Our Sense of Service:
What's Important to You Is What's Important to Us.

What makes our staff unusually helpful? Before they serve you, Querencia staff go to Q School: our own program, inspiring a positive, can-do attitude. The emphasis is on hospitality and personal attention. We sum up our service mission in the acronym “TEDS:”

• Establishing Trust.
• Maintaining an uncompromising commitment to Excellence.
• Treating every resident and associate with Dignity.
• Taking joy in Service.

Your first meeting with us will be different from visits to other communities. You’ll do the talking. We’ll be listening carefully. We make a point of understanding future residents better, so we can better prepare every facet of their Querencia experience.

Querencia sells itself. So we concentrate on fulfilling your unique wishes and needs. Meet our people.

	Ross A. Dickmann, Executive Director Ross came to Querencia from Aventura, Florida, where he served as executive director for Classic Residence by Hyatt, a newly constructed Life Care community. He has a broad range of experience in all disciplines of retirement living. Prior to joining Hyatt, he held management positions for Marriott and Sunrise Senior Living communities in Arlington, Virginia and Columbia, Maryland. Ross’ high resident satisfaction ratings, occupancy percentages and numerous professional honors speak for themselves.
	Patience Buchanan, Associate Executive Director Patience returns to Querencia after previously holding the position of director of social services, where she coordinated all aspects of healthcare admissions and discharges. Prior to joining Querencia, Patience served at SouthernCare, Inc. where she provided emotional support and practical assistance to patients and families as their hospice social worker.  She has extensive experience in the administration of health services, including the senior care sector.  Patience also has worked as a brain injury rehabilitation case manager, as well as a program specialist, planner and project manager for the Texas Department of Human Services. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker and holds a Master of Science degree in social work from the University of Texas at Austin.
	Leslie Dominguez, Director of Marketing Leslie has experienced the development of Querencia from the ground up. As former vice president of marketing for Greystone Communities, Inc., she spent a great deal of time traveling to retirement communities nationwide, in various stages of development. Querencia at Barton Creek now gives Leslie the opportunity to stay close to home in Austin so she can spend quality time with her husband and young children. “It is so exciting for me to interact with seniors on a daily basis and learn about their lives, careers, travels and families — it’s my favorite part of the job,” she says. A University of Texas graduate and in health care marketing for the past 19 years, Leslie has worked in sales and marketing for Classic Residence by Hyatt, Kisco Retirement Communities and Scott & White Hospital.
	Joan Ford, Senior Living Counselor As a senior living counselor, Joan meets with seniors to determine how the various levels of care offered at Querencia can best meet their needs. She joined Querencia at Barton Creek in 2004 as the marketing coordinator and office manager. Previously, Joan was a certified pharmacy technician, responsible for marketing and outside sales for the 38th St. Pharmacy. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in sociology from The University of Texas at Austin.
	Melanie Aaron, Marketing/Move-in Coordinator In April 2007, Melanie became Querencia at Barton Creek’s marketing/move-in coordinator. Melanie graduated from the University of North Texas in Denton with a BBA and subsequently worked in human resources as a recruiter and benefits administrator for the State of Texas. Before joining the staff at Querencia, Melanie enjoyed her work as a volunteer coordinator at a home for pregnant and parenting teen girls in Montana.
	Marcella Briseno, Assisted Living Manager Marcella joined The Plaza at Querencia with more than 16 years’ experience in nursing, including more than ten years’ experience in the long-term care industry. Her extensive nursing background includes family practice, internal medicine, geriatrics, utilization review, hospital and rehab. Marcella received her LVN license from Austin Community College and also attended CBM Education Center.
	Julie Marceaux, Senior Living Counselor/Community Relations Coordinator As a senior living counselor, Julie Marceaux meets with seniors and adult children to determine how the various levels of care offered at The Plaza can best meet their needs. In her role as community relations coordinator, she is responsible for developing partnerships with physicians, social workers, hospitals and other organizations to help meet the needs of area seniors. She joined The Plaza from Heritage Park Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing, where she served as the marketing and admissions coordinator. Julie also worked at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for three years, serving as a patient representative and patient advocate. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in sociology from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.
	Fran Werner, Fitness and Wellness Specialist A nutrition & weight management professional for over 30 years and a popular TV and radio guest, Fran has authored two books and many articles on healthy living. She is certified as a health fitness specialist, a lifestyle and weight management consultant, a healthy behaviors coach, a cancer exercise specialist and a certified water fitness instructor. She holds a B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis, and a Master’s degree in Behavioral Sciences from the University of Chicago.