Dennis Veen
Executive Director
Dennis is the new Executive Director for the Johnson
Adult Day Program! Since 2009, Dennis has served as
the Executive Director of Brookdale Senior Living Heritage Club of
Aurora where he was responsible for the operation and success of an
assisted living community, including a memory care program.
In addition to several years working as a director in other
healthcare settings, Dennis has also served as Human Resources
Manager in the international headquarters of WorldVenture and as
the Director of Marketing for the Senior Health Care Division of
Centura Health. Dennis received his Masters Degree with an
emphasis in Counseling from NABS in Sioux Falls, South
Dakota. He holds a Certificate in Gerontology from the
University of Denver. Dennis is excited for the opportunity
to work with such a dynamic program.
Tracy Fehr, RN, BSN
Clinical Director
Tracy has at least two passions: working with
seniors and enjoying the Colorado outdoors. When she is not tending
to the medical needs of participants at the Center, you may find
her on the ski slopes or on hiking and biking trail. Tracy says
that caring for folks at the Center has been the most rewarding and
fulfilling work she has ever done. No wonder she always has a smile
on her face! "Working at the Center I feel like I am
surrounded by 60 grandparents who are loving, funny, interesting
and each unique in their own way. I love them all!"
Linda Abeyta, CNA
Hugs, smiles and thank you's are all Linda
needs to understand that she is making a difference at The Johnson
Center where "every day is an experience." Linda is a Certified
Nurse Assistant who began working at the Center almost 16 years
ago. Linda works in every room as a caregiver. Her hobbies are
movies, dancing, ceramics and being with family.
Claudia Betts, BA, Activity Coordinator
Claudia received her Bachelor of the Arts in Psychology
and Social Work. She began her career as a
caseworker with the Department of Social Services in New York,
which is where she was born and raised. She holds a
Certificate in Gerontology from the University of Denver and has
been certified as an Activity Director. Claudia has worked at
JADP for 19+ years and runs Inner Circle 2, fondly known as the
"Ladies Group." She has always had a special place in her
heart for seniors and the valuable lessons they can teach
everyone! Claudia is married with two grown
children.
Rhonda Erwin, Program Assistant
Rhonda has worked at the Center for 12 years
as an activities assistant. As a child she lived
with her grandparents in a small town where most of her friends
were 70 years and older. To this day, she loves to be with seniors.
Rhonda dotes on many of the participants at the Center,
particularly one who told her that she was popular and the envy of
all of Denver!
Lynette Hanson, BA, Activity Coordinator
For more than 19 years Lynette has been using her
skills in psychology, education and music to share love
and blessings with participants. "This validates self-esteem and
success for one and all," says Lynette, an Activity Coordinator for
the Inner Circle One room at the Center. She uses sing-alongs,
rhythm and dancing to create musical memories. Making up jokes,
slogans and song parodies has been part of the fun inspired by a
dear client, now passed away.
Allan Hencmann, BA, Program Assistant
Allan loves to sing and entertain and be with
participants assisting in activities in Friendship or Inner Circle
One. He has worked in assisted living centers and is inspired
with a genuine concern for the well-being of seniors who live with
memory loss. "I love their stories and experiences," says
Allen. "It helps me keep my own life in
perspective."
Donna Leichtling, RN
Donna keeps the client's and employee's records up to
date and fills in with nursing duties at the Center. She
loves writing and has helped participants capture stories and poems
about their lives. When it comes to caregiving, Donna shares a
common goal with others on staff: she is determined to support and
protect the "humanness" of each participant who walks through the
doors.
Mila Mayster, CNA
Mila graduated with a nursing degree in
Moldova, Russia, and then came to Colorado to become a Certified
Nursing Assistant. She has worked at The Johnson Center for four
years and has cared for family and friends in many other situations
in her life. Participants at the Center love to call her by many
names, but everyone knows her for her love of people, cooking, and
her skill in working with any situation, no matter how
difficult.
