Our Team

Administrator in Training

I am delighted to be an administrator in training at Pioneer Health Care Center! Building strong relationships and resident-centered care are my top priorities. I recently graduated with a Master's in Healthcare Administration from the University of Utah, and before that, I gained experience in various healthcare settings. From working directly with patients as a CNA to providing social and mental health services, I understand the importance of well-rounded care. At Pioneer, I am committed to creating a warm and supportive environment where each resident's needs and well-being are championed. I look forward to collaborating with staff, residents, and families to make Pioneer an exceptional place to call home

RN -Director of Nursing
Maricella was born and raised in Tulia, Texas. She has been in Healthcare for 21 years starting as a CNA in 2002. She has always had a passion for long term care. In 2016, she was able to move to La Junta, Colorado to attend Otero College Nursing school. She worked at PHCC as a CNA and then eventually a LPN. She took some time off school in order to work before going back in 2021 to obtain her Associates in Nursing. She has worked in Infection Prevention, Staff Development, Wound Care, MDS, and now has the honor of representing PHCC as the Director of Nursing. She is proud of the culture we are striving to achieve and where we are as a new team.

Assistant Director of Nursing
Cathy was born in La Junta, CO and has lived in many places in Colorado, but her heart has always been in the Melon Capital. She graduated from Rocky Ford High School in 2004. She obtained her LPN from Otero Junior College, at the age of 19, before traveling to Germany. Once back in the Arkansas Valley, she briefly worked at the Olney Springs Correctional Facility and for Maxim Healthcare. In 2008, she started working at Pioneer Healthcare Center and the residents became her second family. Working 15 years as one of the night nurses, she is pleased to take on a new role at PHCC as Assistant Director of Nursing and MDS. She has been with her lifelong friend and life partner for 15 years, and they have two awesome daughters, 2 dogs, and a cat together. As a family they enjoy BBQs with friends, fishing and camping, riding jet skis/motorcycles/bicycles, experiencing concerts at Red Rocks, and watching movies.

Director of Business
Melonie is life long resident of the Arkansas Valley. She was born right here in the facility when it was a hospital and was raised here in Rocky Ford. She graduated from Rocky Ford High and went on to Otero Junior College to go to nursing school, but decided her passion was on the business side of the medical field. She has worked for numerous Physician Clinics for over 20 years until she joined our team as the Business Office Assistant in November of 2021. She took over the role of Business Office Manager in December 2021. Melonie is the Proud mom of 3 children and has proudly taken the name of Grammy to her 1st Grandson in August of 2022, she has been married to her soul mate for 16 years. In Melonie's free time, she enjoys taking weekend excursions with her husband and family.

Director of Social Services
Social Services Director: Jennifer was born in Omaha, Nebraska where she lived for a majority of her life with her family. Jennifer and her family lived in Southern California during her teenage years and into her early 20's. Jennifer then moved back to Omaha, Nebraska to start her own family. Jennifer is a graduate from Bellevue University with a Bachelor's Degree in Child Protection and Juvenile Justice. In Jennifer's earlier years she worked as a Direct Care Staff for the DD population, a Shared Living Provider for the DD population, Director of BLI Day Service Center for the DD population, BLI Administrative Assistant for the DD population and a Resource for the DD community in Omaha, Nebraska. Jennifer's background is focused on psychosocial well-being, behavioral health and community integration for all of humanity. Jennifer has two children, two grandchildren, and a wonderful and supportive companion of 18 years. In Jennifer's free time she enjoys spending time with her family, dogs and cats. Jennifer is honored to be a part of Pioneer Health Care Center as the Social Service Director.

Director of Activities
Kathleen was born in Amarillo, Texas and at age 3 moved to and was raised in La Junta. In 1991, after marriage and having children, knew it was time to go out into the working world. Her good fortune was to walk in the front doors of Pioneer Health Care Center. She came here to be part of a CNA training course and within 2 days of this knew she wanted to someday work in the Activity Department. That opportunity became available in 1993. Shortly after beginning her new position, she was given the opportunity to attend Arapahoe Community College in Denver to obtain a certificate in Activities. Her hobbies are her family and anything we are able to do as a family. She spends much of her summer working at her home, camping and following her Grandchildren to their cow shows in various states.

OTR/L -Director of Rehabilitation
Rexella is a lifelong resident of the Arkansas Valley, developed a love for the elderly in her formative years. She has happy childhood memories of time spent visiting with residents at the Fowler Nursing Home where her mother was a nurse. Later, she enjoyed visiting homebound residents at Casa Del Sol. She recalls her grandparents move to a nursing home and the impact it had on them. These experiences sparked her interest in nursing home reform, and she was inspired by the work of Eden Alternative. As the director of rehabilitation, Rexella brings her passion to Pioneer Nursing Home. She strives to enable residents to meet their therapy goals while fostering a sense of community. She earned her Associates of Art from Otero Junior College and completed her education at Colorado State University where she earned a degree in Applied Human Sciences in Occupational Therapy in 2001. She feels privileged to have worked with members of the community in all stages of life practicing in pediatric, adult, and geriatric care in a variety of settings. In her free time, she loves spending time with her husband and four children on their family farm. She enjoys learning, traveling and adventure.

