Our Team
WORKING TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THOSE WE SERVE
Serving the Columbia Gorge for over 50 years, Columbia Basin Care is the only independent, not-for-profit care facility in the region. We operate with a skilled, dedicated staff, a volunteer Board of Directors, and a management company that provides oversight and support. With a resident-centered approach, we emphasize personal attention and continuity of care for each individual.
Dr. Stephen McLennon
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Dr. Stephen McLennon has worked as a physician in The Dalles for over 25 years, with a focus on family medicine, occupational medicine and urgent care. He serves as Medical Director for the Deschutes Rim Clinic in Maupin, Hearts of Hospice in Hood River, and is attending physician at Oregon Veterans’ Home.
Stephen is an accomplished drummer and facilitates drum circles for fun and stress reduction. He and his wife, Heidi, enjoy hiking, gardening and cooking.
Valerie Hiveley-Blatz
ASSISTANT MEDICAL DIRECTOR
GERIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER
Columbia Basin Care is the only nursing home in the region with an on-site Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Valerie Hiveley-Blatz. With professional skill and attention, she serves as primary care provider. Val is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Nursing, and holds a master’s degrees in Geriatric Nursing and Psychiatric Nursing. In addition, she's a wound care specialist. She’s lived in The Dalles for 30 years, and enjoys biking, swimming and gardening.
Aubree Schreiner
executive director
As Executive Director, Aubree deftly blends heart and mind to successfully lead a facility of over 60 residents and more than 100 employees. She returns to this position after having served the same for five years until December 2020. An Oregon native, she is a graduate of Oregon State University where she studied public health management policy with a minor in business. Aubree has experience leading long-term care facilities and overseeing regional operations. “I have a passion for geriatrics,” she says. “Long-term care is a critical part of the health system. How we treat our elderly is a direct reflection of who we are, and what we value.”
Born and raised in Hood River, Aubree lives in The Dalles. Aubree enjoys spending her free time with her family, traveling, reading, gardening, and outdoors with her 4 dogs.
Debbie Mahoney
Infection Control preventionist
Debbie is a Mt Hood College nursing graduate, and has been a nurse for over 25 years working in labor and delivery, pediatrics, OB/GYN and as a traveling nurse. She has recently moved here from La Center, WA to realize her and her husbands dream of owning a property with ample space for their horses.
When not at work, Debbie loves to ride her horses, motorcycles and also loves to spend time at home with her family.
Cassie Hill
Director of nursing services
Cassie began her nursing career at Columbia Basin Care in 2009 working as a floor nurse. She was promoted to a Resident Care Manager, then to Director of Nursing Services in February 2013. Like many working mothers, she decided to take more time at home to raise her three daughters. In 2016 she resigned her full-time position at CBC, but stayed connected by working part-time as a nurse consultant for Aidan Health Services, CBC’s management company. Now that her daughters are older, she has more time to dedicate to nursing, so has returned as Director of Nursing Services at Columbia Basin Care.
Joe Fischer
FOOD SERVICE DIRECTOR
Joe worked nearly three years as a cook at Columbia Basin Care before transitioning into managing the kitchen as the Food Service Director.
Joe is uniquely equipped for this role, having worked throughout 15 years as a certified nursing assistant and certified medication aide, and eight years with Heart of Hospice. In addition, he is a certified administrator for Assisted Living Facilities/Resident Care facilities.
Janet Sullivan
MEDICAL RECORDS DIRECTOR
Dedicated and loyal, Janet has worked at Columbia Basin Care for nearly 30 years. She holds a unique longterm perspective of our operations and has seen numerous changes and advances over the years. Janet has served in many capacities, from nurse aide to human resources to activities director.
She enjoys camping, fishing, hunting and likes to dabble in photography. Janet is the proud mother of two daughters and is grandmother to three youngsters.