Maria Nagle, Program Assistant
Maria adds to the international color of the
center with her German heritage, having moved to the U.S.
in the 60's. She has a degree in early childhood development and
has experience in the areas of teaching, working with special ed.
and special needs children and in home care for seniors. Maria has
a son, AJ, who is a paraplegic who volunteers at JADP. Maria
is a skilled and caring member of our team, Alzheimer's care
certified, and our clients love her energy and nurturing
ways. She has been with us for 3+ years.
Bonnie Richards, Memories in the Making Coordinator
Bonnie is the Memories In the Making art class
coordinator. In her class she helps participants
communicate and express themselves through art, watercolor and
other media. She was trained at Arapahoe Community College as an
activity director and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). Bonnie
enjoys photograph, reading, hiking and visiting art
galleries. As for working with the elderly, Bonnie says,
"They fill my heart and my life.
Carol Russell, Dietary Aide
Carol works as the Senior Diet Aide at JADP. She has
worked here for 25 years. She was born and raised in
southeast Denver and still lives in the area. She attended
Thomas Jefferson high school and went on to further her education
at UCN. She has three children and two grand-daughters who
come to visit the seniors at JADP on occasion. They love to
travel and have been lucky to see many different
places. She continues to love her position here at
the center and enjoys the many participants who have become
very dear to us all. She is very blessed to work with
such a professional and caring staff.
Cindie Shibata, B.S., Activity Coordinator
Cindie began working in adult day services in
Englewood more than 28 years ago. A degree in recreation education
has served her well at the Center, as has her love for sports and
fitness activities. In the early years, she was part of the
original team of passionate providers, then part of Swedish
Hospital's Gerontology Health Department, that later birthed The
Johnson Center Program. Currently, she is the Activity Coordinator
for Friendship Circle. Cindie serves with pleasure and pride. She
gets a lot of satisfaction from helping seniors maintain their
dignity and self-worth during a vulnerable time in their lives.
Cindie believes participants feel at home at the Center. She likes
how special friendships are formed, how clients help one another,
and most of all, how much fun everyone has. Once Cindie was
partnered with a man who loved to dance. In the middle of the
dance, his trousers fell down. He hitched up his pants and
continued to dance for joy.
Allison Smith, B.A., Administrative Assistant
Allison joined our JADP family June of
2010. She is a Colorado native and attended the
University of Northern Colorado where she graduated in 2006 with a
BA in Theatre Arts with an acting emphasis and a minor in
English. She has had the pleasure of working in Denver's
wonderful community theatre and looks forward to her upcoming
performance opportunities. After graduating UNC, she was able
to go to Venice, Florida to care for her grandmother who
is fighting advanced Alzheimer's. It was an eye opening
experience that drew her attention to senior care, and is
incredibly grateful for the opportunity here at JADP to work with
such wonderful people.
Maureen Wells, MA, Daytrip Program Director
Maureen is the DayTrip Program Director for
over 12 years, and also coordinates the ArtReach program for the
Center. She holds a Master's degree in Psychiatric/Community
Mental Health Nursing from the University of Colorado. She
has led family support groups for the Alzheimer's Association
for more than 10 years. Trained in techniques for making art
accessible to people with dementia (developed by MoMA - Museum of
Modern Art, NYC), Maureen has been introducing, coordinating and
instructing local art museum docents in leading specialized tours
for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. Having
developed an Art Appreciation Program 12 years ago, Maureen
routinely offers "on-site" art viewing experiences to a wide
variety of facilities and groups throughout the Denver area.
She also authored Ageless Outings - a unique guidebook to
local destinations including pertinent information for those with
disabilities. For more information about her book, go to www.AgelessOutings.com.
Karen Wiberg, Program Assistant
Karen is a program assistant at the Center with
both an undergraduate and graduate degree. She also assists with
daytrips several days a week. Working with elders in nursing homes,
assisted living facilities and other centers has been her avocation
for many years. What Karen has to say about working at The Johnson
Center is worth sharing: "It's a beautiful thing to see
participants brighten and thrive at the Center or on daytrips. Many
come to the Center initially with reluctance and skepticism, but
within a short time, they feel comfortable and it is clear that
they are really happy to be here and that the Center and its
programs have become a very positive force in their lives. They
benefit so much from the social interaction, the physical exercise,
the mental stimulation, and most of all, from the loving atmosphere
and individual attention.
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