Our mission is to offer quality health and housing services that promote independence and well-being for those we serve.
Our People Make the Difference
Sunflower Communities
Stephanie Bauman
Community Relations Manager
Stephanie has over 11 years of experience in the healthcare industry and has spent this time predominately working with senior living communities. Additionally, she has experience in a variety of different sales, marketing, and business development roles. Stephanie plays an active role in maintaining and building relationships with county case managers, social workers, and other senior services contacts throughout greater Twin Cities metro area. Her passion is serving people, both knowing and learning from them. Stephanie is most excited about learning and growing with all of the opportunities this role presents. She has spent the last 10 years living in Chicago and has recently moved back to Minnesota. When not at work, Stephanie enjoys learning languages and experiencing cultures from around the world, spending time with family and friends, road trips, traveling, writing and music. She is also an avid “foodie” and takes any opportunity to experience new and unique foods!
Nagel Assisted Living
Anne Raffaelle, RN
Director of Health Services
Anne is responsible for ensuring that every resident receives the very best healthcare services possible every day at Nagel Assisted Living & Memory Care. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Salisbury College in Maryland and has since gained experience in a multitude of different settings, including Johns Hopkins Hospital, Peninsula Regional Hospital & Montreal Children’s Hospital, home care and now assisted living and memory care communities. In her role with Sunflower Communities, Anne loves being able to make a personal connection with each resident. Having the ability to make a difference in someone’s life through healthcare services or activities in the community are some of the most rewarding parts of her job. When not at Nagel Assisted Living & Memory Care, you can find Anne enjoying the outdoors and exploring new area parks and spending time with her family and friends!
Kari Eischens, RN
RN Clinical Nurse Manager
Kari is responsible for ensuring all residents at Nagel Assisted Living & Memory Care receive the best nursing services to enhance their quality of life. Prior to working with Nagel Assisted Living as a registered nurse, Kari worked as a CNA for 15 years specializing in memory care settings as well as 13 years in a hospital setting. Working over 30 years of overnights has given her an amazing skill set that has taught her to think quick on her feet and connect wonderfully with Nagel Assisted Living residents. In her role with Sunflower Communities, Kari loves being able to make an impact on someone else’s health. When not seeing her residents at Nagel Assisted Living & Memory Care, you can find Kari enjoying a variety of different games, reading and spending time at the cabin and with her granddaughter.
Jacob Miller
Housing Manager
Jacob is responsible for all planning, developing, organizing, and implementing daily functions and programs of the building as well as being involved in the touring, relationship building and move-in process for residents and their families. Jacob eared both his Bachelors degree and his Masters degree from Mankato State University and went on to earn his Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of St. Thomas. Previously working a a mental health counselor for children, juveniles, families, adults and those who are unhoused, he has a true passion for having a role that positively impacts those in need. Being able to build rapport and a trusting relationship with his residents and their families helps him gain more knowledge about each individual and allows him to tailor each interaction accordingly. When not onsite at Nagel Assisted Living and Memory Care, you can find Jacob enjoying his free time on the golf course or regularly cleaning husky fur out of his home and car!
Chloe Morawitz
Activities Director
Chloe is responsible for ensuring that every resident has daily access to activities at Nagel Assisted Living & Memory Care. Starting in nursing school, Chloe fell in love with the activities side of assisted living communities and has been involved in senior living activities since. Prior to joining the team at Nagel Assisted Living & Memory Care, Chloe was a home health aide for 8 years in memory care and mental health settings. Being able to make someone smile is one of the best parts of her day. Being able to get on someone’s level to have a great interaction or make the laugh and smile during an activity are just some of the things that Chloe enjoys being able to do in her role, and she loves being able to find out what people enjoy most to incorporate it into her activity schedules. When not at Nagel Assisted Living & Memory Care, you can find Chloe painting and drawing or outdoors spending time with her two boys and fiancé.
Jason White
Executive Chef
Jason is responsible for developing the restaurant-style menu and great tasting meals that residents enjoy every day at Nagel Assisted Living. He’s committed to doing his part to make life changes as smooth as possible for new residents moving into Nagel by providing familiar tastes of home. Jason received his culinary training from Le Cordon Bleu and has several years of experience in cooking in variety of different senior living communities in Minnesota. Being familiar with dietary and nutrition needs of older adults has given Jason a great skillset in always providing his residents a meal to look forward to. When not at Nagel Assisted Living & Memory Care, you can find Jason camping, hunting, fishing outdoors or spending time with his wife and three boys.