Delena Gordon
SOCIAL SERVICES DIRECTOR, LPN
Delena is a Licensed Practical Nurse and has worked in long-term care for more than a decade. She graduated from Pioneer Pacific Community College in 2008 with an associates degree in Nursing. She first joined Columbia Basin Care as a charge nurse before transitioning into the role of Social Services Director. “My work here is rewarding,” she says. “I enjoy the daily interaction with the residents.”
She enjoys spending time with her family and is frequently busy with arts and craft projects with her children.
Alesia O’Brien
ACTIVITY DIRECTOR
Between bingo, baking, manicures and more, Alesia is busy buzzing about to ensure folks have access to fun. Creating engaging activities and events comes naturally to Alesia. “It’s a joy to come to work everyday,” she says.
Alesia was born and raised in The Dalles. She and her husband, Mike, raised three sons. The couple enjoy camping, snowmobiling, grandchildren, and spending time at their family ranch in eastern Oregon.
Eric Quick
Environmental Services Director
With his easy going and dependable nature, Eric brings a sense of comfort and security to Columbia Basin Care. He brings with him years of experience with a background in heavy machinery operation.
Eric is originally from Michigan, but moved to White Salmon, WA in 2011 after a visit to the gorge years prior. He lives there with his two labradors and two australian shepherds. In his free time he loves spending time with his dogs, riding his motorcycle and going to car shows.
Denise Devore
Resident Care Manager, RN
Native to The Dalles, Denise has always had a heart for caring for the aged, and has spent most of her career in nursing and hospice care. Her mother spent some time at CBC recovering from surgeries and Denise said of the experience “I was so impressed by the care she received, that I decided to apply myself”.
Denise and her husband have 9 children and 20 grandchildren, dull moments are rare. They share their home in Dufur, OR with a dog and a cat. Denise is a passionate musician, enjoying singing, songwriting and recording inspirational music, having produced 3 full CDs already.
Gwen Berry
Office Assistant
Gwen has worked at Columbia Basin Care for over 20 years. She was a CNA for 15 years before an injury caused her to change her position to Office Assistant. Greeting residents, staff and visitors, directing the flow of daily operations and supporting all the departments is no easy task, but Gwen easily takes care of everything, with knowledge that is unmatched and a warmth that can be felt.
Gwen lives in The Dalles with her daughter and their 2 dogs, 2 cats and 2 bearded dragons. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family.
Melodie Davis
Marketing Director
A Fine Arts Bachelor, Melodie brings creativity and enthusiasm to Columbia Basin Care. From social media to in-house event planning, bookclubs to movie nights, newsletters to promotional material, she does it all while still finding ample time to visit residents with her 4 dogs, reading with them and making them smile.
When not at work, Melodie enjoys reading, walking, gardening and simply living life with her family here in The Dalles. Her favorite part of working at CBC is seeing the joy it brings to residents when they interact with her dogs, and watching their relationships grow.
Anneta Crown
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR
Focused and friendly, Anneta brings a blend of efficiency and warmth. She holds a degree in Family and Social Science from Brigham Young University, and her payroll and staffing experience is matched with first-hand knowledge of the facility — her grandmother resided here. She fondly recalls wheelchair races and attentive staff. "We were here all the time," says Anneta. "She was well taken care of."
A Hood River native, she lives in The Dalles and enjoys spending time with her husband, Christopher, an English cocker spaniel, Gus, and a cat, Puff.
Alicha Smith
RESIDENT CARE MANAGER, RN
Alicha has dedicated her career to the elderly, working her way from Certified Nursing Assistant to Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse — all as a single mother raising two boys and balancing her work with the rigors of nursing school. As Resident Care Manager she serves a role that blends nursing knowledge with medical analysis. “I like working with the elderly and creating bonds. I get to know each resident, and understand the strength and skill of each nurse and assistant.”
Born and raised in Hood River, Alicha enjoys outdoor adventures such as hiking and paddleboarding.
