Avamere at Rio Rancho

09/15/2025

Today marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15 to October 15. This month is dedicated to recognizing and honoring the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino/a/e/x communities that continue to enrich our workplaces, our communities, and our world.

In honor of this month, get to know some of the influential people who shape our world.

Dr. Antonia Novello, MD, MPH, DrPH, made history as the first woman and first Hispanic to serve as U.S. Surgeon General. Dr. Novello dedicated her career to advancing healthcare equity, focusing on children, women, and underserved populations.

Gabriel García Márquez was a Nobel Prize-winning Colombian author. His storytelling explored themes of memory, family, love, and death. Later in life, García lived with dementia, making his legacy especially meaningful as we honor the power of human connection.

Dr. Elena Rios, MD, MSPH, MACP, is the former President and CEO of the National Hispanic Medical Association for 30 years. She impacts healthcare through several boards and committees, including the Better Medicare Alliance, Centene Health Equity Committee, and many more.

Julián Castro is a politician and lawyer who served as U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Mayor of San Antonio, Texas. Throughout his career, he has championed affordable housing and healthcare access.

09/13/2025

As we close out National Assisted Living Week, we again thank our team members for the Ageless Adventure they create for our seniors. Find out what Ageless Adventure looks like in senior living and watch a special thank-you video to our team (captions included). Click below!

https://www.areteliving.com/post/ageless-adventure-celebrating-assisted-living-week

09/11/2025

Today, we honor the lives lost, the heroes who responded, and the strength of our nation in the face of tragedy. We will never forget.

09/11/2025

Thank you to our incredible team for your compassion and dedication! 💙This National Assisted Living Week, we celebrate you. Watch this special video message of gratitude from some of our leaders.

09/08/2025

This National Assisted Living Week, we're celebrating Ageless Adventure! Here's what Ageless Adventure looks like in senior living, answered by some of our own leaders.

09/07/2025

Happy National Assisted Living Week! In honor of this week, Areté Living President Sarah Silva shares a message of gratitude to our residents, their families, and employees.

https://www.areteliving.com/post/creating-ageless-adventure-in-senior-living

09/02/2025

Happy Payroll Week! Celebrated September 1-5, 2025, Payroll Week coincides with the week of Labor Day to recognize the achievements and partnerships between America’s employees, payroll professionals, and government programs and agencies.

This week, we extend a special thank you to each of you who plays a vital role in ensuring our teams are paid accurately and on time. Payroll takes the collaboration of many hands and minds, and we couldn’t do it without our incredible partners across the organization. A heartfelt thank you to our home office payroll team, human resources, area finance managers, and business office managers. Your hard work, attention to detail, and dedication make all the difference in keeping everything running smoothly.

We are grateful for your diligence, partnership, and commitment to excellence. Your work is essential to our mission to enhance the life of every person we serve.

09/02/2025

The latest Scoop is out! This month's newsletter features a look into the future of senior living, Assisted Living Week, Hispanic Heritage Month, and more. Don't miss this edition!

The Scoop is produced by Areté Living management and development.

The Scoop is a monthly newsletter for our residents and family members. Here you’ll find company stories and news, helpful resources and information, and spotlights on our residents and employees. Assisted living is life made a little easier. At Arete Living senior management, we encourage indepen...

09/01/2025

Happy Labor Day! Today we honor the hard work and dedication of all who have helped shape our communities and our nation. 💙 We’re grateful for the generations before us whose efforts built the foundation we stand on today.

Thank you to our compassionate team for all you do. Your work makes such a difference! We wish all a safe and happy Labor Day. 🌟

08/13/2025

We are thrilled to welcome our new Executive Director of Avamere at Rio Rancho, Laura Schlafman Phillips! Laura brings over four years of experience in the senior living field and has 14 years of experience as a director of operations. She holds strong skills in sales, human resources, and leadership. Laura has enjoyed working in jobs where she thrived on building relationships with people.

Residents and a caring team inspire her work in senior living. She looks forward to collaborating with the amazing team at Avamere at Rio Rancho.

Laura moved from Los Angeles, California, to Rio Rancho, New Mexico in 2007, where she raised her two daughters. Being their mother is her proudest achievement. Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending time with family. She also enjoys traveling, music, and art.

Welcome to the team, Laura!

08/07/2025

On Purple Heart Day, we remember and honor the heroes who bravely represented our country. Those decorated with the Purple Heart have endured wounds or lost their life in the line of duty. Today, and every day, we recognize their bravery and unwavering commitment.

08/07/2025

You’re invited!

An Afternoon at Bend Transitional Care

Join us for a fun afternoon of live music, appetizers and drinks, and tours of our refreshed interiors. 

Whether you’re a long-time partner or new to the community, we invite you to stop by and help us celebrate all that makes Central Oregon such a remarkable place to live, work, and provide care. 

August 14th, 2025
3:00-6:00 pm

RSVP (link in bio) or just stop by — we can’t wait to welcome you.

08/05/2025

The latest Scoop is out! This month's newsletter features what wellness looks like in senior living, social media highlights from our teams, and more. Don't miss this edition!

The Scoop is produced by Areté Living management and development.

The Scoop is a monthly newsletter for our residents and family members. Here you’ll find company stories and news, helpful resources and information, and spotlights on our residents and employees. Assisted living is life made a little easier. At Arete Living senior management, we encourage indepen...