Joe Sherod
Maintenance Technician
Joe is responsible for all maintenance inside and out of Nagel Assisted Living & Memory Care to ensures that every resident feels at home. Prior to working with senior living communities, Joe worked in construction, remodeling and refinishing homes and can fix just about anything that’s malfunctioning. As a self proclaimed jack of all trades, master of none; Joe takes pride in making sure that all residents needs are met whether that be minor fixes to major renovations. Being able to help someone in need is one of the best parts of his day. No matter the request, Joe knows that he will be able to assist someone in need. When not at Nagel Assisted Living & Memory Care, you can find Joe spending time with his friends and family at his cabin and traveling to new places!
Elmore Assisted Living
Amara Pederson, RN
Director of Health Services
Amara is responsible for ensuring that every resident receives the very best healthcare services possible every day at Elmore Assisted Living & Memory Care. Amara has been with Sunflower Communities since July 2019 and prior to that working in home health for 15 years, first as a case manager and then as a clinical supervisor. She also has experience working in long-term care and senior nursing facilities as a floor nurse, MDS coordinator and unit manager. Amara grew up in Columbia Heights, MN and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from St. Catherine’s University. She enjoys her resident’s stories and making a difference in the lives of others. When not working, Amara and her husband spend time with their two grown sons, daughter in law and grandson, three dogs and three cats. She also enjoys DIY home projects, gardening and going to concerts with friends.
Misty Waters
RN Clinical Nurse Manager
Misty is responsible for ensuring all residents at Elmore Assisted Living & Memory Care receive the best nursing services to enhance their quality of life. Working previously in medical/surgical, pediatrics, long-term care, home health care and hospice settings, Misty has a wide array of skills that allow her to build connects with her residents and provide the best care possible. She is dementia care certified through the Crisis Prevention Institute and regularly upholds her training to best care for her patients and their families. Being able to care for those who can’t care for themselves brings her a sense of joy and she enjoys being able to help her residents achieve their health goals. When not at Elmore Assisted Living & Memory Care, you can find Misty spending her free time with her husband, four children and many animals!
Virginia Lappe
RN Clinical Nurse Manager
Virginia is responsible for ensuring all residents at Elmore Assisted Living & Memory Care receive the best nursing services to enhance their quality of life. Working previously in care center settings, in home care and pediatrics, Virginia has gained many skills that have helped her transition into the senior living community settings. In addition to her vast experience, Virginia also has special training in tracheostomies, specimen collection and charting and documentation. Within the community, Virginia makes it a goal to find out the residents likes and dislikes. Being able to incorporate some of these things into residents care helps her make a deeper connection and help them achieve their health goals. In her free time, you can find Virginia spending time with her family and home & outdoors and riding motorcycles with her husband.
Laura Frederiksen, MT-BC
Activities Director
Laura is responsible for ensuring that every resident has daily access to activities at Elmore Assisted Living & Memory Care. Laura earner her Music Therapy degree from Augsburg University and is a board-certified music therapist. She started working in the healthcare field as a receptionist and quickly found out her her passion was working with older adults! Laura has worked in a variety of senior living communities which has given her great experience working with different people and creating activities that meet the needs of those participating. Being able to bring someone joy is one of the best parts of her day. Moving to a senior living community can be scary, so being able to always have a full monthly calendar helps keep a positive environment. In her free time, you can find Laura playing the violin, piano or guitar, spending time outdoors with family or friends, and baking one of her prize winning banana breads or lefse recipes
Troy Thompson
Executive Chef
Troy is responsible for developing our daily, restaurant-style menus. From savory main courses to delicious desserts, Troy uses his extensive culinary experience to deliver on our promise of great food for every resident at every meal. Troy grew up working in the food industry for his parents restaurant and catering companies. Through his years cooking, he has worked with many skilled chefs and has become a Certified Food & Beverage Executive and Certified Food Protection Manager to continue to serve the best products. Prior to working in senior living communities, Troy worked in a variety of establishments including fine dining, bar & grills, banquet & conference centers and beach-front resort settings. Being able to create a wow factor for residents as they’re served their meals puts a smile on his face and always has him making great new dishes. When not in the kitchen, you can find Troy spending time outdoors! Whether it be out hiking trails, canoeing or taking a camping trip it’s a safe bet he is enjoying time outdoors with his wife and children.
David O’Brien
Maintenance Technician
David is responsible for the day-to-day upkeep and maintenance of Elmore Assisted Living & Memory Care. Residents turn to David with small handyman projects, and love the convenience of having a skilled maintenance professional available to serve them daily. David has five years of senior living and healthcare experience. Originally from the town of Blue Earth, MN, when not at work, David enjoys many of the outdoor recreational opportunities that are available to him in the southern MN area. His hobbies include hunting and fishing, but he also coaches baseball and enjoys spending quality time with his family.