Why Serra Sol
Welcome to Serra Sol.
Serra Sol is a welcoming community where individuals with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia can feel fulfilled, cared for and engaged each and every day. We provide an environment that fully supports the needs of those with memory loss. Residents of Serra Sol will enjoy daily activities and outings, many of which are customized to their specific interests and passions. We feel strongly that those with memory loss can live life to the fullest with our support.
We know that in order to provide a truly inspired life for residents in our care, it’s about much more than making sure a resident’s health-related needs are met. It’s about the little things that mean a lot. Warmhearted staff who know your loved one’s favorite activities. Comfortable routines that spark positive memories. Opportunities for fun, laughter and joy each day. A community that truly feels like home.
We select employees who exemplify the values we hold dear: empathy, professionalism, integrity, commitment and compassion. The leadership team at Serra Sol are the gatekeepers of our community culture and are tasked with ensuring that all in our community – residents, employees, resident family members and more – are treated like family.
What Families Are Saying
For more than 30 years, Agemark Senior Living communities have been helping families affected by Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia get the care and support they need. Here’s what our families have to say.
"I looked at more than a dozen care homes. This was the only place I felt happy about Mom living. Moving Mom from home was so very, very hard but so worth it! The emphasis here is on living life with dignity and as much joy as possible."
Leigh Ann
Daughter of a Resident in Granite Bay, CA
"My wife has been a resident for two years. I have never once regretted trusting her to them. As much as I miss having my wife home I feel relieved that she is being treated with the utmost care."
Richard
Husband of a Resident in Lincoln, NE
"My mom has lived in the community for three years. The staff is cheerful and they truly care about mom and my family. They accommodate every need. I trust them with the person who is the most precious to me, my mother!"
Barbara
Daughter of a Resident in Oakdale, CA
"I made the right choice for my parents and for me! I feel comfortable and at ease knowing that the staff is caring for my folks with fun, helpfulness, compassion, understanding and expertise."
Nancy
Daughter of Residents in Lincoln, NE
Community Leadership
Each member of our team has been carefully selected. We first seek out individuals that embrace our core values: professionalism, integrity, commitment and compassion. Additionally, empathy, great communication and willingness to go the extra mile are key attributes for anyone tasked with serving the residents of Serra Sol.
"Serra Sol is truly a special community. Here, we are about so much more than day-to-day care. We look to find a way to bring joy, smiles and laughter to each and every person who lives in our community."
Susie Peterson
Executive Director
As Executive Director of Serra Sol Memory Care, Susie Peterson leads a team of caring professionals focused on providing excellent care for those with memory loss.
She provides a wide range of experience, both in and out of senior care. She began her career in marketing and sales for the News-Gazette, a daily newspaper in Central Illinois before moving to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, where she served as a Claims Supervisor and National Facilitator for BCBS Customer Service Program, “Signature Service”.
Susie’s first taste of senior living was in her next role, a Family and Community Relations Director of a continuing care retirement community. It was here that she developed a passion for senior living and particularly, memory care. Although it wasn’t in her job description, Susie began spending time with residents with memory loss, getting to know their personal interests and passions. In her words, she “fell in love” with memory care.
Soon after, Susie transitioned to a position with the Alzheimer’s Association, where she spent two years directing fundraising for numerous walk events in the state of Nebraska, including The Longest Day and The Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The focus of each event was to raise funds that went to support finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. She also led support groups for family caregivers, provided education for families and professionals and worked with many local senior living communities. In was in this role that she was approached by Agemark Senior Living to lead a new local memory care community.
Susie was then hired as the Executive Director of CountryHouse in Kearney, Nebraska, a community that exclusively provided memory care services for those with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. The community was fairly new, and Susie’s leadership and guidance proved instrumental to the success of the community. In her time as Executive Director, she and her team helped countless residents affected by dementia, and provided support to their families as well. After three years in this position, Susie moved to New Mexico and took an Executive Director position at another company. But she didn’t forget her Agemark family, and a short time later, chose to return to the company, relocating to sunny San Juan Capistrano to serve as Executive Director of Serra Sol Memory Care.
Susie holds Assisted Living Administrators Licenses in Nebraska, New Mexico and California, is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and a trained facilitator for the Virtual Dementia Tour. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with a business minor from the University of Illinois.
She has four adult children: Abby, Rob, Jack and Mark, along with three grandchildren. In her free time, she loves spending time with family, in the sunshine and in the water.
"I joined Serra Sol and Agemark because our core values - professionalism, integrity, commitment and compassion are perfectly aligned."
Sausha Sherbin
Senior Living Consultant
Sausha Sherbin is Serra Sol Memory Care’s Senior Living Consultant. In her role, she provides helpful guidance for families considering memory care for their loved one.
Her interest in memory care is personal, as both of her parents were affected by dementia. Her first-hand experience allows Sausha to truly empathize with prospective families.
Sausha has a wealth of experience in sales and hospitality. Prior to joining the Serra Sol team, Sausha was a case manager for Care Partners, and worked in business development for Right at Home. She holds an RCFE Administrator’s license.
