Los Angeles, she taught several undergraduate courses in Behavioral Sciences at Maryknoll College and was a valued trainer and consultant in Organizational Management. Working with the elderly for more than five years now, she knows she has found her calling. She is very proud to be a part of an organization that is as committed as she is in making a difference in the lives of people with dementia.

Habib Bashoura M.D

Medical Director

Jean de Guzman, R.N., B.S.N.

Director of Health Services

Dorothy Jean “Dottie” Washington

Director of Resident Engagement

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Dottie came to California at a young age. She grew up having a special liking for the underprivileged and the elderly and so one of her first jobs was at a nursing home as a caregiver. In the nursing home, she saw how the elderly population suffered from loneliness and poor socialization and so she observed, first-hand, how this lack of stimulation speeded up the progression of the disease for residents with dementia. This made her realize she wanted to work with geriatrics, as a vocation, and help make a difference in their lives.

Dottie attended Chaffey College where she received certificates in Social Services and Gerontology, and also obtained a lifetime teaching credential from Mt. San Antonio College. She worked in skilled nursing facilities for 18 years as an Activity Program Director before she found Silverado where, she says, the commitment to care far exceeds her imagination. She considers Silverado the answer to her dream, where the program is such that each person is encouraged to flourish, no matter what disease he or she may have. At Silverado, the activity program is tailor-fitted to each resident, not the other way around. And so she makes sure the residents are given choices, that they continue to enjoy what they used to enjoy, whether watching horseracing, fishing, or even going to museums.

Dottie is happily married to Larry and they have two children, Nathan and Jannice. Like Dottie, her family loves Silverado very much and can be often seen visiting the community.

Mary Rodas

Community Ambassador

Mary Rodas is the Community Ambassador for Silverado Senior Living – Sierra Vista. Mary obtained her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Sacramento in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations. She has nearly 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical and medical sales, sales training and business development, including working with geriatricians and physical therapists.

Mary is also a member of the Speakers’ Bureau for the Los Angeles Alzheimer’s Association. Her personal and professional mission is to increase awareness about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease through education while providing helpful resources for those in need.

Mary loves to spend time doing outdoor activities such as running and cycling, as well as relaxing with her family including her 83 year old father, Jim, and rescue dog, Charley (shown in picture). Additionally, Mary has a daughter who is a junior in college, studying biochemistry and a son who will be a senior in high school who plays both baseball and water-polo for his high school team. Mary can also be found spending time off with Silverado residents, engaging in activities at the community or taking them on outings. Recently, residents and caregivers enjoyed an outing to the Quakes Stadium to watch her son play baseball. There was lots of popcorn, hotdogs, and hot chocolate and warm blankets. It was fun for all!

Ed Blomendahl

Community Ambassador

Ed Blomendahl is Community Ambassador for Silverado Senior Living Sierra-Vista. Ed was born and raised in the Midwest. He moved from Olathe, Kansas to California five years ago in order to be closer to his family and to get away from the harsh winter month’s back east. He enjoys spending time doing outdoors activities, mountain biking, going to the beach and spending time with his family. He has a special place in his heart for senior adults and has been involved with senior citizen programs from a very early age.

Ed attended the University of Kansas Medical Center where he received his Masters of Physical Therapy degree. Throughout college he participated in many special interest projects involving special needs patients and the elderly. For his efforts in this area he won the Bill Dunn Clinical excellence award. He has nearly 10 years of experience in medical sales, business development and territory management. He has also spent many hours working with seniors in a therapy setting, as well as through promoting durable medical equipment to Geriatricians and Physical Therapists who specializes in Geriatric Care.

Ed has been happily married to his wife Ronda for twenty years. They have three children, Morgan who is a sophomore in college, studying psychology, Brett who is a sophomore in high school and enjoys playing football and Emily who is a freshman in high school and enjoys drawing and the arts.

Ed feels very blessed to be a part of the Silverado family and loves that he is able to promote a community that gives LIFE and love to all regardless of who they are or what their diagnosis may be.

Antoinette George, L.V.N.

Family Ambassador

Antoinette George was born and raised just three blocks from the Sierra Vista community. Her love for helping others led her to nursing school directly after high school. She started her nursing career as a Charge Nurse in a skilled nursing facility. There she was taught extensive wound care and her love for Seniors began. In looking to advance her career and get into management, she began working for a South Pasadena Hospice Company as their Continuous Care Coordinator. After five successful years there, she took an opportunity with an assisted living company to run their Arcadia location. Antoinette obtained a RCFE Administrator's License and was trained in the daily operations of an assisted living. This began her career in assisted living care. It was in late September 2010 when we proudly added Antoinette to our Sierra Vista team as the Family Ambassador.

Antoinette has been married for ten years to her husband Dennis and they have two beautiful children. Her family enjoys weekend get aways and trips to Disneyland. In her off time Antoinette volunteers her time as the Camp Nurse for Camp Footprints. A summer camp for children with disabilities. She has been involved with Camp Footprints since 1996 and she holds this charity close to her heart.