06/16/2025

CNA spotlight: Bonnie P. Avamere Olympic Rehabilitation of Sequim.

“Becoming a CNA was definitely a calling from my daughter from heaven. Up until she was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I never in a million years thought I’d end up in healthcare.After 4 years of doing everything possible to save my daughter, God took her. He had other plans in store. I was inspired by all the kindness from the medical team that helped her and the hospice staff who came into my home to help us see her off.In some ways, helping others like I do gives me a sense of purpose for my daughter, and in a weird way, it brings me closer to her. I would ultimately love to become a hospice nurse.”

Bonnie, your story moves us—thank you for the deep care and purpose you bring to your work.

06/14/2025

CNA spotlight: Bonnie P. Avamere Olympic Rehabilitation of Sequim.

"Becoming a CNA was definitely a calling from my daughter from heaven. Up until she was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I never in a million years thought I’d end up in healthcare.After 4 years of doing everything possible to save my daughter, God took her. He had other plans in store. I was inspired by all the kindness from the medical team that helped her and the hospice staff who came into my home to help us see her off.In some ways, helping others like I do gives me a sense of purpose for my daughter, and in a weird way, it brings me closer to her. I would ultimately love to become a hospice nurse.”

Bonnie, your story moves us—thank you for the deep care and purpose you bring to your work.

06/13/2025

CNA Week Spotlight: Charlea F.
At Avamere Rehabilitation of Issaquah, Charlea brings more than skill—she brings heart, energy, and healing.

“My mother inspired me to become a CNA. I saw the joy she had in the work and how her patients were happy in her care.”
For Charlea, this work is both a stepping stone and a calling. “I'm a natural healer through energy and empathy. It's my gift to the community. ”Her patients feel that care deeply—many have told her how much they enjoy her presence. Most recently, she helped a resident regain the ability to transfer independently, a milestone in that patient’s rehab journey.

Thank you, Charlea, for being a true light on Team Avamere.

06/13/2025

06/12/2025

CNA Week Spotlight: Christina H. At Avamere Crestview of Portland, Christina brings dedication and heart to every shift.

“I started as a CNA to gain experience for nursing school—but also because my mom was a CNA for many years. I wanted to follow in her footsteps, and my grandmother’s too, who was an LPN before she passed away.”

Christina, thank you for carrying on a legacy of care and compassion. We’re grateful to have you on Team Avamere.

06/05/2025

Big congrats to our teams at Avamere Rehabilitation of Beaverton and Avamere Transitional Care of Puget Sound – both have received the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award from AHCA/NCAL!

This national recognition reflects your dedication to high-quality care and continuous improvement. It’s a proud moment and a strong first step on the path toward Silver and Gold.

👏Help us celebrate these incredible teams – your work makes a real difference every day.

06/05/2025

06/05/2025

Today was a beautiful day for an outing! The Coos Bay activities program is cruising into spring with a trip to our local Boardwalk. The ladies went on a lovely stroll in the sunshine and couldn't help but smile. ☺️☀️🕶️🌻

06/03/2025

Shelby Rodriguez, MS, RDN, CSG, LD, FAND, of Avamere Riverpark of Eugene, has been named Recognized Young Registered Dietitian of the Year by the Oregon Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics!

"I am deeply grateful... My career in nutrition has been shaped by a deep passion for helping others thrive, particularly in clinical nutrition, community health, and aging.”

As a Board-Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition, Shelby has dedicated her work to improving quality of life for older adults in long-term care—while also mentoring future professionals and contributing to national standards in the field.

From ballet to boardrooms, Shelby’s journey reflects the very best of Avamere values: passion, purpose, and obvious quality.

06/02/2025

Sharpening skills, strengthening care.
🩺At Avamere Transitional Care of Puget Sound, our licensed nurses are always leveling up. Skills fairs like this one are just one way we keep "quality that is obvious" more than a slogan—it’s our standard.

05/30/2025

👤 Avamere Spotlight: JoLynn Munro, MS, OTR/L – President of Rehab

JoLynn Munro, President of Rehab at Avamere, is a licensed and registered OTR/L with a master’s degree in occupational therapy. In her role, she leads with a strong commitment to quality care, employee satisfaction, and seamless integration of therapy services within the broader interdisciplinary team.

🧠 Since transitioning from Infinity Rehab to Avamere in September 2023, JoLynn has successfully led the organization through a major shift—bringing therapy services in-house across all sites by the end of that year. Her focus now is on advancing clinical excellence, supporting regional teams, and ensuring that therapy staff are empowered to practice at the top of their licenses while achieving strong quality outcomes.

🎯 JoLynn’s journey with Avamere began in 2008 as an Area Rehab Director with Infinity Rehab. She later served as President of Infinity Rehab, where she guided the company through major industry changes like the transition to PDPM, always maintaining a focus on outstanding patient care and employee experience. Prior to joining Avamere, she held a variety of clinical and leadership roles in both in-house and contract rehab settings, building deep expertise in therapy service delivery.

🧶 Her leadership style is rooted in servant leadership—modeling the way, empowering others, and always putting patient care and team support at the center of her work. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, reading, hiking or biking in nature, and traveling.