Before working with Seniors, she was Senior Manager of Training at Gemstone Hotels & Resorts. Her past experience also includes time spent with Disney. She served as their World Ambassador and later did hospitality training for the Honda Center. She launched a company, World Class Service, which provided service and hospitality training for sports teams including the Oakland A’s, San Diego Chargers, Anaheim Might Ducks, Denver Broncos and Anaheim Angels.
Sausha was born in New York and now makes California her home. She has three siblings – Serge, Natasha, and Nick, and a son named Serge. In her spare time, she enjoys riding her Arabian gelding, DJ
“I joined Agemark because of our culture. We believe in family first and demonstrate that each and every day. Our mission is to treat everyone like family – our residents and their families, our employees and those who we meet in the community.”
Leticia Higares, LVN
Corporate Nurse
Leticia Higares brings a wealth of experience in Assisted Living and Memory Care to Serra Sol Memory Care. As Agemark’s corporate nurse, she helps oversee Directors of Nursing at Agemark’s seven California communities.
Before being elevated to her current role, Leticia was the Executive Director at Astoria Senior Living and Memory Care in Oakdale, CA.
Prior to joining Agemark, she served as a Health and Wellness Director of six years. She is a Licensed Vocational Nurse and spent a decade as an HR manager. She holds a degree in Business Administration.
Leticia and her husband, David, have four children and three dogs. She was born and raised in the Bay Area.
“I look forward to being a positive force in the lives of residents of Serra Sol as well as their families. I can’t wait to get to spend time with residents, doing creative and fun things to help make their lives as joyful as possible!”
Tonimarie Burdette
Marketing Assistant
As Serra Sol’s Marketing Assistant, Toni Burdette plays an important role in helping families and residents considering Serra Sol get all information needed to determine if our community is right for them.
Prior to joining team Serra Sol, she spent 15-years working in education and was most recently an administrative assistant to the assistant principal and athletic director at a high school in Phoenix, Arizona. Toni enjoys helping others and is excited to create a new second family at Serra Sol.
“I'm excited to be part of such an amazing team. To be part of such a wonderful company and able to work at our lovely community in the most beautiful area of California is my dream come true!”
Janice Callanan
Life Enrichment Coach
Janice Callanan influences the social, spiritual, intellectual and physical wellness of Serra Sol residents as the community’s Life Enrichment Coach. Activities at Serra Sol include exercise, arts & crafts, cooking & baking, games, music, entertainment and much more. She also takes residents on outings and daily scenic drives around lovely San Juan Capistrano.
Her move to Serra Sol was prompted by the desire to be part of building a new community that serves those with memory care needs in Orange County. Prior to joining our community, Janice was the Director of Resident Engagement at another local memory care community for eleven years.
Janice began spending time with seniors as a young girl with her Girl Scout troop. She remembers how much fun it was to spend time with residents at her local nursing home. After a 20-year career in customer service and the owner of a cosmetics studio and nail salon, she switched her focus to serving the elderly.
Janice grew up in Connecticut. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Secretarial Science. She’s thrilled to now make California her home. Creatively minded, she loves bringing a sense of fun to Serra Sol and sharing new ideas with other Agemark communities.
“I love working with seniors - it’s my daily mission to make someone laugh or smile. I’m happy to help them with anything and everything they need to be happy and thrive here in our community.”
Scott Gardner
Maintenance Supervisor
A handy man with a heart for seniors, Scott serves as Serra Sol’s Maintenance Supervisor. He’s responsible for general maintenance and repair of the community, doing anything from fixing clogged drains to hanging photos and keepsakes for residents in our care.
Before joining the Serra Sol team, Scott was employed by Basset Construction for more than five years. Prior to that, he was an installer and fabricator at Simmons Glass and an installer crew chief and project manager at Renaissance Doors & Windows.
Born and raised in San Clemente (and a resident to this day), Scott graduated from San Clemente High School and earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Irvine Valley College. He enjoys spending time with his stepson, Joey, and Joey’s wife, Sarah.
“I enjoy the family feel of our community and love to make a difference in the lives of residents in our care. I love being an important part of their lives and spreading love through food.”
Jorge Jimenez
Dining Service Manager
A regular in the kitchen since his teen years, Jorge Jimenez is Serra Sol’s Dining Service Manager, where he leads a team of food service professionals and looks to delight residents of Serra Sol with his culinary creations.
Jorge began as a dishwasher and server before moving into roles as a line cook, sous chef and finally an executive chef. His previous experience includes stints in restaurants, hotels and senior living. But an opportunity to work with seniors in a family atmosphere is what he truly enjoys most. He enjoys getting to know residents personally and incorporating some of their favorite dishes in the community’s menu offerings.
When not in the kitchen, Jorge enjoys spending time with his 9-year old son.
Join Our Team
Interested in a career in senior living? We’re looking to add talented members to our team. We choose employees who emulate the values that we hold as a company: Compassion, Commitment, Professionalism and Integrity.
If this describes you, apply for an opportunity today.