Director of Dietary
Brandon was born and raised throughout San Bernardino County in California before moving to Rocky Ford, Colorado at age 13. He graduated high school in Rocky Ford and then moved back to California, where he attended a year at community college and worked as a cook in various restaurants before taking a step back to help care for his grandmother full time. After his grandmother found other care, Brandon moved back to Colorado and began his career in Arkansas Valley working in different restaurant environments. He spent 10 years at the 10th Hole Bar & Grill in Rocky Ford, earning the position of kitchen manager and waiting for the right opportunity, which came in the form of a Dietary Manager position at Pioneer Health Care. He has worked for a year at Pioneer and brings his knowledge of running a kitchen and managing a team to the position, along with his bright personality. He is currently enrolled at University of North Dakota, earning his CDM/CFPP certification. Brandon has a beautiful wife he has been with for 8 years, a six year old son, and lots of furry friends. In his spare time he enjoys exploring Colorado, playing video games, and spending quality time with his family.

Director of Medical Records
Loretta was born in a little town 150 miles from Salt Lake City, Utah. After her father retired from the army of 35 years, she moved to Colorado to be closer to her aunts and uncles. Loretta has lived in Rocky Ford and the surrounding area for 59 years. Graduated from Rocky Ford High School in 1972. She married and had 3 children, two of which were twin boys and a daughter that were born here at Pioneer Health Center when it was a hospital. She has 7 grandsons including twins, two granddaughters, 5 great-granddaughters and 2 great-grandsons. Throughout the years, she worked for a Community Health Center for 21 years, an oxygen company for 10 years, a Home Health Agency for 9 years, a waitress at a local restaurant for 23+ years, as a bartender for 17 years and now for Pioneer Health Center since 2021. Loretta is so excited to be a part of this great team at Pioneer Health Care Center!

CNA-Transportation Specialist
Linda is a long time resident of the Valley, born and raised in Rocky Ford. She worked as a housekeeper at Pioneer Health Care Center originally. 2 weeks later she took CNA classes and started working the floo—her passion was found to work with elderly. This work has made her feel important. She has been at PHCC since 1984 off and on--always was here with her favorite people. Outside of work she spends her time with family. She has 3 daughters and 2 sons whom she loves so much.

Treatment Specialist

Anastacia Gnegy was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. For over 23 years healthcare, in particularly geriatric care, has always been her passion. Since 2000 Anastacia started her health care journey as a home health care aide, taking care of her Aunt with mental health disabilities. After high school she tried retail, barista, food service but was not satisfied with any of them. In 2010 she went back to school to obtain her CNA at Ann Rose School of Nursing Arts and worked as CNA for over a decade in a variety of settings,: HomeHealth, ALF, and Skilled memory care. Anastacia also obtained her QMAP in 2011. Anastacia was awarded a nursing scholarship from her previous employer 2019 to obtain her License in Practical Nursing. Even through a pandemic Anastacia was pinned and became a LPN in 2021. Which has brought her to Pioneer Health Care where she started as a Floor nurse and has been given the opportunity to grow with this amazing family as an MDS Coordinator and Treatment Nurse. Anastacia is a blessed mother of 4 and a proud grandma and has been married to her soul mate/hubby the last 7 years. In Anastacia's free time she enjoys her family time, exploring Colorado and enjoying her variety of pets.

Transportation Specialist

Emilio Jose Rivera born to Dorothy Rivera-Archuleta of Fresno, California and Jose Rivera-Saavedra of El Sabino, Guanajuato Mexico Emillio was born in Mountain View, California raised in Sunnyvale, California, Newark, California, and San Luis, Arizona throughout his childhood, moving to Manzanola, Colorado his Junior year of high school the youngest of 5 and the only boy. After graduation he moved to Phx, Arizona for college studying Massage therapy, Anatomy, Pathology, Kinesiology and Sports medicine, always having a passion for wanting to help people. Life took a turn and he moved back to Manzanola, Colorado acquiring his first job in Psych at the Colorado Boys Ranch studying Psychology/Behavioral health and acquiring his Psychiatric Technicians certification, from that point on he always knew he wanted to work in Psych/Behavioral health. Emillio studied for his CNA in 2018 working for Pioneer Health Care Center, due to his Psych/Behavioral background he was moved to the south unit working for Pioneer in long term care for many years. Emillio looking forward to continuing his education. Emillio is married to loving wife Dena Rivera that he has been with for 7 years, 3 children 13, 10, and 7. His hobbies include, playing video games, listening to music, powerlifting with his nephew, and enjoying spending time with my family, friends, and pets.